Five new children’s books crossed my desk this month, each one literally taking my breath away as I read these inspirational celebrations of life.

Publisher: Frances Foster Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/2008
ISBN: 9780374399184
ISBN-10: 0374399182

Claire Nivola writes about Wangari Maathai, 2004 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in Planting the Trees of Kenya.  Returning to Kenya after being educated abroad, she finds her native land stripped for commercial farming. So she goes to the women and children and teaches them to plant trees, even to the soldiers saying; “You hold your gun…but what are you protecting? The whole country is disappearing with the wind and water. You should hold the gun in your right hand and a tree seedling in your left. That’s when you become a good soldier.”  30 years and 30 million trees later, her conservation efforts have spread across the continent and across the world.

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/18/2008
ISBN: 9781596432765
ISBN-10: 1596432764

Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad by James Rumford tells the story of a young boy growing up in contemporary Baghdad who likes soccer, music and dancing and most of all, Arabic calligraphy. Inspired by his hero, Yakut, a 13th c. calligrapher, who fled to a tower to write and “shut out the horror” when Baghdad was bombed in 1258. The boy, too, escapes the missiles and bombs to practice his calligraphy in his room. “Funny how easily my pen glides down the long, sweeping hooks of the word “HARB-war”…how stubbornly it resists me when I make the difficult waves and slanted staff of “SALAM-peace”.

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/2008
ISBN: 9780374334994
ISBN-10: 0374334994

As a small boy, artist and author Uri Shulevitz fled Poland with his family in 1939 and lived in one room in a house with strangers in Turkestan. In his story How I Learned Geography, Uri’s father comes home from the market, not with food for his starving family but with a hug map which he hangs on the wall. The boy realizes that map nurtures his artistic soul as his imagination soars and he is swept away to exotic worlds far from his dreary refugee existence. A mini biography on the back page shows the only photo from his childhood remaining—hard for those of us to relate to in this digital photo age.

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/30/2008
ISBN: 9780763637477
ISBN-10: 0763637475

Jane Ray has written an original fairytale called Apple-Pip Princess about the importance of community and environment where sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. Once the kingdom was full of laughter and happiness, trees and birdsong and then the Queen died and the kingdom was filled with sadness. She had given her three daughters each a gift. Her youngest was given a single apple pip-a precious seed-from which to bring hope and life back to the kingdom.

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/1/2007
ISBN: 9780545047166
ISBN-10: 0545047161

Craig Hatkoff truly did captivate me right from the cover to the end with adorable photos of Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World. Born in the Berlin Zoo, he was raised by a zookeeper when his mother showed no interest in doing so. The first four months the zookeeper never left Knut’s side, feeding, grooming, playing him Elvis songs on the guitar and teaching him to swim. Eventually Knut was able to make public appearances and became a “spokesbear” for the plight of wild polar bears, whose habitat is shrinking because of global warming.

Publisher: MGM Home Entertainment
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/5/2006
UPC: 00027616903150

George is just your ordinary eighteen year old bitter college drop out. She doesn’t really know where she is going in life and doesn’t really care, but her mother would like her to get a job. After her job interview, that didn’t go very well, a toilet seat flies out of the sky, bonks her on the head and she dies. But that is not the end of her story, that is only the beginning. In the afterlife she finally gets a job, as a reaper. She and a rag tag crew, while not lounging around at Der Waffle Haus, go around and escort others that die to where they need to go. This is a black comedy with sarcastic biting wit and I just love it.

Publisher: Orbit
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/8/2007
ISBN: 9780316020466
ISBN-10: 031602046X

This is the first book in the Jaz Parks series. Jaz Parks is a sassy girl who really just wants to kick the dust out of some vampires. She works for the F.B.I. trying to take down the ultimate bad guy, which involves a lot of punching and kicking. She works with her partner, Vayl, who happens to be a vampire, which she supposes has its benefits and a few other talented people. While investigating she finds out that she has a special talent too. The second in the series is Another one bites the dust and I can’t wait to read it.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Obsidian
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/4/2007
ISBN: 9780451222688
ISBN-10: 0451222687

Sadie cleans houses, or at least that is what she tells people. She really cleans houses after someone has passed away from natural causes or not. Not only does she have the talent and stomach to handle her cleaning job, but she also can talk to dead people. She helps them move on or in some cases find out who killed them. This is an interesting mystery. I especially liked the career aspect of the story. This is not a career you often hear about, but somebody must do it. I can’t wait until the next one comes out.

Publisher: Signet
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/3/2007
ISBN: 9780451220905
ISBN-10: 0451220900

M.J. is a ghostbuster, but not like those guys from the 80’s with the funny laser backpacks. She has an office and is hired just like any person, then she goes to the place where the ghost is residing and helps them deliver a message or whatever they want so they can move on. But occasionally she comes across a spirit that was helped a little too early to move on. These are fun mysteries with a little quirkyness thrown in. Victoria Laurie also has another series starting with Abby Cooper, psychic eye: A psychic eye mystery.

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/3/2006
ISBN: 9780425207468
ISBN-10: 0425207463

Maggie is a normal girl that wants a change in career so she takes a job at an antiques store. She meets Felicity and they become fast friends. It turns out that Felicity is also a witch, not the black conical hat wearing broom riding kind. Felicity also believes that Maggie may have some powers of her own. Maggie isn’t too sure she believes this let alone wants to allow something like this in her normal life. With a mystery to solve and weird things happening to her, she may have to adapt if she wants to live. This is a start to another paranormal mystery series, the second in the series is A charmed death.

Publisher: Little, Brown
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2007
ISBN: 9780316160094
ISBN-10: 0316160091

A proclamation of what embodies being Latino is defined using the five senses in this picture book.  Children are shown listening to the beauty of their language, feeling the beat of their music, seeing the love in their family, tasting and smelling the richness of their food. This is a great picture book to share with any child to demonstrate the richness of ethnic identity in any culture.

Publisher: Lectorum Pubns
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/2006
ISBN: 9788484702399
ISBN-10: 8484702391

A young bunny believes that he is a super bunny in this funny and brightly illustrated picture book by Stephanie Blake.  As he goes out to catch the bad guys in his super hero costume, he encounters the smallest yet fiercest of enemies – a splinter.  Will our superhero be able to overcome his enemy?  Um, maybe with a little help from mom. 

Publisher: Peachtree Pub Ltd
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2007
ISBN: 9781561454259
ISBN-10: 1561454257

One of my favorite folktales is the story of Martina the beautiful cockroach and her search for the perfect husband.  In this retelling of the folktale, Martina is given advice by her grandmother who tells her that in her search for the right husband she must spill coffee on the shoes of each, “pretendiente”, suitor that proposes matrimony.  Of course, Martina obeys her wise grandma, and after many spills, finds her perfect match.

Publisher: Sony Bmg Music
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/18/2008
UPC: 00886971622522

Ricardo Arjona is an award winning Grammy artist (Best Latin Pop Album 2007) and his latest album which could be perceived as a “best of album” is anything but.  There is so much more included like duets with salsa singer, Marc Anthony on “Historia de Taxi” and a version of “Si el norte fuera el sur” with Mexican ska band Panteon Rococo.  Ricardo Arjona is a master storyteller and his lyrics transport listeners to another place and time.

Publisher: Wea Corp
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/13/2008
UPC: 00075678994753

This album I actually <gasp> bought for my birthday because Jason Mraz is one of my favorite artists.  His sound is the kind I like for a good road trip – the perfect combination of upbeat and rhythmic tunes to help you forget about the price of gas.  It’s not only perfect for a road trip but perfect for lounging and listening to on a sunny morning, afternoon, or a hot humid night.  It’s really just perfect.  If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourselves.

Publisher: Neue Galerie New York
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/20/2007
ISBN: 9783791338347
ISBN-10: 379133834X

Published in conjunction with the Klimt exhibition at the Neue Gallerie New York, this is an exquisite art book that manages to bring the artist to life while providing scholarly commentary, insight on art collecting, Nazi looting, and the Vienna Seccession art movement. The Neue Gallery is one of my very favorite places in New York City, small, charming, with delicious desserts in the tiny cafe and home to Klimt's painting, Adele Bloch-Bauer 1. 

Publisher: Atria Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/5/2005
ISBN: 9780743492607
ISBN-10: 0743492609

After a visual feast of Glimt's art, try this book for a lighter, fictionalized history of Glimt and his model and mistress, the owner of an exclusive fashion house, Emile Floege.  A romantic historical with a backdrop of Vienna in the early twentieth century.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Bantam Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/25/2008
ISBN: 9780440244318
ISBN-10: 0440244315

Lord and Lady Tremaine have the perfect marriage, if you don't mind the fact they haven't seen each other in 10 years.  When Lady Tremaine asks for a divorce to remarry, her husband decides it is time for them to become reacquainted.  Sparks fly, especially when he agrees to the divorce on the condition that first she produces his heir.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Soho Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/1999
ISBN: 9781569471593
ISBN-10: 1569471592

This is the debut mystery in the series featuring Aimee Leduc, detective.  The series also stars Paris -- its streets, gardens, shops, bridges, cafes.  Cara Black, who will be part of the Library's mystery panel in summer 2008, lets you be an armchair traveler while enjoying a fast-paced, intricate, caper.  I have enjoyed each book in the series and eagerly await each new title.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Riverhead Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/20/2007
ISBN: 9781594489426
ISBN-10: 1594489424

I’ve enjoyed a couple of Anne Lamott’s books in the past, and just picked up this one, her latest.  I appreciate her writing style which is casual yet intelligent, and filled with wit and humor. She weaves faith and wisdom in her everyday experiences. I particularly enjoyed the chapter where she talked about the importance of libraries in our communities and called librarians “trail guides through the forest of shelves and aisles”.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Tate Pub.
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/2005
ISBN: 9781854375568
ISBN-10: 1854375563

Yes believe it or not, it’s an alphabet book, but what a book! The bright, vibrant photographs and innovative layout of this book ooze with creativity. I is for imagination indeed.

Publisher: Universal Studios Home Enterta
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/26/2007
UPC: 00025195009126

This was an enjoyable film based on events in the life of champion athlete Dan Millman.  It tells a tale of the power of the human spirit. I particularly appreciated the lessons from his mentor, including one where he said that life has three rules:
Paradox – Life is a mystery, don’t waste time trying to figure it out.
Humor –  Keep a sense of humor, especially about yourself, it is a strength beyond all measures.
Change – Nothing stays the same.

Publisher: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2007
UPC: 00786936727173

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this animated kid’s movie. I guess ultimately I appreciated Remy the rat’s indomitable creative spirit as he follows his passion for cooking. Also check out this Ratatouille cookbook for the kid in each of us:  What’s Cooking: a Cookbook for Kids.

Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/1999
ISBN: 9780802851840
ISBN-10: 0802851843

What can I say, Matisse is genius and I loved this simple tribute to his work by Bijou Le Tord.