* * You Are Weird: Your Body’s Peculiar Parts and Funny Fun
Author: Diane Swanson
Illustrator: Kathy Boake
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (March 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532833
ISBN-13: 978-1554532834

Book Description
Your body sports more hair than a gorilla. About 600 different species of bacteria are living in your mouth. Your head is full of holes. Back when you were a two-month-old embryo, you had a tail. Face it — you are weird! All these wonderfully weird body features make us human. They also show that we’re part of an animal kingdom whose members share a lot more than the same planet. This book tackles those weird questions that everyone’s curious about but nobody seems able to answer. What does your appendix do? What exactly are goose bumps and why do we get them? Why can some people wiggle their ears? You Are Weird answers these questions plus many more, backing up answers with the latest scientific theories. Take a guided tour around our oddball organs and freaky body functions that make us who we are — wacky, wonderful and weird, weird, weird.

Book Review
Packed with fascinating information and sprinkled with freaky facts, this book is a magnet for curious kids that absorb trivia.

* * Stanley’s Beauty Contest
Author: Linda Bailey
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 155453318X
ISBN-13: 978-1554533183

Book Description
Stanley’s people are so preoccupied with primping him for the dog show in the park that they forgot his breakfast. This makes Stanley very grumpy. At the park, Stanley meets up with his old friends Nutsy, Alice and Gassy Jack. Together the friends look longingly at the grand prize: the biggest, most scrumptious-smelling dog cookie ever. Once Stanley gets a whiff of its bubbling cheese, sizzling bacon and apple pie aromas, he’s determined to win. So what if he’s not the fastest, most talented or most beautiful dog in the show? We know that Stanley’s rumbling tummy always leads him into adventure — or a big pile of trouble — and this time is no exception. Join Stanley and his friends in the best dogpile ever as they show us humans that dogs know best, and that what really counts is having fun!

Book Review
If you haven’t met Stanley yet, you will be thrilled. Entertaining, funny and wonderful illustrations. Definitely a favorite of mine.

* * Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skill
Author: Scot Ritchie
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532744
ISBN-13: 978-1554532742

Book Description
Maps are about far more than getting from a to b. Maps can help children understand and explore both their everyday environment and faraway places. With an appealing search-and-find technique, Follow That Map! is an interactive picture book that explains and demonstrates key mapping concepts. Kids will enjoy following Sally and her friends as they search for Max and Ollie, a mischievous dog and cat on the lam from the backyard. Sally and friends take an imaginative trip through the neighborhood, city and country, around the world and beyond. Kids can join in the search for Max and Ollie, who are hiding somewhere in every map. An activity at the end of the book shows children how to make a map of their bedroom.

Book Review
Oh, I loved this one! My five-year old LOVES maps and this book totally caters to that fascination. A wonderful book to help your child develop his mapping skills without sacrificing one bit of fun. Read the book straight through, or take it map by map and teach your child by having him create his own maps.

* 123 I Can Collage!
Author: Irene Luxbacher
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (March 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554533147
ISBN-13: 978-1554533145

Book Description
This book in the Starting Art series provides an introduction to all the materials kids need to collage. They’ll learn collage techniques, such as cut-paper and torn-paper, decoupages, found objects, patterns and weaving. The seven dazzling sea-creature projects include a flying fish, an octopus and a starfish family. Budding artists will proudly say, “I can collage!”

Book Review
This series is always fun and creative. Collages is fun and will engage you and your young ones for hours.

* * Edward and the Eureka Lucky Wish Company
Author: Barbara Todd
Illustrator: Patricia Storms
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (February 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532647
ISBN-13: 978-1554532643

Book Description
Edward wishes he could fly. But no matter how much he adjusts and re-adjusts the splurchler and turbo-twirler on his Skyhopper 2000, he can’t get off the ground. Imagine Edward’s thrill when he gets a coupon for not just one, but three wishes. Edward makes a wish that his Skyhopper could fly. And there it goes – Boing! Sproing! Z-z-ooom! – without him. Things really start to lurch out of control when his mother tells him to clean his room. Edward wishes that he didn’t have to! After a monster gobbles up the contents of his room until there’s nothing left to clean, Edward is determined to be more careful with his last wish. Wishes, like flying, should not be taken lightly. Will Edward ever figure out what he really wants to wish for?

Book Review
Fun! Imaginative and filled with great words that tickle the tongue like boing, sproing, splurchler and figgler. Takling wild turns of the imagination, Todd hooks readers in with fun words and the opportunmity to make three wishes – a favorite children’s fantasy.

* * Snow Valley Heroes A Christmas Tale
Author: Robert J McCarty
Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Barking Planet Productions (August 25, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0978692829
ISBN-13: 978-0978692827

Book Description
Who were the Snow Valley Heroes? Did they really save Christmas? Children and adults have asked these questions for many years, and there have been many who tried to answer them. The confusion and uncertainty is because the Snow Valley Heroes came from the Planet of the Dogs long, long ago. This is the true story of how the dogs saved Christmas.

Book Review
The third book in the series tells the story of how the dogs saved Christmas. Attention dog lovers, you’ll want this one, too! A tale of compassion and loyalty. A good tale for 9-12 to read; younger kids will enjoy hearing this one read to them.

* * * Room For One More
Author: Mathew Price
Illustrator: Ian Haywood
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Mathew Price Ltd. (November 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 193502101X
ISBN-13: 978-1935021018

Book Description
A charming story of gentle compassion as a family outing takes a surprising turn! First the family finds a lost frog and decides to take him home. Before the day is over, they find a kitten, a canary, a hungry mouse, and a puppy. There is always room for one more-until they are almost home and find a lost elephant! Lift-the-flaps add fun to this youngest child memory game and story.

Book Review
This is adorable. And, boy, can my kiddos relate as we are a family that picks up strays, too. Bright illustrations, flaps to lift and the fun of memorizing each critter that’s added to the story. A perfect gift for kiddos.

* * * Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog
Author: Barbara Gail Techel
Illustrator: Victoria Kay Lieffring
Perfect Paperback: 52 pages
Publisher: Joyful Paw Prints (January 11, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0980005205
ISBN-13: 978-0980005202

Book Description
A true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life started out just like any other dog, walking on all four paws until a spinal injury leaves her paralyzed. Frankie is custom fit for a wheelchair and learns to keep on rolling. Her zest for life will have you cheering and she will give you hope that all things are possible.

Book Review
A well-told story from Frankie’s POV – we journey with Frankie through her whole ordeal. Definitely an inspirational story. Wonderful illustrations. One of my favorites.

* A Very Special Snowflake
Author: Don Hoffman
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (November 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439901111
ISBN-13: 978-0439901116

Book Description
On a snowy winter day, Jeff and Veronica take their new puppy out for a game of catch. But Snowflake soon disappears! Her white fur blends right into a mound of snow. The baker, the policewoman, the mail carrier, and other neighbors try to help, while Snowflake plays a game of hide-and-seek with the reader!

Children can search for Snowflake in each delightful illustration!

Book Review
I liked this one. Wonderful illustrations and the opportunity to search and find snowball on each page. Will please the pre-school crowd.

* * * The Adventures of Songha: The Amazing Savannah Cat
Author: Linda R. Caterine
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse (May 23, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 143438361X
ISBN-13: 978-1434383617

Book Description
“The Adventures Of Songha” is the story of a rare exotic cat, as seen through the eyes of Songha, a beautiful Savannah cat. Songha is half African Serval leopard and half domestic cat, and this unusual combination sets her apart from most other cats. She has a domestic temperament, but her wild leopard blood drives her to seek adventure by escaping from the safety of her wonderful home. Her restlessness takes her into exciting, and sometimes dangerous territory, as she follows her wild urges to run free. Songha tells us about leaving her leopard father, to come and live with her new family in Las Vegas, Nevada. She loves her new family, but when she is not allowed to go outside and run free, she begins searching for ways to escape. She doesn’t want to run away from her family. She just wants to run free for a little while, and then come back to her loving home. From her daring first escape, through an upstairs window, to her confrontation with a notorious wild coyote, Songha gives us a “cat’s eye” view into the heart and soul of this exotic feline. She is wild and sweet, endearing and infuriating, all at the same time. And of course, she is always entertaining. As Songha pursues her adventures, she learns some valuable life lessons along the way, and also gains some much needed wisdom. This is the story of Songha, the amazing Savannah cat.

Book Review
A well told story. Funny, fascinating…cat lovers will sit back and enjoy this one.

* * * Gus is a Fish
Author: Claire Babin
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (April 29, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592701019
ISBN-13: 978-1592701018

Book Review
This book is cool. Read and imagine being a fish and discover a new world. I love the artwork and at the end there is a picture glossary to help your kiddo learn new words and their meanings.

* * * Coppernickle: The Invention
Author: Wouter Van Reek
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (April 29, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592701000
ISBN-13: 978-1592701001

Book Review
Imaginative, funny and creative. It also captures the bond of two brothers (even though Coppernickel and Tungsten aren’t related). They remind me of my two boys. This is a great book to inspire your kiddos to draw plans for their inventions.

*** Queen Vernita’s Visitors
Author: Dawn Menge
Illustrator: Bobbi Switzer
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (April 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1598007149
ISBN-13: 978-1598007145

Book Description
Queen Vernita invites twelve wonderful friends to visit with her during each month of the year. Queen Vernita and her friends enjoy fun activities throughout the Oceaneers Kingdom.

Book Review
This is great. My five-year old is just now trying to comprehend days of the week and months as well as the seasons. This is a great book to help kiddos get started learning this things in a fun way.

* * * Mama’s Kiss
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Daniel Baxter
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811866831
ISBN-13: 978-0811866835

Book Description
The kiss Mama blew to her little girl goes merrily astray slipping and sliding and sashaying from cheek to cheek . . . until it finally lands just right where it belonged. Told in jaunty verse award-winning Jane Yolen’s clever fantasy offers warm and witty affirmation that it is indeed love that makes the world go round.

Book Review
This is a delight. My kiddo (5) will love it. Fun, heartwarming. A touching story to read with your kiddo. A great excuse to kiss ‘em up.

* * * Mao and Me
Author: Chen Jiang Hong
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (November 11, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592700799
ISBN-13: 978-1592700790

Book Review

This is an AWESOME book. Learn all about this beloved children’s book author’s childhood during the rule a Chairman Mao. The art is like a graphic novel, and the child’s point of view makes this period of China’s history poignant. I highly recommend this book for ages 9 – adult.

* Helena’s Voyage
Author: Paul Harbridge
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: O Books (August 25, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1846941148
ISBN-13: 978-1846941146

Book Review
An interesting book that tries to weave together the message of three world religions (Christian, Jewish and Islam) an dthe premise is to love God and love all others as we love ourselves.

In Helena’s Voyage you can see the world through the eyes of an angel and a child.

* * * The Moose With Loose Poops
Author: Charlotte Cowan
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Hippocratic Press (January 25, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0975351656
ISBN-13: 978-0975351659

Book Description
Four year old Miles develops a tummy ache while on a family picnic in Maine. His planned camping trip with Papa (complete with canoeing and fishing) is postponed when throwing up (oops!) and diarrhea (loose poops) develop. Mama, Papa and Lucy Moose take excellent care of Miles at home helped by their kindly pediatrician, Dr. Hippo. Of course, Miles recovers in time to camp with Papa under a special, star filled sky.

Book Review
This book is part of a collection that covers different illnesses. They take the scariness out of going to the doctor. They are perfect to read with your younger ones when they are confined to bed. A great pick-me-up as well as informative for kiddos.

* All I want For Christmas
Author: Deborah Zemke
Reading level: Ages 6-10
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Blue Apple Books (October 15, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934706345
ISBN-13: 978-1934706343

Book Description
It turns out that a skunk wants a big bottle of French perfume . . . and a spider hopes to find a spinning wheel waiting for her on Christmas morning! Deborah Zemke’s cheerful expressive artwork is always a hit and it’s on full display in this fun Christmas wish list for the animal kingdom.

Book Review
Cute. Try it for little ones, younger than the recommended age. They will have fun guessing what each animal wants.

* * Disney High School Musical What’cha Think?
Author: Reader’s Digest
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Board book: 48 pages
Publisher: Reader’s Digest (August 26, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794414877
ISBN-13: 978-0794414870

Book Description
A brand new, unique format, the Ask It Answer Finder, that sends text messages to readers from the popular characters in Disney Channel’s mega-hit High School Musical.

Based on the first two High School Musical movies, this book allows kids to ask their pals from East High for friendly advice. Sometimes we all need a little direction and it’s always great to get some feedback. Easy as 1, 2, 3, kids just push a button on the Ask It answer finder to get a text message and see what Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay or Chad think about their questions on fashion, sports, homework, friendships and more. Sure to provide hours of fun, first kids quiz themselves…then they see what the Wildcats say!

Cool format features interactive Ask It answer finder, from favorite and recognizable characters as a cool text message.

Features a handy clip for on-the-go fun!

Book Review
The real draw with this book is the texting. Topics like sports, dating, homework and friendships are perfectly geared toward this age group. I can just imagine this book getting great usage at a slumber party.

* * Disney Hannah Montana What’cha Think?
Author: Cynthia Stierle
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Reader’s Digest (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794416586
ISBN-13: 978-0794416584

Book Description
She sells out stadiums in seconds, has multi-platinum albums and one of the most popular TV shows on television. Now kids can get texts from Hannah Montana and her friends directly on their very own What’cha Think? texting device. The device is used to guide readers through all sorts of questions in the book: “If you led a double life as a pop star, what kind of music would you play? Pop, country, or R&B?” Kids give an answer, then push the button on the device to get a fun text from a favorite Hannah Montana character (Miley: “Ya think? Of Course!, or Oliver: “Smokin’ Oken says yes!”). The device is perfect for guiding the reader through the book, or on its own as the new magic eight ball. An attached metal ring makes it perfect to clip to a backpack, to get text advice anywhere, anytime.

Book Review
The real draw with this book is the texting. The questions are perfectly geared to this age group and friends will love asking each other the questions, too.

* * Disney Hannah Montana Awesome Adventures with Musical Microphone
Author: Ruth Koeppel
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Product for ages 7-12
Board book: 36 pages
Publisher: Reader’s Digest (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794414796
ISBN-13: 978-0794414795

Book Description
Hannah is hot! And this popular format based on the smash-hit Disney Channel original series will be a hit! Kids will love singing into the included microphone enabling them to put themselves right into the story and sing along with one melody or make up their own with two included riff beats for hours of endless fun.

This book contains four episode-based stories featuring everyone’s favorite rock star and her friends. After reading the stories, kids can use the removable microphone to amplify their voices. The microphone is pre-programmed with one favorite Hannah Montana song, “Just Like You”, for sing-along fun as well as 2 rhythms to play while you sing.

Popular format includes removable microphone which contains one melody and two riff beats for sing-alongs and can be used to amplify voices as well, plus a 36-page storybook which retells favorite episodes. Microphone includes 2 buttons – 1 to amplify voice and the other to play melodies and riff beats.

Book Review
The real draw with this book is the microphone. All HM fans will love the stories. They stay true to the HM show.

* * Disney Channel’s Camp Rock: The Musical Memories
Author: Cynthia Stierle
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Reader’s Digest (September 16, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794416195
ISBN-13: 978-0794416195

Book Description
Two cool books—Secret Crush (packed with revealing facts about the East High gang) and Secret Journal (for kids to write their own secret messages in)—and a cool three-in-one pen are an awesome addition to the blockbuster High School Musical franchise.

High School Musical was a smash hit, and High School Musical 2’s release in 2006 was the highest rated cable premier ever, with a soundtrack that has sold millions of albums. Now kids can get up close and personal with the HSM gang in Secret Crush, a cool journal book chock-full of facts, photos and information about their favorite movies and characters. But the coolest part is the secret messages from characters Troy, Gabriella, Chad and Sharpay; using the included revealer light pen, secret messages printed in the book are unveiled.

The pen can also be used by kids to write their own secret thoughts, record friends’ names, school activities, aspirations and more in Secret Journal, the second included journal book. This set couldn’t offer High School Musical fans more about their favorite characters, as well as a place and way to start their own journal writing. .

Book Review
Thoroughly geared to tweens who will gobble this up.

* * Disney Channel’s Camp Rock: The Musical Memories
Author: Cynthia Stierle
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Reader’s Digest (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794416993
ISBN-13: 978-0794416997

Book Description
Inspired by the new and highly anticipated Disney Channel original movie, Camp Rock. This package contains two 32-page books with the flashlight pen. The Camp Rock Summer Blogs features main character Caitlyn’s blog entries with info and facts about all of the main players (Shane, Caitlyn, and Tess) and takes readers through each event during their summer at Camp Rock. The second book, Camp Rock Rockin’ Journal, is especially for fans to keep their own journal—be it for their own experiences, with questions and conversation starters perfect for both boys and girls. The pen with a built-in flashlight is the perfect offering with this awesome camp-themed set.

Book Review
Thoroughly geared to tweens who will gobble this up.

* * * Begin Smart: Night-Night, Baby
Author: Begin Smart Books
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Rag Book: 8 pages
Publisher: Begin Smart; Bath edition (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934618039
ISBN-13: 978-1934618035

Book Review
Soft and PERFECT for bedtime. Say good night to each little critter and tuck them in. Then take the book to bed with you! Your kidlet will love this book even as a toddler. Could become a favorite clutch toy as well.

* * Begin Smart: Hello, Baby!
Author: Begin Smart Books
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 10 pages
Publisher: Begin Smart (June 3, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934618004
ISBN-13: 978-1934618004

Book Description
These simple, graphic illustrations of faces, with bold lines and high-contrast colors, will stimulate babies’ developing sense of sight. Each picture presents a smiling infant that’s sure to hold the very new “reader’s” attention.

Book Review
Not as good as “Who Am I?” but fun for little ones because of the game. It will be a favorite in this collection.