January Book Reviews
By Selene Vasquez
Celebrate the new year with the latest and greatest in books!
PICTURE BOOK: AGES 5 THRU 8
Pirate Treasure Hunt!
by Jan Peck. Illustrated by Adrian Tans
(Pelican, unpaged, $15.95)
“Wanted: Pirates/No experience or bath needed.” The quest begins in this swashbuckling hilarious readaloud with lots of “Arrrrrrrrhs!” and “Shiver me timbers!” Detailed oil paintings of pajama-clad kiddies swinging thru jungle-vines and navigating the crocodile-infested waters of an imaginary land.
The Firefighters
by Sue Whiting. Illustrated by Donna Rawlins
(Candlewick Press, unpaged, $15.99)
In Mrs. Iverson’s classroom, cardboard boxes are magically transformed into fire engines, paper tubes are fire hoses, and scarfs are oxygen masks. Bright, primary colored acrylic illustrations perfect for introducing fire safety.
FICTION: AGES 8 THRU 12
The Houdini Box
by Brian Selznick
(Atheneum, unpaged, $17.99)
A would-be magician named Victor encounters his hero Harry Houdini and is even given a prize box that offers up an amazing discovery! An intriguing tale with bonus biographical information on the great Houdini and illustrated magic tricks.
NONFICTION: AGES 8 THRU 12
Underwear: What We Wear Down There
by Ruth Freeman Swain
Illustrated by John O’brian
(Holiday House, 32 pp., $16.95).
With an energetic writing style and humorous artwork, learn the chronological progression of different types of underwear throughout the ages. A fun selection on the history of clothing for future little fashion designers.#
Selene Vasquez is a media specialist at Orange Brook Elementary School in Hollywood, Florida.
