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The World's Greatest Elephant |
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| Author: |
Ralph D. Helfer |
 Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0399241906 |
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From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5–From her early days in Germany to a starring role in Americas Ringling Brothers Circus by way of shipwreck and months of teak hauling in India, Modocs story matches her larger-than-life size. The elephants life is intertwined with that of a boy with whom she was raised from infancy and who became her longtime circus partner. According to the book jacket, the author owned Modoc for the last 20 years of her life. The story is adapted from his adult book, Modoc. The large picture-book format is the typical choice for Lewins fine watercolors, boldly portraying the dramatic episodes of the elephants life and the story of friendship, separation, and reunion. This bold and heartwarming adventure tale should have wide appeal.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright © Reed Business... |
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Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War |
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| Author: |
Yukio Tsuchiya |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0395861373 |
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From Publishers Weekly
A zookeeper narrates the story of how there came to be graves at the zoo: when Tokyo was showered with bombs during the bleak days of World War II, the authorities feared that if the zoo were destroyed, the animals might accidentally be freed and wreak havoc on the city. So they decided that all the zoo animals would be killed. But the elephants wouldn't eat the poisonous food they were offered, and the needles in the syringes containing poison broke before they could penetrate the elephants' rough skin. So the elephants were starved to death, a slow and painful process watched by the zookeepers who loved them. An upsetting story for children or adults, this powerfully conveys the deadly side effects of war. Lewin's watercolors show the massive gray bodies in their state of decline; it is impossible not to... |
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Island of the Blue Dolphins |
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| Author: |
Scott O'Dell (Illustrator) |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0395536804 |
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Book Review
Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Medal for Island of the Blue Dolphins in 1961, and in 1976 the Children's Literature Association named this riveting story one of the 10 best American children's books of the past 200 years. O'Dell was inspired by the real-life story of a 12-year-old American Indian girl, Karana. The author based his book on the life of this remarkable young woman who, during the evacuation of Ghalas-at (an island off the coast of California), jumped ship to stay with her young brother who had been abandoned on the island. He died shortly thereafter, and Karana fended for herself on the island for 18 years. O'Dell tells the miraculous story of how Karana forages on land and in the ocean, clothes herself (in a green-cormorant skirt and an otter cape on special occasions), and secures shelter.... |
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Peppe the Lamplighter |
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| Author: |
Elisa Bartone |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0688154697 |
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| Availability: |
Usually ships within 24 hours. |
From Publishers Weekly
Bartone deftly vivifies a slice of American history--and the immigrant experience--in this touching story of a boy's quest to win his sick father's respect. In New York City's Little Italy at the turn of the century, Peppe must support his eight sisters and cantankerous father. His job as lamplighter takes on mythic proportions as he brings light to the streets--"a small flame of promise for the future"--and eventually drives away the doubts that darken his father's heart. With its evocative descriptions of an earlier era, Bartone's thoughtful, fluid text, while uniquely personal, is universal in scope. Lewin's dramatically rendered watercolors, their grim realism shot through with lamplight, perfectly suit the mood. These detailed street scenes, with their honest faces and authentic period garb, exhibit a... |
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One Green Apple |
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| Author: |
Eve Bunting |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0618434771 |
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Review
Booklist, ALA, Starred Review : "This poignant, attractive offering fills a growing need for picture books about contemporary immigrants of Arab descent." BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW
Kirkus Reviews : "[A] gentle story about being new and different, with the author delivering her message in her classically subtle style." KIRKUS
Book Description
Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn't speak. It's hard being the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make... |
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Mother Teresa |
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| Author: |
Patricia Reilly Giff |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0140322256 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 3-4 days. |
From Publishers Weekly
The story of the Nobel Peace prizewinner, eloquently told. Ages 711. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8 Giff's account of the 1977 Nobel Prize winner differs from at least five other juvenile titles issued since 1981 because Giff showsespecially to non-Catholic readersthe religious background that led her to join nuns in Calcutta and to serve the poorest of the poor in the world's most crowded slums. Giff uses short sentences, wisely selected anecdotes and pronunciation helps as she shows that one individual can change the world by helping the nearest person because she sees God in everyone. A significant contribution is the mention of the Sisters' respect for each child's Hindu, Muslim or Christian faith in education and... |
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Rachel Carson |
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| Author: |
Kathleen Kudlinski |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0140322426 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 3-4 days. |
Card catalog description
A biography of the scientist and writer whose book "Silent Spring" warned of the dangers of pesticides and launched a popular movement to control their use.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Day of Ahmed's Secret |
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| Author: |
Florence H. Parry |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0688140238 |
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From Publishers Weekly
In this admirable introduction to life in an alien culture, readers are whisked to the busy streets of Cairo--where young Ahmed is making his daily rounds on a donkey cart, delivering large canisters of butane gas. The city is presented through his eyes, and text and illustration work together in harmony to produce a sense of place so vivid that readers can almost hear the cry of vendors in the crowded marketplace and feel the heat rising from the streets. On this particular day, Ahmed carries a secret with him (he has learned to write his name in Arabic), one children will enjoy trying to guess. The authors have produced fluid prose, and Lewin's sensitive, luminous watercolors hint at the mystery and timelessness of this exotic city. Ages 6-9. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers... |
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The Girl on the High-Diving Horse |
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| Author: |
Linda Oatman High |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0142402788 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 2-3 days. |
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-In 1936, a girl and her father, a professional photographer, spend a summer in Atlantic City, NJ. As they stroll the boardwalk, they are greeted by amazing sights, from card-playing cats to boxing kangaroos. However, to Ivy Cordelia, nothing is more wondrous than the high-diving horses and their riders. She meets the two sisters, Arnette and Sonora, who care for and ride the animals, and they let Ivy help them. At the end of August, the child dreads leaving the horses, but has her dream come true. Arnette lifts her on to Red Lips, gets on herself, and they dive into the tank below. This gently told story captures a small piece of history that must have created unforgettable memories for those who visited the Steel Pier. The muted tones of the illustrations are reminiscent of old postcards.... |
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The Secret of the Indian |
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| Author: |
Lynne Reid Banks |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0380710404 |
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From Publishers Weekly
In this sequel to The Indian in the Cupboard and The Return of the Indian , Omri and Patrick foil a burglary and are forced to share their secret of time travel; in PW 's words, "This fantasy-adventure is gracefully enhanced by a powerful concern for the care of all human beings." Ages 8-12. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-- It takes a cyclone to bring things to an acceptable conclusion for Omri, his friend Patrick, and the plastic figures turned into people from the past who inhabit Omri's room with the help of magic key and a special cupboard. Readers of The Indian in the Cupboard (1985) and Return of the Indian (1986, both Doubleday) will want to know what happens, especially to Little Bear; his wife, Bright Stars;... |
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National Velvet |
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| Author: |
Enid Bagnold |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0380810565 |
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Book Description
The timeless story of spirited Velvet Brown and her beloved horse has thrilled generations of readers. And now the republication of this classic story in a fresh, up-to-date package will charm confirmed fans while captivating new ones. Fourteen-year-old Velvet is determined to turn her untamed horse into a champion and personally ride him to victory in the world's greatest steeplechase, the Grand National.
Card catalog description
A fourteen-year-old English girl wins a horse in a raffle, trains it, and rides it in the Grand National steeplechase.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews
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Top to Bottom Down Under |
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| Author: |
Ted Lewin |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0688141137 |
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| Availability: |
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From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–An attractive addition to the Lewins' personal adventure series, which includes Gorilla Walk (1999) and Elephant Quest (2000, both HarperCollins). Ted's handsome, realistic watercolors are complemented by Betsy's colorful field sketches as the two explore Kakadu National Park and Kangaroo Island, respectively, in the hot north and chilly south of the Australian continent. Salt-water crocodiles, dingoes, an echidna, and a platypus are among the wildlife observed, as are encounters with some brush-tailed possums and smallish kangaroos that aggressively demand the Lewins' dinner at "tucker" time (Australian lingo is defined). A few black-and-tan sketches of Aboriginal life are included, oddly labeled "all circa 1900," with no explanation. Nonetheless, this eye-catching and informative title is a... |
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Zia |
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| Author: |
Scott O'Dell |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0395243939 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 2-3 days. |
From Publishers Weekly
Zia and her brother set out to rescue their aunt, Karana, in this sequel to the Newbery Award-winning Island of the Blue Dolphins. Ages 9-12. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Review
Publishers Weekly : "Bound to be among the outstanding books of the year."
See all Editorial Reviews
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Faithful Elephants |
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| Author: |
Yukio Tsuchiya |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0395465559 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 2-3 days. |
From Publishers Weekly
A zookeeper narrates the story of how there came to be graves at the zoo: when Tokyo was showered with bombs during the bleak days of World War II, the authorities feared that if the zoo were destroyed, the animals might accidentally be freed and wreak havoc on the city. So they decided that all the zoo animals would be killed. But the elephants wouldn't eat the poisonous food they were offered, and the needles in the syringes containing poison broke before they could penetrate the elephants' rough skin. So the elephants were starved to death, a slow and painful process watched by the zookeepers who loved them. An upsetting story for children or adults, this powerfully conveys the deadly side effects of war. Lewin's watercolors show the massive gray bodies in their state of decline; it is impossible not to... |
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A. Lincoln and Me |
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| Author: |
Louise W. Borden |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0590457152 |
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| Availability: |
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From Publishers Weekly
The gangly narrator of this earnest tale shares a birthday with Abraham Lincoln; moreover, the boy has big hands and feet and is "skinny as a beanpole/ and tall for my age." When his outsize features invite teasing from classmates, his kind, articulate teacher, Mrs. Giff, also draws on the boy's resemblance to the famous president: "Lincoln had big hands, too. Strong hands.... Strong enough to split rails for a fence, and wrestle two men at a time, and pull 36 states back together.... Big hands and a big heart." Lewin's (Peppe the Lamplighter) realistic watercolor portraits bring the youngster and his changing emotions into close focus, while rough background sketches render the former president. The juxtaposition of these elements simultaneously conveys the feel of two distinct eras and reinforces the parallels... |
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Lost City: The Discovery of Macchu Picchu |
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| Author: |
T. LEWIN |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0399233024 |
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| Availability: |
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From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-In 1911, Hiram Bingham and a team of archaeologists went in search of Vilcapampa, the legendary lost city of the Inca. In this picture-book account of that expedition, Lewin relates Bingham's journey from Cusco to the jungles of Peru and from there, led by a local child, to mountaintop ruins. The site wasn't Vilcapampa, but rather an isolated, impenetrable ancient city of temples, dwellings, plazas, and terraces connected by steep staircases. Distinguished double-page watercolor paintings capture the grandeur of the location, the monumental solidity of the Inca stonework, and the surrounding jungle. The final pages continue the story with information on the work involved in preparing the ruins for excavation and some initial findings and include a useful pronunciation guide to Spanish and Quechua... |
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