Category: children

Author: Takashi Owaki
Publisher: One Peace Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-935548-11-9
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website (Japanese)
Buy it at Amazon

One universal concern of childhood is thoughts of the future. Children all wonder if they will grow up to be what they wish and hope for. In this unique photographic journey around the globe, author Takashi Owaki interviews children about their dreams for their lives.

Visiting Mexico, Russia, China, and Finland, as well as nine other countries, Owaki asks children what they want to be when they grow up. Their answers are surprising and refreshing, and often express the cultural values they live with. Their world is photographed, and a snippet of their daily activities is also included.

Children delight in learning about different cultures. When sharing on a topic dear to their hearts, they enjoy the experience even more. Dreams Around the World will captivate children as they explore new worlds through others’ dreams.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Joe Consiglio
Illustrator: Joe Simko
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4067-3
Pages: 48
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Can you imagine an ice cream truck driver who wouldn’t stop? Well, the world’s most evil, sinister, and wicked ice cream truck driver pulled into Big Billy’s neighborhood, played the ice cream truck music, and then sped away! After several nights of this torment, longing for ice cream but not able to get any, the kids decide they need a plan.

But while the children have their thoughts on how to handle this situation, Big Billy has a different idea. And since Big Billy gets to the true heart of the matter, he’s able to reach the ice cream truck driver in a way no one else can.

Bright and colorful illustrations, hyperbole, and a great twist make Big Billy and the Ice Cream Truck That Wouldn’t Stop a fun read for kids. Add a side dish of ice cream, and it’s an instant hit. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Jack O’Leary
Illustrator: Steve Simpson
Publisher:Sing Into Life
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9871510-1-8
Pages: 12 (includes CD)
Price: $9.99

Sing Into Life website
Buy it at Amazon

How may kids get excited about being at school? For those with special needs, it may be even harder to face the day. The Sing Into Life series was developed to reach these children in a new way.

Sing At School is a simple book detailing the steps involved in going about the school day. An accompanying CD introduces the main character, a sock puppet named Bo Jingles. Then the text is sung and also read aloud. The concluding tracks summarize the steps involved in the day, and say goodbye to the listener.

This series of musical social stories was designed in consultation with children, parents, therapists and teachers to respond to specific needs. Music makes everything more fun, and a reluctant child may find himself reminded of the music while happily following the eight steps at school. Responding to ordinary challenges can be difficult, so having the right social skills is important for a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. I highly recommend this unique series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Kyrja
Illustrator: Tonia Bennington Osborn
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Wicca
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4020-8
Pages: 40
Price: $9.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Rupert’s Tales books explain the Wheel of the Year for children. Each of the two books covers four major holidays in the Wiccan calendar. In addition to the main books, this activity book was created for kids to learn more about these important holidays.

Blank coloring pages have accompanying text describing the holidays. A crossword puzzle, maze and circle-a-word puzzle are also included. Answers are provided for those who struggle to complete them. All of the activities are meant to teach children while they play.

If you’ve purchased Rupert’s Tales books for your children, you’ll most likely want to add this activity book to your collection. This book won’t stand alone, since the activities pull from information learned from the other books. This is a nice series introducing Pagan religion to children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Beth Wilder
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3967-7
Pages: 64
Price: $14.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Bugs wearing shoes? Or sneakers, or heels? They wear all of these and more in Bugs in Shoes.

In this cute rhyming book, the simple phrase “Bugs in [item of clothing]” is repeated. Each phrase has its own illustration showing adorable anthropomorphic bugs modeling the appropriate attire. The easy to read format is perfect for young children, and the illustrations help with word recognition.

A sweet before-bed read, the story closes with “Bugs in pajamas, bugs in bed.” And when tired eyes are finished reading, it’s time to head off to sleep.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Jonathan Graves
Illustrator: Gail Haley
Publisher: Parkway Publishers
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-933251-74-5
Pages: 36
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

One day Isabella goes up to her grandmother’s attic in Blowing Rock, NC. As she plays dress-up with her dog, Mullaby, a gust of wind blows a beanie with a propeller to her. Enchanted, she decides to keep it.

When the Wind Lady adds a red feather to the propeller, Isabella discovers she can fly. But this magic beanie can only be used for good. When Mullaby gets into trouble, only Isabella and Red Tail, the hawk, can save her.

This magical story is inspired by the unusual wind patterns at Blowing Rock, and a legend about an Indian brave who fell off a cliff and was blown back up by the winds. Isabella Propeller and the Magic Beanie has won the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval, and illustrator Gail Haley is a Caldecott Medal winner.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8075-6616-9
Pages: 144
Price: $16.99

Boxcar Children website
Buy it at Amazon

When the first Boxcar Children book begins, we learn that Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans. But what happened to their parents? How did these children find themselves starting out on this new adventure in their lives? To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this series, a prequel was written to set the stage.

As Patricia MacLachlin discovered in writing this book, these four children are kind, smart, resourceful, and they care a lot about each other. These were the characteristics she wanted the reader to see modeled by the parents who raised them. Although this book is not written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, as the original series was, MacLachlin captures the essence of the story well.

The Boxcar Children books have been continuously in print since their original publication, and will most likely be around for another 70 years. It’s wonderful to finally have a true beginning for this unique series. I highly recommend The Boxcar Beginning for all faithful fans and new ones to come.

Reviewer: Alice Berger