Category: children

Author: Palmer Brown
Publisher: The New York Review Children’s Collection
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-59017-627-6
Pages: 56
Price: $14.95

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Hickory lives with his siblings, Dickory and Dock, in the foot of clock. Living in the farm house is warm and safe, especially once he discovers how to disable mousetraps. But as he grows up, he becomes curious about the outside world, and one day he makes the choice to move to the field.

His family is supportive of his decision to strike out into the world, but once he arrives there, Hickory discovers he’s lonely. A grasshopper named Hope saves him from a cat, and the two become best friends. But, although mice can survive through winter, grasshoppers can’t, and the days soon grow colder.

Hickory is a delightful tale of friendship, in the tradition of Charlotte’s Web. Illustrations are in the old style of colorized pen and ink. The sad ending is a reminder to not take our loved ones for granted, and to enjoy every moment we have with them. I highly recommend this charming book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Mary Packard
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7230-6
Pages: 24
Price: $7.95

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Little Raccoon has some nice things, and she keeps them to herself. When she is out collecting flowers, she makes sure she gets plenty, and she never shares. But one day as she gathers berries, she overhears her friends talking while she hides in the bushes, making sure to keep her basket to herself. They are having a party, and everyone will bring something.

Little Raccoon goes home and tells her mother, who suggests she should bring berry muffins to the party. When Little Raccoon arrives, her friends are thrilled to see her, and happy with the muffins. And they in turn offer her some of their own goodies. Little Raccoon now understands that sometimes it’s nice to share with her friends because it makes them happy, and they will share back.

It would be easy to turn this cute story into something preachy, but author Mary Packard has skillfully avoided this pitfall. Instead she shows kids the benefits of sharing, while the refusal to share only leads to feeling lonely and left out. Lisa McCue’s illustrations are bright and cheerful, and the animals are adorable. This feel-good story will be a hit with kids, while teaching them a valuable lesson.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Rena Cherry Brown
Illustrator: Mikaila Maidment
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4155-7
Pages: 48
Price: $16.99

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Schiffer Books
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Lee’s mother is trapped in a fishing net while he’s still small, and suddenly he’s an orphan. When a rescue boat comes through, they bring him to the aquarium, where he meets other otters. But life in the aquarium is no fun when a bully named Brody steals all the food and attention.

One night an earthquake strikes, and all the otters are dumped in the bay. Lee is the only one who knows how to survive, and he tells them what to do until help arrives. But Brody has other ideas, and soon finds himself in trouble. Now, Lee needs to make some decisions. Does he help Brody? And does he return to the aquarium?

Otter Lee Brave is a cute story focusing on several difficult issues, through the eyes of this young otter. He faces the loss of his mother, the meanness of a bully, and an earthquake, which all challenge him to deal with these problems as best he can. But it’s his bravery that saves them all, and earns him the respect of a female otter that befriends him at the end.

Reviewer: Alice Berger