December 2021 Prime Picks
The Arts
The Birds of
America
John James Audubon
Prestel
9783791379142
$50.00
www.prestel.com
The Birds of America is a classic of
natural history consisting of
Aubudon's art works, and was originally issued between the years of
1827 and
1938, in 87 sets. The first publication of The
Birds of America book sported some 435 hand-colored prints of
Aubudon's
original engravings.
This edition
collects
some of his most stunning works and deserves a place in any natural
history,
ornithology, or arts library. It was created by disbanding one of the
two sets
held by the London Natural History Museum, then photographing it using
the
latest digital photography.
The result
is a
reproduction of all 435 bird images, presented in an oversized edition
that
fully captures Audubon's art and the finer details of his works.
No arts or
nature
library should be without this definitive new edition.
Gothic: An
Illustrated History
Roger Luckhurst
Princeton University
Press
9780691229164
$35.00
www.press.princeton.edu
Gothic: An Illustrated History is
designed to appeal to
general-interest audiences who learn best from eye-catching images.
These
juxtapose nicely with Professor Roger Luckhurst's close examination of
how the
gothic style of architecture is represented artistically, culturally,
and psychologically
throughout history, right up to modern times.
This
exceptional
analysis stands out from other coverages of gothic elements in
architecture and
culture, examining subjects ranging from folklore to art and changing
global
aesthetics and perceptions of what constitutes gothic works.
Also
especially
notable is a global approach that moves into regions not typically
associated
with gothic influences, such as the Arctic or the Alps. This approach
creates a
lively study that will appeal to a diverse audience, from students of
the arts
to those seeking surveys of gothic elements in literature, culture, and
modern
times.
Leonard
Cohen: The
Mystical Roots of Genius
Harry Freedman
Bloomsbury
9781472987273
$28.00
www.bloomsbury.com
Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius
is recommended for
music and spirituality collections alike, and reviews the spiritual
traditions
of Cohen which are reflected in both his lyrics and life.
Readers who
already
enjoy Cohen's songs will find this biography and its special focus adds
another
dimension of understanding to his works, following his religious
training and reviewing
the varied influences that helped direct his artistic focus and legacy.
From how he
reworked
prayers to how he reflected his beliefs through compelling words,
readers will
appreciate this focus on Cohen's major influences—an approach often
neglected
in other Cohen discussions.
Music,
biography, or
spirituality holdings alike will find this multifaceted coverage
thoroughly
engrossing.
Mark Rothko:
The
Story of His life
Francesco Matteuzzi
and Giovanni Scarduelli
Prestel
9783791387928
$24.95
www.prestel.com
Mark Rothko: The Story of His life
surveys the life and creations
of a modern artist whose colorful paintings have gained him a wide
audience.
It's
presented in the
form of a graphic novel that covers his entire life, from his childhood
in
Russia up to his death in 1970, examining the evolution of his art and
signature style in a manner designed to appeal to artists and lay
audiences
alike.
Many of
Rothko's
works involved visual references. These are explored in a survey that
will
appeal to those who will find the choice of a full-color graphic novel
representation
accessible and involving.
Photographers
on the
Art of Photography
In Conversation with
Charles Moriarty
ACC Art Books
9781788840880
$30.00
www.accartbooks.com
Photographers on the Art of Photography
is a series of
conservations with some of the most diverse talents in modern
photography
today. It offers insights on influences, techniques, and approaches to
the art
that share both personal achievements and photography tips.
Those
interested in
photography will readily recognize such names as Hannah Starkey, Tim
Flach,
Douglas Kirkland, and others; but no prior recognition of these artists
is required
in order to appreciate their diverse perspectives.
As the
interviews
evolve, biographical information and artistic experiences blend with
discussions of how creative art is conceived, produced, and marketed.
Photographers on the Art of Photography
should be in every arts
collection that features photography and discussions of major
influences and
achievements.
Thirty-Six
Views of
Mount Fuji
Hiroshige
Prestel
9783791379180
$35.00
www.prestel.com
Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji is a
significant acquisition and
contribution to the arts in that it reproduces here, in a facsimile
edition,
for the first time in the West, a series of artistic renderings
published in
horizontal format by 1800s artist Utagawa Hiroshige.
A slipcase
holds
fold-out landscape prints which display some of the greatest artistic
works of
all times, all devoted to capturing Mount Fuji's seasons.
The result
is an
outstanding work that not only captures Hiroshige's art, but does so in
a
manner that bows to his medium and its originally presentation and
format.
While arts
collections will be the most likely purchasers of Thirty-Six
Views of Mount Fuji , it is also highly recommended for
any definitive collection strong in Japanese history, culture, and the
arts.
These
sources will
readily recognize the special attributes of both artist and the choice
to
reproduce perhaps his finest work for modern Western audiences.
The
Culinary Corner
Baking With
Fortitude
Dee Rettali
Bloomsbury
9781526626967
$28.00
www.bloomsbury.com
Baking With Fortitude: Sourdough Cakes and Bakes
comes from an
artisan baker renowned for her bakery, Fortitude Bakehouse in London.
Her focus
on natural sugars and flavors that go beyond the usual cake craft makes
for a unique
cookbook that employs two techniques (sourdough, and using fruits and
herbs for
flavoring) unusual in the baking world.
Think
'sourdough' and
time-consuming processes come to mind; but Baking
With Fortitude shows that the process of fermenting batter
and working with
it actually takes little additional time and produces exceptional
results.
Users should
be
prepared to accept unusual flavor combinations and textures; from a
Orange, Yogurt
and Polenta Cake to Spiced Tea, Sultana and Vanilla Beans spiced tea
mix or a
Blackberry and Hazelnut Loaf Cake.
The Cardamom
Trail
Chetna Makan
Mitchell Beazley
9781784727932
$29.99
www.octopusbooksusa.com
The Cardamom Trail: Delicious Bakes
Inspired by India comes from the
author of Chetna's Healthy Indian
and
Chetna's 30 Minute Indian. Both
books
have been celebrated for their unique, original Indian recipes.
If The Cardamom Trail sounds familiar to
some, that's because it originally appeared in 2016. It returns in a
newly
reissued format with 100 creations for baking Indian goods.
Most of the
book covers
sweets and breads. This is an invaluable focus because most Indian
cookbooks
are notoriously light on Indian desserts.
Another note
is that
the spices themselves, from cardamom and cinnamon to fenugreek and
fennel, take
center stage in many of these creations.
Cooks
interested in
the sweeter side of Indian fare will find The
Cardamom Trail an essential addition even for avid Indian
cookbook
collections because its original recipes and focus on sweets fills a
gap in the
literature.
Essential
Ollie Dabbous
Bloomsbury
9781406843956
$35.00
www.bloomsbury.com
Ollie
Dabbous's Essential comes from a
Michelin-starred
chef who focuses on easy techniques that home cooks can use to achieve
extraordinary
results from basic flavor combinations.
It's
organized by
ingredient type, provides 100 recipes that cover all the basics of
producing
superior fare (from basic baked eggs to more complicated-sounding
dishes such
as Cod Brandade with Pickled Vegetables & Garlic Croutons), and
peppers
color photos throughout to emphasize the attraction of completed dishes.
While most
dishes are
easily put together, readers ideally will also be avid home cooks who
look for
refreshingly different recipes and flavor combinations that tantalize
with new
taste experiences, such as a Wild Strawberry & Rose Petal
Tartlet.
Such fare is
not
always simple to produce, but it's always inviting and refreshingly
original in
this cookbook.
Healthy
&
Delicious Instant Pot
America's Test
Kitchen
America's Test
Kitchen, Publishers
9781948703703
$26.99
www.americastestkitchen.com
Healthy & Delicious Instant Pot: Inspired
Meals With a World of
Flavor requires only an instant pot device to prove
accessible and inviting
to cooks who want an international, healthy focus on recipes for their
instant
pot.
Flavorful
results
loaded with spice are found in every recipe in this book, from Chicken
and
Couscous with Prunes and Olives to Mussels with Red Curry and Coconut
Rice and
Chicken and Black Rice Bowl with Peanut-Sesame Dressing.
Packed with
color
photos, kitchen-tested recipes that promise foolproof results, and an
approach
which emphasizes healthy, flavorful international fare, any with an
instant pot
(whether newcomers to the device or those who have already honed skills
in
producing traditional foods) will find Healthy
& Delicious Instant Pot expands the possibilities of
this timesaving
pot's opportunities.
One Tin
Bakes Easy
Edd Kimber
Kyle Books
9780857839787
$22.99
www.kylebooks.co.uk
One Tin Bakes Easy: Foolproof Cakes, Traybakes,
Bars and Bites from
Gluten-Free to Vegan and Beyond expands the approach of its
predecessor, One Tin Bakes, with a
collection of
sweet desserts that all can be made in either one 9x13 inch tin, a
single 8x8
square tin, or a loaf pan.
Tips include
creating
smaller versions of classics for less people, guidelines to no-bake or
5-ingredient choices, and keys to creating cakes, scones, brittles, and
more
with a minimum of fuss.
Full-page
color
photos for every baked good recipe adds enticing images that invite
cooks to
try these foolproof creations, which are not to be found in most baking
books.
Examples include Chocolate Honey Nut Baklava, Salted Pistachio and Rose
Brittle, and Wagon Wheel Bars.
Bakers who
would
streamline the process and reduce quantities will find One
Tin Bakes Easy a winning collection.
The Thinking
Drinkers
Almanac
Ben McFarland and Tom
Sandham
Kyle Books
9780857839565
$12.99
www.thinkingdrinkers.com
The Thinking Drinkers Almanac: Adventurous Drinks
and Eccentric Tales
for Every Day of the Year blends humor and recipes with a
drink-oriented
examination of world adventures designed to appeal to cooks and
cultural
students alike.
Drinkers who
are interested
in learning more about different kinds of booze, as well as those who
would
celebrate life with cocktails made from unusual flavor and booze
combinations,
are in for a treat, because folklore and legends combine with recipes
to create
a lively interplay between culture and cuisine.
From Lauren
Shell's
The Birth of Donna Tartt cocktail made with Cocchi Americano, fino
sherry, and
orange bitters to the classic Manhattan Cocktail, both traditional and
regional
fare appear in a history and recipe book to delight the palates of a
wide
audience.
There are a
growing
number of drinks books on the market, but The
Thinking Drinkers Almanac features an original approach that
goes beyond
recipes and innovations alone, and deserves a place on any drink
lover's shelf.
Reviewer's Choice
All the
Water the Law
Allows
Christian S. Harrison
University of
Oklahoma Press
9780806169323
$39.95
www.oupress.com
All the Water the Law Allows: Las Vegas and
Colorado River Politics
will, of course, find its home in many Colorado or Nevada library
holdings; but
its history and message about water politics and fights needs to reach
more
than these regional audiences alone.
It considers
population growth, climate change, water shortages and rising issues,
and how
the American legal system governs water allocation and lives, focusing
on the
history and actions of the Southern Nevada Water Authority. It offers
lessons
on water politics and policies that any collection will find
thought-provoking
and educational.
From
paradigm shifts
about infrastructure management and priorities to analyses of the laws
affecting rivers and water, All the Water
the Law Allows features lessons and insights that makes it a
top
recommendation for social issues, legal and political history
collections, and
anyone concerned about the lasting impact of environmental changes on
human
affairs.
Autonorama
Peter Norton
Island Press
9781642832402
$27.00
www.islandpress.org
Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech
Driving makes the
case against the idea of driverless cars, stating that such a focus is
actually
distracting futurists from the true potential of developing affordable,
sustainable transportation technology in its place.
Peter Norton
is a
technology historian who considers both the past developments of auto
technology and the driverless future that car companies are promoting.
His
contention that the public is being sold a bill of goods that further
reinforces car dependency and freedom against alternative options that
are more
environmentally and socially friendly creates a thought-provoking
analysis of
the underlying influences of car company business interests on future
choices.
This
hard-hitting
book should not only be in any library strong in automobile history and
politics, but on the discussion lists of groups interested in future
choice and
social issues.
Bet the Farm
Beth Hoffman
Island Press
9781642831597
$26.00
www.islandpress.org
Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food
in America
joins other discussions of sustainability and farming, and comes from a
beginning farmer who uses her own struggles as a microcosm for
exploring the
modern-day challenges and future of American agriculture.
It moves
from
individual farmer experience to bigger pictures of growing crops under
changing
climate conditions, expensive equipment, and the social and political
conflicts
brewing over farming choices and opportunities.
This
wide-ranging
discussion personalizes the farmer's current milieu in a manner that
connects
national perspectives and situations with individual pursuits.
Bet the Farm is a powerful presentation
that should be a mainstay
of any agriculture book collection or discussion of farming's future.
Beyond
Medicine
Patricia A. Muehsam,
MD
New World Library
9781608686995
$17.95
www.newworldlibrary.com
Beyond Medicine: A Physician's Revolutionary
Prescription for Achieving
Absolute Health and Finding Inner Peace investigates the real
meaning of
health and healing, offering a new way to think about health that goes
beyond
the usual singular approach to tackle the prospect of an 'Absolute
health' that
anyone can achieve.
It documents
the
instances and circumstances of extraordinary healing with an attention
to
alternative medicine and solutions that go beyond singular approaches
to tackle
the emotional influences on healing, which often underlie illness.
Everything
is
connected, both through the five senses and in spiritual realms. This
discussion emphases the mind/body connection and offers insights on why
alternative
health approaches haven't really dovetailed with Western health
practices, creating
much food for thought for anyone interested in health and healing.
Retail
Recovery
Mark Pilkington
Bloomsbury Business
9781472987174
$28.00
www.bloomsbury.com
Retail Recovery: How Creative Retailers Are Winning
in their
Post-Apocalyptic World covers post-Covid 19 retail challenges
and how
retailers respond to the crisis of fostering new brands and value under
new
conditions, analyzing how the retail world is changing, as a result of
these
pressures.
Collections
strong in
business, economic, and social change will find that Retail
Recovery journeys the world to consider and compare
different approaches in different industries, examining how government
can
reinforce the rebuilding of community retail spaces to foster economic
growth
under new conditions.
Retail Recovery is a powerful survey that
needs to be in any
business, economics, or social science collection.
Thicker Than
Water
Erica Cirino
Island Press
9781642831375
$28.00
www.islandpress.com
There are so
many
books about plastics and recycling already on the market today that one
might
wonder what new information could drive the need for yet another; but Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions
to the Plastic Crisis takes a unique approach to its subject.
Author Erica
Cirino travels
the globe to interview scientists and activists working against the
growing
plastic crisis in America. She visits labs around the world and takes a
plastic-hunting sailboat trip across the Pacific to document the Great
Pacific
Garbage Patch, interviewing community leaders who are fighting
plastic-based
businesses.
By moving
the plastic
crisis documentation from theory to activism and community impact, her
book
documents environmental injustices, national choice and their impacts,
and the
connections between racial prejudice and contamination, offering new
insights
into all these topics.
Her approach
expands
the issues connected with plastic production to make her book just as
important
for social issues holdings as it is for libraries strong in
environmental
issues and activism.
Tony
Hillerman: A
Life
James McGrath Morris
University of
Oklahoma Press
9780806175980
$29.95
www.oupress.com
Tony Hillerman: A Life should be a
mainstay of any collection where
Hillerman's fiction is popular. It provides a close inspection of his
personal
and professional worlds in a biographical sketch that moves from his
childhood
to his participation in World War II, his family life, and his interest
in
Navajo spirituality.
Many
underlying
themes and aspects of Hillerman's writings become more recognizable and
understandable as James McGrath Morris links them to Hillerman's
interests and
experiences.
Also
included is a literary
analysis of these novels and their underlying controversies, which will
especially interest literary readers who want to better understand the
influences themes and development of Hillerman's works.
Science Nature and Technology
100 Flying
Birds
Peter Cavanagh
Firefly Books
9780228103332
$49.95
www.fireflybooks.com
100 Flying Birds: Photographing the Mechanics of
Flight comes from
a photographer who examines the different flight patterns and
techniques of
birds, and is a gorgeous visual pick for collections strong in wildlife
photography or ornithology alike.
Even
general-interest
readers who have no special interest in science or photos, but who
enjoy birds,
will find this oversized presentation of images accessible and visually
gorgeous as Cavanagh studies bird flight via the camera lens to provide
details
on aviary aerodynamics and natural history.
The
full-page images
and their accompanying information are unique, compelling attractions
for
anyone who likes birds and wants more details about their flight and
natural
history.
Discovering
Mars
William Sheehan and
Jim Bell
University of Arizona
Press
9780816532100
$30.00
www.uapress.arizona.edu
Discovering Mars: A History of Observation and
Exploration of the Red
Planet profiles the human history of theories and
explorations of Mars from
early to modern times, unfolding a story that documents changing ideas
about
that planet as technology evolved.
From
evidence of
life-forms on or under its surface to scientific findings from the
latest
probes, a historian and astronomer join forces to create a lively
discourse
about the red planet.
Collections
looking
for a broader inspection of how Mars ideas have changed over the length
of
human history will find Discovering Mars
a lively blend of scientific and cultural observation.
Great
Adaptations
Kenneth Catania
Princeton University
Press
9780691228471
$16.95
www.press.princeton.edu
Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels
& Other Tales of
Evolution's Mysteries Solved provides a energetic examination
of unusual
creatures and behaviors in the animal kingdom, surveying how the effort
to
solve mysteries about these creatures turned into scientific
discoveries that
affected human perceptions of the natural world as a whole.
More so than
most
scientific surveys, Kenneth Catania focuses on the adventure and
intrigue
involved in conducting scientific investigations, creating a study that
will
appeal beyond scientific audiences to reach general-interest readers.
How the
Mountains
Grew
John Dvorak
Pegasus Books
9781643135748
$29.95
www.pegasusbooks.com
How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of
North America
offers a different approach for understanding the evolution of the
North
American continent, going beyond the classic explanations of plate
tectonics to
consider how various geologic developments created specific areas of
the U.S.
Unlike
general
geology discussions, John Dvorak designs his book with an inviting tone
and an eye
to attracting and educating lay audiences.
He assumes
no prior
scientific background as he explores efforts to search for evidence of
geologic
changes and influencers from meteorites to rock formations, making this
book an
involving and multifaceted read designed to attract a wide readership.
Swamplands
Edward Struzik
Island Press
9781642830804
$32.00
www.islandpress.org
Swamplands: Tundra Beavers, Quaking Bogs, and the
Improbable World of
Peat documents how scientists and conservationists are
struggling to
protect various ecosystems against urbanization and resource
exploitation, creating
a discussion of the various forces affecting the management and
perception of
the world's swamplands.
Peatlands
are often left
out of many ecosystem discussions, but this survey presents information
on them
from both scientific and social perspectives, from indigenous peoples
to
farmers and researchers, pinpointing the fallacy of considering
swamplands as
disease-infested 'wastelands' only worthy of development.
By exposing
and
exploring the varied influences on swamp management, perception, and
evolution,
Edward Struzik contributes a key resource that is highly recommended
for any
collection strong in ecological systems analysis.
Young Adult/Children
Candlewick
Press
www.candlewickpress.com
Two picture
book
stories will be welcomed by adults looking for high-quality materials
for the
very young.
Time for Bed, Old House by Janet Costa
Bates (9781536209983,
$16.99) tells of a young boy's first sleepover at his grandfather's
house, and
his efforts to help put the house to bed.
Isaac's
never heard
of such a task, but Grandpop shows him and Bear how it's done;
especially since
Isaac is anything but sleepy at bedtime.
Fun drawings
accent
night noises and illustrate how Isaac takes the initiative to put the
house to
bed.
Moose's Book Bus by Inga Moore
(9781536217674, $17.99) tells of a
moose who likes to tell stories to his family every night after
dinner...until
he runs out of tales one night.
Obviously,
it's time
to visit the library.
As he
borrows books,
more creatures join the family for the story time ritual, leading Moose
to
consider the idea of a special delivery system to accommodate all book
lovers.
This
delightful
companion to A House in the Woods
provides another warm story of community connections to delight the
young and
read-aloud parents with a celebration of reading, books, and new
friends.
Dulcinea in
the
Forbidden Forest
Ole Könnecke
Gecko Press
9781776573950
$18.99
www.geckopress.com
Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest is a
fairytale for chapter book
readers. It tells of a girl determined to locate her lost father, even
if it
means entering an enchanted forest.
As
elementary-grade
readers journey along with her, confronting a witch's castle and the
truth
about her father's absence, the involving story will delight fans of
fairy
tales and fantasy, who will appreciate Dulcinea's strength and ability
to
overcome all kinds of challenges.
The
two-color
drawings are nice embellishments to her chapter book adventures.
Little Moar
and the
Moon
Roselynn Akulukjuk
Inhabit Media
9781772272994
$16.95
www.inhabitmedia.com
Little Moar and the Moon receives
engaging drawings by Jazmine
Gubbe and tells of Moar's fear of the darkness and the moon, which
looks like a
scary face to him.
This keeps
him from
being out after dark and limits his playtime as winter approaches.
Nobody can
understand
why he's so afraid of the moon, but one day when he stays out too late,
something happens.
A fine story
of
changing seasons, fears of darkness and night, and courage emerges to
delight
picture book readers looking for new ways to address fear.
Monet's Cat
Lily Murray &
Becky Cameron
Random House Studio
9780593306130
$17.99
www.rhcbooks.com
Monet's Cat provides a lovely
introduction to the painter's art as
it introduces a mischievous feline who vanishes into each Monet
painting.
Reproductions
of some
of Monet's most recognizable pieces, paired with the fictional
insertion of a
hiding kitty, blends a Where's Waldo?
atmosphere with an unusual art journey that introduces picture book
readers to
the extraordinary world of Monet's paintings via an ordinary cat.
As Chika
romps away
from his efforts, a fun interactive atmosphere engages kids in Monet's
world.
Norman
Didn't Do It!
Ryan T. Higgins
Disney/Hyperion
9781368026239
$17.99
www.disneybooks.com
Norman Didn't Do It! is a fun picture
book story of a porcupine
whose best friend is a tree.
Norman likes
their
singular friendship just fine, but when a visitor invades their world,
Norman
isn't sure he can share Mildred with anyone else. He's happy with the
way
things are.
He can't
lose his
best friend, so Norman hatches a plot. Forced to explain this to
Mildred,
Norman protests his innocence, only to re-examine his guilt and
motivations.
Kids will
appreciate
this fun story of friendship, jealousy, and sharing. It contains many
lessons
that adults will find easy to discuss with the very young.
Simon
& Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
Two new
picture books
are fine choices for adults seeking lasting reading value, and are
highly
recommended for read-aloud and library holdings alike.
Michael
Brown's Santa Mouse, Where Are You? (9781534438026,
$17.99) is illustrated with lovely, appealing drawings by Elfrieda De
Witt and
explores how a little mouse becomes one of Santa's helps on Christmas
Eve.
Separated
from his
job by a snowy circumstance, will Santa Mouse be able to get back to
Santa in
time to help him deliver the gifts?
Ages 4-8
receive a
whimsical tale that lends particularly well to read-aloud.
Also cute
and
appealing is Stephen W. Martin's Fluffy
McWhiskers: Cuteness Explosion (9781534441453, $17.99). The
"explosions" by Martin pair nicely with the "cuteness"
visually presented by Dan Tavis as a fun story evolves about a cute cat
who is
so lovely that viewers simply explode with delight.
With such
reactions
to cuteness, however, how can Fluffy McWhiskers ever find a friend?
Things are
getting out of hand, with explosions happening everywhere as Fluffy's
image
gets out into the general public to wreck havoc.
Read-aloud
parents
will find this simple story, with its oversized colorful drawings and
sound
effect words, lends particularly well to a delightful adventure read.
Sleeping
Bear Press
www.sleepingbearpress.com
Four new
picture
books are highly recommended picks for discriminating collections and
adults
looking for superior books for kids.
Jack Horner, Dinosaur Hunter! By Sophia
Gholz (9781534111196,
$16.99) reaches ages 6-10 with the story of a boy's discovery of a
fossil which
leads him into a passion for paleontology.
Despite his
dyslexia,
Jack becomes a dinosaur expert.
Young
readers interested
in science, dinosaurs, Horner's life, or the specifics of paleontology
will
find this not only covers his biography and vivid world, but employs
dyslexia-friendly fonts to appeal to those who may be
reading-challenged.
Jamie A.
Swenson's We Want Snow! A Wintery Chant
(9781534110755, $16.99) is illustrated by Emilie Boon and captures the
fun of
snowy days for picture book readers who want to learn how city children
have
fun outdoors.
Featuring a
lively
rhyme in which kids anticipate and plead for snow fun, the games and
delights
of winter are explored as kids prepare for the season, only to find
that there
can be too much of a good thing.
Lucy
Branam's Monday (9781534110984,
$16.99) may
initially seem like an odd choice for a young child who may not
associate
Monday with different routines, but any kid who is of school age or has
working
parents will readily relate to the idea of weekend and weekday
differences.
Kevin M.
Barry's
whimsical drawings accent this story of the days of the week, and how
Monday
always seems to be resented.
All other
days of the
week feature something fun, but Monday just can't get people to
appreciate him.
What will happen if he bows out of being Monday entirely?
A whimsical
story
about being yourself and cultivating acceptance teaches kids some
important
lessons.
Bevan: A Well-Loved Bear by Petra Brown
(9781534111103, $16.99) is
very highly recommended for its lovely drawings. It's the story of a
very old
teddy bear who experiences many adventures with different families as
each
grows to love him.
The colorful
drawings
of kids having fun with Bevan offer an attractive and especially
compelling
accent to a tale in which Bevan becomes beloved in many different homes
and
environments.
All are lovely stories that stand out from the crowd.