Category: children

Author: Mattea Harvey
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zechel
Publisher: Tin House Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9820539-1-1
Pages: 64
Price: $10.95

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The Little General lives in an orderly, general-like world. He counts out his peas into neat rows, lines up his hedges, and doesn’t believe in the imagination. But as his troop practices battle formations, the troop across the way plays with imaginary animals, not even bothering with tactics and strategies.

One day a mysterious giant snowflake appears to the Little General. No one else can see it, or so he thinks. He tries to ignore it, but it’s just too powerful. His life starts to change, as his dreams become colorful and fanciful. What mysterious power does this giant snowflake have over him?

The Little General doesn’t know that one of his soldiers also sees the snowflake and knows the proper way to handle it. And the answer is a lot more simple and fun than he could ever imagine.

In The Little General and the Giant Snowflake, Mattea Harvey has written a delightful story about a very orderly little man who needs to lighten up. Dreams, snowflakes and lemmings dance throughout this story, creating wonderful word pictures, and the pencil drawings add charm to this enjoyable tale. I highly recommend this darling little book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Kelly Easton
Illustrator: Greg Swearingen
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-375-83771-5
Pages: 224
Price: $15.99

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Life at 33 Gooch isn’t exactly what most children dream of. In fact, it more resembles the life poor Cinderella had, before being rescued by the prince. “Homeschooled” by her parents, Liberty Aimes is not allowed outside, and does all the cooking and cleaning.

But one day, life changes more than she could have imagined, and Liberty finds herself outside her odd, little home. With the goal of reaching the renowned Sullivan School, she makes her way across the city, running into strange characters – some of which she learns the hard way are scoundrels.

Unlike Cinderella, Liberty doesn’t meet a prince. But she does meet some very nice people who try to help her on her adventure. And ultimately, one of the meanest scoundrels finally meets justice.

This fun story will keep children involved from the first moment they meet Liberty. Although beaten down verbally, she shows remarkable pluck and determination to make something of herself. And the wacky cast of characters she runs into will keep kids chuckling at their antics. I highly recommend The Outlandish Adventures of Liberty Aimes.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: J. Bean Palmer
Illustrator: Melanie Therrien
Publisher: Holly Hill Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-578-01217-9
Pages: 176
Price: $9.95

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ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, the youngest witch on Cape Cod, is excited that her second-grade class is going to Boston. But her grandmother, Hannah Goodspell doesn’t share her enthusiasm. In fact, she doesn’t like the idea at all. Witches don’t seem to do well in Boston–they may even go insane.

So when confusion over permission slips allows her the opportunity to join her class for the trip, ElsBeth can’t let it slip by. But she doesn’t realize she won’t be alone, as other magical beings join her to keep her safe.

And oh, what adventure awaits her in Boston! A kidnapping, a pirate (or privateer, as he chooses to be called), lots of ghosts, and a wild ride on a “borrowed” sailboat.

ElsBeth is a sweet girl, who really wants to do the right thing, and her classmates provide additional charm to this fun Cape Cod story. I especially liked Sylvanas the cat. Lots of action, intrigue, and a nice tidy ending will provide an enjoyable read for kids. I highly recommend The Cape Cod Witch and the Legend of the Pirate.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Sandi Washburn
Illustrator: Yvonne Fetig Roehler
Publisher: Growing Art Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934367-09-4
Pages: 16
Price: $17.95

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Grandma used to sing the elephant song whenever she wanted to help her grand-kids feel better. But as she suffered from cancer, the children started to sing it to her instead. Grandma is gone now, and the triplet girls need to be comforted after her death. They turn to her favorite song and sing it again–both for themselves and for Grandma.

Children find it hard to understand death, and when they want to talk about their missing loved one, adults aren’t always receptive. When they’re confused or hurting, they may want to sing the elephant song, or maybe find another reassuring ritual that brings them closer to the one they’ve lost. Or a good cry might be what they need to make them feel better.

The illustrations by Yvonne Fetig Roehler portray a warm and loving family environment, as Mother shares stories about Grandma with her kids. Good Night Grandma provides a compassionate and necessary emotional outlet for kids to handle the death of their own loved one.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Thomas Strock
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60696-371-5
Pages: 20
Price: $6.99

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Tomato Turtle has always done what turtles do, until one day he sees some children playing in the park. He thinks it looks like fun, and decides to play in the park every day, too.

But, as most folks find out, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and Tomato Turtle misses his old life of turtle games. Will he be willing to give up the fun he’s having at the park?

As an eLIVE story, access to an audio download of this book is available through the publisher’s website. The illustrations are bright and well-crafted, but the plot is very simplistic. Author Thomas Strock is twelve years old, and Tomato Turtle is his first book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger