Patricia Polacco has related another heart-warming story based on true events.  Johnnie Wallen left home at the age of 15 to join the army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Known for his sharp-shooting skills, he soon earned the nickname, Kentucky Jo.  After many dangerous missions, his unit was stationed in the jungles of the Philippines.  There he met a shy little girl he named Little Heart for the birthmark on her arm.  She could only say “Tucky Jo”.  As their friendship grew, he met her English speaking grandfather and helped their village find food.  When they need to evacuate, he convinces his sergeant to save the village, too.  Many years later, after marrying and settling down with his large family, he began having to spend more and more time at the veteran’s hospital.  One day a new nurse came and assisted with new medicines and procedures.  When he questioned why all of a sudden he was able to get such special treatment, she showed him a birthmark on her arm and replied that it was her turn to care for her “Tucky Jo”.  An epilogue completes the story of Tucky Jo and Little Heart.  Polacco relates the story using many expressions that are common in southern dialects.  Her trademark artistic style using pencils and watercolor accurately portray the emotions and conditions of war, family, and love.  This is another winner from Patricia Polacco.

This is a terrific “how-to” book for fly fishing.  Beginning with a description of the equipment and lures, one learns the appropriate gear to use for hooking a variety of fish.  Tips are given for specific techniques required for a successful catch.  Fly fishing is done in both salt and fresh water, wherever the water is fairly shallow along coastlines and shores.  Some of the fish included are trout, steelhead, salmon, tarpon, bonefish, permits, and bass.  Colorful, close-up photos are large, some crossing the gutter, and informative.  There are dangers, so anglers need to be cautious of the conditions of the water, wildlife (ex. bears), and weather.  Glossary and index included.

Ari lives quietly on a small island.  He collects the interesting debris washed up by the sea.  One day, a large ship stops by and the captain shares wonderful stories about other people and places.  Ari decides to creatively display all his found treasures.  When the captain returns, he’s amazed with all Ari has gathered.  From then on, Ari welcomes friends and visitors from many lands and is never lonely.  The charm of this book is in the unique acrylic illustrations.  The combination of this simple story and intriguing artwork enhance a secondary message of using one’s creativity to beautify their surroundings.

This is a great introduction to the sport of pheasant hunting.  Information is presented in an easy reading format with occasional sidebars.  Although native to China and Korea, pheasants were introduced in 1881 to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  Pheasants readily adapted to the changing environment of wilderness to farm land.  They are ground birds and need cover for nesting and nearby grain fields for feeding.  The book relates the physical traits, behaviors, and habitats as well as successful techniques and strategies for hunting this alert and sneaky game bird.  Two types of dogs are often used – flushers and pointers.  Good breeds for doing each job are mentioned.  Equipment and skills for hunting pheasants are rather unique.  Being able to shoot quickly and accurately is a must.  Hunters need to know local laws and firearm safety rules.  Photographs are informative, well captioned, with a good balance of both male and female hunters.  Also included are a map, diagram, index and glossary.  One item keeps me from giving this an R*.  Page 39 mentions the importance of “field dressing” a bird as soon as possible, yet that term is never explained.  Otherwise, this is a captivating and educational book.

Preschool Lulu is a typical younger sister.  When her older brother wants to play with his friends, she is left to her own devices with her basset hound, Bingo.  After exhausting many possibilities, she dons her ladybug costume and becomes a super hero.  She removes a boulder from the path of ants, jumps over a shark-infested puddle, repairs a broken rock fort, and braves tree root “snakes”.  Taking a rest in an apple tree, she spots her bother and his friends playing ball in the distance.  She squints at them between her index finger and thumb and realizes SHE is not little.  THEY are little!  The illustrations are absolutely delightful and expressive.  Lulu’s red ladybug costume is a focal point on each page.  Bingo’s expressions and body language humorously copy Lulu’s.  What a great book to celebrate imagination.  This super fun edition includes a poster, paper dolls, and stickers.

Henry thinks he talks a lot, but his parents only hear gibberish.  Henry decides to choose a great word, however he has no idea how it will look or sound.  When he cannot find one around his things in the house, he asks some of his outdoor friends.  Neither cat, bird, nor bunny has one for him.  As he looks around for his mother, she is no longer in sight.  How upsetting!  As he worries and begins to cry, the perfect word comes rumbling out, “Mama”!  (Henry uses his first word for everything so perhaps Dada’s feelings won’t be too hurt!)  The illustrations are done in pencil and pastels, a perfect match for this gentle, simple story about one of the first developmental landmarks.

Duddle Puck arrives on the farm in a blue baseball cap and proceeds to show he is a very odd duck indeed.  He clucks with the hens, honks with the geese, oinks with the pig, neighs with the horse, and gives a hip-hip hooray at the farmer’s party.  All the animals try to help him find his quack and become a proper duck.  When they all demonstrated quacking, Duddle just giggled at the irony.  Then “he roared a mighty QUACK – a – doodle – doo!”  This rhyming story not only reinforces sounds different animals make but also celebrates individuality.  The illustrations are in vivid earth-tone watercolors.  Visually pleasing, the backgrounds alternate between full color and white.  Although not major characters until the end, the farmer and his cat can be seen attending to various farm duties.  Another fun creation by Karma Wilson.