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Editor’s Note: Each month, the children’s librarians at Bangor Public Library offer a selection of old classics and new favorites designed to encourage reading and provoke thought in young readers. The books can be purchased at local bookstores or found at your local library.
First books
BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin Jr., pictures by Eric Carle, H. Holt & Co., 1983, 32 pages, hardcover, $15.95.
Originally published in 1967 as part of the Bill Martin Instant Readers Series, its 1983 reprint proved a gangbuster hit with toddlers. It’s easy to see why.
The colorful and slightly outrageous illustrations by Eric Carle and the singsong pattern of Bill Martin Jr.’s words delight young eyes and ears.
Mother’s entrance at the conclusion adds a nurturing element to a story that never seems to bore children.
BLACK ON WHITE and WHITE ON BLACK by Tana Hoban, Greenwillow, 1193, 12 pages, board books $4.95.
Well-known for her concept books, Tana Hoban gives us two remarkable little board books.
As the titles suggest, there are black silhouettes on a white background and vice versa. The black used in both books is a high gloss, adding to its appeal.
The decal attached to the cover says, “High Contrast Perfect for Your Infant.” It’s true. Babies love these two simple books.
Preschool-kindergarten
HARRY THE DIRTY DOG by Gene Zion, illustrations by Margaret B. Graham, HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1956, 32 pages, hardcover $15, paperback $4.95.
Harry, a white dog with black spots, is the kind of dog that likes everything except having a bath. One day, to avoid his bath, Harry hides his scrub brush and runs away.
After having a glorious day of playing in the dirtiest places he can find, Harry returns home only to find that no one can recognize him because he has become a black dog with white spots.
When he decides to dig up his scrub brush, beg for a bath and is finally clean and back to his old self, the family realizes it’s him and lovingly welcomes him home.
Gene Zion has created a story that will appeal to young children, and especially to those who do not like to take baths. The warm, cozy feeling of being loved and safe at home will remain with the reader even after the story ends.
LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE by Kevin Henkes, Greenwillow Books, 1996, 32 pages, hardcover, $15.
If you haven’t heard about “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” then you will soon want to read this one. Lilly is a happy little mouse who loves everything about school, especially her teacher, Mr. Slinger. Every day is wonderful, including the day she brings her brand-new purple plastic purse to school.
But all turns around when she is unable to contain her excitement during class. Consequently Lilly’s purse is set aside by Mr. Slinger until the end of the day. Her sadness over her temporary loss turns to anger, and she places a mean, hurtful picture-note in Mr. Slinger’s book bag. Lilly then finds in her own bag on the way home an understanding note from him. Feeling so badly about her actions is punishment enough for Lilly. Once she apologizes to Mr. Slinger the next day, all is well again.
Readers will feel Lilly’s excitement with the new purse, fear of what the consequences of her behavior will be, agony over her disappointment in herself and then relief when everything is resolved.
Kevin Henkes manages this with his text and expressive detailed illustrations, which will make you chuckle. This irresistable story will remind adults of how such simple events and objects can highlight or upset a young child’s day. Children, parents and teachers also will appreciate how a commonplace issue in the classroom can be dealt with in a calm, fair and understanding manner.
Grades one-three
WILMA UNLIMITED: HOW WILMA RUDOLPH BECAME THE WORLD’S FASTEST WOMAN by Kathleen Krull, illustrations by David Diaz, Harcourt Brace and Co., 1996, 40 pages, $16.
The first sentence grabs you. This dramatic yet simple narrative of a youth hero packs a wallop. By the last page, you will shake your head in amazement.
Krull, a master at snappy nonfiction, deftly communicates the spirit, perseverance and determination of Wilma Rudolph in rhythmic, flowing sentences. Caldecott Award-winning artist Diaz uses realistic photographs and drawings alive with motion and color to accentuate Krull’s bold and powerful story.
Hurrah for the wealth of quality nonfiction available for young people. “Wilma Unlimited” exemplifies this burgeoning genre. It is a book to enlighten, inspire and entertain, a story eager to burst out of its covers, a book triumphant!
WEE GILLIS by Munro Leaf, illustrations by Robert Lawson, Viking Press, 1954, 72 pages, out of print.
Talk about life-shaping decisions: This exuberant tale describes the choice one young Scottish lad must make between life with the highlanders or the lowlanders.
Wee Gillis spends time with both sides of the clan to aid his decision, and his familial experiences unknowingly prepare him for an occupation that settles him into a uniquely comfortable position in his family.
This surprising and memorable fable from the team who gave us “The Story of Ferdinand” is wonderful fun. Skillfully enlivened by Lawson’s animated, humorous black-and-white drawings, “Wee Gillis” puffs up the hearts of bagpipers and warms the hearts of the rest of us.
Grades four-six
THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Harcourt Brace, New York, copyright 1943, 91 pages, hardcover $14, paperback $4.95.
“The Little Prince” is a classic tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupery about a little prince from the planet B-612 who travels to other universes. He has adventures in which he explores and shares experiences with others to find the meaning and importance of life.
Either as imaginitive adventure or a spiritual quest, this book will appeal to children and adults of all ages. The book also is beautifully and simply illustrated by the author and mirrors the quote, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
MAHATMA GANDHI by Caroline Lazo, Dillon Press, New York, 1993, 64 pages, $13.95.
“Mahatma Gandhi” by Caroline Lazo is an excellent book for young readers. This man from India held strong beliefs and ideals which he practiced every day throughout his long life.
Young readers can find inspiration from Gandhi, who changed and moved the world through nonviolence. As Mahatma, which means “great soul,” lived this simple life, he taught others to search for truth and peace, and to spread it throughout the world.
Grades seven and up
ANNE FRANK: THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, by Anne Frank, Doubleday, 1967, 308 pages, hardcover, $24.95.
One of the world’s most moving commentaries on war and its impact on human beings was written by a young girl. Anne Frank’s account of the changes wrought upon eight people hiding out from the Nazis for two years during the occupation of Holland is a remarkable book.
Her diary was the first book I read about the Holocaust. It sparked my interest in reading juvenile fiction-nonfiction selections on the subject.
IN MY ROOM: TEENAGERS IN THEIR BEDROOMS by Adrienne Salinger, Chronicle Books, 1995, unpaged, $17.
Going on the assumption that teen-agers reveal their innermost thoughts in the sanctity of their bedrooms, the editor has done one-on-one interviews with several dozen teens. They talk about their pressures, interpersonal relationships, goals and fears.
Accompanying each essay is a black-and-white photo taken in their bedrooms.
An afterword brings us up to date with developments since the interviews. This enlightening book gives perspective on being a teen in the ’90s.
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