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32 pp.
| Putnam
| January, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-24342-4$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
E. B. Lewis.
"Before I die, I want to be free. / But the Big Man says, 'You belong to me.'" A fugitive slave, though still physically shackled, escapes bondage and helps guide a young orphan to freedom. Shadowy, dark watercolors portray their harrowing trek. An author's note explains that the text is based on a Buddhist story retold in Rudyard Kipling's Kim.
40 pp.
| Dutton
| March, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-525-47084-0$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Once again Miss Bindergarten, a Border collie, takes charge of her twenty-six rambunctious kindergartners. This time she deals with one crisis after another, and in alphabetical order, no less: from Adam (an alligator) knocking down a mobile to Zach (a zebra) freeing some butterflies. The playful, occasionally forced rhymes and action-filled illustrations make this an entertaining read-aloud.
40 pp.
| Dutton
| July, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46884-6$$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Miss Bindergarten, a dog, and her menagerie of a kindergarten class are at it again. This time, the twenty-six students, each named for a different letter of the alphabet, help their teacher plan a circus. The colorful, cartoony illustrations feature lots of engaging details, and the rhyming text will prove fun to read aloud. A short, gratuitous lesson in identifying colors is tacked on.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-7614-5108-0$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Craig Spearing.
This is a fictional account of a real event in 1777. A farmer selling his goods in Philadelphia ends up hiding a "giant bell" beneath the hay in his wagon to prevent the British from finding it and melting it into shot. The engaging tale is told in somewhat jerky verse in which "the great big wagon" is a frequent refrain. The book features fine harvest-toned images outlined in black that suggest woodcuts.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
This is a small board book edition of a Nativity story in which various barn animals anticipate the arrival of special guests by cleaning their surroundings. The simple rhyming text conveys the animals' sense of anticipation--a familiar emotion for kids during the Christmas season. The clear, heavily outlined art suffers little from the reduction in size.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Felicia Bond.
In this book previously published as How Little Porcupine Played Christmas, Little Porcupine wants a part in the Christmas play, but his classmates object and call him "stick ball." On the night of the play, the students realize they've forgotten the Christmas star. Little Porcupine saves the day, climbing up the tree to be the "shiny, spiny star." Both text and illustrations are clear and appealing in this edition that features new jacket art.
40 pp.
| Dutton
| July, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46710-6$$16.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
In this alphabet book where each student's name introduces a new letter, Miss Bindergarten's kindergarten class of animals takes a field trip to the bakery, firehouse, library, and park. The book is successful as both an introduction to the alphabet and a celebration of field trips. Vibrant illustrations convey the characters' enthusiasm.
48 pp.
| Dutton
| August, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46396-8$$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
In this third book about the canine kindergarten teacher, poor Miss B. is home in bed with a nasty cold, while Mr. Tusky the elephant substitutes for her. The children carry on in their alphabetical, rhyming way, with three of them succumbing to the flu as well. While the rhymes are occasionally forced, the colorfully detailed illustrations filled with typical kindergarten activities are sure to please.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-7614-5073-4$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jacqueline Rogers.
Little Porcupine and his dad share stories about the Big Porcupine in the Sky, the sun that shines over all the porcupines on earth. Three original pourquoi tales give explanations for the sun's rays, beautiful sunsets, and the existence of stars. Checkerboard borders set off the watercolor illustrations for the bedtime stories, while those showing the porcupines on earth are full of homey woodland touches.
40 pp.
| Dutton
| September, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-525-46000-4$$15.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ashley Wolff.
Miss Bindergarten, a dog, plans a joyous celebration for the children in her class to mark the one hundredth day of their time together. As she cooks up several wonderful surprises, each of her animal students prepares a project featuring the number 100. The lively, rhyming text is accompanied by illustrations that reveal details worth poring over.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-7614-5027-0$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Felipe Dßvalos.
On a cold Night of the Three Kings in New Mexico, two children, snuggling with their grandmother, worry about whether the kings will be able to come and bring them presents in such weather. In a lyrical dream sequence, Grandmother shows them secret stars that guide the kings. Rich, warm illustrations help create the magical mood of the story.