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What's New? What's New? What's New?

Listed below are recommended titles that have been published since the sixth edition of
The Read-Aloud Handbook in 2006 (or were mistakenly not included in that edition). Newer books are appended to the bottom of this page and subsequent pages. A sampling of titles from The Handbook
can be found in the Treasury of Read-Alouds.

Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln (series)

by Judith St. George      Ill. by Matt Faulkner      Gr. K-4      48 pages      Philomel, 2008

Several years ago, Judith St. George began a series of children's picture book built around "turning points" in the childhoods of historical figures, beginning with Theodore Roosevelt (You're on Your Way Teddy Roosevelt). Here she is back with the second book in the series, Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln, and it's every bit as good as the first. St. George is one of America's most respected children's historians and she lives up to that label by jamming a ton of information into these pages without once making it feel as though you are reading a textbook. The talented illustrator Matt Faulkner, who keeps getting better and better with each book, also helps to keep the textbook feeling at bay with brilliantly colored illustrations that capture the emotions of each member of the Lincoln family, including the despair that enveloped them upon the death of their beloved mother nancy.

The author maintains a strong narrative feeling by crawling into young Lincoln's youth and showing the pain and conflict that wracked him and then delineating the extraordinary brain and determination that enabled him to overcome many of those pains. Typical of the author's "turning points" approach is the beautifully crafted description of 10-year-old Abe's tenuous relationship with his new stepmother, Sally. Initially he is very standoffish with her, having been greatly wounded by the death of his mother. And then we watch as Sally wraps Abe in attention and pride to undo Abe's suspicions, including a box of books she brought with her from Kentucky — a box that included Pilgrim's Progress; Robinson Crusoe; and Arabian Nights.

Unlike those "historical" volumes of old that fictionalize famous Americans' childhoods, this one is thoroughly fact-based, complete with an excellent bibliography. Also by the author: Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt; So You Want to Be President?; and So You Want to Be an Inventor?

Gooney Bird Greene (series)

by Lois Lowry      Gr. K-2      88 pages      Houghton, 2002; Dell paperback, 2004

With the annual publication rate for children's books now reaching more than 8,000 titles, it's inevitable that any reviewer (even the most attentive) will miss a good one here or there. Such is the case with Lois Lowry's Gooney Bird Greene, whimsical short novel who is the antithesis of Junie B. Jones in civil behavior but a carbon copy in uniqueness and irrepressibility. Somehow, I missed Gooney when it first came out and discovered it only recently through the recommendation of a classroom teacher.

And just like Junie, Gooney Bird would be a welcome addition to any classroom, except with the latter, even the teacher would be glad to have her aboard. She's smart, mature, kind, and in charge at all times — or at least she wants to be, which sometimes presents a challenge for the teacher. Here's how Lowry introduces us to Gooney Bird:

There was a new student in the Watertower Elementary School. She arrived in October, after the first month of school had already passed. She opened the second grade classroom door at ten o'clock on a Wednesday morning and appeared there all alone, without even a mother to introduce her. She was wearing pajamas and cowboy boots and was holding a dictionary and a lunch box.

"Hello," Mrs. Pidgeon, the second grade teacher, said.

"We're in the middle of our spelling lesson."

"Good," said the girl in pajamas. "I brought my dictionary.

Where's my desk?"

"Who are you?" Mrs. Pidgeon asked politely.

"I'm your new student. My name is Gooney Bird Greene that's Greene with a silent 'e' at the end - and I just moved here from China. I want a desk right smack in the middle of the room, because I like to be right smack in the middle of everything. "

The class stared at the new girl with admiration. They had never met anyone like Gooney Bird Greene.

She was a good student. She sat down at the desk Mrs. Pidgeon provided, right smack in the middle of everything, and began doing second grade spelling. She did all her work neatly and quickly, and she followed instructions.

But soon it was clear that Gooney Bird was mysterious and interesting. Her clothes were unusual. Her hairstyles were unusual. Even her lunches were very unusual.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, her first day in the school, she opened her lunch box and brought out sushi and a pair of bright green chopsticks. On Thursday, her second day at Watertower Elementary School, Gooney Bird Greene was wearing a pink ballet tutu over green stretch pants, and she had three small red grapes, an avocado, and an oatmeal cookie for lunch.

On Thursday afternoon, after lunch, Mrs. Pidgeon stood in front of the class with a piece of chalk in her hand. "Today," she said, "we are going to continue talking about stories."

"Yay!" the second-graders said in very loud voices, all but Felicia Ann, who never spoke, and Malcolm, who wasn't paying attention. He was under his desk, as usual.

"Gooney Bird, you weren't here for the first month of school. But our class has been learning about what makes good stories, haven't we?" Mrs. Pidgeon said.

From this point on, Gooney pretty much takes over and teaches both the art of storytelling and the fact that everyone has their own unique story to tell. Of course, no one's tale is quite as original as Gooney Bird's. For example. her first class offering is "How Gooney Bird Came from China on a Flying Carpet," which proves to be absolutely true, to the amazement of her teacher and class.

Sequels: Gooney Bird and the Home Room Mother; and Gooney the Fabulous. The Newbery-winning Lowry has long been one of our most gifted writers for children and this series proves again her great versatility. Anyone who can give us Autumn Street; The Giver; Number the Stars; Anastasia Krupnik; and Gooney Bird Greene in one lifetime of writing— now that is a true world-class children's author. Also by the author, the memoir Looking Back: A Book of Memories. For more on Lowry at this site (including a 50-minute audio interview, see Number the Stars.

 

Alfred's Nose

by Vivienne Flesher      PreS-K     28 pages     HarperCollins 2008

Using staged photographs, Flescher tells the story of a French bulldog's dissatisfaction with his appearance--especially his nose, at least what there is of it. So with the aid of his young owners, he applies various disguises and props to his nose and face. Although they are very funny to the reader, Alfred is far from amused and finally settles into being himself. An old story, true--but the photos give a light-hearted, original freshness. Related book for older students: The Whingdingdilly by Bill Peet.

Toy Boat

by Randall de Sève, ill. by Loren Long     PreS-K     32 pages     Philomel, 2007

A young boy has built a toy boat out of a cab, a cork, a yellow pencil, and some white cloth. Together they bath, sleep, and play together. But beneath the surface, the little boat yearns to make it on his own, out of reach and on the high seas—not unlike The Little Engine That Could or Little Toot. Under normal circumstances, this tale might be a little too reminiscent of those earlier efforts were it not for the glorious illustrations of Loren Long, who seems to rise to no heights with each book he illustrates, especially as he depicts the agony of boat and boy in their separation. All children will identify with this tale because it's analogous to the yearning of any child to be done with "baby stuff" and get on with becoming a grown up — or at least a "big kid." Books like this offer a gentle warning: Take it easy, kid, it's not all fun 'n' games out there. Enjoy the comforts of home while you have them. Long's art work captures these emotions perfectly without being maudlin.

Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and other things not to do)

by Judi Barrett ill. by John Nickle     PreS-K     32 pages     Atheneum, 2008

It's been 25 years since Judi and Ron Barrett gave us Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, one of the best-ever picture books about food. During that quarter century, Judi Barrett gave us just enough picture book morsels to keep us wanting more of her zaniness (see Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing; Pickles from Pittsburgh; and Things That Are Most in the World). Now she's back with another little gem about the animals you definitely don't want to pal around with under certain circumstances -- like taking a raccoon to the bank or shaking hands with a lobster or taking a giraffe to the movies. And those are just for starters. Needless to say, classes and families will use this as a springboard to their own creative and imaginative no-no pairings.

the perfect bear

byGillian Shields ill. by Gary Blythe     PreS-K     26 pages     Simon & Schuster , 2008

When he was sitting on the store's shelf, the little white bear was so perfect they placed a sign beside him: Do Not Touch. He not only thought he was perfect, he thought thatwas his name — do not touch. Then the little girl received him as a gift and his life began to change. Not only was he being touched, he was getting dirty and rusty (the key in his music box). Poor bear was miserable and couldn't make the little girl understand. The real understanding comes only when bear learns that it is not what we have showing outside (pretty fur, handsome hats, and a shiny key) but what we have inside that counts. Illustrator Gary Blythe, who won the Kate Greenaway Medal for his luminous work on The Whale's Song, has captured that warm relationship between child and doll that makes for a classic. Related book: Corduroy by Don Freeman; and Dogger by Shirley Hughes.

 

 

 

 

 

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