Marshall Cavendish Classics: An Interview with Margery Cuyler

   One of my favorite presentations among librarian colleagues in the Monroe County (NY) Library System was one we called "Oldies but Goodies." We would booktalk titles that were at least ten years old, were engaging and had withstood the test of time. It was a way to familiarize the newer librarians with terrific books that were already on their library shelves. For those of us who had been working in the field for a number of years, it was a good reminder to recommend more than just the newest books to our readers.

   For years, librarians have watched so many wonderful books go out of print. We would exclaim, "Someone should do something about this!" Well, now someone has. This spring, Marshall Cavendish introduced a new line of books: Marshall Cavendish Classics. I spoke with Margery Cuyler, Publisher of Marshall Cavendish Children's Books about how this came about, what it means to be a Marshall Cavendish Classic, and how the books are selected.

   It all started at a staff meeting at which Brian Buerkle, the marketing manager, suggested expanding the list by adding out-of-print titles. The staff began to brainstorm "what if." What if they looked at out of print books from other publishers, not just their own titles. Over the years Margery had heard librarians lament that they could not get replacements for books that were well-loved by their readers. The staff began to discuss how they would go about searching for those books which would need to meet certain requirements. The criteria for a book was established: it must be a book that has withstood the test of time and is as interesting to today's readers as it was when originally published thirty or forty years ago. It must be exemplary in its content. In short, it must have a classic feel to it. That led to calling this line "Marshall Cavendish Classics."

   Now it was time to canvas the children's and young adult literature communities. Margery spoke with librarians at conferences and asked them for books they would like to see back in print. She contacted SCBWI to alert authors and asked them to contact her. She approached agents as well and they "have been great" in recommending titles for consideration. To make sure no one has been missed, the Marshall Cavendish home page provides the requirements for Marshall Cavendish Classics. It reads, in part, "We welcome picture books as well as novels for this line of books. Because we have to be highly selective, we are looking for books that are recognizable by most children's media specialists. These are books that will have won awards, received starred reviews, or that have authors or illustrators of some repute in the children's book field." Any suggestions can be sent to Marilyn Mark who has been the editor most involved with the program at Marshall Cavendish. Her email address is: mmark@marshallcavendish.com.

   Suggestions were submitted and Margery, herself, had some ideas. She had edited some books back in the 1970s and 1980s that had been beautifully reviewed and that resonated with kids. One of those books is on the inaugural list. It is The Rabbi and the Twenty-Nine Witches by Marilyn Hirsh. "This is a Judaic classic tale. It is a book that Jewish librarians and synagogues have requested. In its time, it was the #1 paperback bestseller for Scholastic book clubs so obviously the book had broad appeal." Indeed, the story and illustrations are as fresh as when Marilyn Hirsh first published it with Holiday House in 1976. Three books are published on the spring list and another three on the fall list. The other five titles for 2009 are: Genghis Khan by Demi, If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever? by M.E. Kerr, Little Sister and the Month Brothers by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and illustrated by Margot Tomes, Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub by Jamie Gilson, and Blackbriar by William Sleator.

   For me, this list is like a wonderful visit in a time machine. I remember reading Little Sister and the Month Brothers to the children in my K-2 storyhour. It was so popular that I added this folktale to my storytelling repertoire. I booktalked Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub during springtime school visits. I could count on it to lure readers into our summer reading program at the public library. Our CLCD reviewer has this to say about the Marshall Cavendish Classic If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever: "There is absolutely nothing I did not like about this book. It is believable, humorous, and still captures the many confusing feelings that young adults have. It gives the message that it is okay to be who you really are." Horn Book Guide Fall 2009 rates this book a 2: Superior, well above average.

   Bringing the books back into print takes a great deal of detective work. Margery says, "It is really, really hard work." There is the issue of getting the rights to the book. Some of the publishing houses no longer exist. Some were bought out by other publishers and the records have been filed away for many, many years or lost. Some of the authors are no longer with us and the Marshall Cavendish staff must find the heirs and get their approval. With many years of experience in the world of children's publishing Margery has met countless authors and their friends and family members. They, too, are helpful in locating important and pertinent information. Once the rights have been obtained, then the book must be printed. There are obstacles here as well. Most of these books were published before the digital age. Sometimes the originals cannot be found. In the case of picture books, a full set of the original artwork can be difficult to find. Pieces of the art may have been sold or misplaced. If the originals cannot be located, then a copy of the book must be scanned. A clean, mint-condition, first edition is desired but not always available. Touch-ups are then done to make the Classics edition as pristine as possible. The books are printed on beautiful, high quality paper to honor the integrity of the book. We all know that old adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" yet we are often drawn to books because of the cover art. This is especially true for middle grade readers and young adults. Therefore new art is created for the book jackets of the Marshall Cavendish Classics.

   What can we expect from Marshall Cavendish Classics? Three books will come out each year on the spring list and three more in the fall. Two of the titles for Spring 2010 are already set. They are Shelter from the Wind by Marion Dane Bauer and Sitting in My Box by Dee Lillegard and illustrated by Jon Agee. We can expect to see more fiction than picture books because the rights to the novels are easier to obtain. Margery expects that sales will be mainly to libraries. Marshall Cavendish is committed to this new venture and she sees it as a "win-win" situation. "There is great literature from the past. The rich history of children's books and their authors and illustrators needs to be immortalized," states Margery. "I am excited to go to work every day," she continues. "I never know what will land on my desk. I look forward to creating new relationships with authors and illustrators who are long forgotten but whose works are still relevant to today's young readers."

   The beautiful Marshall Cavendish Classics may be thought of as "oldies but goodies" to many librarians but to a new generation of young people these works will simply be great reads.

Contributor: Sharon Salluzzo

Reviews - Marshall Cavendish Classics

Blackbriar
William Sleator
   "Something, Danny felt, was waiting there; and suddenly he had the uncanny sensation that it was waiting for him." This is fifteen-year-old Danny's first impression of Blackbriar, the isolated, decaying cottage in northern England that he and his guardian, the overbearing Philippa, move to from their flat in London. His creepy premonitions are borne out in this fantasy/mystery/Gothic novel when Philippa's cat, Islington, hisses at a wooden figurine he finds, he hears laughter and dancing during the night, and someone lights a fire in the grate while Danny and Philippa are not at home. Danny, who was orphaned as a child, also finds names and dates from the 17th century carved into a doorpost. Doing research in the village library, where he overhears a garbled conversation between the librarian and the sinister Lord Harleigh, he learns that Blackbriar was a "pest house," an asylum for bubonic plague victims. He and his new friend, Lark, whom he meets at the nearby tumuli (mounds), crawl through a tunnel from Blackbriar's dank basement into Harleigh's mansion, where they later find Philippa, who has gone missing, incarcerated. A climactic dance around a fire by the tumuli and the arrest of Harleigh, an elf, and other nefarious locals culminate the story. In the epilogue, Danny declares his independence from Philippa. The personalities and motivations of the main characters are inconsistent and, thus, their relationship is not entirely credible. Minor characters are not developed at all. The plot, in places, is creakier than it is creepy; nevertheless, readers who enjoy a safe scare will shiver over this one. 2009 (orig. 1972), Marshall Cavendish Classics, Ages 12 to 15, $16.99. Reviewer: Cynthia Levinson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455851

Genghis Khan
Demi
   In recent years, Demi has applied her extraordinary gifts as a writer-illustrator of children's books to biographies about significant historical and spiritual leaders. Her most recent offering is among her best. The fairly spare text observes the conventions of a hero's legend as it describes the childhood and later life of this almost-mythical figure. One detail is given for each of Genghis Khan's first years, and these are said to presage the young Temujin's later abilities. For example, camel herding at the age of five "taught him later in life how to maneuver and to protect large numbers of people." The illustrations on each page, with their golden borders and stylized drawings in red, gold, and brown tones evoke an illuminated manuscript. The book's conclusion bears the reminder that no matter how great the leader, earthly power will one day come to fade and vanish "as a star at dawn, as a flash of lightning in a summer cloud, as a phantom, as a dream, and as an illusion that is mistaken for the real thing." This book has rich potential for encouraging children to explore history and what it means. 2009, Marshall Cavendish Children, Ages 8 to 12, $19.99. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455479
ISBN: 0761455477

If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever?
M.E. Kerr
   Loved it, loved it, loved it! I was caught up from the first chapter and read it through in one sitting. A boy named Duncan Stein comes to school on the first day but everyone who sees him thinks of him as being doomed right from the start. The author describes him as an "enormously tall, critically skinny teenager, who refuses to join any clubs, teams, or lunchroom cliques." He certainly is different, but honestly is not bothered by not fitting in. In fact his favorite response to people is "I don't go that route." Being popular is the furthest thing from his mind. Eventually Duncan starts his own school newspaper and calls it REMOTE. Weird is not quite an adequate word for what the students think of it. For example, the front page has only a quotation on it and nothing else. He puts in a want ad that says: "Wanted. A date for the Discovery Dance. She must be redheaded. It will be our one and only date. After that evening, there will never be any communication between us again. For an interview call Duncan Stein, 486-0243, and evenings between 7 and 9." The student body cannot believe his nerve. REMOTE becomes very popular and this skinny boy who everyone thought was odd is suddenly popular and girls are dying to date him. Brings to mind the saying "You can't judge a book by its cover." There is absolutely nothing I did not like about this book. It is believable, humorous, and still captures the many confusing feelings that young adults have. It gives the message that it is okay to be who you really are. 2009, Marshall Canvendish Corp, Ages 12 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455455
ISBN: 0761455450

Little Sister and the Month Brothers
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Illustrated by Margot Tomes
   Children's literature devotees owe a huge debt to Marshall Cavendish Classics, the publisher's division with the mission to reissue titles "that have withstood the test of time," including this delightful retelling of a Slavic Cinderella tale, first printed in 1976. Beatrice de Regniers' text and Margot Tomes' illustrations wonderfully demonstrate how picture books' meanings come from the marriage of both elements. The opening lines immediately signal we are in the oral storytelling tradition, in which asides are part of the fun: "Well, there was this little girl. We don't know her name, but everyone called her Little Sister." Tomes' comic book-style sequence illustrations reinforce the low-key humor that makes us admire Little Sister all the more. The story belongs to the subgenre of Cinderella tales that downplays princely rescues in favor of a happily ever after that results from the heroine's persistence and resourcefulness. In fact, this version does not even have a prince. Rather, it has an honest farmer who appreciates his lovely bride. 2009, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 5 to 9, $17.99. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455462
ISBN: 0761455469

The Rabbi and the Twenty-nine Witches
Marilyn Hirsh
   In a cave near a village there once lived "twenty-nine of the meanest, scariest, ugliest, wickedest witches that ever were." Once a month when the weather was fair and the moon was full these witches would fly to the village and create havoc. It was so bad that people would hide inside their houses. Some people lived their whole lives and never saw a full moon. An elderly grandmother went to the Rabbi to see if something could be done about this. She wanted to see a full moon. The wise Rabbi devises an ingenious plan to rid the town of the witches forever. An old legend from the AGADA section of the Talmud comes to life in a retelling that just begs to be read aloud and shared. There is just enough spookiness for primary grade children in both the text and illustrations. Newly republished as a Marshall Cavendish Classic, this has the original dynamic illustrations which are in blue, white and shades of gray. Children will get caught up in this tale and adults will appreciate it. Both will celebrate the ingenuity of the Rabbi in solving the problem. Focus attention on it at Halloween but do not limit it to that collection. It will be popular all year long. Add it to your programs on the moon and rain as well. 2009 (orig. 1976), Marshall Cavendish, Ages 5 to 9, $17.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455868

Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub
Jamie Gilson
   Hobie Hanson is out of luck. His class never gets the privilege of having a substitute because his teacher, Mr. Star, is one healthy man. One afternoon, his teacher abruptly leaves the room right in the middle of Hobie's presentation. Miss Hutter, the principal, returns in his place and tells the class he will not be returning for a few days. The flu is going around and it seems as though Mr. Star has caught the bug. The wheels begin to turn in the student's heads. The fun they've been waiting for all year along is about to begin! The following day the fourth grade class has a brand new substitute, Miss Svetlana Ivanovitch. They don't exactly get off on the right foot. Maybe it is because Miss Ivanovitch speaks to them like they are in kindergarten. Or perhaps it is because the students have switched around the seating chart and answer to a name that is not their own. Hobie and his friends have the substitute believing that they arrive late and leave early each day because they are crossing guards. Poor Miss Ivanovitch even believes that one boy is a foreign exchange student from Japan and speaks no English. When it comes time to work, the class convinces her they they are unable to do basic multiplication so they cannot possibly carry on with the math unit. The overflowing sink is the final straw but unbelievably, Miss Invanovitch does not rat the class out when she has the opportunity. The students realize rather quickly that this is one unsinkable sub. Any reluctant reader will enjoy the antics of this fourth grade class. This would make an engaging read aloud in a fourth or fifth grade classroom. 2009 (orig. 1982), Marshall Cavendish, Ages 9 to12, $15.99. Reviewer: Summer Whiting (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761455875

Reviews - A Selection of Books written by Margery Cuyler

100th Day Worries
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Arthur Howard
   Jessica is a worrier and, on the 95th day of first grade, she has something new to worry about. Her teacher announces that for the 100th day of school, each student should bring in a collection of 100 things. She could only think of things that were too melty, too pointy, or too sticky. Her family comes to the rescue in a most satisfying way. Primary grade pupils will identify with Jessica and her desire to select just the right thing. The reader will find some math reinforcement as the students count out groupings of ten, and will delight in the warm, loving family presented. The tone is lightened by the expressive and humorous cartoon-style illustrations. Teachers and parents will enjoy sharing this with their children. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6 13th Edition, 2002; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
  • Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Teachers' Choices, 2001; International Reading Association; United States
• State and Provincial Reading Lists:
  • Charlotte Book Awards, 2002; Nominee; Primary; New York
  • Emphasis on Reading, 2001-2002; Nominee; Grades K-2; Alabama
  • Emphasis on Reading, 2001-2002; Nominee; K-2; Alabama
  • Maryland Children's Book Award, 2003; Nominee; Maryland

ISBN: 0689829795
ISBN: 9780689829796

Bullies Never Win
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Arthur Howard
   In first grade, Jessica faced a lesson that had nothing to do with getting her homework done, or even getting it turned in on time. Jessica's biggest problem was Brenda Bailey. Every day Jessica went to school, Brenda found ways to bully her: from the clothes Jessica wore, to the way she played kickball, even to the homework Jessica turned in. If that was not enough for Jessica, she also worried about other things. For example, Jessica worried if her socks matched, worried if she could find her barrettes, and even worried about her knobby knees. For a first grader, Jessica had too much to worry about. Her teacher, Mr. Martin, had advised his class to "just ignore" the bullies, but Jessica did not think she could do that. After telling her mom about the problem with Brenda, Jessica came up with a plan. The next day, when Brenda began her bulling ways, Jessica put her plan into action. Brenda was stunned, embarrassed, and finally quiet. Can you imagine what Jessica's plan was? Could your child learn from Jessica? If your child has been bullied, or knows a child who is being bullied, the strategy Jessica used just might be helpful. This is a book that should be kept in all elementary classes and read out-loud regularly. Empowering children starts early, and Jessica's story and her solution are about empowering children. The colorful illustrations are humorous and on target for the elementary grades. If given the opportunity, children in grades first through fourth will enjoy picking this book up and reading it by themselves. 2009, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, $16.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Debby Willett (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780689861871
ISBN: 0689861877

From Here to There
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Yu Cha Pak
   Maria Mendoza gives a geography lesson in a form that young kids will be able to understand. She moves from her home and family to the town, county, state, country and out to the universe, but on the last page it is all brought back into perspective with Maria gazing out her window and echoing the opening line of the book. Pak's stylized representations of this Mexican-American family and the expanding view make the lesson quite clear. 1999, Henry Holt/Macmillan, Ages 4 to 9, $16.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).

• State and Provincial Reading Lists:
  • 2X2 Reading List, 2000; Ages 4 - 7; Texas
  • Mockingbird Award, 1999-2000; Nominee; Texas
  • Texas Reading Club, 2002; Texas
  • Texas Reading Club, 2004; Texas

ISBN: 080503191X
ISBN: 9780805031911

Groundhog Stays Up Late
Margery Cuyler
Illustrations by Jean Cassels
   A fun-loving groundhog avoids getting ready for winter. When Squirrel, Badger, and Bear urge him to hibernate so that he may awake February 2 and look at his shadow, Groundhog declares that he does not need to hibernate to do that. As his friends curl up in their winter homes, Groundhog plays until he gets lonely, hungry, and cold. When he cannot arouse his friends from their dens, he gets the idea to trick them out by announcing an early spring. The animals appear and begin to share a meal and celebrate until snow begins to fall and a check of the calendar reveals that it is only January 2. When Groundhog awakes February 2, the other animals have prepared a trick to play on him. The illustrations are appealing and are framed in blocks with simple borders. The blocks vary in size, shape, and number on the pages but are formatted in an appropriate way for the young reader. The illustrations support the text with brilliant clarity and quiet additions. The color tone changes from fall to early spring. A two-page horizontal block of only trees showing the changing season is included on select pages that enriches the eye appeal of the book. With its humorous story and natural illustrations, this is a good read-aloud book for young children. 2005, Walker & Company, $16.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2005 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States

ISBN: 0802789390
ISBN: 0802789404
ISBN: 9780802789396
ISBN: 9780802789402

Hooray for Reading Day!
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Arthur Howard
   Jessica worries all the time, about everything from monsters to trips to the dentist. But her BIG worry in first grade is reading. When asked to read aloud, Jessica stumbles over the words and is humiliated. Mr. Martin, her teacher, declares a Reading Theater Day, when the students will dress up in a costume and read a line from their current reading book for their parents. Jessica tells her family how worried she is, despite reassurances. She practices reading to her dog, but in class she still mixes up her words. When the dreaded day arrives, she pictures reading to her dog, and succeeds to great applause and satisfaction. Howard's ink and transparent watercolor illustrations emphasize what we perceive as comic emotional overkill even as we feel Jessica's darker feelings. The people are sketched in a representational, almost cartoon-y style that lends itself to exaggeration in an ultra wide-eyed stare of apprehension and parental smiles of success. Perhaps this can be a helpful and encouraging hint to apprehensive readers. 2008, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $15.99. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780689861888
ISBN: 0689861885

Princess Bess Gets Dressed
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Heather Maione
   Deftly crafted rhymes describe the saucy young princess and the "loads of clothes" that she must change during the day. What she prefers to wear remains her secret to the end. Her schedule is a busy one, beginning with morning muffins with the queen and proceeding to art and dancing lessons, luncheon, games, afternoon tea, and supper, climaxing with a fancy ball. And the princess has the perfectly appropriate apparel for each occasion. Young girls should relish every detail. The sketchy ink and watercolor drawings barely touch the surface of the white pages in this airy, fanciful tale of a princess's daily activities. Humor dominates; the princess's dog, unmentioned in the text, participates in all of the actions with gusto. Lots of glitter on the jacket should add appeal. 2009, Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 8, $15.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416938330
ISBN: 1416938338

Skeleton Hiccups
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
   Skeleton woke up only to discover he had the hiccups. His friend Ghost, attired in a backwards baseball cap, tells him to try several cures, such as to eat some sugar and drink some water upside down. When they fail, Ghost attempts to scare the hiccups away. It isn't until he brings out a mirror that Skeleton is cured. Schindler's wonderful, fragile-looking skeleton is painted against a dark background. He wakes up in a bed that has a tombstone as the headboard. The brief text is enhanced by the creative sight jokes. For example, Skeleton brushes his teeth and his lower jaw pops out; he polishes his bones and his left arm bones detach; and as he eats the sugar, it falls out through his ribcage. Words and pictures come together to create an off-beat tale that will tickle the funny bones of primary grade children. 2002, Margaret K McElderry/Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
  • Choices, 2003; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
  • Outstanding Books by Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators, 2003; Wisconsin Library Association; United States
• Awards, Honors, Prizes:
  • Golden Archer Award, 2004 Winner Primary Level Wisconsin
  • Volunteer State Book Award, 2006 4th Place Grades K-3 Tennessee
• State and Provincial Reading Lists:
  • Colorado Children's Book Award, 2005; Nominee; Colorado
  • Golden Archer Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Primary; Wisconsin

ISBN: 068984770X
ISBN: 9780689847707

That's Good! That's Bad! In the Grand Canyon
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by David Catrow
   The little boy and his grandmother drive to the Grand Canyon for another round of "that's good" and "that's bad." As they hike down the trail, our hero embarks on a series of hair-raising catastrophes and rescues into the river, on a helicopter, over a cliff, and up the trail again, until he is safe on grandma's shoulders overlooking the majesty of the canyon. Catrow's frenetic pen-and-ink and watercolor double-page scenes add considerably to the sparse text. His goggle-eyed fish, frightened mule dashing along the trail on hind legs, puzzled fisherman with boy on hook, all keep the giggles going. A map brings a taste of reality to the canyon. 2002, Henry Holt/Macmillan, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 080505975X
ISBN: 9780805059755

That's Good! That's Bad! In Washington, D.C.
Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Michael Garland
   The satisfying counterpoint fun of "That's good! That's bad!" from previous books continues in this story of a boy's class trip to our nation's capital. As they ride past the White House, our hero falls out of the DC Duck onto a motorcycle. Not bad, as he rides to the zoo. Not good, as the orangutans there toss him onto a dump truck. And so he goes from bad to good to bad again as he tours DC, past the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Jefferson Memorial in cherry blossom time, and finally back on the bus home. Garland creates a bunch of cartoon-like kids, all pop-eyed and smiling, with a special "little boy" whose misadventures keep us smiling. There is a slickness and roundness to the digitally created illustrations, but the double-page sweep of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin is particularly appealing. A map traces the day's adventures for those interested in the sightseeing. 2007, Henry Holt/Macmillan, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780805077278
ISBN: 0805077278

That's Good! That's Bad! On Santa's Journey
Margery Cuyler
Illustrations by Michael Garland
   It's Christmas Eve. After kissing Mrs. Claus goodbye, Santa Claus climbs into his sled and flies off on a fun sled ride. First it snows so hard that Santa has to land on an igloo. Then Santa and the reindeer crash into a chimney. Eventually Santa jumps down the chimney to deliver the toys, only to get stuck midway due to his potbelly. Fortunately Santa sneezes and catapults out of the chimney. But seconds later, Santa trips over the kitty-cat and spills presents all over the floor. He picks up the mess and looks at the dazzling tree. To Santa's embarrassment, the seat of his pants rips--and suddenly he's in trouble again! When Santa finally makes it up to the roof, he discovers the reindeer have flown away without him. What can he do now? When Santa whistles, the reindeer return. As the team swerves to avoid a pine tree, Santa falls out of the sled. Finally Santa delivers the presents, and the story ends happily after. This book has amazing illustrations and young readers will enjoy following the adventures of this accident-prone Santa.
BIBLIO: 2009, Henry Holt and Company, Ages 3 to 8, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D.
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8777-2

We're Going On A Lion Hunt
Adapted by Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
   This new adaptation of the familiar campfire story takes children from their classroom into an adventure in their imaginations. With safari hats on their heads, they fearlessly slog through the mud, snap their way through sticks, climb up trees, splish-splash through the river, swish through the grass and creep into a dark cave where they find . . . a LION! With their teacher in the lead, they quickly retrace their steps with the lion snapping at their heels until they are safe within the confines of their classroom once again. Joe Mathieu's dynamic illustrations bring to life every emotion the children experience. He populates each spread with the animals and scenery of the African savanna, providing readers the opportunity to identify creatures with which they are familiar. With its wonderful onomatopoeia, this book will become an easy favorite with the read-aloud crowd, and story time leaders will use the repeated text along with hand motions to encourage audience participation. 2008, Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, $14.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761454540
ISBN: 0761454543

Added 09/28/09

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