Classics in board book format

LITTLE CHICK by Laura Thompson with illustrations by John Butler. Little Simon, 2013.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY by Judith Viorst with illustrations by Ray Cruz. Little Simon.

BEAR'S LOOSE TOOTH by Karma Wilson with illustrations by Jane Chapman. Little Simon.

A TALE FOR EASTER by Tasha Tudor. Little Simon.


Three classics of children's literature receive board book treatment.

A rose by any other name

A WOUNDED NAME by Dot Hutchison. Carolrhoda LAB, 2013.

The headmaster, Hamlet, is dead. Ophelia mourns his loss as he was one of the few people at her boarding school who understood the demons who haunted her after her mother's suicide. But now, he is gone, and his son Dane is also being haunted by demons. Hutchison places the elements of Shakespeare's play in the present day, populates it with familiar characters, and set the wheels of the tragedy in motion. Tie this one to SOMETHING ROTTEN by Alan Gratz and other variations of the story.

worthy sequel

If all you know of Ian Fleming's CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is the Disney movie, take some time to locate the book and give it a go. Then, dive into the sequel: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG FLIES AGAIN by Frank Cotrell Boyce (Candlewick Press 2012). When Mr. Tooting loses his job, he takes it as a good sign (ever the optimist is Dear Old Dad Tooting). Before long, he has refashioned the family camper van with a new engine. Off go the Tooting Family to see Paris, the Sphinx, and dinosaurs (Mr. Tooting permits each family member to select a destination on their journey). However, landing atop the Eiffel Tower was certainly NOT part of the plan. Yet, that is exactly where the Tootings find themselves. Why? That is part of the mystery and the adventure and the total fun that awaits readers who head off with the Tooting Family aboard Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The first book might have become a classic thanks to the Disney film. This book will win that status because it gives readers a completely wonderful and absorbing reading experience. <202>

Revisiting an old friend

THE HUMMING ROOM by Ellen Potter (Feiwel and Friends 2012) was inspired by THE SECRET GARDEN. While the book might have its roots (pun intended) in the classic, it is wholly its own modern day classic. When Roo is sent to live with her reclusive uncle following the death of her father, she is shuttered away from almost everyone. Her uncle is not to be disturbed when he is even present; Roo is forbidden to explore parts of the old house in which she now lives. Of course Roo is quick to break all the rules. In doing so, she discovers a new friend, a nephew who has been hidden away, and a glorious garden now in ruins. Potter has created a wonderfully resilient heroine in Roo. Only Roo would be brave enough to have discovered all of the wonders lurking beneath something that appears to be lifeless. Warm, wise, witty: explore the world created in THE HUMMING ROOM. <199>

Pardon Me, Please

Gail Carson Levine's newest book, FORGIVE ME, I MEANT TO DO IT: FALSE APOLOGY POEMS (Harper 2012) with illustrations by Matthew Cordell, is a collection of original poems that take off from the William Carlos Williams' poem "This Is Just to Say." It also has a bit of the Stinky Cheese Man's playing with book parts to it as well. Simply, it is hugely funny and incredibly playful. There are apology poems (false apology poems)from characters in nursery rhymes and fairy tales in addition to selections from naughty children and aliens. High school teachers will find this incredibly useful. Middle school teachers might read some aloud as mentor texts for writing, too. And all of us will thoroughly enjoy the reading. <78>