Take a look at kids’ books this week
By AMY MENDENHALL, Book Review
POSTED: February 10, 2008
Rosemary Wells illustrates Frank Loesser’s song from the hit Broadway show “Guys and Dolls” in “I Love You! A Bushel and a Peck!”
Join two cute ducklings as one tries to romance the other in a country fashion. The music and lyrics are included in the back, and since the story is so musical, you’ll find yourself singing along, so you might as well know how the tune goes!
“I Love You” is published by HarperTrophy, an imprint of HarperCollins. It is $6.99 and is for ages 3 to 6.
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From Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes a cute seasonal story, “Minnie’s Valentine,” complete with more than 25 stickers for kids to decorate with.
On Feb. 14, Mickey knows something important is happening, but can’t remember what. Of course, it’s Valentine’s Day, and he needs a present for Minnie. A strange guest shows up to give Mickey a few suggestions for a perfect present for Minnie and with a little help, Mickey can enjoy the holiday with his friend.
“Minnie’s Valentine” is published by Disney Press. It is $4.99.
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A little girl celebrates her love of her friends and family in “Valentines Are For Saying I Love You” by Margaret Sutherland and illustrated by Amy Wummer.
Valentine’s Day is a special day. The little girl’s class has a party and she gives a special card to all of her classmates and her teacher. Then she makes fancy cards for her Mom, Dad, dog Arrow, baby brother, and Grandma and Grandpa. And everyone celebrates with a special dinner.
A sweet, easy-to-read book that is perfect for the holiday or as a substitute for candy for your little valentine.
“Valentines Are For Saying I Love You” is published by Grosset & Dunlap. It is $4.99.
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“Valentine Surprise” by Corinne Demas and illustrated by R.W. Alley is a story that blends telling the days of the week with shapes.
It is the week before Valentine’s Day, and Lily wants to make a special valentine heart for Mommy. But Monday’s valentine is too pointy. Tuesday’s valentine is too round. Wednesday’s valentine is too square. Thursday’s valentine is too curvy. Friday’s valentine is too skinny. Saturday’s valentine is too fat. And Sunday’s valentine is too lopsided. But which valentine will be the right one? All of them are to Mommy!
A good book that illustrates that gifts don’t have to be perfect when they’re from the heart.
“Valentine Surprise” is published by Walker & Company. It is $12.95.
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Babymouse encounters dogs in a ’typical’ fashion in “Babymouse: Puppy Love” by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.
Babymouse daydreams of having a dog of her very own. But instead of a dog, she has a pet goldfish. Well, until it dies. She still wants a dog, but her mom suggests a hamster. But he disappears. So she gets a turtle. The turtle disappears. And so on, until Babymouse doesn’t know what pet to have. Then she meets a lost dog. But who does the dog belong to?
Babymouse is a sassy heroine and the fun graphic novel format will appeal to young readers.
“Babymouse: Puppy Love” is published by Random House. It is $5.99.
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Adorable dogs have their own take on Cinderella in “The Dog Princess Fairy Tails.”
From The Dog Artist Collection is the story of a puppy princess who makes a wish to her Fairy Dogmother to send her a prince to the grand ball. Only she isn’t too specific, and a prince is sent to the ball - only one for a whole ballroom of princesses! But once all of her friends are around, the princess discovers she really doesn’t need a prince.
Fans of The Dog and any little girl who loves princesses will lap this one up.
“The Dog Princess Fairy Tails” is published by HarperCollins. It is $16.99.
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Anne Shirley, beloved childhood favorite is back in this authorized prequel to her adventures in “Before Green Gables” by Budge Wilson.
This story runs through Anne’s life before Marilla and Matthew, starting with her parents and the illness that takes them when Anne is three-months-old, to life with Mrs. Thomas who brings Anne up “by hand” - really meaning she worked for the family and took care of the younger children like an unpaid servant in their house, to her brief time with Mrs. Hammond, she of the twins in succession three times, to the moment where she waits for Matthew to pick her up.
The reader gets a glimpse of where Anne’s fascination with certain things comes from - her mother taught Shakespeare and mentions Cordelia, Anne’s father made sure everyone knew that she was “Anne spelled with an ‘E’, Mrs. Thomas’ daughter, Eliza, who takes primary care of Anne, mentions “bosom friends” and had a friend named Katie Maurice, and a beloved teacher gives her “The Lady of Shalot” and another is from Prince Edward Island. And Anne is a very smart child full of imagination and still has a bit of that temper we see later.
The only problem I had with the book was many times Anne at age four or six sounds exactly like the Anne we meet in “Anne of Green Gables,” not a younger version. And the book can be a tad depressing, considering how poor Anne is treated. Or maybe it’s just because I love her so from my own childhood, and hate to see anyone mistreat my heroine.
All of Anne’s many fans will love to get a glimpse of our irrepressible heroine, or give the book to new readers as an introduction.
“Before Green Gables” is published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin. It is $22.95 and 387 pages long.
Contact Amy Mendenhall at amendenhall@gmail.com. Visit her blog at www.newsandsentinel.com for exclusive content, and check out amendenhall.livejournal.com for past columns.
