"Shannon and Fearing combine their considerable talents to create a most bewitching tale of self-confidence and perseverance. (Picture book. 4-8)"
When young witch Cordelia enters a spelling bee, not only does she need to rely on her skills as an accomplished speller, but she must also use her wits to foil the competition…in the nicest way possible.
Read full book review >
"Purposive but pleasing, this gentle lesson in diversity, diligence and the dignity of hard work offers an appealing balance of art and information. (Picture book. 5-9)"
Shannon and Paschkis provide a charming multicultural answer to the title question, creating in the process a confection that, while it may be most appreciated by socially conscious adults, will tempt young appetites as well.
Read full book review >
"Illustrated with sunny watercolor scenes of popeyed livestock (all of whom, by the end, are club members) dancing and being silly, this is sure to have children signing on in flocks for repeat readings. (Picture book. 6-8)"
Shannon dishes up a delicious trio of original "noodle" tales, set in bucolic Wise Acres and featuring a farmyard menagerie that stars Debbie, a cow with the heart and hooves of a dancer.
Read full book review >
For children ready to step past the primal "apples are red, leaves are green" stage of color coding, Shannon and Dronzek offer helping hands: "PINK is for crow . . . [turn the page] when it has just hatched from its egg.
Read full book review >
"Zemke adds zest to the effort with her loose watercolor-and-ink illustrations, capturing the animal antics. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Wise Acres is a seemingly idyllic farm with a traditional red barn and some untraditional animals who like to jog, sing, and play musical instruments in this longer work divided into three short chapters.
Read full book review >
The latest installment of Lizard's adventures (Lizard's Home, 1999, etc.) begins with Lizard exuberantly dancing and singing, until he stomps on Skunk's toes by accident.
Read full book review >
"Great for group sharing and participation story hour. (Picture book. 2-4)"
The usual favorite breakfast consisting of "sweet itty-bitty beans and potato bugs" awaits Hen and her three chicks in the garden, guarded this morning by a grumpy and growling dog tied to the tree.
Read full book review >
"Here's grist for storytellers and smooth talkers of any age. (Folktales. 8-12)"
Shannon follows up True Lies (1997) with more retold anecdotes, drawn from a variety of folk traditions, in which words say more, or less, than they seem to.
Read full book review >
"A collection that confirms for children what they may have guessed already about life's many shades of gray. (notes) (Folklore. 8-11)"
Recognizing a half-truth is one of life's harder lessons, but Shannon (Still More Stories to Solve, 1994, etc.) makes a sport of it in this collection of 18 stories that challenge readers to discover what is true and what is fabricated.
Read full book review >
"Soman's sensitive illustrations reflect the intimacy created by the memory of ancestral struggles and accomplishments; this is a moving tribute to familial bonds. (Picture book. 4-8)"
As a handmade wooden bird is passed down through several generations, each female relative endows it with a memory that adds to the family history.
Read full book review >
"Crews brings to each page his elemental, suggestive brushwork: ketchup that is thick and rich and hard to shake out of the bottle, water that is splashy and cold. (Picture book. 5+)"
Shannon (April Showers, 1995, etc.) has created an alphabet book that demands of readers imaginative, often arbitrary leaps, from what is to what will be. ``B is for eggs—tomorrow's BIRDS'' and ``R is for grapes—tomorrow's RAISINS.'' Wheat to flour, clay to pot, caterpillar to moth: Most of the letter play will spark recognition, but the associations of a few are fairly oblique for ABC readers.
Read full book review >
Thank you! You’ll get the first email of recommendations from our critics within a week!
Bummer. There was a problem adding your email address. Please try again.
Subscribe to Pro Connect
Be the first to discover new talent!
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our Pro Connect email alert.
Sign up here to receive your FREE alerts.
