bookpagedev

Children's & YA

Digital Photo Magic

Review by bookpagedev

With so many children getting digital cameras this Christmas, why not make sure they know how to use them? An excellent introduction to digital photography is available in Alan Buckingham’s Digital Photo Magic. With easy-to-understand instructions, Buckingham guides novice photographers through taking good pictures, editing them to enhance the quality and adding sophisticated, artful special effects. Let’s say your best friend runs like a gazelle. Using handy pictures of animals (provided on a companion disk), you can cut out the head of an African deer and paste it over the head of your friend. Print it, and voila your friend is now deer-boy! The book also includes a 30-day trial copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, a top-notch photo-editing program.

With so many children getting digital cameras this Christmas, why not make sure they know how to use them? An excellent introduction to digital photography is available in Alan Buckingham's Digital Photo Magic. With easy-to-understand instructions, Buckingham guides novice photographers through taking good pictures,…
Children's & YA

The story of a very bashful boy

Review by bookpagedev

So begins David Lucas’ quirky, charming tale about a most unusual boy. Being shy is hard, especially with a name like Halibut Jackson, which definitely attracts attention. Blending in is what Halibut does best, by making suits that help him become part of the scenery. In the garden, he wears a suit with flowers on it. In the supermarket, it’s hard to tell Halibut from the bin of bright, red apples. And in the library, you guessed it Halibut is decked out in a suit with pictures of books on it. Not only does Halibut blend in, he practically disappears! All this changes when our hero receives an invitation from Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty the Queen is celebrating her Grand Birthday Party. What’s a shy boy like Halibut to do? He longs to see the palace, so Halibut makes himself a suit that will help him blend in perfectly. It’s a suit of silver and gold, covered with jewels.

But how was Halibut to know this was a garden party? Among the guests, he’s the one who stands out the most! Luckily, all turns out well. Halibut finds that his original suits have become a hit, and he develops friendships, soon forgetting all about his shyness. Or almost, for, “although he was still a little shy, it seemed not to matter so very much at all.” Unlike Halibut, artist David Lucas certainly doesn’t try to blend in. His delightful story stands out for its humor, subtle multicultural touches and child-pleasing details. This is the first book from Lucas, an Englishman who studied at the Royal College of Art. But with his warm, playful pictures, keen eye for details and knack for creating endearing heroes, it’s sure to be the first of many. Deborah Hopkinson’s most recent book is Shutting out the Sky.

So begins David Lucas' quirky, charming tale about a most unusual boy. Being shy is hard, especially with a name like Halibut Jackson, which definitely attracts attention. Blending in is what Halibut does best, by making suits that help him become part of the scenery.…
Children's & YA

The Cranium¨ Big Book of Outrageous Fun!

Review by bookpagedev

Any parent who has tried to keep a child occupied during a long wait in a doctor’s office or a cross-country drive will appreciate the wonderfully self-contained entertainment to be found in The Cranium¨ Big Book of Outrageous Fun!. Based on the board game of the same name, The Cranium¨ Big Book is actually much more than a book it’s a reusable, well organized playset sure to keep school-age children entertained for hours (or at least minutes). The activity book has write-on/wipe-off pages (a special pen is included), and a pull-out game board with cards, game pieces and a timer adds to the fun. Sharing all the fun may be difficult, however, so for siblings, we recommend you consider buying more than one!

Any parent who has tried to keep a child occupied during a long wait in a doctor's office or a cross-country drive will appreciate the wonderfully self-contained entertainment to be found in The Cranium¨ Big Book of Outrageous Fun!. Based on the board game of…
RomanceHistorical Romance

Going once, going twice

Review by bookpagedev

Anne McAllister breaks out of series romance with a gusto her fans will love in The Great Montana Cowboy Auction. How do you bring a man back to the ranch after he’s taken Hollywood by storm? For the good folk of Elmer, Montana, the answer is to whip up a cowboy auction with Sloan Gallagher in the starring role.

Sloan’s a reluctant participant; only if the auction’s rigged and he knows he can go home with Polly McMaster will he take on the role. But playing house with Polly makes for one hot-blooded, soft-hearted cowboy longing to leave his boots at her door forever. McAllister loves cowboys and it shows and if you’ve never read one of her great western series novels, you’re gonna love McAllister.

Sandy Huseby writes and reviews from her homes in Fargo, North Dakota, and lakeside in northern Minnesota.

 

Anne McAllister breaks out of series romance with a gusto her fans will love in The Great Montana Cowboy Auction. How do you bring a man back to the ranch after he's taken Hollywood by storm? For the good folk of Elmer, Montana, the…

Children's & YA

Art Auction Mystery

Review by bookpagedev

Henry Hammer is in big trouble, and he needs your help. Henry is the auctioneer at a big art auction house, and the night before a major auction, he receives an anonymous tip with horrible news some of the paintings in his auction have been stolen and replaced with fakes! He has received crucial information to help identify the thieves, but he needs to know which paintings are the forgeries. That’s where you come in. Take out a pencil and paper, and sharpen the lead as well as your eyes; you’re about to embark on an Art Auction Mystery.

Anna Nilsen has created a mystery, a puzzle and an art lesson, all rolled into one. Cleverly illustrated and presented, Art Auction Mystery enables children ages 9-12 to peruse a gallery of famous paintings while comparing them with photographs of the originals to ferret out the forgeries (not to worry, it’s not as difficult as it sounds). If you have a child with an inquisitive streak, one who likes puzzles as well as art, then Art Auction Mystery is a winner.

Henry Hammer is in big trouble, and he needs your help. Henry is the auctioneer at a big art auction house, and the night before a major auction, he receives an anonymous tip with horrible news some of the paintings in his auction have…
Religion & Spirituality

Contract fulfillment

Review by bookpagedev

Do you want to keep this year’s resolutions? Gain insight on what stopped you from pursuing the career of your fantasies? Just in time for the annual post-holiday self-inventory period, Caroline Myss offers guidance in her new book Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential.

In Sacred Contracts, Myss continues her quest to empower readers to imagine their lives as they were meant to be lived and shares practical tools to help them get there. A dynamic speaker and teacher, with many fans in the New Age community, Myss lectures on the chakra system through which each person manages his personal energy and the archetypes that influence the creation and response to one’s life situations. In this new book, she explains the basics of chakras and archetypes and explains how they are related to the sacred contracts that each person draws up prior to birth.

To enjoy Sacred Contracts to its fullest, purchase a journal and record your thoughts as you read. Myss has included many exercises designed to help readers understand the underlying forces that prompt their decisions. Although it doesn’t come with a guarantee, Sacred Contracts is certain to make at least one aspect of your life seem less mysterious.

Do you want to keep this year's resolutions? Gain insight on what stopped you from pursuing the career of your fantasies? Just in time for the annual post-holiday self-inventory period, Caroline Myss offers guidance in her new book Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential.
…

Children's & YA

A boy against the sea

Review by bookpagedev

For 12-year-old Skiff Beaman, being a kid is especially hard. Since his mother died, Skiff’s father has spent most of his time drunk on the living room couch, and Skiff has been forced to be the adult of the family. He’s been bailing out his father’s unused fishing boat for months now, but when it finally sinks at the dock on the last day of school before summer vacation, he’s forced to take drastic action. He’ll get the Mary Rose raised and seaworthy and hopefully get his father off the couch, but he’ll have to raise some money first. The only way Skiff can achieve this is by doing what generations have always done in Spinney Cove, the little New England town he calls home trapping lobsters. With the help of elderly neighbor Amos Woodell, Skiff sets out to do this, but before long his adult life and his kid life come to crosscurrents, and he has no choice but to try something dangerous in order to save both his boat and his father. Although Amos offers as much sage advice and know-how as he can, it’s up to Skiff to find a way to salvage a bad situation when his traps are maliciously de-baited and cut.

Skiff’s world is so smoothly described that we quickly fall into the way of life of a small fishing town. The big fish in Spinney Cove is Jack Croft, a former friend of Skiff’s dad, and the father of Tyler, Skiff’s nemesis. Young readers will relate to the hero’s situation when it comes to coping with bullies, and sadly, many will also identify with having an alcoholic parent. Readers will find inspiration in Skiff’s desperate gamble to turn his life around (though the dangerous chance he takes isn’t recommended). Full of twists and turns that pit man and nature, Philbrick’s newest book holds up well as an homage to Ernest Hemingway’s classic, The Old Man and the Sea. Be sure and fish for The Young Man and the Sea at your local bookseller.

For 12-year-old Skiff Beaman, being a kid is especially hard. Since his mother died, Skiff's father has spent most of his time drunk on the living room couch, and Skiff has been forced to be the adult of the family. He's been bailing out his…
Children's & YA

A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children

Review by bookpagedev

On holidays, Jackie Kennedy told her children that rather than buying presents or cards, they should illustrate a poem to give to family members. Later, these hand-decorated poems were pasted into a special family scrapbook. Now an adult with children of her own, Caroline Kennedy presents A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children, her loving gift to poetry readers of all ages, but especially those young enough to prefer sitting in a loved one’s lap to reading on their own, splashing in puddles to carefully treading the sidewalk and making mud pies to baking the real thing. Though Kennedy selected these poems for children, you’ll find no Dr. Seuss here; this is classic poetry, timeless poetry, great poetry. Both famous and little-known poems by Alexander Pope, Ted Hughes, Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Walt Whitman, and many others are carefully arranged in sections that speak to a child’s view of the world: About Me, That’s So Silly!, Animals, The Seasons, The Seashore, Adventure and Bedtime. Jon J. Muth’s rich watercolors draw the reader in, adding insight and suggesting parallels between poems. A Family of Poems is a collection to be cherished by young readers and savored in the company of the ones they love.

On holidays, Jackie Kennedy told her children that rather than buying presents or cards, they should illustrate a poem to give to family members. Later, these hand-decorated poems were pasted into a special family scrapbook. Now an adult with children of her own, Caroline Kennedy…
Children's & YAPicture Book

Captivating portrait of Buddha

Review by bookpagedev

There are hundreds even thousands of religions in the world today, and each has its own history. From Christianity and the birth of Christ, Islam and the revelations of Muhammad, to Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha himself, it is critical that our children learn the importance and individuality of different faiths. The Prince Who Ran Away is the perfect tool for getting kids interested in other cultures and religions. The story of Gautama Buddha, the book narrates the events of his childhood and explains how his teachings became the basis of one of the world’s five major religions.

Author of over 100 books, Anne Rockwell delights here with a captivating tale that is sure to keep the attention of children ages 7-10. Beginning with his prophetic birth in a forest of flowering trees in India, Rockwell recounts the life of Buddha, highlighting the dedication and kindness he came to possess as he matured. Over the course of this little biography, Buddha realizes his compassion for his people. He begs, fasts, meditates and preaches, all of which lead to his spiritual awakening.

The illustrations are what truly make this book outstanding. With the use of vibrant colors, illustrator Fahimeh Amiri draws readers right into the tale from the beginning. The exotic Indian setting is wonderfully rendered. Among the many images that stand out is one in which the Buddha is looked upon by Mara, the Evil One. The brilliant reds, blues, greens and yellows bring the illustration to life. The most amazing image, however, is a picture of Buddha meditating under a fig tree and being taunted by Mara’s demons. Each demon is perfectly drawn to depict the Evil One’s terror, but each is also charming enough to be pleasing to the young eye. Amiri, a native of Iran, has contributed remarkably authentic illustrations. His collaboration with veteran author Rockwell adds up to a first-rate story. The Prince Who Ran Away is the perfect addition to any family’s library.

Karen Van Valkenburg is a book publicist in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

There are hundreds even thousands of religions in the world today, and each has its own history. From Christianity and the birth of Christ, Islam and the revelations of Muhammad, to Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha himself, it is critical that our…

Children's & YAPicture Book

Solving a nautical puzzle

Review by bookpagedev

At first glance, longitude doesn’t seem like a topic with the makings of a page-turner. But under Louise Borden’s sure hand, children and adults alike will find themselves caught up in the amazing saga of an important scientific challenge when they read Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude.

For centuries, sailors were able to measure latitude, their location north or south of the equator, by using the sun and the stars. But determining longitude was a different matter. Over the years, many lives were lost at sea through miscalculations. Eventually, it was determined that the solution to the problem was a clock that could keep absolutely accurate time so that sailors could know what hour it was back at their home ports. In this way, they’d be able to calculate longitude. But building a sea clock proved to be difficult, since rolling ships and weather all affected the timepieces.

In 1714 the English Parliament offered a reward of 20,000 pounds sterling (equal to several million dollars today) to anyone who could build an accurate sea clock. The man who ultimately solved the puzzle was John Harrison, an English clock maker. The arduous task of building the device became his life’s work. Although he had no scientific training, Harrison, along with his son William, struggled for more than 40 years to create a working sea clock, or chronometer, that met the requirements. Harrison actually built four different models and was finally awarded the prize in 1773, just three years before his death.

In her new picture book, Louise Borden manages a feat almost as difficult as Harrison’s by making his story dramatic and accessible to young readers and explaining in simple terms the complexities he faced. Borden appropriately keeps the focus on the inventor’s struggle, while offering a clear explanation of the significance of his work. Erik Blegvad’s watercolors bring an elegant, old-fashioned feel to the narrative. With an author’s note, as well as a short section on some facts of Harrison’s life story, this is a wonderful work of scientific history that young readers will love.

At first glance, longitude doesn't seem like a topic with the makings of a page-turner. But under Louise Borden's sure hand, children and adults alike will find themselves caught up in the amazing saga of an important scientific challenge when they read Sea Clocks:…
Children's & YA

Cool Stuff and How It Works

Review by bookpagedev

Cool Stuff and How It Works has got to be one of the most aptly named books ever. Former IBM information designer Chris Woodford leads a team of writers with a marvelous knack for explaining technical concepts in an accessible manner. Cool Stuff is divided into six chapters exploring themes ranging from Connect (cell phones, fiber optics, pet translators) and Move (submersibles, black boxes, space shuttle) to Survive (laser surgery, bionic limbs, bio chips). The writers frequently draw connections between technology and nature, mentioning the bioluminescence of fireflies and jellyfish in a discussion of neon, for example. They also highlight new spins on old tech devices a digital pen, a Swiss Army knife/flash memory drive.

These colorful pages are packed with diagrams, images and text boxes, perfect for the way today’s kids process information. The book uses scanning imagery colored X-rays, MRI and thermal to show the inner structure of such things as an electric guitar, an MP3 player, a washing machine and even a head listening to headphones. Cool Stuff would make the perfect gift for the kid in your life who likes to dismantle household gadgets and try to put them back together (not always successfully).

Cool Stuff and How It Works has got to be one of the most aptly named books ever. Former IBM information designer Chris Woodford leads a team of writers with a marvelous knack for explaining technical concepts in an accessible manner. Cool Stuff is…
Children's & YAMiddle Grade

Fruitful American tale re-told

Review by bookpagedev

What is it about apples? Without a doubt, there’s something wonderfully intriguing about the mythical, natural fruit. Sweet and crunchy satisfying two of the basic requirements for enjoyable eating they’re always available and easy to carry. So, when kids, being the curious creatures they are, ask "where do apples come from?" be sure to tell them the tale of Johnny Appleseed.

Along with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman and sundry others, Johnny Appleseed is one of the first American folk heroes kids learn about in school. The yarn about the man who walked the land in the years following the Revolutionary War, planting seeds and zealously extolling the merits of the fruit, is refreshingly retold in Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend. Will Moses, great-grandson of one of America’s most revered artists, Anna Mary Robertson (better known as Grandma Moses), combines a folksy narrative of this eccentric character with his own homespun illustrations.

For those of you who may have forgotten, Mr. Appleseed, born in 1774, was really named John Chapman. He grew up in a large family, and once he was old enough to strike out on his own set out to seek his fortune. During his travels he discovered the perfect food, which was "good for just about everything . . . you could make dried apples, apple butter, applesauce, apple pie, apple cider, apple brandy, applejack, apple vinegar and best of all, apples just tasted so good." Like a missionary, Chapman spread the word about apples, preaching the virtues of the fruit and bestowing gifts of small trees or seeds wherever he went, virtually covering the countryside with apples. It’s probably thanks to him that "American as apple pie" is used so often in speaking of patriotic fervor.

Moses’ depictions of colonial life are a treat for all readers. His landscapes will remind many of his great-grandmother’s quaint, rustic style. Best of all, parents will enjoy reading Johnny Appleseed to their kids and recalling when they first heard the story of this celebrated American folk hero.

Ron Kaplan writes from Montclair, New Jersey.

What is it about apples? Without a doubt, there's something wonderfully intriguing about the mythical, natural fruit. Sweet and crunchy satisfying two of the basic requirements for enjoyable eating they're always available and easy to carry. So, when kids, being the curious creatures they are,…

Children's & YAMiddle Grade

A small-town girl’s big-city dreams

Review by bookpagedev

<B>A small-town girl’s big-city dreams</B> To 12-year-old Pattie Mae Sheals, Uncle Buddy Bush is a man worthy of adoration: he’s clever and handsome and not interested in the country ways of 1940s Rich Square, North Carolina. Buddy, who lived in Harlem for many years, knows there are places in America where black people don’t have to enter a movie theater through the back door, places where confidence among African Americans is just as acceptable as deference.

Pattie Mae, heroine of Shelia P. Moses’ new teen novel <B>The Legend of Buddy Bush</B>, lives with her mother and works hard, picking and chopping the cucumber, strawberry and cotton crops right alongside the grownups. She dreams of the day when she will live with her older sister in Harlem, where people have running water, and nobody lives in a former slave house. Shelia Moses, a poet and producer, as well as co-author of Dick Gregory’s <I>A Callus on My Soul</I>, gives the character of Pattie Mae a singular warmth and humor. The child’s love for her grandparents is palpable, and her observations of the relationships among her family members are wry and wise. Pattie Mae may be young, but she quickly realizes the implications of her uncle’s wrongful arrest for attempting to rape a white woman, and she joins her family in their despair, confusion and fear. The story does end on a hopeful note, though, as she gets to take a trip up North. Lending heft to an already engrossing and affecting story, Moses includes a fascinating author’s note at the novel’s end. A native of Rich Square, North Carolina, she reveals that <B>The Legend of Buddy Bush</B> is based on a true story, and she includes photos of the people and places in her life that inspired the characters and settings. This section serves as the perfect grace note to a compelling composition. <I>Linda M. Castellitto writes from Rhode Island.</I>

<B>A small-town girl's big-city dreams</B> To 12-year-old Pattie Mae Sheals, Uncle Buddy Bush is a man worthy of adoration: he's clever and handsome and not interested in the country ways of 1940s Rich Square, North Carolina. Buddy, who lived in Harlem for many years, knows…

Sign Up

Stay on top of new releases: Sign up for our newsletter to receive reading recommendations in your favorite genres.

Sign up now

Trending Features

All Features