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RISE THE MOON
By Eileen Spinelli
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Dial Press, $16.99 - ages 2 - 5
A moonlight poem explores the magic of moonshine on a lunar moth, an artist, a cozy camper, and many others. Raul Colon’s illustrations set the mood beautifully while Eileen Spinelli’s verse -- “And oh, the sleepy sailor on the swaying schooner knows it is the pull of moon by which the ocean comes and goes” -- will lull reader and listener alike. |
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MY BROTHER’S FLYING MACHINE -- WILBUR, ORVILLE, AND ME
By Jane Yolen
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Little Brown, $16.95 - ages 5 - 9
Jane Yolen has chosen to honor the centennial of the Flight at Kitty Hawk by seeing the events through the eyes of Katherine Wright -- Wilbur and Orville’s sister. Most of us know about that day at Kitty Hawk, but Yolen allows us to see the brothers’ day to day work: at the bicycle shop, the printing shop, and trying to work on their invention. On February 15, 1909 Katherine finally got to go up in the flying machine, sitting by her brother Wilbur. Much of the text is taken from letters and diary entries. Jim Burke’s paintings are in the style of Barry Moser, evoking sunrises, open spaces, and every day life in the last century. A welcome addition to the Wright Brothers’ cannon. |
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UNCLE ANDY’S (A FAABBOULOUS VISIT WITH ANDY WARHOL)
Written and illustrated by James Warhola
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Putnam, $16.99 - ages 5 and up
A trip to New York City to visit a boy’s uncle might not seem exciting you say, but when the uncle lives in a six level townhouse with 25 cats named Sam, you may change your mind. James Warhola has written a delightful remembrance of family visits to his Uncle Andy’s, whose house was filled with everyday stuff that Andy would soon make famous and with which a child could have so much fun. |
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THE MOUSE, THE CAT AND GRANDMOTHER’S HAT
By Nancy Willard
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Little Brown, $14.95 - ages 2 - 4
A birthday party gone awry is the concern of Ms. Willard’s lively rhyme. Written to the cadence of The House That Jack Built, the story builds to a climax of the cake running off. Illustrator Jenny Matheson’s simple oils bring the charming chaos to life. |
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MOUNT OLYMPUS BASKETBALL
By Kevin O’Malley
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Walker, $15.95 - ages 5 - 7
A tall tale with a comic twist, Mount Olympus Basketball is a hilarious introduction to the Greek Gods and Demi Gods. O’Malley’s cartoons show the cast of characters who have an interesting sense of fair play. Everyone will be unhappy when Nike flies to deliver the laurel wreath and the game is over. A bonus page at the end gives reference help if one wishes to learn more about Greek Mythology. |
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SWAN HARBOUR (A NATURE COUNTING BOOK)
By Laura Rankin
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Dial Press, $16.99 - ages 2 - 4
Laura Rankin’s wonderful paintings show the year in a Maine fishing village. Each page is a scene of animals or plants to count in a different season. The art shows the habitat of the animal in colorful detail. Everyone, child and adult, will learn a lot and come to appreciate the varied faces of New England. My only quibble is that no one ever does this kind of book for the Great Lakes! |
