New and Recent Books
 |
 |
Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket.
Click here to download the teacher's guide.
|
See spread #1.
See spread #2.
|
|
The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies
Written by Ammi-Joan Paquette
Illustrated by Christa Unzner
Picture book, 32 pages, Ages 4-8
978-1-933718-20-0, hardcover with jacket, $15.95
Guided reading level: K; Grade level: 2; Reading Recovery level: 18
Some people think that fairies only live far away, in magical lands. Many fairies do. But there are some fairies, a few, who live all around us. And we can see where they live if we know how to look for them.
Spring is a perfect time to go outside. Let?s go look for clues. This will be an adventure!
Could a tulip be a good place for hide-and-seek? Could a bit of dandelion fluff be a pillow? They could be, if fairies live nearby. This book invites kids to have a backyard adventure searching for the telltale signs of fairies who might be residing all around them. Not only can children "search" for fairies in the book's unique blend of art and photography, but they will also be encouraged to discover the wonder and magic in nature, whether in a backyard or a local park. The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies is a perfect title for summer!
Here's a podcast interview with author Ammi-Joan Paquette on Book Bites for Kids, sponsored by The National Writing for Children Center:
Reviews
"The lure of fairies never fades, and the idea that they lurk nearby, waiting to be found, is still exciting to children. And Unzner's (Princess Me) use of photographs (some of which feature fairy-seeking kids)
as backdrops for her delicate fairies drives that notion home..Text and art work in tandem to create gentle suspense-scenes, such as one in which fairies retrieve a lost slipper just behind the retreating shoes of the searching children, will prompt giggles, and the promise of a fairy encounter is sweetly fulfilled at the end...readers should be enticed by the idea of magic infusing the natural world. Ages 4-8."—Publishers Weekly
"This story informs readers that fairies are just about everywhere, if they know how to look. The art is composed of photographs juxtaposed with cartoonlike drawings of the magical creatures. For example, an image of a field of tulips, with fairies peeking out here and there, is accompanied by text that reads, "Fairies love flowers. These tulips would be just right for playing hide-and-seek. Curled up inside, a fairy could not be spotted by anyone." Paquette encourages readers to help the sprites by doing things like blowing dandelion fluff to make a pillow or moving a rock to make a pool. A positive quality of this book is that it seeks to inspire children to notice the magnificent natural world in their own backyard or neighborhood."—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA, School Library Journal
"With a delightful mix of photos and illustrations, The Tiptoe Guide To Tracking Fairies is a wonderful way to get your imagination in gear for your own fairie spotting adventure."—Fairy magazine
|
|
 |
|
Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket. |
|
See spread #1.
See spread #2.
|
|
Wolf Camp
Written by Katie McKy
Illustrated by Bonnie Leick
Picture book, 32 pages, Ages 4-8
978-1-933718-21-7, hardcover with jacket, $15.95
Guided reading level: J; Grade level: 2; Reading Recovery level: 17
Maddie's mother agrees to send her daughter to a new camp - Wolf Camp. But when Maddie returns, she seems, well, changed. She snaps at flies, howls at fire trucks, and chases squirrels - on all fours. She quits eating candy and starts eating meat - only meat. And the dog is now afraid of her when she lifts her lip and shows her teeth.
What child hasn't fantasized about being an animal? And what parent hasn't exclaimed over the transformation in their child when picking him or her up from camp? This book intertwines these two themes in a hilarious story of a very different kind of camping experience.
Katie McKy is a former teacher and full-time writer living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Visit Katie's website at www.katiemcky.com.
Here's a podcast interview with author Katie McKy on Book Bites for Kids, sponsored by The National Writing for Children Center:
Reviews
"This story is so well crafted that it is sure to become one of your children’s favorite books. Very highly recommended."—myshelf.com
"This book is well-written and beautifully illustrated. There is a balanced mixture of sight words
and words which require decoding, so the beginning reader may need some help at
times. Ultimately, though, the story is enjoyable and will prove fun as either a read-aloud book or a story to read on one’s own."—Sacramento Review
|
|
|
|
68 Knots: A Novel
By Michael Evans
Young Adult (Ages 15-19), 350 pages
1-933718-14-9, hardcover, $15.95
978-1-933718-24-8, paperback, $8.95
Guided reading level: Z; Grade level: 7 & up; Reading Recovery level: NA
After the sailing camp owner's suicide, eight teens find they
have a boat to themselves. The 68 days of summer remaining are
full of memorable events: encounters with wildlife and people,
yacht races, pirate raids, a near fatal hunt for treasure, onboard
parties, romance, and a call to heroism. Underlying the tale of
adventures, however, is a subtle yet powerful story of awakening,
of teens on the cusp of adulthood. They get to know that gap between
who they are and who they want to be by experiencing tests of
physical, emotional, and mental limits. A stirring debut, this
novel examines issues of late adolescence with authenticity that
will speak to YA readers.
Michael Evans, an award-winning journalism professor at the University
of Indiana, lives in Bloomington, Indiana. Read a biography of Michael Evans, read an interview with him on teensreadtoo.com, and visit his website.
Reviews
"Reading 68 Knots is an experience that will have you waiting impatiently for a summer experience of your own. [more]"— flamingnet.com, Top Choice
"For a coming-of-age novel -- and some sailing -- check out this well-written, thought-provoking book from Michael Evans."— www.bookheaven.blogspot.com
"This classic coming-of-age novel, set in a fresh and novel location, featuring teens facing and overcoming modern-yet-universal obstacles is a winner by all counts. Though it is Michael Robert Evan's first novel, readers - certainly this one - will wait eagerly for his next."— myshelf.com
"68 KNOTS is a very fun read, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and diverse, and the book is full of
great details about sailing a ship. Even though the crew of the (ship) gets into some pretty sticky situations,
anyone who reads this is bound to want to go out and experience the same summer at sea as these kids - I know I do!"— teensreadtoo.com, 5 stars
Read a review of 68 Knots at CoastalBoating.net.
"A great ship, amazing characters, and total freedom at sea--a terrific story!"— NY Times bestselling author Linda Greenlaw
"Teens who fantasize about being pirates should pick this one up."—Remarkable Reads, School Library Journal
|
|
 |
|
Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket. |
|
Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories
Written by Audrey Penn
Illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
Picture book, 32 pages, Ages 3-8
978-1-933718-23-1, hardcover with jacket, $16.95
Guided reading level: M; Grade level: 2-3; Reading Recovery level: 20
Chester Raccoon's good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning - ever. Chester is upset that he won't get to play with his friend anymore. Mrs. Raccoon suggests that Chester and his friends create some memories of Skiddel, so that they will have good memories when they miss him. Chester, his brother Ronny, and their friends decide to gather at the pond, where they combine their memories and create a touching celebration of their friend's life.
Many young children must face the loss of loved ones or the need to attend a funeral. This sweet story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how "making memories" can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one.
Audrey Penn is the author of The Kissing Hand and its sequels, along with Mystery at Blackbeard's Cove.
Reviews
"When Chester returns home from school, he tells his mother that the teacher said Skiddil Squirrel had an accident and would not be coming back. Mrs. Raccoon explains that his classmate’s “heart quit beating and his body didn’t work any more.” She comforts her sad child by suggesting that he “make a memory of Skiddil Squirrel.” The two start out for the squirrel’s favorite place, and other animal friends join them. At the butterfly pond, Chester tells stories about how Skiddil loved butterflies and how he buried acorns for winter, but never found them. When Mrs. Raccoon points to a grove of young oak trees, Chester exclaims, “The forest made a Skiddil Squirrel memory!” Then he picks up an acorn to take home with him. Simple, direct dialogue demonstrates the love between this mother and child. Bright, stylized illustrations on high-gloss pages depict the animals with human emotions, convey warmth, and reinforce the text. Despite the tough subject, this fifth book in the series that began with The Kissing Hand (Child Welfare League of America, 1993) has a reassuring tone and provides an opening for a discussion on death and remembering loved ones."— School Library Journal
"Beautifully illustrated and with lots of saturated color, this book will keep youngsters’ attention and maybe help them through a confusing time."— Baton Rouge Advocate
"This may sound like a dark subject, but it is handled so well and with such beautiful artwork that it provides a cushion of comfort."— Bookviews
|
|
|
|
Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully (Audio)
Written by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
Read by Heather Koren with music by Garth Koren
Picture book (Ages 3-8), 32 pages
978-1-933718-30-9, paperback with CD, $12.95
Guided reading level: K; Grade level: 2; Reading Recovery level: 18
Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully is now available in a paperback with CD package, produced by the same team who created the popular audio for The Kissing Hand. On the CD, the story is read with and without page-turn signals and includes a new, original song.
Now brought to you in audio format, Chester Raccoon and his friends learn to deal with a bully in a positive way. Produced by the sameteam who created the popular audio for The Kissing Hand, the story is read with and without page-turn signals and includes a new, original song.
|
 |
|
Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket. |
|
Surviving the Angel of Death: The Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz
Written by Eva Kor and Lisa Rojany Buccieri
200 pages, Ages 12 and up
978-1-933718-28-6, hardcover with jacket, $14.95
Eva Mozes Kor was 10 years old when she arrived in Auschwitz. While her parents and two older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, she and her twin, Miriam, were herded into the care of the man known as the Angel of Death, Dr. Josef Mengele. Mengele's twins were granted the "privileges" of keeping their own clothes and hair, but they were also subjected to sadistic medical experiments and forced to fight daily for their own survival, as most of the twins died as a result of the experiements or from the disease and hunger pervasive in the camp. In a narrative told with emotion and restraint, readers will learn of a child's endurance and survival in the face of truly extraordinary evil.
The book also includes an epilogue on Eva's recovery from this experience and her remarkable decision to publicly forgive the Nazis. Through her museum and her lectures, she has dedicated her life to giving testimony on the Holocaust, providing a message of hope for people who have suffered, and working toward goals of forgiveness, peace, and the elimination of hatred and prejudice in the world.
Eva Mozes Kor is a resident of Terre Haute, IN. She is a recognized speaker, both nationally and internationally, on topics related to the Holocaust and social justice. She has been covered in numerous media outlets and is the subject of a documentary, Forgiving Dr. Mengele.
|
Praise for the book:
"Eva Mozes Kor has written a very moving and vivid account of an extraordinary and horrific experience. It is an important document showing the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to forgive. She should be commended for having the courage to write about her traumatic childhood, leading to the forgiveness that freed her from hatred and brought her peace. May it inspire others to emulate her."—Archbishop Desmond Tutu
"I found the book to be compelling reading and in fact read it at one sitting. The strength of Surviving the Angel of Death lies in its simple style and the clear picture of life before the Holocaust and after liberation, which adds a very important dimension to the testimony. This remarkable story is an important entry point in the teaching of Holocaust History and the many issues which emerge from it, not least of all the triumph of the human spirit."—Richard Freedman, National Director, South African Holocaust Foundation
"With all this biographical information, besides just the time at Auschwitz, the reader really gets to know and relate to Eva and Miriam. This will help children put a face on the Holocaust, bringing their history lessons to their hearts as well as their minds."—Jen Fitzgerald, Associate Director, Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
"Eva Kor's Surviving the Angel of Death redefined my understanding of suffering. That one so young could triumph over such grotesque evil and still celebrate life and goodness is both a mystery and an inspiration. If this book doesn't move you, nothing will."—Philip Gulley, Author of Front Porch Tales and Harmony series
"Eva's story will have the reader hooked until the very end...Readers of all ages will remember her narrative and will be inspired by it. This book is an essential purchase for libraries with a Holocaust collection, but it would also be a valuable addition to any library with young impressionable readers."—VOYA
"A masterful, searing, and mind-numbing account of twin ten-year-old sisters who entered the Nazi camp of horror and evil and emerged as survivors...her first-person narrative voice lends powerful credence to the power of the human spirit and the strength of the will to live despite incredible odds...The reader will not want to stop reading."—Assembly of Literature for Adolescents
"Her gripping story will indeed ensure you never forget."—Chicago Tribune
|
|
|
|
NEW IN PAPERBACK!
Two Moon Princess
By Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban
Middle Reader (Ages 10+), 320 pages
978-1-933718-12-5, cloth, $15.95
978-1-933718-27-7, paperback, $8.95
Guided reading level: Z; Grade level: 7 & up; Reading Recovery level: NA
To Andrea, the life of a princess is not a dream; it's tedious
and stifling. But the certainties of her life, both good and bad,
are thrown into chaos when she accidentally travels to an alternative
world, from a cave on a forbidden beach in her family's kingdom
to the warm and carefree life of Southern California. Then a careless
visit to the cave results in terrible consequences: a brewing
war between kingdoms, her sister's love for the wrong man, Andrea's
own conflicted feelings for an enemy leader, and dark family secrets
exposed. Andrea needs to act to resolve problems which she helped
to create, and she faces many difficult choices, torn between
duty and desire on so many levels. Readers will enjoy the mix
of traditional elements of the fantasy genre, with fresh ideas
and a look at our culture through the eyes of a stranger.
First-time author Carmen Ferreiro, originally from Spain, currently
resides in Doylestown, PA, near Philadelphia. Visit Carmen on her website at www.carmenferreiroesteban.com.
Reviews
"Here is the truth--I liked this book more than--do I dare say it? More than Graceling by Kristen Cashor...Two Moon Princess has fantasy, action, romance, a strong-willed girl who kicks butt with her bow and arrow, and an arrogant and equally strong-willed boy who manages to open his heart to Andrea. Who does not want to read this?"— Athenasbooks.blogspot.com
"Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban expresses some great ideas and sneakily teaches a few excellent lessons in Two Moon Princess."— bookloon.com
"This is a book that is hard to put down and will quickly ignite the imaginations of middle grade readers, especially girls seeking adventures of their own."— Children's Literature Network
"In her first novel, Ferreiro-Esteban shows potential and presents an interesting take on old world vs. new world ...Two Moon Princess is worth a second look."— School Library Journal
"This is a strong title that will appeal to teens who like fantasy with adventure, romance, and strong female protagonists."— Wandsandworlds.com
"I loved Two Moon Princess! There was always something happening, rendering it impossible to be bored. With a completely original plot, it included practically every genre - fantasy, romance, action, adventure, and contemporary - so I think everyone will be able to find an aspect that they enjoy. Consistently thrilling and packed with exciting plot twists, it was extremely hard to put down."— thepageflipper.blogspot.com
Heartland Reviews gave Two Moon Princess four hearts! Read the review.
"Fast paced, enchanting, and humorous, Two Moon Princess is definitely a book that you will not want to miss. Don't be fooled by the demure cover, this one headstrong princess's journey will make you wish that Andrea's story would never end as she learns that she can be a lady and still follow her heart."— thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com
"TWO MOON PRINCESS is a wonderful book that kept me up turning its pages and reading well into the night. I
was transported into Andrea’s world and didn’t want to leave. There was never a dull moment or a bland
character. The author’s parallel worlds were richly described and all the characters grew throughout the story.
This story was full of adventure, and the romance was an unexpected surprise. This is a great pick for readers who
enjoy fantasy but also great for readers who like romance in their stories. I’m excited to see the author is working
on a sequel, which I hope to read soon."— teensreadtoo.com
|
|
|
|
|
