TIME: Almanac 1990/1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso/time/cal/89choice.chd

Text File | 1991-05-04 | 29KB | 809 lines

Children's Editor's Choice

Adler, David A. Illus. by Halpern, Joan. Malke's Secret Recipe:
A Chanukah Story 1989. 32p. Kar-Ben Copies, $10.95
(0-934094-88-1); paper, $4.95 (0-934094-89-X).
Jews--Fiction II Cookery--Fiction [CIP] 88-32019

Ages 4-8. In the village of Chelm, each family has its own recipe
for latkes, the traditional Hanukkah potato pancakes. But Malke's
recipe, renowned for its delicate consistency and taste, is so
zealously guarded that she no longer invites villagers for the
holiday fearing they will divine her secret ingredients. One year,
Berel, the shoemaker, determines to have some Malke's latkes.
Hiding near her house, he waits until the famed cook begins grating
potatoes. Peeking through a window, Berel writes down each item
Malke uses, runs home clutching the prized recipe, and excitedly
begins preparations. "Who ever heard of using scallions in latkes?"
Bere's wife, Yentel, objects. "An onion is better." "Parsley!
Vegetable oil! That's not a secret recipe, that's secret nonsense,"
she continues. In fact, Yentel has a superior substitute for each
ingredient until, when the family finally eats the long anticipated
latkes, they disappointingly pronouce them "just like ours. For
this amusingly told holiday nibble, Halpern zestily accents her
expressive black-and-white drawings with shades of salmon. Malke's
recipe is included at book's end along with a brief history of
Hanukkah.--Ellen Mandel


Aiken, Joan. Return to Harken House. Jan. 1990. 128p. Delacorte,
$13.95 (0-385-29975-3). Galley.
Ghosts--Fiction II England--Fiction [OCLC] 89-23483

Gr. 6-8. In this dark, brooding piece, the ambiguities of evil are
raised, though never fully resolved. Sent to Harken House to live
with her playwright father while she goes to school, Julia is
startled to learn that he is in Switzerland mounting a production
of one of his plays. Her stepmother, Trudl, is equally surprised
to see Julia,but finds a room for her in the dank and dreary place.
As the days pass, Julia becomes caught up in the house's history
and the hex put on it by the fifteenth-century alchemist who once
lived there. Gradually, Julia becomes a vehicle for voices of the
former occupants, who begin to speak through her. Set in England
during the 1930s, the story attempts to link the escalating Nazi
threat with the horrors Julia is experiencing, but it will take a
sophisticated reader to make the connections. Children may also be
puzzled by the open-ended conclusion, which does not resolve
Julia's experiences with paranormal phenomena. An evocative yet
enigmatic mood piece geared to the thoughtful.--Irene Cooper


Asimov, Isaac. Illus. by Kors, Erika. How Did We Find Out about
Photosynthesis? 1989. 1989. 32p. Walker, $11.95 (0-8027-6899-7);
lib. ed., $11.85 (0-8027-6886-5).
581 1'3342 Photosynthesis [CIP] 89-5832

Gr. 6-8. Photosynthesis, "the most important chemical process on
earth," is a complicated series of interactions that scientists
still have not completely deciphered. Asimov outlines what they do
know by recounting the chain of experiments and discoveries that
slowly built an understanding of how plants turn sunlight into food
and produce oxygen. While the information is useful, the book's
format is deceptive. The illustrated narrative is technical at
times and likely to prove challenging for younger readers. Those
versed enough to be comfortable with the text will find the
phonetic spellings for basic terminology intrusive and
inconsistent. Regardless, students with a strong science interest
will find the material functional.--Denise Wilms


Auch, Mary Jane. Illus. by Smith, Cat Bowman. Angel and Me and the
Bayside Bombers. 1989. 60p. Little, Brown, $9.95 (0-316-05914-5).
Soccer--Fiction [CIP] 89-31646

Gr. 2-4. Brian Hegney would love to play soccer with his
neighborhood team, the Bayside Bombers, but the team's kid boss,
Steve Grebe, will only admit the best players. Brian knows he
doesn't qualify, but after catching Steve embarrassingly dressed
at a wedding, Brian blackmails his way onto the team. Poor playing
promptly gets him kicked off, after which Brian foolishly
challenges the Bombers to a game against a team he plans to
organize himself. It takes Brian's soccer-playing cousin Angel to
save him fro his rash outburst by fielding a team of newcomers,
each armed with a special trick. Auch's story is weakened by forced
humor and a somewhat improbable plot, but it zips along in a way
that will appeal to kids new to chapter books. Line-and-wash
cartoon drawings enliven the scenes.--Denise Wilms


Bailey, Jill and Parker, Steve. Birds: The Plant-and-Seed-Eaters.
1989. 96p. illus. Facts On File, $17.95 (0-8160-1964-9).
598 2'53 Birds II Herbivores II Granivores [CIP] 88-33326


Bramwell, Martyn. Birds: The Aerial Hunters. 1989 96p. illus. Facts
on File, $17.95 (0-8160-19630-0).
598'.91 Birds of prey II [CIP] 88-33319


Kerrod, Robin. Birds: The Waterbirds. 1989. 96p. illus. Facts On
File, $17.95 (0-8160-1962-2.
598.29'24 Water birds II Birds [CIP] 88-33318


Stidworthy, John. Reptiles and Amphibians. 1989. 96p. illus. Facts
On File, $17.95 (0-8160-1965-7).
597.6 Amphibians II Reptiles [CIP] 88-33317

Gr. 5-9. This quartet continues the Encyclopedia of the Animal
World series with a format and content that will function equally
well in circulating or reference collections. Most of the entries
are handled in double-page spreads that contain a headlined text,
basic facts in a boxed sidebar, illustrations, and magnificent
photography. The pages are well filled without becoming busy. Each
volume contains maps, a glossary, and both common- and
scientific-name (genus and species) indexes. A quality
production--Phyllis Wilson


*Bash, Barbara. Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab.
1989.  32p. illus. Sierra Club; dist. by Little, Brown, $14.95
(0-316-08305-4). Gallery.
583'.19 Baobab II Trees II Africa II Ecology [CIP] 89-6028

Gr. 1-4. According to African folklore, the Great Spirit gave the
hyena a baobab tree to plant. He was careless and planted it upside
down; thus, its branches look like gnarled roots. In the second
volume of Sierra Club's Tree Tales series (see also Bash's Desert
Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus [BKL Mr 15 89]), Bash
follows one tree through an entire year. In lyrical prose, she
examines the entire ecosystem of the Baobab, describing the amazing
array of wildlife that the tree supports and discussing the varied
uses Africans find for its bark, fruit, roots, and leaves.
Complementing Bash's calligraphic text are stunning watercolor
illustrations. Using hues of aqua, green, and brown with accents
of purple, she beautifully portrays the sparse African landscape.
Bolder pigments depict the brilliantly colored wildlife; one of the
most striking spreads is that of fruit bats drinking flower nectar
at night. A subject rarely treated in picture book format, this
will make a beautiful introduction to the African ecosystem.--Kay
Weisman


Bergman, Thomas. Finding a Common Language: Children Living with
Deafness. 1989. 48p. illus. Gareth Stevens, lib. ed., $9.95
(1-55532-916-0).
362.4'2 Deaf II Sign language II Physically handicapped [CIP]
88-42969


Bergman, Thomas. On Our Own Terms: Children Living with Physical
Disabilities. 1989. 48p. illus. Gareth Stevens, lib. ed., $9.95
(1-55532-942-X).
362 1'088054  Physically handicapped [CIP] 88-42973


Bergman, Thomas. One Day at a Time: Children Living with Leukemia.
1989. 56p.


Dahl, Roald. Illus. by Blake, Quentin. Matilda. 1989.
Penguin/Puffin, $3.95 (0-14-034294-X).


Dillion, Barbara. Mrs. Tooey and the Terrible Toxic Tar. 1989.
Harper/Trophy, $2.95 (0-06-440313-0).


Gondosch Linda. Who's Afraid of Haggerty House? 1989.
Pocket/Minstrel, $2.75 (0-671-67237-1).


Hurwitz, Johanna. The Cold and Hot Winter. 1989. Scholastic/Apple,
$2.75 (0-590-42619-2).


Klein, Norma. What's It's All About. 1989. Knopf/Bullseye, $2.95
  (0-394-82302-8).


Levoy, Myron. The Magic Hat of Mortimer Wintergreen. 1989.
Harper/Trophy, $3.95 (0-06-440335-1).


Levy, Elizabeth. Cold As Ice. 1989. Avon/Flare, $2.95
(0-380-70315-7).


MacLachlan, Patricia. The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt. 1989.
Harper/Trophy, $3.50 (0-06-440265-7).


Martin, Ann M. Ten Kids, No Pets. 1989. Scholastic/Apple, $2.75
(0-590-42244-8).


Miles, Betty. Maudie and Me and the Dirty Book. 1989.
Knopf/Bullseye, $2.95 (0-394-82595-0).


Nilsson, Eleanor. The 89th Kitten. 1989. Scholastic/Apple, $2.50
   (0-590-42413-0).


Overland to California in 1859: A Guide for Wagon Train Travelers.
Ed. by Louis M. Bloch. 1989. Bloch and Company, P.O. Box 18058,
Cleveland, OH 44118, $12.95 (0-914276-04-2).


Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman. A Spy in the Neighborhood. 1989.
Scholastic/Apple, $2.75 (0-590-42633-8).


Schwartz, Alvin. Whoopers: Tall Tales and Other Lies. 1989.
Harper/Trophy, $4.95 (0-06-446091-6).


Slote, Alfred. A Friend Like That. 1989. Harper/Trophy, $3.95
  (0-06-440266-5).


Smith, Janice Lee. Illus. by Gackenbach, Dick. The Show-and-Tell
War and Other Stories about Adam Joshua. 1989. Harper/Trophy, $3.50
    (0-06-440312-2).


White, Laurence B. Illus. by Brown, Marc Tolon. Science Games &
Puzzles. 1989. Harper/Trophy, $5.95 (0-06-446013-4).


White, Laurence B. Illus. by Brown, Marc Tolon. Science Toys &
Tricks. 1989. Harper/Trophy, $5.95 (0-06-446014-2).


Wiggin, Kate Douglas. The Birds' Christmas Carol. 1989.
Scholastic/Apple, $2.50 (0-590-42118-2).


Older Readers

Carter, Alden R. Sheila's Dying. 1989. Scholastic/Point, $2.75
  (0-590-42045-3).


Furlong, Monica. Wise Child. 1989. Borzoi/Sprinters, $2.95
  (0-394-82598-5).


Herbert, Don. Mr. Wizard's Experiments for Young Scientists. 1989.
Doubleday, $7.95 (0-385-26585-9).


Hill, Douglas. Blade of the Poisoner. 1989. Bantam, $2.95
(0-553-27717-0).


Lasky, Kathryn. The Bone Wars. 1989. Penguin/Puffin, $4.95
(0-14-034168-4).


McKillip, Patrica A. The Changeling Sea. 1989. Ballantine/Del Rey,
$3.95 (0-345-36040-0).


Paterson, Katherine. Jacob Have I Loved. 1989. Harper/Keypoint,
$3.50 (0-06-447059-8).


Pendergraft, Patricia. Hear the Wind Blow. 1989. Scholastic/Point,
$2.75 (0-590-42273-1).


Pierce, Meredith Ann. The Woman Who Loved Reindeer. 1989. Tor,
dist. by St. Martins $3.95 (0-812-50305-8).


Tolan, Stephanie S. A Good Courage. 1989. Fawcett/Juniper, $2.95
   (0-449-70329-0).


Williams-Garcia, Rita. Blue Tights. 1989. Bantam/Starfire, $2.95
   (0-553-28293-X).



Children's Editors' Choice '89 .I

Nonfiction

Ammon, Richard. Growing Up Amish. 1989. 80p. Atheneum, $12.95
   (0-689-31387-X).

Gr. 5-7. An enlightening, respectful portrait of the Amish, whose
rural life-style centers on religion and family.


Bach, Alice and Exum, J. Cheryl. Illus. by Dillon, Leo and Dillon,
Diane, Moses' Ark: Stories from the Bible. 1989. 184p. Delacorte,
$14.95 (0-384-29778-5).

Gr. 5-9. An entertaining, yet thoughtful, compilation of Bible
stories that are notable for both their scholarship and freshness.
The Dillons' dramatic gray-and-black-toned artwork highlights the
tales.


Bash, Barbara. Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus. 1989.
28p. Little, Brown/Sierra Club, $14.95 (0-316-08301-1).

Gr. 3-6. Bash documents the life cycle and ecosystem of the giant
saguaro with informative narrative and striking desert-hued colors.


Blumberg, Rhoda. The Great American Gold Rush. 1989. 144 p. illus.
Bradbury, $16.95 (0-02-711681-6).

Gr. 6-9. This smoothly written and well-documented account of the
California gold rush is supplemented with plenty of black-and-white
photographs contemporary to the times.


Finkelstein, Norman H. The Other 1492: Jewish Settlement in the New
World. 1989. 96p. Scribner, $12.95 (0-684-18913-5).

Gr. 6-9. A fascinating look at the expulsion of the Jews from
Spain, this encompasses lessons about history, religion, and social
values.


Fisher, Leonard Everett. The Wailing Wall. 1989. 32p. Macmillan,
$14.95 (0-02-735310-9).

Gr. 5-7. With emphatic artwork and concise prose, Fisher offers a
vivid historical perspective about a piece of land that is at the
center of the world's religious consciousness.


Fritz, Jean. The Great Little Madison. 1989. 160p. Putnam, $15.95
  (0-399-21768-1).

Gr. 5-8. With wit and candor, Fritz humanizes the fourth U.S.
president as she portrays the mighty role that he played in the
formation of the government.


Hausherr, Rosemarie. Children and the AIDS Virus: A Book for
children, Parents, & Teachers. 1989. 48p. Clarion Books, $13.95
(0-89919-834-1); Houghton, paper, $4.95 (0-395-51167-4).

Gr. 1-3. Thoughtfully composed black-and-white photos and a
forthright text foster children's understanding of AIDS.


Lauber, Patricia. The News about Dinosaurs. 1989. 48p. Bradbury,
$14.95 (0-02-754520-2).

Gr. 3-7. An intriguing review of recent scientific thinking on the
subject of dinosaurs.


Lawlor, Laurie. Illus. by Dodson, Bert. Daniel Boone. 1988. 160p.
Albert Whitman, $10.50 (0-8075-1462-4).

Gr. 5-9. Meticulous research underscores a powerfully drawn
biography that brings this legendary figure to life.


Marrin, Albert. Inca & Spaniard: Pizarro and the Conquest of Peru.
1989. 192p. Atheneum, $13.95 (0-689-31481-7).

Gr. 7-10. A compelling look at the Incas and the explorer Pizarro,
who helped destroy their society.


Matthews, Downs. Photos by Guravich, Dan. Polar Bear Cubs. 1989.
32p. Simon & Schuster, $12.95 (0-671-66757-2).

Gr. 2-5. crisp narative and sharp photographs combine to bring a
factual and fascinating portrayal of year in the lives of a mother
polar bear and her two cubs.


Pringle, Laurence. Living in a Risky World. 1989. 112p. Morrow,
$12.95 (0-688-04326-7).

Gr. 6-8. Life involves risks, but some appear reasonable while
others don't; Pringle offers a lucid analysis of how to begin
figuring out which is which.


Schawrtz, David M. Pictures by Kellogg, Steven. If You Made a
Million. 1989. 40p. Lothrop, $14.95 (0-688-07017-5); lib. ed.,
$14.95 (0-688-07018-3).

Gr. 2-5. In this companion to How Much is a Million? Schwartz and
Kellogg delightfully continue on the road to stamping out
innumeracy as Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician helps
children untangle the intricacies of big numbers.


Siegel, Beatrice. Illus. by Aloise, Frank. George and Martha
Washington at Home in New York. 1989 80p. Four Winds, $12.95
(0-02-782721-6).

Gr. 3-5. Siegel offers an insightful look at the lives of George
and Martha Washington in this rich description of the 16 months
that President Washington held office in New York City, the first
federal capital.


Sills, Leslie. Inspiration: Stories about Women Artists. 1989 55p.
illus. Albert Whitman, $16.95 (0-8075-3649-0).

Gr. 5-7. Sensitively written and beautifully designed, this
introduction to four women artists will inspire readers who have
artistic aspirations of their own.


Simon, Seymour. Storms. 1989. 32p. Morrow, $12.95 (0-688-07413-8);
lib. ed., $12.88 (0-688-07414-6).

Gr. 3-5. What are storms? Where do they come from? Why do they
create thunder and lightning? Simon addresses these and other
common queries in a book that boasts compelling photographs and
handsome design.


Yep, Laurence. Illus. by Wiesner, David. The Rainbow People. 1989.
192p. Harper, $13.95 (0-06-026760-7); lib. ed., $13.89
(0-06-026761-5).

Gr. 6-9. A powerful compilation of 20 Chinese folktales, based on
stories collected for a WPA project.


Fiction

Conrad, Pam. My Daniel. 1989 176p. Harper, $12.95 (0-06-021313-2);
lib. ed., $12.89 (0-06-021214-0).

Gr. 6-9. Disarming candor, vivid descriptions, deeply felt
characterizations, and a simple yet intricately crafted plot are
hallmarks of this remembrance of frontier life.


Hamilton, Virginia. Illus. by Davis, Lambert. The Bells of
Christmas. 1989. 60p. HBJ, $16.95 (0-15-206450-8).

Gr. 2-4. Christmas 100 years ago is evoked in this warm story of
a boy who excitedly celebrates the holiday with his family near
Springfield, Ohio.


Havill, Juanita. Illus. by McCully, Emily. It Always Happens to
Leona. 1989. 80p. Crown, $12.95 (0-517-57227-3).

Gr. 3-5. A warm and funny family story about Leona, who tries to
get attention from her family but just keeps getting into trouble.


Hayes, Sarah. Illus. by Benson, Patrick. Robin Hood, Holt, $12.95
(0-8050-1206-0).

Gr. 4-6. This gripping and accessible retelling with its stunning
black-and-white drawings captures the spirit of the famous legend.


Horvath, Polly. Illus. by Fiammenghi, Gioia. An Occasional Cow.
1989. 112p. Farrar, $12.95 (0-374-35559-2).

Gr. 4-6. Horvath's fertile imagination turns Imogene's summer trip
to Iowa into a humorous escapade that opens her eyes to more than
just cornfields.


Hudson, Jan. Sweetgrass. 1989. 149p. Putnam/Philomel, $13.95
(0-399-21721-5).

Gr. 5-9. The culture of the Dakota Indians is brought to life
remarkably well in this story of a 15-year-old Indian girl who
longs to be married like other girls her age.


Hughes, Dean. Family Pose. 1989. 192p. Atheneum, $13.95
(0-689-31396-9).

Gr. 6-8. A boy running away from foster care finds a family in a
rundown hotel but fears they will be lost to him, just as his real
family was. A well-crafted novel with a restrained writing style
that belies the story's intensity.


Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie. Illus. by Bowman, Leslie W. The Canada
Geese quilt. 1989. 64p. Dutton/Cobblehill, $11.95 (0-525-65004-0).

Gr. 4-6. A brief but deeply affecting story about 10-year-old Ariel
and her grandmother, both of whom must adjust to the changes posed
by birth, illness, and death.


Lisle, Janet Taylor. Afternoon of the Elves. 1989. 128p.
Watts/Orchard/Richard Jackson, $12.95 (0-531-05837-9); lib. ed.,
$12.99 (0-531-08437-X).

Gr. 4-6. Two girls work together in a miniature village, allegedly
built by elves, but the magic of their labor is marred by the
reality presented by one girl's mother. An imagination stretcher.


Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. 1989. 160p. Houghton, $12.95
(0-395-50930-0).

Gr. 5-7. This World War II story of two Danish girls, one Jewish,
the other not, depicts the extent to which the Danes protected
their Jewish countrymen from the Nazis.


Nelson, Theresa. And One for All. 1989. 1820. Watts/Orchard, $12.95
(0-531-05804-2); lib. ed., $12.99 (0-531-08404-3).

Gr. 6-9. Nelson evocatively reprises the turmoil and heartbreak of
the 1960s through the eyes of 12-year-old Geraldine, whose brother
leaves for Vietnam as his friend becomes a peace protester.


Pevsner, Stella. How Could You Do it, Diane? 1989. 192p. Clarion
Books, $13.95 (0-395-51041-4).

Gr. 6-8. A finely wrought novel about suicide that focuses on the
heart-wrenching experiences many bereaved families endure.


Slepian, Jan. The Broccoli Tapes. 1989. 134p. Putnam/Philomel,
$13.95 (0-399-21712-6).

Gr. 6-8. When her family moves to Hawaii, Sara keeps in touch with
old friends through tapes recounting her experiences. A rich,
robust story that encompasses life's major themes--birth, death,
joining, letting go, and, of course, love.


Smith, Robert Kimmel. Illus. by Tiegreen, Alan. Bobby Baseball.
1989. 166p. Delacorte, $13.95 (0-385-29807-2).

Gr. 3-6. Ten-year-old Bobby Ellis is sure he's headed for baseball
stardom, but events on the diamond prove otherwise.


Yarbrough, Camille. The Shimmershine Queens. 1989. 142p. Putnam,
$13.95 (0-399-21465-8).

Gr. 6-8. When Angie is beset with troubles at school and at home,
she uses her "get-up" gift to set goals and work hard to achieve
them.


Picture Books

Brett, Jan. The Mitten. 1989. 32p. Putnam, $14.95 (0-399-21920-X).

Ages 3-6. There's an appealing clarity to the elaborate art that
backs this Ukranian folktale about a boy's lost mitten and the
animals that find it.


Cole, Joanna. Illus. by Lemieux, Michele. A Gift from Saint
Francis: The First Creche. 1989. 40p. Morrow, $13.95
(0-688-06502-3); lib. ed., $13.88 (0-688-06503-1).

Gr. 5-9. A dignified text and lovely artwork combine to give
children a very special Christmas present--an intriguing look at
the life of the gentle saint.


Conover, Chris. Mother Goose and the Sly Fox. 1989 32p. Farrar,
$13.95 (0-374-35072-8).

Ages 3-5. An artfully conceived variation on "The Wolf and the
Seven Little Kids" in which fully realized animals dressed in
seventeenth-century garb are the story's stars.


dePaola, Tomie. The Art Lesson. 1989. 32p. Putnam, $13.95
(0-399-21688-X).

Ages 5-8. When young Tommy starts school, he learns more in art
class than just drawing pictures. DePaola signature illustrations
provide ballast for this autobiographical story.


Ehlert, Lois. Eating the alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to
Z. 1989. 32p. HBJ, $13.95 (0-15-224435-2).

Ages 3-6. A show-stopping array of fruits and vegetables are
splashed across the pages of this exuberant alphabet book.


Ernst, Lisa Campbell. When Bluebell Sang. 1989. 32p. Bradbury,
$12.95 (0-02-733561-5).

Ages 6-8. Poor Bluebell the cow finds show business isn't what it's
cracked up to be. But readers will find plenty of fun in this sly
story that features eye-catching artwork.


Garland, Michael. My Cousin Katie. 1989. 32p. Harper/Crowell,
$13.95 (0-690-04738-X); lib. ed., $13.89 (0-690-04740-1).

Ages 4-6. Appealingly realistic illustrations and a simple,
graceful narrative describe what it's like on the farm where Katie
works and plays.


Goble, Paul. Beyond the Ridge. 1989. 32p. Bradbury, $13.95
(0-02-736581-6).

Gr. 3-5. The theme is death, but the message is comforting in this
story of an old Indian woman whose spirit moves on to a better
world "beyond the ridge" after she dies.


Hennessy, B.G. Illus. by Pearson, Tracey Campbell. The Missing
Tarts. 1989. 32p. Viking Kestrel, $12.95 (0-670-82039-3).

Ages 3-5. The familiar nursery rhyme featuring the Queen of Hearts
and her stolen tarts gets new, uproarious life in this clever
version.


Hoban, Tana. Of Colors and Things. 1989. 24p. Greenwillow, $12.95
(0-688-07534-7); lib. ed., $12.88 (0-688-07535-5).

Ages 2-6. Astute design and carefully posed photographs of familiar
objects make this a superior choice for introducing colors to young
children.


Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Illus. by Cooper, Floyd. Chita's
Chirstmas Tree. 1989. 32p. Bradbury, $13.95 (0-02-744621-2).

Ages 5-8. Glowing artwork and a warm story combine in this
description of a black family's Christmas at the turn of the
century.


Huck, Charlotte. Illus. by Lobel, Anita. Princess Furball. 1989.
40p. Greenwillow, $13.95 (0-688-07837-0); lib. ed., $13.88
(0-688-07838-9).

Ages 4-8. A handsomely illustrated variant of the Cinderella story,
this features a beautiful young princess who runs away from home
when her uncaring father arranges for her to marry an ogre.


Hughes, Shirley. The Big Alfie and Annie Rose Storybook. 1989. 64p.
Lothrop, $15 (0-688-07672-6); lib. ed., $14.88 (0-688-07673-4).

Ages 5-8. Alfie and Annie Rose are flesh-and-blood kids who sparkle
with spontaneity in this oversize volume featuring stories, poems,
and irresistible pictures.


Maxner, Joyce. Illus. by Joyce, William. Nicholas Cricket. 1989.
32p. Harper, $12.95 (0-06-024216-7); lib. ed., $12.89
(0-06-024222-1).

Ages 5-8. A beguiling nocturnal fantasy in which Nicholas Cricket
and his band play dazzling good-time music for the residents of
nearby fields and streams.


McKissack, Patricia C. Illus. by Cook, Scott. Nettie Jo's Friends.
1989. 32p. Knopf, $12.95 (0-394-89158-9); lib. ed., $13.99
(0-394-99158-3).

Ages 4-7. This story, set in the rural south at the turn of the
century, offers a feisty black heroine whose ordinary concerns are
caressed by fantasy. Impressionist art carries out the magical
mood.


Noble, Trinka Hakes. Illus. by Kellogg, Steven. Jimmy's Boa and the
Big Spash Birthday Bash. 1989. 32p. Dial, $12.95 (0-8037-0539-5);
lib. ed., $12.89 (0-8037-0540-9).

Ages 5-8. High comedy and fine composition radiate across the pages
in a story that finds Jimmy's boa wreaking havoc during a birthday
party at SeaLand.


Pomerantz, Charlotte. Illus. by Lessac, Frane. The Chalk Doll.
1989. 320. Harper/Lippincott, $12.95 (0-397-32318-2); lib. ed.,
$12.89 (0-397-32319-0).

Ages 4-6. A mother's stories of her Jamaican childhood entertain
her daughter at bedtime.


San Souci, Robert D. Illus. by Pinkney, Jerry. The Talking Eggs.
1989. 32p. Dial, $12.95 (0-8037-0619-7); lib. ed., $12.89
(0-8037-0620-0).

Ages 5-8. A vibrant adaptation of a Creole folktale that mixes the
ambience of a rural milieu with fantastic happenings. Pinkney's
richly colored art captures all the nuances of the tale.


Schotter, Roni. Illus. by Sewall, Marcia. Captain Snap and the
Children of Vinegar Lane. 1989. 32p. Watts/Orchard, $14.95
(0-531-05797-6); lib. ed., $14.99 (0-531-08397-7).

Ages 5-8. Rich characterizations and bold art mark this tale of a
bitter old man whom children avoids until he is taken ill.


Schoroeder, Alan. Illus. by Fuchs, Bernie. Ragtime Tumpie. 1989.
32p. Little, Brown/Joy Street Books, $14.95 (0-316-77497-9).

Gr. 2-4. This lure of the all-night clubs and ragtime is strong for
a little girl named Tumpie, in a story based on a childhood of
Josephine Baker. Burnished scenes of St. Louis streets and
honky-tonks grace the story.


Titherington, Jeanne. A Child's Prayer. 1989. 24p. Greenwillow,
$13.95 (0-688-08317-X); lib. ed., $13.88 (0-688-08318-8).

Ages 3-7. For this little boy, praying seems as effortless as
breathing; the nondenominational approach and arresting art will
ensure a large audience.


Watson, Richard Jesse. Tom Thumb. 1989. 32p. HBJ, $14.95
(0-15-289280-X).

Ages 5-8. Watson takes an old favorite to new heights in this
handsome edition filled with intricately drawn, realistic
illustrations.


Wild, Margaret. Illus. by Huxley, Dee. Mr. Nick's Knitting. 1989
32p. HBJ/Gulliver, $12.95 (0-15-200518-8).

Ages 5-7. Mr. Nick and his friend Mrs. Jolly spend their train
rides knitting. When Mrs. Jolly is taken ill, Mr. Nick knits her
an afghan to warm her bleak hospital room. A cozy story full of
friendship and everyday pleasure.


Wisniewski, David. The Warrior and the Wise Man. 1989. 32p.
Lothrop, $13 (0-688-07889-3); lib. ed., $12.88 (0-688-07890-7).

Gr. 3-5. Striking illustrations in bold-colored cut papers bring
dramatic flair to this original tale about the quests of twin sons
of a Japanese emperor.


Young, Ed. Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China. 1989.
32p. Putnam/Philomel, $14.95 (0-399-21619-7).

Ages 6-9. In this Chinese version of the familiar Red Riding Hood
tale, Young imparts a sense of courage as well as danger as he
incorporates a wolf image in every illustration.


Poetry

Burkert, Nancy Ekholm. Valentine & Orson. 1989. 56p. Farrar, $16.95
(0-374-38078-3).

Gr. 5-10. Beautiful bookmaking from start to finish includes
meticulous, crisply colored artwork and riveting retelling of a
fourteenth-century poem.


Carle, Eric. Eric Carle's Animals, Animals. Poems  compiled by
Laura Whipple. 1989. 96p. Putnam/Philomel, $18.95 (0-399-21744-4).

Gr. 2-6. Carl presents a cornucopia of beats, fish, and birds,
executed in exciting collage to illustrate Whipple's large and
lilting collection of poems about animals.


Dancing Teepees: Poems and American Indian Youth. Illus. by
Gammell, Stephen. Ed. by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. 1989. 32p.
Holiday, $14.95 (0-8234-0724-1).

Gr. 3-8. This collection of traditional tribal songs, prayers, and
poems are equally celebrated in the earth-toned pictures that echo
the art of each poet's cultural heritage.


Siebert, Diane. Illus. by Minor, Wendell. Heartland. 1989. 32p.
Harper/Crowell, $13.95 (0-690-04730-4); lib. ed., $13.89
(0-690-04732-0).

Ages 5-9. A lyrical celebration of the Midwest, richly illustrated
with paints that capture the various spacious and mostly rural
landscapes.


Singer, Marilyn. Illus. by Pinkney, Jerry. Turtle in July. 1989
32p. Macmillan, $13.95 (0-02-782881-6).

Ages 5-8. Singer and Pinkney join their considerable talents to
create a poetry book that pulses with life.


Source: Booklist Magazine, Jan. 15, 1990.