October 2023 Prime Picks
The
Culinary Corner
The Cheese Life
Mathew Carver and
Patrick McGuigan
Kyle Books/Octopus
9781804191545 $29.99
www.octopusbooksusa.com
The Cheese Life: Recipes, Cheeseboards and Pairings provides a fine
introduction to artisan cheese, pairing recipes for using cheese with insights
on how to display cheeses, taste them, and assess their qualities.
From utilizing
leftover cheese rinds and understanding how temperature affects texture and
taste to the innovative creations of boutique cheese mongers and makers who here
share their recipes for display and creation, The Cheese Life features a well-rounded smorgasbord of insights. It
packs its presentation with color photos, creating a delicious opportunity for
cheese fans to expand their knowledge of cheeses and how best to use them.
Hugh Johnson's Pocket
Wine Book 2024
Margaret Rand,
General Editor
Octopus Publishing
9781784729141 $17.99
www.octopusbooksusa.com
Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2024 remains the top best-selling
pocket guide to wine for a reason—it is truly pocket-sized, presented in
durable hardcover form for lasting field consultation. This 2024 edition has been
fully revamped and updated, and stays true to its ability to recommend top
wines by providing the latest details on wines, growers, and regional changes.
Of necessity, the
pocket format requires reading glasses or good eyes for review and
consultation. That note aside, anyone seeking a portable wine guide that can
easily accompany a tour or tasting effort will find that Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2024 maintains its top-rated status
as a worthy reference.
A Passion for Whiskey
Ian Wisniewski
Mitchell Beazley
9781784729097 $29.99
www.octopusbooksusa.com
A Passion for Whiskey: How the Tiny Scottish Island of Islay Creates
Malts That Captivate the World juxtaposes two-color illustrations with a
user-friendly introduction to whiskey-making. It covers the productions of the
small island of Islay, showing why they stand out in the wider world of
distilleries and whiskey producers.
As much a celebration
of that island's people and culture as its libation, Ian Wisniewski's book
celebrates whiskey history, local festivals and creations, the author's own
travels, and discoveries with a sense of place and passion that invites not
just whiskey drinkers (although this is a prerequisite for appreciating this
book), but travelers who would absorb the island's attractions through a
traveler's eye:
"Visiting Caol Ila for the first time in 1997, I was mesmerized by
a slender waterfall tumbling acrobatically down a long, sheer rock face. I
assumed this was nature's contribution to the visuals, but it's also a water
source for the distillery. What a way to arrive!"
And, what a way to
absorb profiles of Islay's some 13 distilleries, including tasting notes for
selected malts and discussions of whiskey styles, tasting techniques, and Scotch
whisky-making traditions! Libraries will find A Passion for Whiskey not just educational, but deliciously
alluring.
Reviewer's Choice
The Best of Simon
& Kirby's Mainline Comics
John Morrow, Editor
TwoMorrows Publishing
9781605491189 $49.95
www.twomorrows.com
The Best of Simon & Kirby's Mainline Comics covers the
productions and wide-reaching results of two industry legends, Joe Simon and
Jack Kirby, who founded Mainline Publications to publish their own works. While
the four comics they published (centering on Western, war, and romance themes)
could have been hits, their timing was off. A rejection of comic art in the 1950s
forced the two to shutter their publishing doors only two years later.
This collection
gathers these productions under one cover for the first time, joining their
independent and combined production prowess in an authoritative recreation of
historical and artistic importance that makes the collection a 'must' for any
library strong in comics history.
Presented in full
color, the art and quality of this tribute volume represents an exceptional exploration
of historic importance and attraction for all followers of comic art who may
come to this volume and interest from different generations.
Dog Lessons
Hersch Wilson
New World Library
9781608688876 $24.95
www.newworldlibrary.com
Dog Lessons: Learning the Important Stuff from Our Best Friends
reflects on the promise, opportunities, and insights dogs can bring to life. It
makes the perfect gift for dog lovers who may have plenty of books about
training and loving dogs, but relatively few about reflecting on the importance
of their presence in human lives.
These take the form
of vignettes and stories shared to emphasize these roles, with Hersch Wilson
capturing moving moments that link canine behavior to human affairs and
discoveries:
"If you think this story opens a can of worms, you're right. Once
we accept the idea that the world is full of sentience, and that
loving-kindness is the approach we want to embody, this is a dilemma we face
daily...We have a choice to make: We can live conscious of the dilemma that as
humans we have an inordinate impact on the living world, both directly and
indirectly, or we can choose to move through our lives oblivious."
The result will
engage canine owners, lovers, and philosophy enthusiasts alike with its special
brand of reflection and observation.
The Knowledge
Dr. Nighat Arif
Octopus
9781783255733 $26.99
www.octopusbooksausa.com
The Knowledge: Your Guide to Female Health from Menstruation to
Menopause comes from a female GP and healthcare specialist who has long
advocated for women's health and community knowledge.
Here, Dr. Arif outlines
the key years of a woman's life, exploring options, normal changes, what to
expect from one's body as time goes on, and when to know if bodily changes need
a doctor's attention.
The result is a
powerful reference that should be in any modern library concerned with women's
health and knowledge surrounding maintaining its optimum state.
The Home Style
Handbook
Lucy Gough
Mitchell Beazley
9781784728632 $40.00
www.octopusbooksusa.com
The Home Style Handbook features lovely photos by Simon Bevan as it
draws important connections between personality, style, and options for
incorporating one's personal style into a decorated living space.
All sizes and
possibilities are considered, from small rentals to good-sized homes, with many
visuals accompanying tips on how to style a room with accessories, plants,
color schemes, and lighting.
From addressing
niches and utilizing accent lighting to choosing between kitchen worktops, The Home Style Handbook taps an
exceptionally broad toolkit of information on the latest products and options. This
makes it particularly useful for those who would understand the latest home
decorator trends and options.
The K&W Guide to
Colleges for Students With Learning Differences
Princeton Review
Princeton Review,
Publishers
9780593517406 $35.99
www.princetonreview.com
The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students With Learning Differences
appears in an updated 16th edition, representing annual improvements in the book
during the course of some 32 years since its first appearance.
The regular updates
and expansion of material and references assures the book's conformity with the
latest research, thinking, and opportunities available to those with learning
disabilities. This edition profiles over twice as many colleges as the first
edition contained, including reviews of colleges that sport exceptional
programs and services.
Listings include
sidebars of information that offer at-a-glance details on everything from
accommodations to graduation requirements, while notes on financial aid and
campus life round out the analysis. All these attributes make The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students
With Learning Differences a 'must have' reference for any library catering
to the college-bound.
Metallica: All the
Songs
Benoît
Clerc
Mitchell Beazley
9781784728939 $60.00
www.octopusbooksusa.com
Metallica: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track adds to the 'All
the Songs' series, exploring the heavy metal group's extensive musical
contributions to the genre, including all their albums (both classic and
lesser-known) and discussing how each represented milestones in rock metal
music.
The only cautionary
note to this reference lies in some 500 pages packed with details and photos,
which requires of its audience some prior background familiarity with and
interest in Metallica. Those who harbor such as passion for detail will find
the weighty discussions of the genesis and production of each song to be a
satisfying mix of technical inspection and biographical material which considers
the influences of American music on each songwriter's creation and band's
productions.
The ability of this
tome to create a wider-ranging series of connections between American musical
trends, history, and influencers as a whole makes it a key acquisition for any
library strong in pop music history in general and the evolution of heavy metal
in particular. It's a strong 'must have' foundation title for avid Metallica
followers.
Michael Freeman on
Black & White
Michael Freeman
Ilex Press
9781781579053 $29.99
www.ilex.press
With so many
photography guides on the market focusing on black and white production, one
might wonder at the need for yet another discussion of any aspect of this
subject. But, Michael Freeman on Black
& White: The Ultimate Photography Masterclass does more than rehash old
traditions, but reignites discussions about the value of black and white tones
in a color-driven world.
As the fourth book in
Freeman's series, Michael Freeman on
Black & White provides chapters on all aspects of monochrome
photography, showing how to best produce and fine-tune the medium and how to
better understand its ongoing value in photographic endeavors.
The ability to
develop a solid expertise in taking, developing, and tailoring black and white
imagery is demonstrated in a image-driven book of examples that teach aspiring
photographers how to make the most of the tones and opportunities the black and
white medium promises.
All these reasons are
why libraries seeking a few singular, definitive works on the subject should
consider Michael Freeman on Black &
White: The Ultimate Photography Masterclass a basic acquisition.
So, I'm Autistic
Sarah O'Brien
Jessica Kingsley
Publishers
9781839972263 $18.95
www.jkp.com
So, I'm Autistic is an especially important guide for those newly
diagnosed because it is written by an autistic advocate who provides basic
insights into what autism embraces and what a diagnosis can mean.
Insights on how to use
this diagnosis to build better life experiences and approaches translates to a
solid examination of the myths surrounding autism, how to understand and reject
stereotypes, and the nuts and bolts of dealing with the world, whether one
chooses to tell others of the diagnosis or not.
Chapters consider autism's
impacts on friendships, reveal special strategies for dealing with different
transition points in life, and embrace the autism diagnosis with an attention
to detail that young adults and late teens will find candid and practical.
Libraries looking for
books not just about autism, but especially tailored for young autistic readers
will find So, I'm Autistic
compassionate, informational, and practical.
Young Adult/Children
Bustling Cities of
the World
Magdalena Konečná
and Jana Sedláčková
Albatros
9788000070025 $18.95
www.albatrosbooks.com
Bustling Cities of the World is an oversized book that celebrates
the world's major and busiest cities, from Cairo to London and Sydney to
Vancouver.
Introductions to each
capture a sense of place and environment ("It's raining again-no surprise to Londoners. Nobody leaves home without
a hat, cap, or umbrella-just look at Sherlock Holmes, a palace guard, even the
Queen!").
Each city receives a
two-page spread packed with illustrations of its major attributes, from foods
and historical buildings to local districts, bridges, markets, and more.
The result is a
lively leisure read that holds educational attraction, as well.
Dogs
Emily Gravett
Boxer Books/Union
Square Kids
9781914192597 $16.99
www.boxerbooks.com
Dogs comes from an award-winning author and illustrator who provides
picture-book readers with a romp through the dog world, chasing after an
elusive chain of sausage links.
All kinds of dogs
covet the prize, but as the size of the dogs grow, so do their involvements and
the counting challenges that evolve from their efforts.
Fun, zany encounters
and the underlying benefit of learning numbers contributes to a dog tale that young
picture book readers and read-aloud adults will both relish.
Wm. B. Eerdmans
www.eerdmans.com
These picture books
are delightful presentations that lend well to leisure reader discoveries and
entertainment.
On the Edge of the World (9780802856128, $18.99) is written and
illustrated by Anna Desnitskaya and translated by Lena Traer, reaching ages
7-11 with almost fifty pages of detail following the life of Vera, a Russian
girl who lives on the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, on the ocean.
Her first-person
explorations of school, home life, environment, and friends creates an inviting
introduction that teaches kids about Russian daily life.
Friend of Numbers: The Life of Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
(9780802856081, $17.99) is written for ages 5-9 and comes from an Indian poet
and writer. Illustrations by Satwik Gade accompany the life story of one of
India's finest mathematicians, following his evolution from childhood, his
early influences and contributions, and the discoveries which made him a standout.
This lively biography
requires no prior familiarity with Ramanujan to prove attractive to young
readers.
Nelson Rodriguez and
Leonardo Agustin Montes present Colorful
Mondays: A Bookmobile Spreads Hope in Honduras (9780802856166, $17.99), which
will appeal to ages 5-9. It tells of Luis, who finds that the bookmobile that
comes to his town gives a sense of hope and discovery to small villagers whose
lives can be sad.
Books aren't the only
thing the bookmobile introduces to his life: it creates connections with
others, entertainment via puppet shows or songs, and brings new surprises every
Monday.
Lawrence Schimel's a
fine translation brings the story to life, while illustrations by Rosana Faría
and Carla Tabora capture the color and culture of Honduras.
The Great
Banned-Books Bake Sale
Aya Khalil
Tilbury House
Publishers
9780884489672 $18.95
www.tilburyhouse.com
The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale enjoys vivid drawings by Anait
Semirdzhyan as it continues the story of Kanzi, the immigrant girl featured in
the prior The Arabic Quilt. She now
feels welcome in her American school until a new book-banning program causes
important works about minorities to vanish from the school library.
Can the kids
institute a rebellion that returns these books to their lives?
Even more importantly,
will Kanzi's newly-acquired and fragile sense of acceptance be restored by this
effort?
An important story of
diversity and freedom offers many discussion points that adults will welcome.
I Will Swim Next Time
Emily Joof and
Matilda Ruta
Floris Books
9781782508298 $17.95
www.florisbooks.co.uk
I Will Swim Next Time is a story about playing in all kinds of
waters and learning to appreciate the environment.
Mama is convinced
there's no rush for water enjoyment, but the young narrator keeps putting off
what she might relish, afraid of swimming experience.
Any child who
hesitates to swim will find plenty to relate to in a story that celebrates
watery worlds, new skills, and the importance of doing things on one's own time
frame of comfort and ability.
Jonathan and the
Giant Eagle
Danny Christopher
Eye of Newt Books
9781777081751 $15.95
www.eyeofnewtpress.com
Jonathan and the Giant Eagle is a pet story with a difference,
because Jonathan's parents never expected him to choose a giant eagle for his
new pet.
The mythical eagle at
first feels like a bad fit for the family, and a difficult choice to live with,
but there are definite advantages to having a pet with a wingspan slightly over
thirty-six feet.
Rhyming descriptions
and whimsical mishaps compliment good-sized illustrations that lend especially
well to adult read-aloud.
Listening to the
Quiet
Cassie Silva and
Frances Ives
Lantana
9781915244482 $18.99
www.lernerbooks.com
Listening to the Quiet is a gentle story of hearing loss and
transition points and tells of Jacki's mother, who is slowly losing her
hearing.
Mother and daughter
learn sign language to keep their communications going, but as her mother's
world becomes quieter, Jackie's remains full of sound. How can Jackie and her
mother share their former interests when so much has been lost?
This fine story of
transitions into new shared experiences should be on the shelves of any
collection strong in picture book stories about adaptation, acceptance, and
forming new bonds under revised conditions.
My Teacher Has
Tattoos
Darren López
and Bhagya Madanasinghe
Soaring Kite Books
9781953859952 $18.99
www.soaringkitebooks.com
My Teacher Has Tattoos is a picture book tale about self-expression
that focuses on Xavier and his classmates, who share revelations about
individuality, different cultures, and ideals of what is positive and negative
in the world.
While the
wide-ranging messages of this collection (which are based on interactive
discussions raised by the classroom characters) seem complex and adult in
nature, their relevance and accessibility to young picture book readers is
important, creative, and effective.
The result is an
unusual story about stereotypes and the masks people wear or sport as they go
about their lives.
Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
New picture book
releases from Simon and Schuster provide kids with stories that are colorful,
original, and entertaining, making them highly recommended for read-aloud and
library acquisition for ages 4-8.
The Welcome Home by Amy June Bates (9781534492325, $18.99) tells of
Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle, who live in a big empty house, and feel lonely
with too much space.
They begin to fill it
with all manner of pets, creating an environment of inclusion and diversity
that results in an odd family of expanding love.
From snails to
elephants, each creature adds something different to the mix as the menagerie
grows and hearts expand.
The story excels in
crafting discussion points that adults can raise with kids interested in tales
of love and inclusion.
Water Day by Margarita Engle (9781665918718, $18.99) receives
illustrations by Olivia Sua that enhance the story of an area where water is
scarce. Water is brought in by a water man and his horse, who fill household
tanks with the precious liquid.
This is the perfect
introduction to environmental challenges and adaptations, couched in a
first-person exploration of how life works goes on with limited resources.
Saira Mir's Always Sisters (9781665901567, $18.99)
is illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani, who brings to life the story of a baby
sister who doesn't make it home from the hospital.
The subject of
grieving a sister who has been eagerly anticipated is not typically addressed
for the very young, which makes the discussion opportunities in Always Sisters rare, important, and
highly recommended.
Jan Thomas's Problem Solved! (9781665939997, $15.99)
presents a problem attacked by Porcupine Pete, the problem-solving porcupine.
At first, his
approach seems logical.
It's not long before a
rabbit's messy room quandary turns into a fiasco of impossibilities, because
Porcupine Pete isn't so much a problem-solver as he is able to come up with
creative solutions that actually create more issues.
Is the problem
solved? Not by a long shot.
Kids and parents will
find the oversized drawings and zany situations hilarious.
Xelena González's
Remembering (9781534499638, $18.99)
receives gorgeous drawings by Adriana M. Garcia as it explores the customs of Día
de los Angelitos, one of the rituals in the ceremonies for the Day of the Dead.
The focus on honoring
animal companions who have passed away creates a beautiful, warm account of
family participation and experience in the grieving process which is especially
highly recommended for any child missing a beloved pet.
Robyn McGrath's There's Always Room for One More
(9781665925372, $18.99) receives inviting illustration by Ishaa Lobo as it
surveys a family that expands with a grandfather's addition.
A bigger table is
needed to replace their beloved old family table, and when it arrives, a host
of helping hands provides the support that translates to accepting new people
and memories to love.
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman (9781665942447,
$9.99) continues the Bear saga by presenting a Thanksgiving story about how
Bear creates a nice, big dinner for his friends so he can give thanks to them.
His friends show up
with platters of food ... but Bear continues to fret over the fact that he
actually has nothing to offer, himself, but the ideal of shared largess. What
is Bear to do?
A gentle rhyme
accompanies appealing drawings by Jane Chapman which outlines and enlivens the
dilemma and its resolution.
Frank Asch's Tacos (9781481480666, $18.99) presents
another bear book for ages 4-8 which revolves around a father's business trip
and Baby Bear's first journey with him.
Baby Bear worries
about being far from home; especially when Papa orders a food he's never had
before—tacos.
What will he eat if
he doesn't like them?
This gentle story of
exploration, discovery, and accepting new opportunities will work especially
well as a read-aloud point for discussion.
All are excellent,
standout choices for discriminating picture book collections.
Sleeping Bear Press
www.sleepingbearpress.com
Sleeping Bear Press
has several new picture books that are receive top billing for library
acquisition and parent read-aloud alike.
Beth Kander's Do Not Eat This Book! Fun with Jewish Foods
& Festivals (9781534111882, $18.99) features whimsical, funny
illustrations by Mike Moran as it juxtaposes Yiddish with humor to examine
Jewish experiences and traditions.
A rhyming text
carries readers through various celebrations and related traditional Jewish
foods, with the supporting colorful art bringing everything to life.
Kid-friendly recipes
encourage participation by the very young in a delightfully mouth-watering
celebratory experience.
Bobbie Peyton's Dancing the Tinikling (9781534111967,
$18.99) is illustrated by Diobelle Cerna and follows Jojo, who tries to dance
the hopping tinikling dance even as he also hops between his Filipino
background and American life.
Lola makes it look
easy, so even though Jojo has failed before, he responds to an invitation to
come dance in a story that is uplifting, fun, and informative about Filipino
traditions.
These excellent
titles deserve profile in any children's book collection.
Welsh Monsters &
Mythical Beasts
C.C.J. Ellis
Eye of Newt Books
9781777081775 $29.95
www.eyeofnewtpress.com
Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts is written and illustrated by
C.C.J. Ellis. It explores Welsh heritage with full-page color illustrations
accompanied by details about the mythical creatures which are a large part of
Welsh heritage and culture.
From the dragons of
Dinas Emrys to the giant white, bird-like Adar Llwch Gwin or the gigantic pale
boar Twrch Trwuth, gorgeous illustrations of each myth are accompanied by
documentation of its origins and literary and cultural presence and impact in
Welch lore.
All ages will find Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts alluring and involving, unprecedented in its quality and focus.