Authors: Jacqueline Briggs Martin.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Publication Date: 1998-09-28


Reviews :

    From the time he was a small boy, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature. "Of all the forms of water the tiny six-pointed crystals of ice called snow are incomparably the most beautiful and varied." -- Wilson Bentley. SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY won the 1999 Caldecott Medal....

    Most children are captivated by snow, but how many go on to make it their lifework? This beautiful biography, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal, tells the true story of a Vermont farm boy who was mesmerized by snowflakes. Wilson Bentley was fascinated by the six-sided frozen phenomena, and once he acquired a microscope with a camera, his childhood preoccupation took on a more scientific leaning. Bentley spent his life taking countless exquisite photographs (many that are still used in nature photography today), examining the tiny crystals and their delicate, mathematical structures. Jacqueline Briggs Martin tells this tale with simple, graceful prose that will engage children's imaginations. Edifying and snowflake-scattered sidebars offer more information about Bentley's methods and snowflake science. The artwork of Mary Azarian, whose 19th-century hand-press illustrations decorate the charming Barn Cat, shines once again in Snowflake Bentley, with woodcuts that reveal an appreciation for detail as well as for the man who loved snow. The lovely illustrations and equally fresh text will inspire and comfort youngsters (and grownups too) who wish they could capture snowflakes all year long. (Ages 4 to 8) --Brangien Davis...

Authors: Louisa May Alcott.
Paperback, 464 pages
Publisher: Signet Classics
Publication Date: 2004-04-06


Reviews :

    In picturesque nineteenth-century New England, tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy come of age while their father is off to war....

Authors: Allan Ahlberg.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Publisher: L,B Kids
Publication Date: 2001-09-01


Reviews :

    Fifteen years ago, long before anyone else thought of tucking actual letters and notes inside a book, Little, Brown published The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg. This wonderful book gave children a chance to read letters sent from one fairy tale or Mother Goose character to another. Among the funny notes was one from Jack, who lolled on a sun-drenched island, thanking the Giant for the gold that let him afford such a nifty vacation. All this amusing correspondence was deftly illustrated and the book attracted hordes of eager readers....

Authors: Allan Ahlberg.
Hardcover, 28 pages
Publisher: L,B Kids
Publication Date: 2006-10-01
Edition: 20

Reviews :

    As the Jolly Postman goes from house to house in this magical kingdom delivering the mail, children can read, on every other page, the whimsical letters tucked inside their own envelopes. "Delightful, full of clever detail, and frequently hilarious. . . . A real treat."--Publishers Weekly. Full-color illustrations....

Authors: Lloyd Alexander.
Paperback, 224 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
Publication Date: 2006-05-16


Reviews :

    ...

    The tale of Taran, assistant pig keeper, has been entertaining young readers for generations. Set in the mythical land of Prydain (which bears a more than passing resemblance to Wales), Lloyd Alexander's book draws together the elements of the hero's journey from unformed boy to courageous young man. Taran grumbles with frustration at home in the hamlet Caer Dallben; he yearns to go into battle like his hero, Prince Gwydion. Before the story is over, he has met his hero and fought the evil leader who threatens the peace of Prydain: the Horned King.

What brings the tale of Taran to life is Alexander's skillful use of humor, and the way he personalizes the mythology he has so clearly studied. Taran isn't a stick figure; in fact, the author makes a point of mocking him just at the moments when he's acting the most highhanded and heroic. When he and the young girl Eilonwy flee the castle of the wicked queen Achren, Taran emotes, "'Spiral Castle has brought me only grief; I have no wish to see it again.' 'What has it brought the rest of us?' Eilonway asked. 'You make it sound as though we were just sitting around having a splendid time while you moan and take on.'" By the end, Alexander has spun a rousing hero's tale and created a compelling coming-of-age story. Readers will sigh with relief when they realize The Book of Three is only the first of the chronicles of Prydain. --Claire Dederer ...

Authors: Tedd Arnold.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books
Publication Date: 2006-09-01
Edition: 1

Reviews :

    Fly Guy returns home to discover that Buzz has gone on a picnic without him! Sad and hungry, Fly Guy takes off in search of his favorite food. He gets shooed away from a hamburger, a pizza, a dog's bones, and even roadkill--leaving readers to guess what Fly Guy's favorite oozy, lumpy, smelly, and brown food could possibly be! Why, it's shoo-fly pie, of course!

Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun. With an eye-catching holographic foil cover, this is the third in a series of four books....

Authors: Tedd Arnold.
Paperback, 32 pages
Publisher: CARTWHEEL BOOKS
Publication Date: 2006-07-01


Reviews :

    Boy and fly meet and so begins a beautiful friendship. Er, and so begins a very funny friendship. Using hyperbole, puns, slapstick, and silly drawings, bestselling author/illustrator Tedd Arnold creates an easy reader that is full of fun. "A pop-eyed, self-confident mite in Arnold's droll cartoon illustrations, Fly Guy's up to any challenge, whether it be eating a hot dog (well, most of it, anyway), or performing amazing aerial acrobatics; readers drawn by the flashy foil cover will stick around to applaud this unusually capable critter." --Kirkus Reviews...

Authors: Tedd Arnold.
Paperback, 32 pages
Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: 2000-10-01


Reviews :

    First, his hair started falling out. Then skin started peeling from his toes. Some stuffing came out of his belly button, and a piece of something gray and wet-his brain?-fell out of his nose. Is this normal? Or is this boy coming unglued? With a perfect combination of humor and grossness, this look at one boy's farfetched fears will have readers laughing their heads off!

"A zany, ultimately reassuring take on something that may indeed be a child's bugaboo." -Booklist

Awards:
( 1999 Colorado Children's Book Award
( Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Masterlist...

Authors: Lloyd Alexander.
Paperback, 208 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
Publication Date: 2006-05-16


Reviews :

    ...

Authors: Tedd Arnold.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books
Publication Date: 2007-09-01


Reviews :

    Buzz is visiting Grandma, and Fly Guy comes along for the ride. Oops! Grandma swallows Fly Guy, then a spider, then a bird, then a cat, then a dog. . . .

She's about to swallow a horse, when Fly Guy shouts: "BUZZZ!" Buzz is starting to worry, but there is nothing Fly Guy can't handle! He flies out, and all the critters follow. And everybody parties!...