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Barbie has some free time this summer, and she’s doing a variety of crafts that are simple and colorful. She introduces over 20 projects in her Barbie Fun-to-Make Activity Book, a book intended for ages 3Ð7. Beginning with the table of contents that includes bright pictures of the finished activities, we know this is an easy book for kids or parents to read and follow. Photographs of the materials are shown at the beginning of each section. Most of the materials are inexpensive and easy to find. The creative results are eye-catching things to wear, display, and even eat. Girls will enjoy planning the varying projects and reading each craft’s accompanying text. They may decorate T-shirts, make friendship bracelets, create decorative braids and tiaras, make book markers, picture frames, paper flowers and parfaits. The creations are perfect for keeping or for giving as gifts. With this book, children could plan an entire party: invitations, hats, decorations, and party favors. Though the book is primarily for girls, boys might enjoy making many of the crafts and food items. Few how-to books are as usable as this one. The book’s full size makes it easy to read and to keep open for directions. Each activity has step-by-step instructions and photographs. Some materials will need to be purchased, but others such as old magazines, you may have on hand. This book is a wonderful source for indoor summer fun with Barbie.

Jana Benjamin is the mother of two.

Told in bouncy rhyme, author H.M. Ehrlich’s Dr. Duck pays tender tribute to a dedicated doctor and his care-giving group of grateful patients. Dr. Duck, an aging country doctor, is a busy man. He gets up early every day and heads out in his big, red van to see his menagerie of patients.

He treats weasels, beavers, and rabbits, calms a worried mouse, and cares for a crow with a broken toe. He gives “Cough syrup for a sheep / Who had a bad flu. / Pink pills for a cow / too hoarse to moo.” Then at the end of a long day, Dr. Duck returns home feeling a bit under the weather. Dr. Duck takes care of all the animals when they are ill, but who will take care of him when he gets sick? In no time at all, his own patients arrive, ready to practice the doctor’s own brand of tender care.

Ehrlich finds simple, clever rhymes for every illness, even managing one for the croup. His sweet-natured story expresses the caring relationship between doctor and patient. Illustrator Laura Rader creates a sunny, cheerful animal community with her colorful watercolors. From a rabbit with measles to Mother Skunk’s babies getting shots for rabies, Rader captures a variety of ailments with humor and skill.

Dr. Duck’s animal patients, eager to administer a little tender loving care to their beloved doctor, demonstrate great lessons of compassion and generosity.

Dr. Duck is a picture book perfect for young readers stuck in bed with their own coughs and colds. Making house calls to any home, Dr. Duck and his band of patients are ready to administer a little laughter and loving kindness.

My friend Nell knew a little boy who was a real terror, and, much to her surprise, he grew up and turned out to be a superb father. “How do you do it?” she once asked. “What makes you such a good dad?” “The Little Prince,” he told her. “I’ve always loved that book, and whenever I need help, I just think about what advice it has.” Yes, this is a book that teaches the important things in life, and teaches it well. Nell’s friend is hardly alone in his reverence, since The Little Prince is said to be rated just below the Bible as one of the most widely read books in the world. In fact, that little fellow has kept translators busy telling the tale in 95 different languages In honor of the 100th anniversary of Saint ExupŽry’s birth, Harcourt has issued a new English translation from the French by award-winning translator Richard Howard, complete with newly restored art. And what a treat it is, whether you’re an old fan or a newcomer to this special story.

Readers may wonder why it was necessary to translate a classic after 57 years of unflagging popularity. Many are bound to be suspicious, in fact. But scholars have long criticized the previous edition as being unfaithful to the original French text. Readers should be relieved to know that Howard is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, and his language is much smoother and more natural than that found in previous editions, all the while preserving the charm of the dialogue between the little prince and the stranded pilot who befriends him.

Consider, for example, this short sample of Howard’s work: “I really like sunsets. Let’s go look at one now. . .” “But we have to wait. . .” “What for?” “For the sun to set.” At first you seemed quite surprised, and then you laughed at yourself. And you said to me, “I think I’m still at home.” Now take a look at the same passage in the old translation: “I am very fond of sunsets. Come, let us go look at a sunset now.” “But we must wait,” I said.

“Wait? For what?” “For the sunset. We must wait until it is time.” At first you seemed to be very much surprised. And then you laughed to yourself. You said to me: “I am always thinking that I am at home!” This less stilted speech is accompanied by Saint ExupŽry’s original watercolors, now more closely matched to the colors he intended. For instance, the author-illustrator painted the prince’s cape green, when lo, these many years it’s been blue.

Here, Little Prince fans, is the definitive edition. Happy birthday, Saint ExupŽry, and may your book inspire not only happy readers, but future fathers and mothers as well.

Alice Cary writes from her home in Groton, Massachusetts.

My friend Nell knew a little boy who was a real terror, and, much to her surprise, he grew up and turned out to be a superb father. “How do you do it?” she once asked. “What makes you such a good dad?” “The Little Prince,” he told her. “I’ve always loved that book, and whenever I need help, I just think about what advice it has.” Yes, this is a book that teaches the important things in life, and teaches it well. Nell’s friend is hardly alone in his reverence, since The Little Prince is said to be rated just below the Bible as one of the most widely read books in the world. In fact, that little fellow has kept translators busy telling the tale in 95 different languages In honor of the 100th anniversary of Saint ExupŽry’s birth, Harcourt has issued a new English translation from the French by award-winning translator Richard Howard, complete with newly restored art. And what a treat it is, whether you’re an old fan or a newcomer to this special story.

Readers may wonder why it was necessary to translate a classic after 57 years of unflagging popularity. Many are bound to be suspicious, in fact. But scholars have long criticized the previous edition as being unfaithful to the original French text. Readers should be relieved to know that Howard is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, and his language is much smoother and more natural than that found in previous editions, all the while preserving the charm of the dialogue between the little prince and the stranded pilot who befriends him.

Consider, for example, this short sample of Howard’s work: “I really like sunsets. Let’s go look at one now. . .” “But we have to wait. . .” “What for?” “For the sun to set.” At first you seemed quite surprised, and then you laughed at yourself. And you said to me, “I think I’m still at home.” Now take a look at the same passage in the old translation: “I am very fond of sunsets. Come, let us go look at a sunset now.” “But we must wait,” I said.

“Wait? For what?” “For the sunset. We must wait until it is time.” At first you seemed to be very much surprised. And then you laughed to yourself. You said to me: “I am always thinking that I am at home!” This less stilted speech is accompanied by Saint ExupŽry’s original watercolors, now more closely matched to the colors he intended. For instance, the author-illustrator painted the prince’s cape green, when lo, these many years it’s been blue.

Here, Little Prince fans, is the definitive edition. Happy birthday, Saint ExupŽry, and may your book inspire not only happy readers, but future fathers and mothers as well.

Alice Cary writes from her home in Groton, Massachusetts.