CAPSULE COMMENTS

October 24, 2007

New Children's Books

Check out these new books from the Children’s Department at Rodman Public Library.

Jack Plank Tells Tales, by Natalie Babbitt

After a twenty-five year silence, we rejoice having this new collection of original stories by the master storyteller of the children’s classic, Tuck Everlasting. Jack started out being a well-liked pirate, but after a while it became clear that he wasn’t much good at plundering. What should he do? He decided to go ashore and look for another line of work, finding helpful advice from the people in Mrs. DelFresno’s boardinghouse on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. But each suggested career seemed to have something wrong with it. Who wants to work where there’s a troll, or the danger of getting a crab caught in your beard, or a music-loving crocodile? Jack decides there is nothing for him onshore and he must go back to life on the sea. But sometimes, things work out very nicely when you least expect it. Parents looking for a good bedtime read aloud, look no further. For reading out loud, ages 5 and up. For student reading, ages 9-12.

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam, by Cynthia Kadohata

If you like dog stories or war stories, Newbery Award winner, Kadohata, has written this well researched book that brings dogs and war together. Set during the era of the Vietnam War, a special bond develops between seventeen-year-old army enlistee, Rick Hanski, and a German shepherd dog named Cracker. As the dog’s handler, Rick relies on Cracker not only for companionship, but also to protect himself and other soldiers. By alternating canine and human points of view, the author shows how Rick and Cracker learn to trust and depend on each other during difficult times. This book mixes adventure, history, and realism into a story that will not be forgotten by middle grade readers. Includes an author’s note and pictures of real war dogs with their Vietnam era handlers.

Casey Back at Bat, by Dan Gutman

The Cleveland Indians struck out and so did Casey (of baseball poetry fame). In this delightful sequel to Ernest Thayer’s popular poem, Casey gets a second chance. The exciting and inventive collage pictures show a Tower of Pisa, now leaning; the Egyptian sphinx, minus a nose; and a "new" planet in outer space. It appears that the mighty Casey has not struck out this time around. For ages 5-9.

Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems

Children will giggle when they read these two new easy-to-read books from Mo Willems in the Elephant & Piggie Book series. Piggie is daring with a joie de vivre to bespectacled Gerald’s more contemplative manner. When Piggie announces she intends to fly, her elephant friend is very skeptical. With help from some of her other friends, she proves her point. In My Friend Is Sad, Piggie tries hard to cheer her dejected friend. Not since James Marshall’s George and Martha stories, have we met two such engaging best friends. These are perfect books for beginning readers.