CAPSULE COMMENTS

May 9, 2007

New Children's Books

Enjoy these and other new books that can be found in the Children’s Department at Rodman Public Library's main building:

Wind Flyers, by Angela Johnson

Three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author, Angela Johnson, invites readers to ponder a band of under celebrated World War II heroes—the Tuskegee Airmen. With fleeting prose and transcendent imagery, this book reveals how a boy’s love of flight takes him on a journey from the dusty dirt road of Alabama to the war-torn skies of Europe and into the hearts of those who are only now beginning to understand the part these brave souls played in the history of America. For ages 6-9.

Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise, by James Howe

From the first book about the personable canine and feline friends, Houndsley and Catina, this new second title continues their adventures in an early reader format. Houndsley confesses to Catina that he is sad because he doesn’t know his birth date. Thinking that he has made Catina sad too, he bakes a colorful cake to surprise her. But Catina’s concern for her friend gives her an idea to arrange a surprise birthday party for him. The illustrations of adorable animals and their varied activities match the text perfectly and are a friendly invitation to new readers. For ages 6-9.

Stink City, by Richard W. Jennings

Fishing lore and exaggerated humor make this hilarious story a real whopper of a tale. As fifteen-year-old Cade gets involved in animal rights activism in his struggle to atone for the suffering of fish used in his family's smelly catfish bait business, his neighbor Leigh Ann tries to keep him out of trouble. This zany story of activism gone awry will be enjoyed by youth ages 9-12.

Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy, by Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin

Most people know Jane Addams (1860-1935) as the force behind Hull House, one of the first settlement houses in the United States. She was also an ardent suffragist and civil rights activist, co-founding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union. But it was her work as a pacifist that put her in the international spotlight. Although many people labeled her "unpatriotic" for her pacifist activities, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 and, at the time of her death, Jane Addams was one of the most respected and admired women in the world. In this well-researched and inspiring account, the authors draw upon hundreds of historical documents and archival photographs to create a revealing portrait of the woman whose very way of life made her an American icon. An American Library Association Notable Book, 2007. For ages 11-14.