Stick by Steve Breen

This is one of my newest almost-favorite picture books. Stick is a little frog who wants to do everything all by himself. But with a very sticky tongue, things don't work out as he expects and he goes on a wild, tongue-pulling journey!

I love the many shades of green throughout the illustrations and Stick's adventures are perfectly and hilariously expressed through variously-sized panels.

My only quibble is the text. It's really unnecessary, as the pictures tell the story all by themselves and it's obvious at first glance that this could be a perfect wordless book. The text doesn't add to the story, just fills in what the reader is seeing and distracts from the perfect sequencing of the plot in the pictures. Still, for those who want to use this in storytime and have trouble with improvisation, the text will be a useful frame for discussing the illustrations.

Verdict: Highly recommended.


ISBN: 978-0803731240; Published March 2007 by Dial; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library; Purchased for my personal collection

Wings: A Fairy Tale by E. D. Baker

I admit, I was not enthusiastic about reading this book. I really liked the first couple Frog Princess books, but sort of lost interest in the series around the fourth book (that happens to me frequently - no reflection on the series, which I just purchased for our library!). But while I was still interested in the series, I automatically added Wings to my to read list. Somehow, it stayed on there despite various reviews which said it was, well, too sweet. And I decided just to skim it quickly...

I loved it! Yes, it's a "happy" story. There's tension, confusion, some painful scenes, some betrayal. But in the end, it's happy. Yes, there are little dancing fairies. Yes, the main character is the daughter of...well, we'll let you figure it out. But I liked it! The characters fit well into the plot and acted in accordance with their roles. I especially felt the descriptions of the wings and trying them out were well-drawn. And there's plenty of tension left over for me to want another book right now! But apparently the next book in this trilogy won't be out for a while.

Verdict: This book is for those little girls who've grown out of their fairy series but still like sparkly wings and fairy dancing. For those who like adventure with a happy ending. And for those who don't feel like they belong anywhere. Plus, the lamias were really funny!


ISBN: 978-1599901930; Published April 2008 by Bloomsbury; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Kaline Klattermaster's Treehouse by Haven Kimmel

Um...reading this was like spending a significant amount of time in the brain of a seriously disturbed child. Possibly that was the intent.

Kaline (is that really a name? a boy's name?) doesn't know where his dad has gone or why. He's scared of the next door neighbor, his mom is acting even stranger than usual, and bullies are making his life miserable at school. Fortunately, he has his imaginary tree house and friends to comfort him.

Kaline's weird speech patterns kept throwing me out of the story, since I couldn't decide if they were typos or just the way he talked. I agree with him that his mom is nuts and wonder how on earth she manages to hold down a job as a paralegal when she is so completely scatty. And why is Kaline not in some kind of therapy? He obviously has major issues and needs help. The main part I did not buy was his dad. Here's a guy who is clearly as crazy as the rest of the Klattermaster family - timing your child's bedtime rituals is a sign of a serious problem, not to mention exacerbating his son's mental and social issues (at least according to Kaline's mom) - who leaves his son without a note or goodbye, and suddenly he reappears, says Kaline can be as messy and unorganized as he wants, and is all over him.

Call CPS somebody and hand Kaline over to the next door neighbor. Who hopefully can get his name changed.

Verdict: Awful characters and extremely weird. Not recommended

ISBN: 978-0689874024; Published February 2008 by Atheneum (out of print); Borrowed from the library

A new start

In less than a month, I have interviewed, been offered a job, accepted, finished school (except for those last couple classes, but hey I was packing!) started my new job, and become a veteran youth services librarian of 2 1/2 weeks!

All the horror stories of library school have yet to come true. I haven't dealt with any nasty patrons (although I'm sure they're out there), had to clean the bathrooms, broken the copier, been snubbed by the cataloguer, or crashed my computer or felt utterly lost, alone and not having the faintest idea what I'm doing.

Highlights so far:
My first book order! There's something so alluring about picking out books and sending off the order....buying books is one of my favorite things to do.

My first school visits, happily with my director. We visited two elementary schools, the first time I've ever been in an elementary school! The kids were wonderful, very attentive and interested, and asked lots of questions. Which led to....

The kids in my apartment complex recognizing me...hey, aren't you from the library? Do you live here?....

We'll see how I feel after I've done my first storytimes alone this summer...and summer reading programs....but so far it's been a blast!

Manolito Four-Eyes by Elvira Lindo, illustrated by Emilio Urberuaga

If Goscinny's Nicolas had married a woman from Spain...Manolito Four-Eyes would be their son. Elvira Lindo's best-seller in Spain has been translated into various languages - finally English! and also made into a tv show. Manolito is definitely the heir of Goscinny's Nicolas.

His language is a little rougher, he's more into "gross" and tv is a definite part of his life, but under the skin he's another Nicolas. Not outstanding among his peers, just an ordinary little boy - who drives all the adults crazy! He has the same authentic voice as Nicolas, and almost the same naive indifference to the havoc he creates around him. I enjoyed this book quite a bit - but it's one that may or may not be a hit on the library shelves.

Verdict: If you can get a few kids to appreciate the humor and fresh voice of Manolito, this could be quite popular, but it will take some booktalking.


ISBN: 978-0761453031; Published March 2008 by Marshall Cavendish; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Badly Drawn Dog by Emma Dodson

A badly drawn dog decides he needs a different look. But each time a "real" artist redraws him, something goes wrong. In the end, he decides he'd rather just be himself. The various art styles Badly Drawn Dog is recreated in are fun and the silly names will grab children's interest. The "just be yourself" theme is well-worn, and I can't help feeling that, at some point, telling kids it's bad to change your image can be just as stultifying as being forced to match someone else's idea of what you should be. Badly Drawn Dog isn't allowed to enjoy his new looks because his friend, Doodle the Poodle, is more comfortable with him unchanged. Eventually, he decides he's happier as he is. But he was happy with his new appearance until Doodle criticized him. I think Badly badly needs a new friend.

Verdict: Just my weird take on the story. The swirly, smudgy, art is fun though.

ISBN: 978-0340878064; Published January 2005 by Hodder Childrens (out of print); Borrowed from the library

Tippy-tippy-tippy, Hide! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Brian Karas

Somehow, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! just didn't grab me. But Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Hide! did. Three cold little bunnies are up against mean Mr. McGreely (sounds kinda like McGregor, huh?). Every time they find a way in he blocks it. Until he finally wins the battle....or has he?

The scrawly illustrations, including menacing eyebrows on the part of Mr. McGreely and huge bunny ears are mischievously engaging and there's enough rhyme and repetition to hold the interest of a variety of ages. Children will get a kick out of the naughty bunnies, who find their way inside no matter what McGreely does - and eventually have the last laugh!

Verdict: A fun read-aloud for storytime. Recommended


ISBN: 978-0689874796; Published January 2007 by Athenaeum; Borrowed from the library

Stanley mows the lawn by Craig Frazier

Weird. That's pretty much all I can think of to say about this book. Stanley is mowing his lawn. He sees a snake. The snake zigs and zags. Stanley mows his lawn in zigs and zags. The end. There's a kind of retro feel to the solid, simple illustrations, which are all in shades of green and brown. It looks like this has gotten a lot of good reviews, but...I don't really see the point of the story. Possibly I need more art education.

ISBN: 978-0811848466; Published April 2005 by Chronicle; Borrowed from the library

Being Bindy by Alyssa Brugman

Up till now, Bindy's life has been ok. She had a best friend, Janey, who was practically like a sister, she lived with her easygoing Dad, and her brother Kyle wasn't too big of a pain. But suddenly, everything is changing. Janey is no longer her best friend, Dad is dating Janey's mom Liz, and Bindy's workaholic and absent mother is trying to get back into her life. And then there was the Very Worst Day at school. Followed by an Even Worse Day at school. And Bindy makes some surprising discoveries about her family and friends.

I really sympathized with Bindy's character - she's always the one asked to compromise, to forgive, to move on. Other people have "issues" that seem to entitle them to special treatment, although they're not flatly stereotyped characters, but do show depth and change. Bindy gets angry but always calms down and gets up and keeps going. While it may not be much consolation to her now, in the future she's probably going to have a better life - and fewer ulcers - than the others. So there. (Yeah, I felt strongly about Bindy)

Verdict: Kids that feel like everything's happening to them and no one cares will appreciate Bindy's low-key drama. I enjoyed reading it, but have no major regrets that it's out of print.


ISBN: 978-0385732949; Published April 2006 by Delacorte; Borrowed from the library

Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto

There are both pros and cons to this picturebook.

Cons: Ivan's eyes, especially on the cover, totally freak me out. They look like they're marbles embedded in wooden cut-outs. Shades of Coraline...

You have to be familiar with several stories to really "get" the story - Three Billy Goats Gruff, Gingerbread Boy, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Three Little Pigs. Now this may seem like a no-brainer, but I read Bad Boys Get Cookie to a mixed group of kids a while ago and not a single one got the Hansel and Gretel reference.

Pros: Lots of arfy goodness - I can see some excellent storytimes ahead with a good barking chorus.

Fans of the interrupted narrative, as in Melanie Watt's Chester books will love this!

Verdict: So, not perfect, but a good solid addition and I think will be well-received at any library.


ISBN: 978-1416912477; Published September 2007 by Athenaeum; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library; Added to my personal wishlist

Big Mama's Baby by Lacy Borgo, illustrated by Nancy Cote

The cover was the best part of this book. The story has a well-used plot - the beloved pet animal who gets too big for his owner. In this case, a stereotypical older woman (seriously, would any woman be called "Big Mama" anymore?) raises a calf and then, giving the reader serious doubts about her ability to support and run her farm, refuses to sell him, even though he is destroying her garden and causing trouble. Eventually a happy solution is reached.

The illustrations don't live up to the cover. The faces are oddly proportioned and the art seems rough and amateurish. The art shows what apparently is meant to be a contemporary small town with a diverse cast and modern clothing, but the elderly woman running her own small farm, and pet calf, and the name "Big Mama" seem to come out of another era.

Verdict: A sweet idea and a lovely cover, but it just didn't work. Not recommended.

ISBN: 978-1590781876; Published August 2007 by Boyds Mills; Borrowed from the library

Iris, Messenger by Sarah Deming

I don't remember why I picked up this book, but I kept reading it hoping something would happen and it would all make sense....no such luck. The main problem with the book is democratic plots. Each plot has an equal vote, and they all voted for themselves, so they all got a say in the story and....you know the old fable of the man and his son taking the donkey to market? Everybody had a different idea, he tried to please them all, and they lost the donkey.

So, the book starts out with a kind of interesting premise. Iris, teased at school by both unpleasant fellow students and her excessively strange and sadistic teachers, lives in a world of marvelous dreams. She writes sentences, ideas, scraps of dreams in gold on the underside of her quilt (this is a marvelous bit of imagery and very well done). She lives with her mother, who is a soybean researcher working in a tofu factory, and fends off calls from her religious Jewish father, who is obsessed with her stepmother's unending ailments. Quirky parents, kinda overdone and not really believable.

On her twelfth birthday, Iris receives a copy of Bullfinch's Mythology. She's delighted, as it's the first birthday present she remembers really liking and she loves the old myths. She's even more surprised when she finds mysterious clues and notes written into the story. Following the clues, she goes down to the beach where....

She meets Poseidon, who is now a depressed and dying beach bum. He feeds her delicious oysters and tells her the story of Halcyone. Iris leaves Poseidon in misery, vowing to help him somehow.

Iris receives another present, a beautiful shawl which turns out to be, as in the story Poseidon told her, the magical cloak of Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, which allows her to travel anywhere. While testing her new present, Iris discovers her mother has been fired from the tofu factory. Her mother tells Iris to take her old LPs out and sell them. The music store owner directs her to a jazz club where....

She meets Apollo and under the influence of his magic sings the story of Phaethon. She also meets Amphitrite, Poseidon's lost love and gets a card for Aphrodite's salon. Iris gets a prophecy from the Sibyl (who lives in the basement) saying that if she goes to war a great empire will fall. Dionysus, after a long discussion over the legality of it all, gives her wine and information, starting with the story of his wife, Ariadne. Iris meets Ares, who is now a lawyer, on her way out and talks him into suing the tofu factory for her mom.

Arriving home at a late hour, Iris still finds herself unable to sleep and goes to visit Aphrodite's salon, where she meets Aphrodite, Psyche, and Eros. She gets a makeover and the story of Psyche. Hephaestus drops in as she's leaving and gives Iris some duct tape for her dad. Iris sends Eros off to reunite Poseidon and Amphitrate. Iris leaves with two boxes of beauty which she is to deliver to Pandora and Hera. Next day in school....

Iris' insane biology teacher, who is waiting for aliens to return, takes her blood to test and after Iris talks back sends her to the dreaded principal who turns out to be....

Hades! After enduring some mild tortures, Iris gives a box of beauty to Pandora and tells Hades he has to stop torturing the kids, hire better teachers, and tell them stories that "might teach them something, not just scare them--a story about love and adventure, something inspiring." This turns out to be a bad idea because Pandora immediately...

Tells Iris the story of herself. Iris then skips (yes, it says "skipped") to the offices of private detectives Athena and Artemis to tell them Ares wants them to check out the tofu factory. Athena and Artemis are rather intimidating, and when Iris wants more information, Athena tells her the story of Arachne. Iris is, understandably, a little puzzled and goes home where she finds...

That her insane science teacher wants desperately to talk with her. She meets Miss Webb at "Monster Burger" where the science teacher informs her there is a lightning bolt on her blood cells and she is obviously an alien and....

Iris realizes, of course, that she is not an alien, she is...dum da dum...a daughter of Zeus. Iris immediately travels to visit Hera and Zeus, who live in the suburbs. Unfortunately, Hera is a nasty, dreary old woman who refuses to let Iris in. Iris gives her the box of beauty, and Hera gives her five minutes with her father who....

Turns out to be even more unpleasant than Hera; misogynistic, a couch-potato, and generally icky. Iris gives him the duct tape, which he uses to mend the remote. Iris gets a boon, which, if I understand it correctly, will let her out of school early. But I'm not sure about that. On her way out...

Hera takes her cloak, tells her she can't have it back unless she agrees to be Hera's messenger and spy, as was the original Iris. Iris refuses, loses the cloak and departs. Fortunately....

The mysterious messenger who's been delivering her gifts, Hermes, gives her a ride home on his skateboard. They talk and connect deeply. The next part is....

An appendix. Showing documents of Ares blackmailing the tofu factory into giving Iris' mom a settlement. An announcement of Poseidon and Amphitrate's wedding, and an announcement of a new tofu factory, started by Iris and her mom, which seems to incorporate the various gods' businesses.

Verdict: There are any number of good plots, ideas, and possibilities in this story. The problem is that they're all in there, rather than making about six different books. This leaves no room for the characters, which fall painfully flat, and way too many retold myths.

ISBN: 978-0152058234; Published May 2007 by Harcourt; Borrowed from the library