BayNews August 2003

NEWS AND NOTES

New San Jose Library: The new joint-use library, shared by the San Jose Public Library and San Jose State University, opened to great reviews on August 1st. For more information, see the articles in the San Francisco Chronicle, Sat., Aug. 2, 2003, page A18 and Sun., Aug. 10, 2003, page A25.

Filtering - Signage could help: Should the library in which you work have filters, perhaps the following signs either on the walls or near the computers might be useful:

1) A librarian can unblock blocked sites if you ask him/her.

BUT, for the user who is too shy to request unblocking, can small cards be given about the possibility of unblocking?

AND..are the library trustees aware of the cost in librarian time to unblock?
Can only a single computer be unblocked, or will all have open access?

Tentative Dates: Mark your calendars - The annual ACL Performers' Showcase is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004 at the San Leandro Public Library. Also, ACL's annual Distinguished Books Roundup is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, Noon-4pm at Penny Peck's house. Details in upcoming issues of BayViews.

Erratum: In the June 2003 issue of BayNews, a sentence was printed with an error that changed the meaning of the review. The review for Jane Yolen's Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast, refers to "her adoptive" father and later "her actual father." The sentence should indicate that the
beast dealt a blow to her adoptive father (or father), not her actual father.

WORDS AND PICTURES: THE WORLD OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS

The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature at California State University, Fresno; the Arne Nixon Center Advocates (ANCA); and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
(SCBWI), North/Central California Region, will co-host an SCBWI regional conference October 17-18, 2003. This program, to be held on the Fresno State campus, is for authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, collectors, and anyone interested in children's literature.

Activities include a Friday night reception and an all-day Saturday workshop. Stephen Mooser, President and co-founder of the SCBWI, will discuss "Writing for Boys, Then Getting Them to Read It." Picture book author Alexis O'Neill will describe "Selling Your Picture Book Without an Agent." Illustrator/author Deborah Nourse Lattimore will describe her work. Dianne Hess, Executive Editor of Scholastic Press, will speak on "The Future of Children's Books." Patricia McKissack, whose books have won Coretta Scott King awards and Newbery and Caldecott Honors, will conclude the lecture series with a talk on writing non-fiction.

The early bird registration fee for ANCA and SCBWI members is $65 if paid by September 30, $70 afterwards. The registration fee for non-members is $75. Space is limited; registration will be accepted at the door if space allows.

Written critiques of picture book manuscripts or dummies are available for an additional fee of $40, to be paid with the registration fee. These submissions must be postmarked by August 20. An optional unit of university credit is available for an additional fee of $40.

For more information, contact the Arne Nixon Center by E-mail atanc@listserv.csufresno.edu or call (559) 278-8116. Information about theworkshop, registration forms, and a full schedule of events will soon be posted on the Center's Web site at www.arnenixoncenter.org.

New Reference Book Great for Lapsit Ideas

Odean, Kathleen. GREAT BOOKS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS: MORE THAN 500 RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILD'S FIRST THREE YEARS. Ballantine Books, 2003. $14.95. ISBN 0-345-45254-2.

Many libraries have well-worn copies of Odean's earlier books, which include GREAT BOOKS FOR GIRLS and GREAT BOOKS FOR BOYS. Her new endeavor lists great books for babies and toddlers, and will be especially useful for those of us who conduct baby and toddler lapsit storytimes. But preschool teachers and daycare providers should also be lead to this invaluable, easy to use gem of a readers' guide to great books for "crawlers and walkers."

Odean begins by mentioning recent research on baby's brain development, including the importance of reading aloud to children as young as six weeks old. Not just for developing literacy, but for developing speech and other brain functions. Much of the introduction is aimed at parents, but newer librarians unaccustomed to doing baby or toddler storytimes will benefit from her common sense advice as well.

After covering the how, when, where, and what of reading aloud to young children, Odean has a chapter on nursery rhymes, songs, and fingerplays. She includes collections like Mother Goose books, along with titles containing individual rhymes formatted as a picture book, including Merle Peek's Mary Wore Her Red Dress, etc. She also includes song collections like those by Jose Luis Orozco.

The bulk of the book is the section on picture books, although it also includes board books. She includes a wide variety of suggestions, from old favorites like Flack's Ask Mr. Bear to pop-up books like Faulkner's Wide Mouth Frog. There are concept books and nonfiction, like Gomi's Everyone Poops, and most of the selections have copyrights from the 1990's until now. It is clear she is trying to find newer material and books representing diversity, while still including "classics."

Extra copies should be purchased for the parenting shelf. This will appeal to the same adults who have read Jim Trelease's read-aloud handbook. Smaller branches that don't have a children's librarian will also find it very useful, to offer readers' advisory to parents and babysitters.

Board Book Round-Up

Yes, it is time again for ACL BayNews' semi-annual Board Book round-up: reviews of the latest in Board Books (our previous was in the Jan. 2003 issue of BayNews). As usual, there is a mix of some nice original, clever books, some TV knockoffs, some picture books reconfigured into the board book format, and some miscellaneous things.

SERIES

Allen, Kit. GALOSHES. ISBN 0-618-2297-3.
SWIMSUIT. ISBN 0-618-26371-3.
SWEATER. ISBN 0-618-26370-5.
LONGJOHNS. ISBN 0-618-22996-5.
Illus. by Kit Allen. HM, 2003, $4.95 each.
The four seasons are represented in these clean, simple books. A bald-headed baby is seen swimming, singing in the rain, sledding, and sleeping. Each opening features the tyke along with a one word description. The format and boldly colored illustration style work together to appeal to babies.

Deegan, Kim. MY FIRST BOOK OF NUMBERS. ISBN 1-58234-755-7.
My FIRST BOOK OF OPPOSITES. ISBN 1-58234-756-5. Illus. by Kim Deegan. Bloomsbury, 2002, $7.95 each.
These British imports also feature a bald-headed toddler, but the illustrations contain a little more detail; in fact, they have a '50's retro feel, similar to Gerald McBoing Boing. The title concepts are clearly depicted and have an energetic quality.

Wells, Rosemary. RUBY'S TEA FOR TWO. ISBN 0-670-03652-8.
MAX DRIVES AWAY. ISBN 0-670-03651-X. Illus. by Rosemary Wells. Viking, 2003, $5.99 each.
Originally seen in the Nick Jr. Family Magazine, these new "Max and Ruby" stories show the popular characters doing "everyday" things. Max has ice cream at Grandma's and Ruby and Louise have a tea party. Each story ends with a humorous twist, proving once again that Wells' series is one of the most creative in the board book genre.

DePaola, Tomie. MARCOS COUNTS. ISBN 0-399-24011-X.
MARCOS COLORS. ISBN 0-399-24010-1. Illus. by Tomie DePaola. Putnam, 2003, $5.99 each.
Part of the "Barker Twins," series, these bilingual concept books will have wide appeal. Each lists the concept vocabulary in Spanish and English on the back cover. DePaola's signature color cartoons are not too detailed for babies or toddlers, yet preschoolers will like these, too.

Moore, Raina, adapt. THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0-06-008236-4.
THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF. ISBN 0-06-008237-2.
THE THREE BEARS. ISBN 0-06-008238-0. Illus. by Thea Kliros. HarperFestival, 2003, $5.99 each.
Remember "Little Golden Books?" These board books have a similar appeal - taking a well-known tale and matching it with greeting card like watercolor illustrations. I think Byron Barton's boldly illustrated folktales will have more appeal for babies and toddlers, but these may work for preschoolers who can see the detail in the wispy illustrations. The parents who want "nonviolent" versions may like these as well; Goldilocks makes friends with the bears, and the wolf runs away scorched but clearly he survives.

Gutman, Anne. DADDY KISSES. ISBN 0-8118-3914-1.
MOMMY HUGS. ISBN 0-8118-3916-8. Illus. by Georg Hallensleben. Chronicle Books, 2003, $5.95 each.
These French imports show animal parents interacting with their offspring. The full color folkart style paintings work well for the subject matter, but overall, there are better animal parent books.

Engelbreit, Mary. BOOKY. ISBN 0-06-008133-3.
LOVEY DOVEY. ISBN 0-06-008134-1. Illus. by Mary Engelbreit. HarperFestival, 2003, $6.99 each.
Engelbreit, who is known for her designs of calendars and kitchen items, brings her signature illustration style to these board books. LOVEY DOVEY shows ethnically diverse babies, and BOOKY shows baby animals. These are too "cute" for me but others may enjoy.

Hayler, Kate. TOUGH TRUCK RESCUE. ISBN 0-7868-1981-2.
HELICOPTER RESCUE. ISBN 0-7868-1982-0.
Illus. by Red Giraffe, Hyperion, 2003, $8.99 each.
These British imports are for older preschoolers, due to the detail in the illustrations and the vocabulary. The oversized books feature a plastic tire tread on the front, and a wealth of vehicles inside.

Merberg, Julie and Bober, Suzanne. DANCING WITH DEGAS. ISBN 0-8118-4047-6.
A PICNIC WITH MONET. ISBN 0-8118-4046-8. Illus. with the classic paintings. Chronicle Books, 2003, $6.95 each.
The rhymes that serve as captions for the paintings are quite nice, and are suitable for the toddler audience. The illustrations may not work however, as the Impressionistic style is harder for young children to interpret - it may just look like swirling colors. Each book concludes with a list of the original artwork used, with the paintings title and date, and museum where it currently resides. I would like to see these in picture book format where they would reach a wider audience.

Saint-Exupery, Antoine de. INTRODUCING THE LITTLE PRINCE. Illus. by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Harcourt, 2003, $12.95 for set of four board books with slipcase.
What were they thinking? Using the original illustrations, these 4 board books show brief glimpses of "The Little Prince," but nothing of substance. In my opinion, the original metaphoric tale isn't really for children, but ages 11 to adult who can appreciate the underlying philosophy the author had intended. Skip these.

PICTURE BOOKS INTO BOARD BOOKS

Guy, Ginger F. FIESTA! Illus. by Rene King Moreno. HarperFestival, 2003. $6.99, ISBN 0-06-009263-7.
This popular bilingual book works equally well as a board book and should prove popular. The simple counting story lists things needed for a party and the chalk drawings work fine in this smaller size.

Ehlert, Lois. PLANTING A RAINBOW. Illus. by Lois Ehlert. Harcourt, 2003. $6.95, ISBN 0-15-204633-X.
Ehlert's bold bright illustrations have the blocky shapes that appeal to toddlers, and the simple planting story will also hold their interest. Older preschoolers will appreciate the small print that identifies all the flowers.

Pomerantz, Charlotte. WHERE'S THE BEAR? Illus. by Byron Barton. HarperFestival, 2003. $6.99, ISBN 0-06-008820-6.
Barton's bold illustration style is perfect for babies, with the blocks of primary colors. The simple repetitive text shows villagers looking in the woods for the bear, then running from him.

Kalan, Robert. JUMP, FROG, JUMP! Illus. by Byron Barton. HarperFestival, 2003. $6.99, ISBN 0-06-008819-2.
Another great book illustrated by Barton, kids will yell out the repeated title phrase. The bulk of the text has a cumulative feature that will appeal to preschoolers, too, so this is for a wide age range.

Hru, Dakari. TICKLE TICKLE. Illus. by Ken Wilson-Max. Roaring Brook, 2003. $5.99, ISBN 0-7613-1939-5.
With a Jamaican lilt, this simple text works as a baby tickle rhyme, and the illustrations show an African-American family. Great for the youngest listeners and their parents.

Baker, Keith. QUACK AND COUNT. Illus. by Keith Baker. Harcourt, 2003. $6.95. 0-15-204751-4.
In this unusual counting book, the reader counts the seven ducks, sometimes as 2 and 5, sometimes as 1 and 6, etc. Even in this small size, we can still pick out the ladybugs hidden in each illustration.

Steig, William. PETE'S A PIZZA. Illus. by William Steig. HarperFestival, 2003. $6.99. ISBN 0-06-052754-4.
Steig's wonderful book on parent/child imaginative play works great in the smaller format. With loads of white space and clear cartoon illustrations, an "older" dad is shown playing with his son Pete, tickling and tossing him like a pizza.

McPhail, David. EMMA'S VACATION. Illus. by David McPhail. Dutton, 2003. $6.99, ISBN 0-525-47108-1.
Because the original "Emma" books were small picture books to begin with, nothing is lost in the board book conversion. Emma shows her parents that exploring the woods can be as fun as visiting the amusement park, and McPhail's watercolor and ink illustrations tell a lot of the story. More for preschoolers than toddlers, this is still a good choice.

Sturges, Philemon. I LOVE TRUCKS! Illus. by Shari Halpern. HarperFestival, 2003. $6.99, ISBN 0-06-052666-1.
The fire truck shown on the cover will attract lots of readers to this list of different types of trucks - streetsweepers, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and ice cream trucks! The illustration style if very close to Byron Barton's, so toddlers can see every detail.

Brown, Margaret Wise. MY WORLD. Illus. by Clement Hurd. HarperFestival, 2003. $7.99, ISBN 0-694-00862-1.
A companion to GOODNIGHT MOON, this just doesn't have the same pizazz. Color and black and white illustrations alternate, just like in GOODNIGHT MOON, but the text is really just a list of stuff found around the house. Not horrible, just disappointing.

Fuge, Charles. YIP! SNAP! YAP! Illus. by Charles Fuge. Tricycle, 2003. $6.95, ISBN 1-58246-097-3.
A variety of dogs make a variety of sounds in this fun cartoon-style book on dogs. No real story, but sure to please dog owners.

Williams, Sue. LET'S GO VISITING. Illus. by Julie Vivas. Harcourt, 2003. $5.95, ISBN 0-15-204638-0.
A companion to I WENT WALKING, this has the same watercolor characters set on white backgrounds as the first book. Each refrain begins "Let's go visiting. What do you say?" and then we count a number of animals. The rhyming text is fun, but the counting stops at six and not ten, which feels odd. This is one on our list that works better as a picture book.

Baker, Keith. WHO IS THE BEAST? Illus. by Keith Baker. Harcourt, 2003. $6.95. ISBN 0-15-204752-2.
The dark, detailed pictures make it difficult for toddlers to find the "hidden" animals in this small version; the picture book is much easier to read.

NONFICTION BOARD BOOKS

Acredolo, Linda. BABY SIGNS FOR ANIMALS. ISBN 0-06-009075-8.
BABY SIGNS FOR BEDTIME. ISBN 0-06-009076-6. Photos by Penny Gentieu. HarperFestival, 2003. $6.99 each.
Recommended by some educators, the clean photos and brief text instruct parents how to sign to their babies. Buy if the previous books in this series are popular.

Gold-Vukson, Marji. THE SOUNDS OF MY JEWISH YEAR. Illus. by Suzanne Urban. ISBN 1-58013-047-X.
THE SHAPES OF MY JEWISH YEAR. ISBN 1-58013-049-6. Illus. by Sally Springer. Kar-Ben, 2003, $4.95 each.
Using items distinct to Jewish culture, these concept books will be helpful to children attending religious school. For example, a matzah is used as an example of a square, and the sizzle of a latke being cooked is a sound. The color cartoon illustrations clearly show what is being described.

MY FIRST TIME BOARD BOOK. DK Publishers, 2003, $6.99, ISBN 0-7894-9210-5.
Not a book on telling time, but a list of things related to bathtime, bedtime, daytime, nighttime, etc. The photos and book design are the typical DK style, but serve the subject. For older toddlers and preschoolers.

HOLIDAY BOARD BOOKS

Roth, Carol. MY LITTLE VALENTINE. Illus. by Jennifer Beck Harris. HarperFestival, 2003, $5.99, ISBN 0-06-009120-7.
This nonsensical rhyming story h as a small dog ask his mom, would you love me "if bears were bald and dolphins had hair?" The blocky color cartoon illustrations are appealing, but the story doesn't compare to Brown's THE RUNAWAY BUNNY.

Carrier, Lark. FIVE LITTLE CHICKS. Illus. by Lark Carrier. HarperFestival, 2003, $6.99, ISBN 0-06-008200-3.
Five chicks go out in search of treats and run into the Easter Bunny. Pretty lame; stick with Wells' MAX'S CHOCOLATE CHICKEN.

Scott, Michael. FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS. Illus. with photos. Hyperion, 2003. $5.99. ISBN 0-7868-1919-7.
Five babies, clad in orange jumpers, illustrate this popular Halloween fingerplay. I have seen this rhyme done in board book form, illustrated with cartoon pumpkins, which I think works better than this version.

Regan, Dian Curtis. A SPARKLY CHRISTMAS EVE. Illus. by Dawn Apperley. Little Simon, 2002, $4.99, ISBN 0-689-84569-3.
The glitter trimmed pages don't make up for the pedestrian story and illustrations. Stick with DePaola's BABY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.

Waterhouse, Stephen. GET BUSY THIS CHRISTMAS! Illus. by Stephen Waterhouse. Bloomsbury, 2002, $6.95, ISBN 1-58234-802-2.
Penguins prepare for Christmas in the usual way that humans do - shop, decorate, etc. Fun but not groundbreaking, this British import has pleasant, original illustrations.

DePaola, Tomie. TOMIE'S LITTLE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT. Illus. by Tomie DePaola. Putnam, 2002, $7.99, ISBN 0-399-23959-6.
Based on DePaola's picture book first released in 1978, the nativity story is reenacted as a school play. The straightforward retelling and DePaola's signature cartoon style illustrations are a great way to introduce this story.

Gifford, Chris. A PRESENT FOR SANTA. Illus. by Jason Fruchter. Simon Spotlight/Nick Jr. 2002, $11.95, ISBN 0-689-84935-4.
This oversized board book has a wealth of flaps, and stars Nora, the Spanish-speaking television cartoon character. This story has just a few words in Spanish, but features a brown-skinned Santa. For fans of the show.

TELEVISION SPIN-OFFS

Minarik, Else Holmelund. GET WELL SOON, LITTLE BEAR! ISBN 0-694-01702-7.
THE SNOWBALL FIGHT. ISBN 0-694-01693-4.
SPRING CLEANING. ISBN 0-694-01696-9.
LITTLE BEAR'S EGG. ISBN 0-694-01691-8.
Illus. by David T. Wenzel, HarperFestival, 2003, $5.99 each.
Four board books, based on the animated television series, which in turn was based on the original Little Bear easy readers illustrated by Maurice Sendak. These pale in comparison but preschoolers may like the reassuring stories. Hopefully, they can create demand for the originals.

Beinstein, Phoebe. DORA'S OPPOSITES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. Illus. by Robert Roper, Simon Spotlight/Nick Jr. 2002, $4.99, ISBN 0-689-84819-6.
Not a story but a bilingual list of opposites. The characters from the popular "Dora the Explorer" animated series demonstrate the concept clearly.

Silverhardt, Lauryn. LET'S FIND SHAPES. ISBN 0-689-85064-6.
LET'S FIND COLORS. ISBN 0-689-85065-4.
Illus. by Vincent Giarrano, Simon Spotlight, 2002, $4.99 each.
Bob the Builder, from the popular British claymation animated series now seen on Nickelodeon, demonstrates two popular concepts. With his signature phrase, "Yes we can!" and the popular characters, toddlers will seek these out.

Ostrow, Kim. MUCK'S MAP. Illus. by Mike Giles. Simon Spotlight, 2002, $5.99, ISBN 0-689-85010-7.
Muck the steam shovel is featured in this flap filled board book. Wendy gives him a map to Bob's (from "Bob the Builder"), construction site. Preschoolers can help follow the clues.

Silverhardt, Lauryn. BOB. ISBN 0-689-85013-1.
SCOOP. ISBN 0-689-85014-X. Illus. by Barry Goldberg. Simon Spotlight, 2002, $7.99 each.
These oversized board books, as large as a picture book, feature characters from the "Bob the Builder" TV show. They introduce the characters. Kids may already know the characters and prefer a story.

Kantor, Susan. BEAR LOVES LETTERS! Illus. by Barry Goldberg. Simon Spotlight, 2002, $4.99, ISBN 0-689-84737-8.
The Bear in the Big Blue House, a popular Disney Channel character that reminds me of Big Bird, shows just a few letters from the alphabet. Not an ABC book, but a book to help children figure out what letter is used to start their names.

Kantor, Susan. LOOK AND FIND WITH BEAR! Illus. by Joe Ewers. Simon Spotlight, 2002, $6.99, ISBN 0-689-84738-6.
A very simple search-the-pictures book. Tabs show the hidden item, so even toddlers will be able to find them.

Bromberg, Brian J. MEET JOE! Illus. by Steven Savitsky. Simon Spotlight/Nick Jr., 2002, $7.99, ISBN 0-689-848-39-0.
Last year, the "Blues Clues" TV series replaced the human host with "his little brother Joe." The new actor is introduced in this oversized book, that also shows the concept of colors. For fans of the show.

Boczkowski, Tricia. MEET MY FRIENDS. Illus. uncredited. Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon, 2002, $7.99, ISBN 0-689-851-82-0.
The popular animated cartoon character "SpongeBob SquarePants" introduces the reader to his friends Gary the snail, Patrick the sea star, Squidward the octopus, and Sandy the squirrel. SpongeBob is very popular with college students, and kids collect all the related merchandise, so there may be an audience for this oversized board book.

MISCELLANEOUS

Grace, Will. RED TRAIN. Illus. by Ed Vere, Scholastic, 2003. $6.99, ISBN 0-439-48836-2.
This oversized board books really works as a concept color book, and a fun story. Illustrated in a style very similar to the work of Byron Barton, trains are shown in bold, bright colors, with black outlines, set against blue skies. Each train is all one color - a green train with 4 cars also contains 4 dogs. So kids can learn their colors, and practice counting.

Laden, Nina. GROW UP! Illus. by Nina Laden. Chronicle Books, 2003, $6.95, ISBN 0-8118-3761-0.
Everyday critters are shown in infant and adult stages: kitten and cat, puppy and dog, etc. Die-cut circles reveal the adult. The story ends with a mylar mirror so the reader can see herself.

Henkes, Kevin. WEMBERLY'S ICE-CREAM STAR. Illus. by Kevin Henkes. HarperFestival, 2003, $6.99, ISBN 0-06-050405-6.
Wemberly lets her ice cream novelty melt so she can share it with her doll, Petal. Another great board book by Henkes, who seems to understand the audience's need for simple illustrations and a brief story.

Powell, Alma. MY LITTLE WAGON. Illus. by Marsha Winborn. HarperFestival, 2003, $6.99, ISBN 0-06-052193-7.
Wife of Secretary of State Colin Powell writes a list of how to use a wagon. The profits from this book go to America's Promise-the Alliance for Youth. Sweet but not memorable.

Capucilli, Alyssa Satin. BISCUIT AND THE BUNNY. Illus. by Pat Schories. HarperFestival, 2003, $4.99, ISBN 0-694-01518-0.
Puppy Biscuit, also seen in a series of easy readers, encounters his master's pet bunny. The watercolor illustrations seems so pale compared to the bold pictures in most board books.

Boynton, Sandra. SNUGGLE PUPPY! A LITTLE LOVE SONG. Illus. by Sandra Boynton. Workman, 2003, $6.95, ISBN 0-7611-3067-5.
A board book version of one of the songs from PHILADELPHIA CHICKENS. The energetic cartoons are fun, and the lyrics are great for a parent to sing to a child. Hopefully, this will lead the reader to borrow the CD and book of all Boynton's songs.

Marzollo, Jean. MAMA MAMA/PAPA PAPA. Illus. by Laura Regan. HarperFestival, 2003, $6.99, ISBN 0-06-051915-0.
Two books in one, the reader flips the book over to see each. Parent animals care for their young, and the illustrations show realistic, not cartoony looking, animals. Great combination.

Families for Literacy Giveaway Suggestions

Every so often we see good books that are not appropriate for libraries, because they contain stickers or other items that won't hold up to circulation. But these can be great choices for Families for Literacy programs, where they are given to children of adult literacy learners to keep for their home libraries. These are the kind of books that can appeal to kinetic learners, or show kids that some books have a fun "toy" element that grab the nonreader. Here are two new series that your Families for Literacy person may want to know about:

MY FIRST ABC STICKER BOARD BOOK. ISBN 0-7894-9247-4.
MY FIRST NUMBER STICKER BOARD BOOK. ISBN 0-7894-9551-1.
MY FIRST FARM STICKER BOARD BOOK. ISBN 0-7894-9542-2.
MY FIRST TRUCK STICKER BOARD BOOK. ISBN 0-7894-9246-6.
DK Publishers, 2003, $6.99 each.

These four oversized board books each come with a sheet of 25 "reusable" stickers. They don't really contain stories, but the pages show various items with the word for item, and a few related sentences. Thjs format works great as a vocabulary builder for our English language learner families.

The illustrations match photos of diverse preschoolers, set onto computer generated backgrounds. There are plenty of items pictured to count, name, and identify. Although these don't work for library circulation, they are great giveaway books.

BRAND NEW READERS: RED SET. ISBN 0-7636-2062-9.
BRAND NEW READERS: BLUE SET. ISBN 0-7636-2061-0.
Candlewick, 2003, $12.99 per set.

Boxed in cute velcro-closing packages, each of these sets contains 10 paperback easy readers, a poster with stickers, a parent/teacher guide, a blank book for kids to color, and a certificate of achievement. Perfect for emergent readers, these stories are very brief but have humor.

Each short book, stapled on the side, contains a funny story, illustrated with colorful cartoons. The texts contain much repetition, but the surprise endings make these pamphlet-sized books a lot of fun.

Each set contains the same parenting guide, but the rest of the package is unique, so families will appreciate receiving both. And with ten books for $13, these are cheaper than greeting cards, and more interesting and original!

The ten books feature two books each starring the same characters, including Monkey, Worm, Piggy, Dinah Dinosaur, Tabby Cat, Winnie the Dog, Edna Elephant, and Mouse. These will make great gift items.

Penny Peck,
San Leandro Public Library