Children’s THE VERY FAIRY... cont’d from pg. 21 children to learn. While this won’t be more than a one-time read at our house, it might make a better addition to a tiara-loving-little girl’s bookshelf. Reviewed by Jennifer Melville A Friend for Einstein, the Smallest Stallion By Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner Hyperion Children’s, $16.99, 34 pages A Friend for Einstein, the Smallest Stallion is different from most “picture books.” It uses actual photographs instead of illustrations. A New York Times best seller, Einstein is already hugely popular. Once you see the book, you’ll know why. What’s not to love about a tiny little horse? The story is cute and well written by Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner. The design, layout, and materials are first class, and it’s printed in the USA. You just can’t ask for more than that from a children’s book. It’s a fivestar book to be sure. This book is a hit on many levels, and not just with children as being on the best seller list suggests. Charlie puts it this way, “It’s a unique snapshot into the life of a tiny horse, the likes of which have never been seen before, and probably won’t be again.” Charlie wasn’t referring to the pictures when he said “snapshot;” the pun was unintended. If you like animals at all, get this book. The horse isn’t the only animal in it. There are bunnies, a turtle, kittens, ducks, and of course Lily the dog, Einstein’s new friend. Reviewed by David Broughton Seven Fathers By Ashley Ramsden with illustration by Ed Young Roaring Brook Press, $16.99, 32 pages Ashley Ramsden retells a Norwegian tale showing how we are connected to our ancestors. In this tale, a traveler, weary from walking through a snow blizzard, comes upon a house and asks an old man chopping wood if he has a room for the night. The old man sends him to his very old father in the kitchen. But this old man sends him to his very, very old father in the parlor, and so forth through seven fathers. When at last the traveler is granted a room, he finds himself seated at a banquet table heaped with food with the seven fathers, at the young man’s age, standing before him. Each father removes his crown and places it before the man. As soon as the traveler finishes his meal, he finds himself in the softest of beds. Award winning artist Ed Young illustrates this story of family and tradition with pastel, ink, paint, and
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other materials to highlight the spiritual rewards of persistence and determination, while still allowing Ramsden’s words of mystery and humor to shine through. This thought-provoking book is likely to bring questions and comments from the readers; great for family interaction. Reviewed by Susan Roberts Miss Smith Under the Ocean By Michael Garland Dutton Juvenile, $16.99, 29 pages Miss Smith is a bold and adventurous teacher who takes her students along on an exploratory ride whenever she opens her incredible storybook. She is loved by the students, and in Miss Smith Under the Ocean, Miss Smith and her students go on a fieldtrip to the aquarium. As she opens her incredible storybook, the tales come alive and the field trip turns into a tumultuous boat ride. Together Miss Smith and her class travel under the ocean and explore tales from Moby Dick to Gulliver’s Travels and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.Author Michal Garland has created a tale that incorporates children’s classics spanning many decades, and kids will be listening attentively as the book jumps from one adventure to another with characters from the famous stories. Garland’s illustrations are bright and colorful and filled with realistic details. The focus on each page pulls the readers and listeners into the story. The children’s authentic expressions make them come alive and create motion in the illustrations, as well as believability.Miss Smith Under the Ocean is a part of the New York Times best-selling series by Garland, and there are many more adventures to discover. Reviewed by J Rodney Skippyjon Jones, Class Action By Judy Schachner Dutton Juvenile, $17.99, 32 pages Skippyjon Jones, a Siamese cat who wants to be a Chihuahua, is back in another fantastic adventure! When Skippyjon sees puppies lined up at the bus stop ready to go to school, he wants to go too. But Mama Junebug doesn’t think he is ready. Mama tells him that dogs are unruly and drooly, their barks are ferocious and their dog breath smells atrocious! But Skippyjon won’t give up. Readers will be delighted by Judy Schachner’s newest book, Skippyjon Jones Class Action. As fans know, this kitty has a knack for using his imagination. He disappears into his closet and the journey begins. He explores school with his amigos, Los Chimichangos. He must save the other pups from a wooly bully (he wears a sweater). Kids who want more freedom will identify with Skippyjon. Mama still sees him as her kitty boy who
needs supervision. Skippyjon, like many children, must learn to live with three siblings. The book’s text rhymes at times and features Spanish words. The included CD puts a tune to the songs Skippyjon sings. Schachner’s illustrations are magical and so filled with details that kids will spend hours studying the pages. Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin Earth to Clunk By Pam Smallcomb with illustration by Joe Berger Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 34 pages A young boy gets a pen pal assignment at school, but not just an ordinary pen pal. The boy’s pen pal is Clunk, who is from the planet Quazar. The boys is not thrilled about having to write letters to Clunk, and he sends his new pen pal undesirable items such as old lasagna, dirty socks, and his own big sister. Clunk, on the other hand, sends the boy strange items such as a fuzzy zoid, smelly forps and other strange things from Quazar. One day the packages stop arriving, and it is not until then that the young boy realizes how much he actually enjoys the special packages from Clunk. In Earth To Clunk, author Pam Smallcomb has created a funny tale that young boys will love. Despite the oddities and the simple storyline, it is a funny story with a timeless message of friendship and appreciation for what you have that can be understood by kids all over the world and the universe. Joe Berger’s illustrations have a cartoonish quality, and while the backgrounds are faded, the characters are bright and detailed. This effect creates a quirky impression that helps emphasize the story’s simple but funny aspects. Reviewed by J Rodney The Bear Who Shared By Catherine Rayner Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 32 pages The Bear Who Shared is a heart-warming story of sharing with friends. Wise bear Norris patiently waits beneath a tree for the very last fruit to fall. Meanwhile, raccoon Tulip and mouse Violet, also attracted to the last, sweet fruit
of the season, climb the tree to investigate. They find, “It smelled of honey and sunny days.” When they hugged it, “It felt as soft as cotton candy.” And just as they were about to lick it, the fruit fell down, down, down into Norris’ arms. But being wise and kind, Norris pealed the fruit and shared a piece with Tulip and a piece with Violet. From that time on, they shared everything. The Bear Who Shared”” is a friendship tale complete with suspense, humor, and kindness. Award-winning author/illustrator Catherine Rayner beautifully illustrates the tale in bold watercolors, subtly showing the new friends’ differences and clearly showing their love. This has the sweetness and beauty of a classic. Reviewed by Susan Roberts Ten Moonstruck Piglets By Lindsay Lee Johnson with illustration by Carll Cnuet Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99, 32 pages When everyone else is asleep and the moon is full, ten small piglets sneak from their beds to enjoy a midnight romp. Johnson tells their rhyming story in Ten Moonstruck Piglets. Mama pig keeps snoozing while her young ones dance and play. Each piggy has its own unique personality. Chico wears a robe and carries a book. Kelly is in charge of tiny Mia. Twins Melinda and Melissa stick close together. The bright moon is their guide as the siblings play leapfrog, root for veggies, and belly flop into a cool pond.Artist Carll Cneut breathes life into the piglets’ adventure by expertly using acrylic paint in his illustrations. Look for the small details that make each scene even more charming. Bam has trouble with a slouchy sock and guess what book Chico is reading? When the moon disappears behind a cloud, the pigs get a scare. Will Mama wake up in time to help them? Little readers will need help with bigger words. Children will want to know what other animals do when the moon is full. It is a fun story to share together. Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin
BISMARCK... cont’d from page 17 between these extremes. Despite these quibbles, it is a must read for students of European history and statecraft. Reviewed by Jordan Magill
O n o u r w e b s i t e : T H E B A C K PAG E , w r i t t e n b y p u b l i s h e d a u t h o r s