A Day with No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Chad Cameron.

Liza loves to color with crayons, she fills coloring book after coloring book.  When she runs out of coloring books, she discovers a blank wall in her room and starts to color there.  But when her mother finds out, she takes away Liza’s crayons for the rest of the day.  Now Liza has to find a new way to express herself, and she certainly does!  Cameron, the illustrator, pays homage to great artists in his illustrations, and it is lovely the way color returns to Liza’s life as she discovers more and more ways to be an artist.

This book really speaks to me.  I love that it is about a child basically learning to see art in her life, to express herself in new media, and to use a variety of styles and techniques.  It is a winner to get children redefining art in their own lives and seeing the potential for art all around them. 

Highly recommended as a book to be used in elementary art classes, it would also be a winner in a story time about art.  What a great idea it would be to then offer children a chance to create art without crayons! 

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett.

Brett has taken The Three Bears and moved it to the Arctic where Goldilocks is a little Inuit girl named Aloo-ki who has managed to get separated from her sled dogs.  The three polar bears are out for a walk waiting for their porridge to cool when they discover the dogs trapped on an ice floe.  Aloo-ki discovers the bears’ igloo where she is drawn in by the smell of porridge, she tastes them all, then moves into the igloo further to try on three different sizes of boots and finally to fall asleep on the perfect sleeping bench.  Meanwhile the bears save the dogs and return home to discover Aloo-ki asleep.

Brett has refreshed this traditional tale by not only moving its location but infusing it with regional details.  I really enjoyed Brett’s attention to the smallest details in her illustrations.  The story is carried forward not only by the main illustrations on each page, but also the side panels where the other branch of the story is happening.  The side panels also have whimsical arctic animals dressed for the wintry weather. 

A perfect winter book, this is a good book to share with a few children at a time so that the details of the illustrations can be enjoyed.  Highly recommended for ages 4-7.

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George.

Creel’s aunt decides that the best way to secure Creel’s fortune is to send her to a dragon’s cave to be taken prisoner.  That way a knight will arrive to rescue her and be bound to marry her despite her lack of a dowry.  But of course it doesn’t work out quite as planned.  First, Creel really doesn’t want to marry a pompous knight.  Then, the dragon isn’t interested in taking Creel prisoner.  And finally, the dragon doesn’t horde gold, but instead collects shoes.  So Creel makes a deal with the dragon.  He will be spared the need to fight and she will get to choose any pair of shoes she wishes from his collection.  Creel heads out to the large city to find work as a seamstress, wearing her new blue shoes.  Creel is not done dealing with dragons though, far from it!

This story is wonderfully written with warmth and humor.  Creel is a heroine worth journeying with as she uses her intelligence and skill to overcome obstacles.  She is a welcome change from many female characters as she is a true individual and doesn’t shy away from hard work or confrontations.  Yet she is human, has weaknesses, and is not proud.  She is a true treat of a character.

Readers will also appreciate the range of personalities seen in the dragons themselves as well as the secondary characters in the story.  The author has really built a credible world with a sense of history, tradition and currency.

Highly recommended for young fantasy readers, this book will most appeal to young girls, though boys may be willing to try it due to the dragons and the battles.  Appropriate for ages 10-13.

Alfred Kropp:  The Seal of Solomon by Rick Yancey.

This is the second book in the Alfred Kropp series.  Alfred Kropp is back in school being mercilessly bullied until he is kidnapped and taken out to the desert where he learns that the Seal of Solomon and its vessel contain demons of incredible power.  He isn’t the strongest person or the most coordinated, but he just may be the key to recontaining the demons who are changing the face of the earth itself.  First, he will have to learn who to trust and why he is the pivotal figure in the situation.

This is a wild ride of a book perfect for teen boys.  Its entire premise is very like Indiana Jones, but if anything it is more frightening, more vivid and faster moving.  Once a reader enters the story, there is no turning back, only turning pages faster and faster.  Yancey has mixed the perfect blend of horror, action and humor to make this a real winner of a novel.  His characterizations are strong, his pacing is phenomenal and his story is sound. 

Highly recommended for teen readers of either sex, this book will appeal to fans of Percy Jackson.

The Chaos King by Laura Ruby.

This sequel to The Wall and the Wing is a great read all on its own, though readers will want to find out the details of the first book after reading this one.  Georgie is the Richest Girl in the World, but she is learning that wealth doesn’t solve all of her problems.  She is shunned and teased in her new school and her friendship with Bug is disintegrating.  Georgie would feel all alone, but before she can dwell on it, she finds herself once again in the middle of an adventure where a giant octopus, a pen that can alter the world, and a chocolate-loving sloth feature prominently.

Ruby has managed to take the world we are familiar with and change it into something wondrous and amazing.  The city library has secrets galore, some people can fly, and there are incredible creatures at every turn.  The book is fast paced and fun.  It is certainly an adventure worth embarking on, I guarantee you will never see cats or budgies in the same way again.

Recommended for fantasy lovers from age 10-12. 
 

Rabbit’s Gift: a Fable from China by George Shannon, illustrated by Laura Dronzek.

Rabbit smells more snow coming and dashes out to find food.  He finds two turnips and leaves one at Donkey’s door in case she hadn’t found any food.  Donkey takes the extra turnip to Goat, who takes it to Deer, who returns it to Rabbit.  Rabbit finds it at his doorstep by tripping over it and decides to share it with everyone.

A very simple book about sharing and the power of community.  This book is not preachy at all, just an easy tale of friendship.  With the emphasis on snow and sharing, this could easily be used during the holiday season as a non-holiday specific book that showcases the feeling of the season without alienating diverse audiences. 

Highly recommended for adding to preschool story times focused on snow or the holidays.  The gentleness of the story will work well with preschoolers who will also not see the circular nature of the story coming. 

The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: a Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket.

Who doesn’t need a subversive book in the middle of all of the holiday carols, glam and glitz?  Snicket has created a Christmas book that speaks to those of us who don’t celebrate Christmas and those of us who celebrate it with a lot fewer lights, inflatable Santas on motorcycles and blasting carols.  I too have felt the need to start screaming, but knew if I did I would never be able to stop again. 

This book mixes Hanukkah and Christmas with a splash of sarcasm and lot of nerve.  It features the disrespect we show other faiths and customs with our blaring of Christmas everywhere.  The illustrations are fifties-style with simplicity and a sense of fun.  They mix well with the text that is the real winner here.  Some of the passages are so funny that I was unable to read aloud for awhile because I was laughing so hard.

While this book is appropriate for children, I think that adults will enjoy it the most.  If you have someone on your Christmas list who celebrates Hanukkah, get them off of that list and buy them this book!  And don’t wrap it in red and green paper either!  Don’t make me start screaming!

Nominated for a Cybil Award in Science Fiction & Fantasy.

Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins.

Kiriel is a Fallen Angel, okay a demon, who decides he is sick of working in Hell and takes over the body of a teenage boy named Shaun.  It may be unethical, but Shaun was in the last seconds of his life and Kiriel was able to continue that life.  Kiriel attempts to live as Shaun, but is continually distracted by sights, feelings, and touch.  Plus, he is far more interested in the details of Shaun’s life.  Even homework is fun because he can try out the feel of different writing implements.  As the possession goes on, Kiriel learns about humanity as well as lessons about his own position in the universe. 

Written with a great sense of humor, this book dashes along quickly but has far more depth than it might seem to on the surface.  The questions of Hell, self-imposed suffering, guilt, family connections, and what it means to be human are all part of it, handled deftly and as a part of the story itself.  Kiriel is a fascinating character who is clearly written and a joy to spend time with.  His grappling with modern human life makes for great action and the pacing of the novel is fast but never frantic. 

The book does have some mature themes, so it is appropriate for older teens.  A lively fun read that generates more questions than answers, this book is sure to infuriate and anger some people with its questions of faith, demons and God.  However, it is more than worth the trouble of having it available for teens who may be on their own quest to figure it all out.

Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto.

As the author tries to tell stories like the Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Three Bears and the Three Little Pigs, he is constantly being interrupted by Ivan, a small black and white dog.  Ivan bursts into each story, barks loudly and makes a horrible mess.  When finally the author decides to tell a story featuring Ivan himself, Ivan ignores him.

The illustrations of each fairy tale are deep colored and pastoral, but when Ivan arrives, each image has bright white as a background and all pastoral feeling is gone.  It is a dynamic way to make the illustrations burst with noise and surprise as well as the words.  The language of the book uses the same model from calm storytelling to a wild burst of yelling and scolding of Ivan. 

If you are looking for a story to capture the attention of children at the end of a preschool storytime, you have found it.  Recommended for sharing with a group, especially if you are not afraid of really yelling out loud.  This book will have children giggling and demanding a return of Ivan as soon as possible.