Mr. Gumpy's Outing Ages 2-8

PREVIEW

It's a pleasant day, so Mr. Gumpy decides to go for a boat ride. Each barnyard animal begs to join him, and Mr. Gumpy agrees-as long as each behaves! Two children join the fun, and as soon as the boat is launched, everyone does exactly what Mr. Gumpy asked them not to do. The result? Splash! This tale fits right into the toddler's sense of humor.

Mr. Gumpy's Outing

By John Burningham

Illustrated by John Burningham

Edition: reprint, illustrated

Published by Macmillan, 1990

ISBN 0805013156, 9780805013153

32 pages Board Book for Birth - 2, Ages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
The book won the 1971 ALA Notable Children's Book award, the 1972 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 1971, and the 1970 Kate Greenaway Medal.

Mr. Gumpy's little scow becomes a ...... miniature ark when he takes two children and one each of various domestic animals for a ride. But no one heeds Mr. Gumpy's conditions and soon ""The goat kicked/ The pig mucked about/ The children ... more » squabbled"" and so on until ""The boat tipped/ and into the water they fell."" But the water appears so warmly inviting, and the tea they all share after they swim to the bank and dry in the sun so satisfying, that the promise of the first glowing page is fulfilled. Burningham's sketchy yellow lines make the sun shine on his pages, and his animals -- sometimes jaunty, more often appealingly hesitant -- are his alone, unostentatiously distinctive. Mr. Gumpy has the bumbling charm of an English Mr. Hulot and his outing is an unqualified pleasure.

Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) VNU Business Media, Inc.
A kind fellow warns his fleet of passengers (both humans and animals) about proper boat etiquette in Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham. Charming pen-and-inks alternate with ... more » full-color illustrations to chronicle the growing chaos until the boat capsizes. Though Mr. Gumpy does not scold his cohorts, the gentle message is clear. ( June)

Cahners Business Information (c) 2001

The Houdini Box Ages 6-11

A chance encounter with Harry Houdini leaves a small boy in possession of a mysterious box--one that might hold the secrets to the greatest magic tricks ever performed.
The Houdini Box

By Brian Selznick

Illustrated by Brian Selznick

Edition: illustrated

Published by Random House Children's Books, 1991

ISBN 0679814299, 9780679814290

56 pages

A fervent admirer of Houdini, ten-year ......-old Victor tries to emulate his feats, but to no avail: getting out of locked trunks and holding his breath for 5000 seconds are beyond his powers. Spying Houdini himself in a railroad station, he ... more » begs for his secrets and is promised a letter. Eventually, it arrives: "A thousand secrets await you. Come to my house...." But it's the day of Houdini's death; the grieving widow hands Victor a locked box with the initials E.W. Unable to open the box, and concluding that it couldn't have belonged to the great magician anyway, Victor forgets it until years later when, playing baseball with his son Harry, the ball happens to land on Houdini's grave and he learns his original name: Ehrich Weiss. And that night, Victor at last succeeds in escaping from his grandmother's trunk. Selznick illustrates his first book with vigorous, carefully composed b&w drawings; his faces express emotion with subtlety and quiet humor. The offbeat story is smoothly told; whether children will be pleased by the understated denouement with its ghostly overtones remains to be seen. In any case, it's an interesting debut, handsomely produced. A historical note is appended.

Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) VNU Business Media, Inc.
From Publishers Weekly
In his first book for children, Selznick presents the compelling story of Harry Houdini, the magician who amazed the world with his great escapes. While Houdini circles the globe performing one incredible stunt after another, Victor, a young devotee, goes through his own rigorous magician's training at home--locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water, walking into walls. This counterpoint is a witty, effective device, and Selznick's deadpan text makes the most of it. It seems that Victor will never become a magician, until one day, after a chance encounter with his hero, he receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini's success. In his arresting, informative blend of fact and fiction, Selznick splendidly captures the sense of wonder that surrounded Houdini. Equally impressive are his evocative drawings; by turns droll, touching and downright silly, they bring added vitality to a captivating book. More than anything, however, this ambitious work teaches the importance of faith and the ability to believe in the impossible. Ages 6-11.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5, Ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-- Ten-year-old Victor has no success emulating his hero, Harry Houdini; no matter how hard or often he tries, he just can't escape from a locked trunk, or hold his breath underwater for 5000 seconds, or run through walls. Then he meets the magician himself in a crowded train station, and some time later receives a mysterious locked box engraved with the initials "E. W." Victor can't imagine who E. W. is and, disappointed, puts the box away. Years later, after Victor grows up and has a son of his own, he learns that Houdini's real name was Ehrich Weiss; he rushes home, opens the box, and that night, while his wife and child lie asleep, he locks himself in the trunk--and escapes in less than 20 seconds. Crosshatched pencil drawings expertly capture the story's droller moments, as well as Victor's changing expressions; details of dress and furnishings, plus dramatic posters on the endpapers, give this a period look and, appropriately, a slightly sentimental flavor. A capsule biography of Houdini is appended. This brief story has an appeal beyond its reading level. --John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Henry and the Paper Route Ages 8-12

Henry Huggins can't wait until he turns eleven years old, so he can have a paper route like his friend Scooter McCarthy. Will Ramona Quimby, making a real pest of herself, help Henry get the job he wants so much?

The Mixed-Up Chameleon Board Book Ages 5-9

The chameleon's life was not very exciting until the day it discovered it could change not only its color but its shape and size,too. When it saw the wonderful animals in the zoo, it immediately wanted to be like them -- and ended up like all of them at once -- with hilarious results.
The Mixed-Up Chameleon Board Book

By Eric Carle

Illustrated by Eric Carle

Edition: illustrated

Published by Harper Festival, 1998

ISBN 0694011479, 9780694011476

32 pages Ages 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Peter and the Starcatchers Ages 9-12

Don't even think of starting this book unless you're sitting in a comfortable chair and have lots of time. A fast-paced, impossible-to-put-down adventure awaits as the young orphan Peter and his mates are dispatched to an island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They set sail aboard the Never Land, a ship carrying a precious and mysterious trunk in its cargo hold, and the journey quickly becomes fraught with excitement and danger. Discover richly developed characters in the sweet but sophisticated Molly, the scary but familiar Black Stache, and the fearless Peter. Treacherous battles with pirates, foreboding thunderstorms at sea, and evocative writing immerses the reader in a story that slowly and finally reveals the secrets and mysteries of the beloved Peter Pan .
Peter And the Starcatchers

By Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson

Illustrated by Greg Call

Edition: reprint, illustrated

Published by Disney Editions, 2006

ISBN 078684907X, 9780786849079

480 pages Ages 9, 10, 11,12
THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.peterandthestarcatchers.com/

PLOT SUMMARY, CHARACTER LIST AND COMPARISON WITH PETER PAN AT:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_and_the_Starcatchers

Peter and the Starcatchers is a best-selling children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of Disney, in 2004. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the book provides a backstory for the character Peter Pan, and serves as a prequel to J. M. Barrie's novel Peter and Wendy. It was illustrated by artist Greg Call.

The book is followed by two sequels, also set before the famous adventure with Peter and Wendy: Peter and the Shadow Thieves (2006) and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon (2007). A series of five Never Land chapter books has begun, the first two of which are Escape from the Carnivale and Cave of the Dark Wind. In May 2008 the writers announced a fourth book: Peter and the Sword of Mercy.^[1][2]

In 2005, Disney hired Jay Wolpert to adapt the book to film, reportedly to use 3D animation.^[3] A stage play version of the book is currently in the works for a winter 2009 debut at La Jolla Playhouse, as part of an arrangement with Disney Theatrical.^[4]

Roger: The Jolly Pirate Ages 4-9

PREVIEW

Roger is a lousy pirate. In fact, whenever there is any real pirating to do, the other pirates scowl and send him away.

Roger wishes he could think of something – anything – that would prove he is a good pirate. So when, in the middle of a great battle, Roger has a jolly idea, no–one – not even Roger himself – has a clue that he will soon change the face of pirating forever!

This is the first picture book both written and illustrated by Brett Helquist, who is best known for his drawings in Lemony Snicket's bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events. Here, his full–colour spreads capture fierce battles, magnificent ships, and the warmth and humour of one very unusual pirate. Ages 4, 5, 6, 7

Roger, the Jolly Pirate

By Brett Helquist

Illustrated by Brett Helquist

Edition: illustrated

Published by HarperCollins, 2004

ISBN 0066238056, 9780066238050

40 pages

Helquist takes a break from illustrating ...

... "A Series of Unfortunate Events" for a solo debut, offering an eye-rolling account of the pirate flag's origin. Dubbed "Jolly Roger" by his shipmates—and "they didn't' mean it nicely"—an inept ... more » pirate is sent belowdecks when the ship is attacked by a British Man-O-War. In an effort to increase his social standing, Roger decides to bake a cake in an unused cannon—so when he blasts into sight, a ragged figure covered with white flour and burnt powder, the frightened attackers flee, and his grateful chums sew up a flag in his honor. Sporting a gap-toothed grin, argyle socks, and a chicken on his shoulder, Roger's definitely a misfit among his scowling, beetle-browed mates, but then, looks—not to mention a continuing inability to tell "the starboard from the larboard, the windward from the leeward, or the mizzen from the main"—aren't everything. A bit of spindrift for young pirate fans, capped by a brief ballad (not seen). (Picture book. 7, 8, 9)

Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) VNU Business Media, Inc.

PreS-Gr 3 Ages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 -Roger, a "lousy pirate," is ...

... derisively given the nickname "Jolly Roger" by his shipmates. Although he tries to be a proper buccaneer, he is inevitably sent below deck whenever there is serious marauding to be done. When the ... more » Admiral attacks the ship, Roger is once again sent to the hold. In an attempt to win the favor of his crewmates, he bakes a cake in a cannon he mistakes for a pot. The explosive result-Roger flying above deck amid flour, smoke, and powder, looking exactly like a screaming skeleton-sends the Admiral's men leaping off their vessel convinced that the pirates have a ghost on their side. In recognition of his feat, his shipmates stitch up a flag that has gone down in history as the "Jolly Roger." This goofy pourquoi tale is told with a rhythm and bounce that begs to be read aloud. Helquist uses cinematic perspectives and compositions in his watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations-extreme close-ups, split-screen glimpses, and sweeping full-bleed vistas are interspersed with views akin to peeping through a telescope. His success at capturing motion in many of the pictures adds to the movielike quality of the art. Pirate lovers and children who enjoy a good adventure will relish the climactic battle scene. A rousing and humorous tale.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI

Reed Business Information (c) 2004
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. For a pirate on the high seas, being "jolly" is an insult: "He smiled instead of scowling, and he grinned instead of growling." The other pirates don't want Jolly Roger around when there is serious fighting to be done, and they send him into the hold. Then comes the day Jolly bakes a cake for his mates with everything he can find, and the concoction explodes and shoots him back on deck covered in flour and soot. The terrified enemy abandons ship, and Jolly is a hero at last--even if he still can't "tell the starboard from the larboard, the windward from the leeward or the mizzen from the mast." With scenes of swords crossed in battle and wild slapstick action, the illustrator of the popular Lemony Snicket series puts comic disaster into a lively picture book that's just for children who will appreciate the sweet bumbling outsider who isn't bad enough to get respect. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Norman Rockwell: 332 Magazine Covers

Norman Rockwell: 332 Magazine Covers

By Christopher Finch, Charles S Finch, Christopher Robin Finch, Norman Rockwell

Illustrated by Norman Rockwell

Edition: 2, illustrated

Published by Artabras, 1995

ISBN 0896600580, 9780896600584

400 pages

Pecorino's First Concert Ages 5, 6, 7

By Alan Madison, AnnaLaura Cantone

If you think you know the silliest boy in the world, you're wrong. Pecorino Sasquatch is the silliest boy in the world. Just watch him as he heads off to the first concert he's ever seen, conducted by the world-famous Vittorio Pimplelini. Before the day is out, Pecorino will furmuzzle a man with a long mustache, wamboodle himself down into a tuba, and cause the most robdingnagian blast of a note that anyone has ever heard. It's all in a day's work for Pecorino.

This delectably silly musical adventure, written

by Alan Madison, the second-silliest boy in the world,

features pictures by AnnaLaura Cantone,

the silliest illustrator in the world

(unless Pecorino decides to take up drawing).

View and hear this online at the Los Angeles Public Library:
http://www.lapl.org/kidspath/ Click on TumbleBook Library,
StoryBooks, P, then the Book or ViewOnline.

From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 2–Young Pecorino
makes his first trip to a city concert with his mother
and is fascinated with instruments of the orchestra.
Entranced by the siren call of unmanned instruments
on the empty stage, Pecorino explores the workings
of the tuba a bit too deeply. Despite his attempts to
wiggle, wossle, and wamboodle himself out, he is trapped.
This entertainingly silly tale is further enhanced by a
larger-than-life guest conductor and a perplexed and
furmuzzled tubist–capable of a Brobdingnagian blow on his instrument.
Cantone's mixed-media pen-and-paint illustrations of large-nosed,
expansive cartoon figures add whimsy to descriptive text filled
with nonsensical words and the thoughtful logic of a child.
This quirky musical adventure will be a hit with young audiences.
–Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Ages 5, 6, 7

Score One for the Sloths Ages 5-7

By Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger
Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Edition: reprint, illustrated
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003
ISBN 061838006X, 9780618380060
32 pages Ages 5, 6, 7

The sloths at Sleepy Valley Sloth School were content in their slothfulness. Once in a while the teacher would awake and command them all to yawn or snore, but most of the time, the class just slept. One day, a new sloth arrives. She isn't much like a sloth at all. She is a go-getter, a mover and a shaker - which is to say she actually moves. By mid-morning she's driven the other sloths crazy. They think she's a pest, and she thinks they're nothing but a bunch of bores, that is until a real boar arrives - an official representative of S.O.S. (Society for Organizing Sameness) sent to close the school because of their low academic scores. Something has to be done, and all eyes turn to Sparky. Even with all of her energy though, Sparky can't save the school alone. Readers are sure to enjoy this humorous tale that celebrates the value of both individuality and being true to oneself.

ReadWriteThink Lesson Plan K-2

Big Talk Poems for Four Voices Ages 11-14

By Paul Fleischman, Beppe Giacobbe

Illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe

Edition: illustrated

Published by Candlewick Press, 2000

ISBN 0763606367, 9780763606367

48 pages

Have some toe-tapping, tongue-flapping fun with this
brilliant new book by Newbery Award-winner
Paul Fleischman and gifted illustrator Beppe Giacobbe.
You'll have to see, shout, share, perform,
and experience it to believe it!

Two's company . . . four's a blast! Especially when
you're joining voices with family or friends.
Around the kitchen table, on the front steps,
or in the classroom, these rousing, rib-tickling,
delicious poems will fill you full of the joy
of reading aloud. Paul Fleischman won the Newbery Medal
for JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES.Show all
Now he invites us to make more word music.

Settle back and chant "The Quiet Evenings Here," as Grandma
rocks, the clock tick-tocks, Sister hums, raindrops rap,
and no one cares a hoot for the noisy, fast-paced world outside.
Delight in the gossipy "Seventh-Grade Soap Opera,"
alive with whispers, invitations, and hearsay about who's
fibbing, eavesdropping, or holding hands with whom.
Let the poignant "Ghosts' Race" reveal the secret hungry
ghosts know—and their spirited take on mortal mealtime.
Arranged in color-coded groups of four lines,
one line per speaker, each poem weaves a rich tapestry
of rhythm, sense, and sound.

Written by Paul Fleischman, the renowned author of WESLANDIA,
and evocatively illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe, this hip, innovative,
and extraordinary book will have readers of all ages sounding off.

HOME - Paul Fleischman's Official Website

Reviews
Gr 5, 6, 7, 8-Fleischman expands the choir in this new collection of poems
for multiple readers. Four voices intertwine to narrate the three
amusing scenarios. Rhythmic refrains define "The Quiet
Evenings Here," with "Sister hummin'," "Grandpa strummin',"
"Grandma rockin'," and the "Clock tick-tockin'." Once readers
get their color-coded lines sorted out, this will be a toe-tappin',
audience-joinin'-in pleaser. "Seventh-Grade Soap Opera" catalogs
the doings and dramas of the peer group in terse verse,
inviting improvisation. And "Ghosts' Grace," with the longing voices
of spirits yearning for old pleasures as they observe a family
hastily dispatching with dinner, is both poignant and fun.
Giacobbe's computer-generated paintings in warm, muted
tones are an effective folksy backdrop. While there are a
few full-page pictures, most of the art consists of strips
of small vignettes running below the narrative. Instructions
for group reading introduce the poems. This book will find
a host of uses in choral reading and in stimulating reading,
discussion, and writing. The likely cacophony will bring
giggles as readers work on getting the hang of all of this big talk.
-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Cahners Business Information (c) 2000
Ages 11, 12, 13, 14