Maybe electronic books led to catastrophe for Borders. But I went into the Tacoma store twice during the going-out-of-business sale, once early and once at the end. The first time the kids’ books were 75 percent gone, the last time they were history. At both visits, people had loads of books cradled in their arms and piled in baskets.
At my school library recently, second-graders literally grabbed “Geronimo Stilton” books out of my hands as I carried a pile back to the rack. That kind of book frenzy isn’t an isolated incident.
I’m no Luddite. Kindles, Nooks and iPads are cool. I want one or the other before long. But it’s hard to see any of them replacing a child and parent snuggled with a picture book. It’s hard to picture them replacing those worn copies of Harry Potter that traveled from bedroom to bedroom and back again as my kids were growing up.
This is a backdoor way of leading into my last children’s book column for The News Tribune – at least for the time being. My passion for kid’s books isn’t going anywhere, however, and I will continue writing about them. Note my blog listed at the end of this column so you can follow future reviews and find links to other great children’s literature sites.
Meanwhile, here are some fabulous new titles for summer.
“Red Wagon,” by Renata Liwska: Lucy Fox wants to play with her new wagon. Her mother wants her to go to the market. With a friend and imagination, Lucy completes the chore and has a fine time pretending. Liwska’s soft, exquisite illustrations depict the fancy, while her words tell a straightforward tale. The wagon is a covered wagon, a rocket ship and a train – and the vegetables make it home. (Philomel, 32 pages, $16.99, ages 4-8.)
“Junonia,” by Kevin Henkes: Alice Rice and her parents are returning to the beach cottage on Sanibel Island, Fla., where she’s always celebrated her birthday. This year she’ll be 10 – her most important birthday yet and Alice hopes the vacation will be perfect. Maybe she’ll even find a rare Junonia shell. But unsettling things begin to happen. Some of the regular neighbors don’t show. And there’s a difficult new 6-year-old girl to deal with. But by the end of this lovely, evocative novel, the summer has provided opportunities for growth for Alice. Award-winning author-illustrator Henkes (“Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” “Kitten’s First Full Moon”) continues to impress. (Greenwillow, 176 pages, $15.99, ages 8 and older.)
“Three Bears of the Pacific Northwest,” by Marcia and Richard Vaughan, illustrated by Jeremiah Trammell: Begin a picture book with the words “High in the Cascade Mountains” and get on our good side. The engaging adventure tale features two real Northwest bears who help find the boy belonging to a small blue teddy who’s fallen out of a trailer. The Vaughans of Vashon Island also deliver solid information about regional flora and fauna. Seattle resident Trammell paints an evocative picture of the Northwest. (Sasquatch Books, 32 pages, $16.95, ages 3 and older.)
“The Secret Box,” by Barbara Lehman: There are no words in this book, but there’s plenty to read. As in all her books, Caldecott-honor illustrator Lehman (“The Red Book”) creates a complex, surreal story involving time travel, hidden boxes, schoolboys, a map and a carnival on a pier. Children will puzzle over the pages with delight. (Houghton Mifflin, 44 pages, $15.99, ages 6 and older.)
“Jam & Honey,” by Melita Morales, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant: That bee is just as scared of you. That’s one premise of this gentle story told from two points of view, a little girl gathering berries for jam in an urban garden and a young honeybee leaving its home to gather nectar for a honeycomb. The story’s lilting rhyme and lovely illustrations might be helpful to adults trying to convince a panicky child to “stand still and it won’t hurt you!” (Tricycle Press, 32 pages, $15.99, ages 3 to 5.)
“Queen of the Falls,” by Chris Van Allsburg: The latest by the Caldecott-medal winning creator of the “Polar Express” is the true story of an out-of-work charm school teacher who plunges over Niagara Falls in a barrel – and survives. The tale of the get-rich scheme hatched in 1901 by 60-year-old Annie Edison Taylor becomes thrilling, fascinating and ultimately sad in Van Allsburg’s masterful hands. (Taylor’s plans for fame and fortune fizzle.) The expressive sepia illustrations are marvelous. (Houghton Mifflin, 40 pages, $18.99, ages 7 and older.)
• Also to put on the list for summer consideration are a slew of new sequels and next-in-series.
“Ruby Lu, Star of the Show,” by Lenore Look: Spirited Ruby is back for a third tale set in Seattle. This one is timely – Ruby’s dad loses his job. (Atheneum, 136 pages, $15.99, ages 8 and older.)
“The Lemonade Crime,” by Jacqueline Davis: In “The Lemonade War,” Evan and his younger math-whiz sister Jessie competed to see who could sell the most lemonade. In the sequel, they stage a trial attempting to prove their classmate stole $208 of their profits. (Houghton Mifflin, 152 pages, $15.99, ages 8 and older.)
“Theodore Boone: The Abduction,” by John Grisham: A follow-up to the best-selling author’s gripping first novel for youngsters (“Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer), this thriller has young Boone investigating the disappearance of his best friend, April. (Dutton, 256 pages, $16.99, ages 9-12, on sale June 6.)
“Okay for Now,” by Gary D. Schmidt: In this companion to his Newbery honor book “The Wednesday Wars,” Schmidt gives the limelight to the classmate of the first book’s protagonist. Doug Swietek is dealing with an abusive father, a brother traumatized by the Vietnam War, and folks who don’t trust him. A new friendship and the library provide a haven. (Clarion, 360 pages, $16.99, ages 10 and older.)
“The Last Little Blue Envelope,” by Maureen Johnson: In “13 Little Blue Envelopes,” Ginny had a European adventure completing tasks her aunt created for her before she died. But someone stole Ginny’s backpack and the last envelope. In the sequel, an English boy who has the backpack and letter contacts Ginny. (HarperTeen, 282 pages, $16.99, ages 12 and older.)
“Alex Rider: Scorpia Rising,” by Anthony Horowitz: For a decade, young readers have thrilled at the adventures of teenage spy Alex Rider. “Scorpia Rising” brings to a close the eight-book series that began with “Stormbreaker.” This time, Rider, who works for Britain’s M16 and chases bad guys using his wits and gadgets, is after the terrorists who killed his parents. (Philomel, 402 pages, $17.99, ages 10 and older.)
youngbooks@comcast.net www.rebeccayoungbooks.com
Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/05/29/v-printerfriendly/1684709/books-will-always-be-valuable.html#ixzz1NwLWbKaa
