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32 pp.
| Barron's
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4380-5005-8$14.99
(4)
K-3
In her sixth adventure, Ella Bella wanders into a lesser-known ballet, La Boutique Fantasque (a.k.a. The Magic Toyshop). In the shop, Ella Bella and the magical toys save a romantically involved pair of can-can dancing dolls from being sold separately. Mayhew's colorful, sparkling illustrations capturing the clutter and curios of the fantastical shop compensate for the predictable story. An endnote discusses this unique ballet.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| June, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7641-6797-3$14.99
(4)
K-3
In the fifth book featuring Ella Bella, a magic music box transports the young ballet student to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, where she follows Puck and helps him cast a mischievous spell to re-ignite Titania's love for Oberon. As before, the lackluster narrative isn't as engaging as Mayhew's fanciful, detailed illustrations. An author's note provides background on the Bard and discussion of Mendelssohn's music composed for the play.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| November, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7641-6581-8$14.99
(4)
K-3
In Ella Bella's fourth adventure, Madame Rosa's magical music box transports the young dancer into The Nutcracker where she shares with Clara the excitement of overcoming the Rat King and follows Clara and the Prince to the Land of Sweets. The story is somewhat blandly told; Mayhew's colorful, detailed illustrations provide the magic in this holiday tale.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| July, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7641-6407-1$14.99
(4)
K-3
In this third book about the imaginative ballet student, a music box draws Ella into Swan Lake. She tags along as the Swan Princess watches her prince being tricked by the evil magician. In this version, all's well that ends well. The text can be plodding, but delicate pink-hued illustrations capture the story's fairy-tale quality. An author's note discusses Tchaikovsky's ballet.
32 pp.
| Barefoot
| November, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-84686-185-7$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Jackie Morris.
"I wish I had a little boat! / Far away I drift and float, / Where the great blue whales leap, / And pirate ships lie sunken deep." Morris's illustrations of a child's dreamland are a visual lullaby, with lilting images of sea creatures and sandcastles. Mayhew's couplets, though occasionally clunky, are sure to soothe toddlers to sleep.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| November, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7641-6268-8$14.99
(4)
K-3
The last time we met Ella Bella she was part of the ballet Sleeping Beauty. In this companion book, the magical music box whirls Ella Bella into Cinderella's world, where she dances at the Royal Ball and assists in bringing about the happily-ever-after ending. Surrounded by ample white space, Mayhew's delicate illustrations help move the less-than-inspired tale along.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| July, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7641-6118-6$14.99
(4)
K-3
The music of The Sleeping Beauty ballet captures Ella Bella's imagination, and she magically becomes part of the story. Mayhew effectively uses white space to break the action into scenes. His expansive pastel-toned illustrations are delicately drawn, and the hues fade as Ella returns to reality. The text isn't quite as strong; readers familiar with the story may find themselves skimming.
32 pp.
| Bloomsbury
| February, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59990-225-8$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Sue Hellard.
At school, Jake refuses a hug from Mom. When he asks for it later, he finds she has given it to Dad, who gave it to the cat, who gave it to a witch, etc. Finally, Jake retrieves his hug from a dragon. The comfy tale verges on too sweet, but amusing touches in the fantasy creature–filled watercolors have a mitigating effect.
32 pp.
| Scholastic/Orchard
| October, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-439-67237-6$15.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Lindsey Gardiner.
Looking for someone "who'd cuddle a dragon with love to spare," a lost baby dragon approaches a witch, a knight, a princess, and others, but everyone finds him hard to love. Finally his mother appears, and all is well. The bright illustrations make good use of the layout, but the pudgy dragon is, like the rhyme itself, too sweet.
(4)
K-3
Not content to curl up in the cave with his parents, Boy goes looking for "warm" on his own. After being chased away by a saber-toothed tiger, woolly mammoth, and dinosaur, he realizes home is best. Though the dinosaur would have died out long before the other characters came into existence, the comforting story and swirling, delicately lined art are a pleasing mix.
32 pp.
| Scholastic/Orchard
| June, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-531-30325-X$$15.95
(3)
K-3
As in the previous two books, Katie and her grandmother visit an art museum. Katie reaches into van Gogh's Sunflowers, accidentally knocking over the vase, and the ensuing mayhem takes her in and out of several paintings where the subjects come to life. An appended note provides a few facts about three postimpressionist artists. Mayhew mimics some postimpressionist techniques in his watercolors.