Here is a dog book that has kid appeal written all over it! First of all there is page upon page of large adorable glossy photographs of Shih Tzu’s in different scenarios…a visual feast!  Each two page spread answers a question or covers a concept in the choosing of, typical behavior of, and care for this miniature breed from Tibet.  For example, What are Shih Tzus?, Tiny Puppies, How Big Do Shih Tzus Get? Shih Tzus Helping People. I appreciated that people of color were represented in the photographs.  The book is designed to appeal to a primary audience with over sized print  and snappy page layout.  I prejudged this book, as it appeared to potentially be a portfolio of fluff with little substance.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn a lot about these little powerhouse dogs.  With their short legs, four blocks is far enough for a healthy walk.  They are good pets for people with allergies, since they do not shed much.  They don’t like to get wet.  You carry them like a football. Mixed breeds have health problems and can be harder to train.  Males are easier to house train than females…etc.  One issue I did have was with the map of the breeds origin, Tibet/China.  China and Tibet are presented, out of context, without any bordering countries or water to orient us.  All the numerous provinces of China are colored and labeled.  Nowhere on the map is the word, “China”!  That said, kids may be more forgiving of the map makers, and simply devour this book.  I will consider purchasing more of this “Top Dog” series.

Nearly 200 years ago, in South Carolina, there lived a potter named Dave.  Dave was a slave whose owner allowed him a rare opportunity for a black person at that time… and that was to develop a skill. (Usually owners feared that slaves who developed a skill, such as blacksmithing or pottery, would start demanding more rights.)  Dave also could read and write, as he wrote short poems with dates, which he inscribed on the side of many of his pots, many of which have survived to today.  This book pays tribute to this artist through lovely lyrical language and bigger than life watercolors in browns, blacks, and whites.  The book’s design is award quality, with small subdued color photos subtly, and artfully incorporated in the background of the bold watercolor.  On the opposite page, the minimal text sits in the middle of a large expanse of monochromatic watercolor paper, giving a feeling of serenity and peace.  The serenity and intensity play off each other, on the two page spread, creating something quite striking.  Back matter includes more information about Dave such as…”Dave was one of the only two known potters at the time who could successfully make pots that were larger than twenty gallons, sometimes as large as forty gallons. To do this he had to wrestle more than sixty pounds of clay on his turning wheel.”  Whether students are studying black history or merely exploring with clay, this remarkable book is a must for an elementary school collection.

From the author of “Snowflake Bentley” comes a true story of environmental compassion and risk-your-life courage.  Sheep can be sheared for their wool.  But the one-of-a-kind Tibetan chiru, looking like a small antelope and related to wild goats and sheep, are killed for their wool, “the king of wools, the finest in the world”.  Chiru would die in the bitter cold, if they were sheared.  But at the rate they were being poached, they were soon to become extinct.  A caring scientist, George B. Schaller, made two attempts to discover the chiru’s secret calving area so that it could be protected. Then four mountain-climbing men offered to dedicate their summer to the 200-mile trek to find the birthing grounds, which they did.  The trekkers’ efforts resulted in the Chinese government protecting the threatened chiru.  The accounts of this adventure were purposefully vague about the exact location of the secret spot so the chiru will remain hidden.  Back matter include photographs of the people, animals, and the high Tibetan terrain.  This is an amazing adventure story, told in elegant poetic language, and illustrated in bright colors and gentle strokes of the watercolor brush…all of which is simply riveting to the reader.

Maria Luz and her family represent part of the two billion people around the world who are not “food secure”…which means they do not grow enough food to feed themselves and make extra money for medical needs, education, and clean water.  They are poor Honduran farmers trying to farm in soil depleted of nutrients. Here enters the teacher, Don Pedro (Don Elias Sanchez in real life.), who introduces the concepts of composting, terracing, natural insect repellents, and cash crops.  Maria’s family and their neighbors implement these concepts and simply turn their life around.  Each two page spread chronicles a part of the story lavishly illustrated in bold, bright Honduran sun filled colors.  Back matter includes more information about the real life people represented here. Also included are concrete ideas on how we can help to improve food security in our neighborhoods and in the world.  The author also wrote another book, “One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a big Difference”.  There is a website related to this book that is for teachers, librarians, and parents interested in teaching children through microfinance stories,  financial responsibility, and giving back.  As we become more of a global community, the above books are important ones to purchase for our libraries so we can inspire our students to become global citizens.

The story cleverly unfolds as you turn each page to read either a letter, document, newspaper article, etc. All of the aforementioned were written over the course of one summer relating to quite unusual events which occurred in a large old house located at 43 Old Cemetary Road.  A popular author, Ignatius B. Grumply, moves into the Victorian mansion to find some peace and quiet to help him break out of his writer’s block.  Unfortunately, for him, there are already three others living there…an eleven year old boy, his cat and a cranky ghost named Olive.  Skillful readers will find their brain getting stretched and teased trying to follow the humorous antics of these colorful character’s through the letters they write to each other, plus the various newspaper articles, and delightful drawings peppered throughtout.  Exquisite character development made it a gem of a read.  Will my patrons be dying to meet a new style of storytelling?  Will they chuckle at the sophisticated humor, as I did?  We will see!

A ‘doppelganger’ is a German word for a ghost double.  In this book by the same name, the doppelganger is Brian Bain, a 13-year-old who was born in Korea and adopted twice in the U.S.  His first birth family died in an accident when he was very young, and he was then adopted by his guardians.  Brian doesn’t know much about his real background, other than he was born in Korea.  After winning a design contest, Brian’s picture is in the local newspaper.  This causes him to be contacted by  strange strangers who think he is someone else.  His friend, Roni, finds an old photo on-line of a little boy these strangers ask him about; she ages it to Brian’s age and there is his doppelganger — a boy who looks like him exactly.  At first, he thinks it’s a case of mistaken identity.  But to complicate matters, a family has offered a $100,000 reward for information on his whereabouts (or his doppelganger).  This pricetag is what is causing the nuts to come out.  What Brian finds out is that he actually has a twin who has disappeared.  The story has a lot of action but the main ideas don’t get lost.  A very entertaining and suspenseful read for those who enjoy mysteries.

Uncertainties are for certain in the teenage years.  Astrological signs and daily horoscopes hold as much as meaning as SAT results.  So is the case for Lani, a high school junior who is a bit too concerned with fate.  Every since the near drowning accident where her best friend Erin helped to save her life, Lani has been faithful to their friendship, even though they are growing apart. But then Jason steps in.  Jason is dating Erin, even though sparks are flying between Lani and him.  When Erin leaves for the summer, Lani struggles with fate, chemistry and betrayal.  The beginning of her senior year is shrouded by vicious harassment.  Lani will make decisions regarding friendships that would be tough for most adults.  Though slow at the beginning because of the ongoing references to fate and typical, boring characterization of high school students, this book takes off once the romance is allowed to bloom.  Nothing sexual to worry about here, but one student does come out of the closet despite verbal abuse from his father. If you have other Susane Colasanti in your library, this would be a worthy addition for fans.

Told in rhyme, Pierre the Penguin is about an African penguin living at the California Academy of Sciences.  Senior aquatic biologist Pam Schaller noticed Pierre had lost most of his feathers so she and a friend designed a wetsuit for him.  Within about 6 weeks, his feathers had grown back.  The once ostracized penguin was again accepted by the others.  Noted wildlife artist, Laura Regan, created beautiful paintings to illustrate this story.  Because this is a true story, Pam answers some frequently asked questions in the back.  Also available is a website for downloadable teachers’ guides.

“In a rocky , dry world, it’s good to blend in.” (pg. 4) and from the glossary on page 22: ” camouflage- coloring or covering that makes animals look like their surroundings”

The 11″ x 9.5″ close-up photos of a grasshopper, a tarantula,a kori bustard (bird), a camel, a ground mantid (insect), a bobcat, a thorny devil (reptile), and a sidewinder in their motley variations of  browns, blacks, and white – earth tones and patterns blend in with the dry grasses, brush, and earth of the desert.

Lexile: 540 L

In a world of only robots, ( all in the bright single colors of the rainbow, no metallic silver or gray) R Robot is off to work at the factory. “R Robot’s job today is to help his friends find the missing robot who was last seen at lunch time the day before.”  After looking all morning, when the lunch line gets long, R Robot decides to look into the clogged robot Big Cooker’s belly. There he unclogs the cooker and finds the lost robot at the same time.

The bright colors throughout is book  are  pieces of candy for the reader’s eye!