some picture books for watch for in 2012

Loreen Leedy gives readers SEEING SYMMETRY (Holiday House 2012), a fascinating examination of symmetry in the world around us. Letters, numbers, animals, plants: many of these have symmetry. Different types of symmetry are clearly delineated and explained. if you have not had the chance to have read any of Leedy's other books, find MESSAGES IN THE MAILBOX, THE EDIBLE PYRAMID, and CRAZY LIKE A FOX among other terrific nonfiction titles. <44>




LADYBUGS by Gail Gibbons (Holiday House 2012) gives readers plenty of useful information about the various types of this beetle common to North America. From egg to pupa to beetle, Gibbons shows readers how ladybugs grow. Their role in helping farmers is also explored. <45>




THE ELIJAH DOOR by Linda Leopold Strauss with illustrations by Alexi Natchev (Holiday House 2012) is a Passover tale about two families that had been friends for a long time. The daughter of one family was even engaged to a son of the neighboring family. And then something happened. Who can remember what it was, but now the families are not speaking to one another. The engaged couple, with the help of their rabbi and the neighbors, devise a way to bring the two feuding families back together. <46>





BALLERINA SWAN by Allegra Kent with illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully (Holiday House 2012) is the story of Bella, a swan who longs to dance. One day she is invited to join the dance class and learn how to a ballerina. She even receives a special role in the class' performance of Swan Lake. <47>

new in nonfiction

ANCIENT EGYPT: TALES OF GODS AND PHARAOHS by Marcia Williams (Candlewick Press 2011)uses a picture book/ GN format to tell the stories of Tut, Thutmose, Cleopatra, and other important gods and leaders of the ancient Egyptians. Illustrations move from double page spreads to GN panels and serve to emphasize the importance of the action being described in the text. This book would make a great accompaniment to Rick Riordan's book based on Egyptian mythology. <26>

the nonfiction keeps on coming

THE BRAVEST WOMAN IN AMERICA by Marissa Moss with illustrations by Andrea U'ren (Tricycle Press 2011) is a fictionalized biography of Ida Lewis who, at the tender age of 16, helped tend the lighthouse and rescue sailors. She eventually became an official light house keeper and was honored with The Congressional Life Saving medal later in her life. Perhaps we can use this as an introduction to THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES, a story set at the base of a lighthouse? <10>



POLAR BEARS by Mark Newman (Holt 2011) would make an excellent model for readers and writers. Each double page spread contains one simple sentence (i.e., Polar bears are twins) in large type. Smaller paragraphs then elaborate on that sentence. Pair with THE GOLDEN COMPASS since that is the mental image that swam in my mind as I viewed this wonderful photos of polar bears. <11>




FRANKLIN AND WINSTON: A CHRISTMAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Douglas Wood with illustrations by Barry Moser (Candlewick Press 2011) tells the story of the Christmas that the US entered into WWII following the bombing of Pearl harbor. Churchill and Roosevelt enjoyed a visit at the White House, one filled with friendship between the two world leaders. Pair this with Jim Giblin's TRUCE. <12>





BEFORE THERE WAS MOZART, there was Joseph, Chevalier de Saint-George, the son of a slave and her master. Joseph and his parents emigrated to Paris when Joseph was a child. It was his father's home, and the family hoped they might all find acceptance there. For Joseph, life was not so easy. A mixed race child, he suffered from the murmurings of others. However, his immense musical talents won him admirers, including Louis XV and his wife. I might pair this with THE MOVES MAKE THE MAN by Bruce Brooks. <13>

Odds and endings

SOLOMON CROCODILE by Catherine Rayner (FSG 2011) has a grinning Solomon on the cover. Solomon loves to scare the frogs and upset the other wildlife near the water. They, of course, chastise him for his behavior. However, it is all in good fun. But it does make it tough to find a friend. <706>



THE PRINCESS OF BORSCHT by Leda Schubert with illustrations by Bonnie Christensen (Roaring Brook 2011) opens with Ruthie visiting her grandmother in the hospital. The only thing that will make grandma feel better is a bowl of borscht. But Grandma falls asleep before telling Ruthie how to make it or even where to find the recipe. Ruthie enlists some of grandma's neighbors who argue about the best way to make borscht. Recipe included. <707>




As THE PRINCE'S NEW PET by Brian Anderson (Roaring Brook 2011) opens, the young Prince Viridian is mourning the total absence of color in his father's kingdom. The Royal Color Catcher has banished all color as it reminds the king of his late wife. However, when a strange gift arrives for Prince Viridian's birthday, the gray kingdom just might stand a chance of getting some of its color back. <708>




HENRY'S HEART (Holt 2011) is a terrific example of how fact and fiction can coexist beautifully together. Charise Mericle Harper tells the story of Henry and his heart. One day, while walking with his father, Henry's heart begins to beat faster. What is making this change in heart rate? Henry has spied a puppy in the pet store window. His father says they cannot buy the puppy, and Henry returns home to hole up in his room. Concerned, his mother takes Henry to the doctor who has a special prescription to help Henry's heart. <709>





BABY, COME AWAY by Victoria Adler with illustrations by David Walker (FSG 2011) has a driving rhythm that will take the reader along with baby as he interacts with birds, and cats, and dogs, and other things over the course of a busy day. Not quite a lullaby but more of a marching song with great repetition to encourage young kids to read along. <710>

picture books to inform

GODS AND GODDESSES OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY by Don Nardo (Capstone/Compass Points, 2012) provides readers with a terrific overview of the various gods and goddesses from mythology. From Gaea and Uranus to the Titans and the gods of Mount Olympus, readers will enjoy the "snapshot" text and the full color illustrations. If students like this book, introduce them to George O'Connor's GN series on the gods and goddesses as well. <654>



THE GIRL'S GUIDE TO MERMAIDS: EVERYTHING ALLURING ABOUT THESE MYTHICAL BEAUTIES by Sheri Johnson (Capstone/Compass Point, 2012) introduces readers to the mythology of the mermaid. How did the story of these creatures begin? Is there some basis in reality (narwhals, manatees)? Additions such as the Mermaid yearbook (famous mermaids) and mermaid quizzes are perfect for younger readers. <655>




IT'S A PATTERN by M. W. Penn (Capstone/Pebble, 2012) discusses patterns that can be seen and patterns that can be heard. It asks readers to guess the next number in a pattern sequence, thus making this a great book to bring into a math class. Photographs accompany a rhyming text geared toward sharing with young readers. <656>