Happy Valentine's Day, 2007
The following reviews were presented in our 2007 Valentine's Day feature.
Reviews
Babymouse: Heartbreaker
Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
As Valentine's Day approaches, Babymouse's head is filled with romance. Who will invite her to the school dance? As the days go by and no one asks her, Babymouse comes up with more and more elaborate plans to get a date (including a rather elaborate makeover inspired by "Cosmouse" magazine). Finally, she decides to ask someone herself, but even that fails to yield a date. Amidst "Romeo and Juliet" and "Gone with the Wind" inspired daydreams, Babymouse tries to navigate the winding path of adolescent love with often wacky results. This highly amusing graphic novel is a fun Valentine's story skillfully balances romantic fantasy and school situations without ever being sappy. The illustrations are black and white with, of course, some valentine pink. The comments to the characters by the mysterious narrator/artist add another dimension to the story, ensuring that people of all ages can enjoy this tale. 2006, Random House, Ages 7 up, $5.99. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-83798-2
ISBN: 978-0-375-93798-9
Clifford's Valentine's Day
Norman Bridwell
Two previously published stories, Clifford's First Valentine and Clifford, We Love You, have been repackaged into this book, which includes six punch-out Valentines and a song on the last page, "It's Clifford." When Clifford was a puppy, he found some unusual ways of helping Emily Elizabeth get ready for Valentine's Day. He used his teeth to nibble out the heart-shaped valentines, but when he got paste all over his paws, it made for a very sticky mess. Emily Elizabeth persevered and she and Clifford made a nice valentine for Grandma which she promptly decided to mail. Then the adventure begins with puppy Clifford falling down the mail chute, but of course he is eventually rescued. In the second story, Clifford is down in the dumps and neither food, playing games, nor flowers seem to cheer him up. Emily Elizabeth comes up with a great idea and you can join in and sing her cheery song too. 2007, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 2 to 4, $4.99.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-90667-8
ISBN: 0-439-90667-9
Dora's Valentine Adventure
Christine Ricci
Illustrated by A&J Studios
In this heart-shaped board book, Dora is waiting for Mail Bird to deliver her Valentine's Day cards. Any child familiar with Dora knows that there is going to be some sort of adventure, and in this case, Mail Bird has lost his mailbag and glasses, so they need to go help him. There are flaps to lift as Dora and Boots head out for Heart Hill, but before they can get there they have to solve a riddle posed by the Frumpy Old Troll. It is more of a play-on-words than a real riddle, but the group solves it anyway and, happily, the valentines are found and a party ensues. 2007, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 1 to 3, $6.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-1754-0
ISBN: 1-4169-1754-3
Greeting Card Making: Send Your Personal Message
Deborah Hufford
Sometimes it is hard to choose the right card for a friend or family member when you go to the store. So, create your own! The card can then be exactly the way you envision it. Each of the eight chapters in this visually-stimulating book contain a section on the materials necessary for a particular project; explicit, numbered instructions and specific visual aids. Ideas include pop-up cards, photo cards, mosaic cards and collages. One chapter is devoted to making cards with natural materials such as flowers with leaves and stems, single flower petals and seeds and grasses. Many of the materials called for are commonly found in the home. Bright and colorful throughout, readers will be excited to try their artistic talents in making something special for someone special. The author has been a craft editor for a number of magazines as well as an associate publisher for a book division of craft titles. This title is part of the "Crafts" series from Snap Books, which includes Book Making and Paper Making: Be Your own Publisher, Candle Making: Work with Wicks and Wax and Room Decorating: Make Your Space Unique. Recommended. 2006, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-4385-X
I Love You, Dear Dragon
Margaret Hillert
Illustrated by Carl Kock
While the purpose of these books is clearly explained in the introduction and further expanded upon in the reading reinforcement exercises at the end of the early reader, they still may not be the most exciting selections for beginning readers. Repetition and simple sentences often lead to success in reading. This series reminded me a lot of both Dick and Jane and The Bobsey Twins books that I read as a child. The stories that Hillert has written focus on daily life and the retelling of classic fairy tales. The ones that relate to early years in a kids' life are more successful than the watered down and sanitized versions of legends and fairy tales. I Love You Dear Dragon is just a sweet story of a boy and his family, which includes a pet dragon. Heart shapes abound, including a big one on the cover, and this story could easily fit into a Valentine's Day unit. The cartoon style illustrations feature a young boy who looks older than one who would be reading this book. From the "Beginning to Read" series. 2006 (orig. 1981), Norwood House Press, $18.60. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59953-020-8
ISBN: 1-59953-020-1
Kiss, Kiss
Margaret Wild
Illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Baby Hippo was in such a hurry to go play that he forgot to do something very important. He went through the "squelchy, squelchy mud," over "bumpy, bumpy rocks," "up the mossy, mossy bank," "through the long, long grass," and "under the leafy, leafy trees." At each of these places he heard the same sound, and finally realized that he had forgotten to do something. Baby Hippo retraced his steps back to his mother who was in the "deep, deep water" to kiss her. This simple story rises above the ordinary with these child-oriented descriptive phrases. The illustrator's baby hippo is a friendly, round little fellow. At each location we see the appropriate mother and baby animals: elephants, rhinos, lions, zebras, and chimpanzees created in colors and clean lines that draw the eye to the page. Young children will enjoy the animal identification as well as the feelings of security as Baby Hippo happily leaves his mother and then returns for that very important kiss. This is a good selection for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or a jungle-themed story time. This new edition has been re-sized for small hands, but all of the charm has been retained. 2007 (orig. 2003), Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 6, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3440-0
ISBN: 1-4169-3440-5
Love, Ruby Valentine
Laurie Friedman
Illustrations by Lynne Avril Cravath
Ruby Valentine lives in Heartland with her bird, Lovebird. Naturally, her favorite day is Valentine's Day, and she spends all year preparing for it. In a flurry of activity, she bakes heart-shaped cookies, makes glittery cards, and fills up goody bags. She and Lovebird work morning, noon, and night right up until the day before Valentine's Day, when they load up her wagon with mounds of gifts. But they are so tired that once they fall asleep they cannot wake up the next morning. In fact, morning, afternoon, and evening go by without Ruby Valentine. What will happen when she attempts to deliver her greetings a day behind? What will Ruby and her friends learn about the right day to say "I love you"? Colorful illustrations of Ruby, Lovebird, and the town will delight readers. 2006, Carolrhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5750-5899-3
ISBN: 1-5750-5899-5
A Mama Bug's Love
Janet Lawler
Illustrated by Rick Peterson
I guess one would not normally think of bugs as being affectionate, but Lawler presents her case in this pop-up book. Mother spider has multiple arms to give her babies hugs, while mosquito moms look for tender skin to provide a feast for their little ones. Fleas head to the dog show with their mother, and the cricket mother teachers her little ones how to "keep from being seen." It closes with the line "...no little bug found anywhere is loved as much as you!" This is a reassuring message for little ones. 2007, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 1 to 3, $7.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-1548-5
ISBN: 1-4169-1548-6
Pardon My French
Cathy Hapka
Nicole Larson, a seventeen-year-old girl from Peabody Corner, Maryland, is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. As she prepares to spend the first semester of her senior year studying abroad in Paris, her parents, who think this will be a great experience for her, are more excited than she is. However, Nicole doesn't want to leave her friends, and most important, the love of her life, her boyfriend, Nate. Hence, when Nicole finds herself beginning the semester all alone in Paris, she is less than thrilled. Even though her time in France gets off to a rough start, Nicole slowly but surely begins to fall in love with Paris, thanks to a few new friends and her host family. Just as Nicole starts to like Paris and really starts to appreciate her surroundings, Nate breaks up with her after backing out of a promised weekend visit. Crushed, Nicole immediately wants to go home to fix things herself, but after talking with her new friends and some soul-searching, she decides to stay in Paris, and ultimately rejects Nate when he wants to get back together. The first-person point of view helps the reader to connect with the narrator, making them feel a part of the story. In addition, in moving the stereotypical "high school couple falls in love" story outside of the United States, the author adds international dimensions that make this a better than the average teen love story. Though having limited classroom appeal because of its gender bias toward female readers, teachers might use the book to help young women realize that they can do anything if they try hard enough, and they might also use it to teach students about emotional growth and self-esteem. 2005, Puffin Books/Penguin, Ages 12 to 16, $6.99. Reviewer: Emme Yeargin (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-14-240459-4
Ms. Rubinstein's Beauty
Pep Montserrat
This quaint book is perhaps best characterized as a fable about the importance of looking beyond appearances. The heroine, we are told, is a beautiful woman, but no one knows it. We are shown close-ups of the features--from her very beautiful eyes to the "delicate harmony of her pretty hands, or the special grace that her small feet give to the way she walks." We are more than half way through the book before we learn what everyone is so busy looking at when they see Ms. Rubenstein, Bearded Lady of Circus Balius. The only one not distracted is the elegantly mannered Mr. Pavlov, the Elephant nosed man of Circus Guston. Monserrat's illustrations in red and sepia tones have a wonderful feel of Arte Moderne. It is likely that both the tale and the illustrations are a bit sophisticated for preschoolers, but there is no upper age limit for those who might enjoy this witty and wry offering by the illustrator of other tales, such as Aladdin's Lamp. 2006, Sterling/Candlewick Press, $14.95. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4027-3063-4
ISBN: 1-4027-3063-2
Pierre in Love
Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated by Petra Mathers
Pierre exhibits all of the signs of being in love. He stares into space; he has lost his appetite; and everything he comes in contact with seems to scream "Catherine". Alas, Pierre is a lowly fisherman and Catherine, a beautiful ballet teacher, does not know he exists. Finally, Pierre decides to make his love known. One evening he ties a ribbon around a perfect shell, puts on his dashing red shirt, and approaches Catherine's studio. Then he loses his nerve, sets the shell on the doorstep and flees. Pierre continues to daydream about Catherine and he leaves more gifts for her, including a bouquet of wild roses, a piece of driftwood, a heart-shaped wreath of sea grass, and a dozen oysters on ice. Catherine is intrigued with all these lovely offerings and she becomes very curious about this mysterious suitor. One night she hides behind a lilac bush and catches Pierre in the act. Stunned at the discovery, Pierre blurts out his love. Catherine tells him she is in love with someone else. Of course, it turns out that she is actually in love with Pierre - not suspecting his real identity. Once their secrets are revealed they fly into each others arms and their hearts become one. A beautiful seaside setting appears in the full-page pastel paintings facing each page of print in the story. Pierre is depicted as a rat and Catherine is a rabbit, but Pierre is larger than she is. They dress and act like humans. The intended audience for this book is not clear. This story of true love seems to be more appropriate for an older audience than the picture book format would indicate.
2007, Orchard Books/Scholastic, Ages 6 to 10, $16.99. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-51740-9
ISBN: 0-439-51740-1
Ready, Freddy: Super-Secret Valentine
Abby Klein
Illustrated by John McKinley
Freddy is not pleased with his mother's idea of hand-made Valentines but he does like the idea of making a super-special Valentine for a super-special friend. Not a girlfriend, he insists to his teasing sister, just a very good friend who happens to be a girl. Before he ever has the chance to give Jessie his Valentine, he must secretly get markers and glue to his room and deal repeatedly with the school bully. Young readers will probably recognize most of the characters from their own classrooms, but most of the situations are exaggerated or overdone, including constant and angry battles with his sister and getting around his mother's rules that forbid art supplies in the bedroom. Simple black and white line drawings capture the changing emotions effectively.
The back material includes a letter from the author and a variety of Valentine word games. 2007, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, Ages 6 to 8, $3.99. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-78459-7
ISBN: 0-439-78459-X
The Secret of Love
Sarah Emmanuelle Burg
While this wordless book features two young children, a boy and girl, who we see holding hands, the story is fairly sophisticated and the book will probably be appreciated more by teens and adults. As the two children stroll along they see a red heart-shaped flower. Then a tussle begins, which results in the flower being torn apart. Accusations follow and the two are now angry with each other. They are both sad and are left to think about the riff between them. Then, they both offer each other a gift tied with a red ribbon, and in each box is a red seed which, when planted and tended, blooms into two red hearts. We see the boy and girl head off together with a field of red hearts behind them. The message of love, an argument, and then reconciliation is never spoken, it is all clearly conveyed in the pencil sketches of the two children-in their expressions, body positions, and even in the surrounding flowers that droop when they are sad. The little spots of red stand out on the pages, and at the end we can all celebrate the love that conquers all and causes the field of flowers to bloom bright red. 2006, miniedition/Penguin, Ages 14 up, $11.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-698-40050-X
The Secret of Love
Sarah Emmanuelle Burg
A perfect Valentine's Day gift, The Secret of Love tells a story of good friends unhappily separated by an argument. Both want the heart-shaped flower they encounter. A fight tears it in half. Anger gives way to sad reflection and finally reconciliation. Each friend brings the same gift to the other: a seed to plant for a new flower to nurture and enjoy together. On the final page, the young boy and girl are looking off into the distance in front of a whole field of blooming red flowers. The entire story is told with no words at all, using a soft black pencil to create the charming youngsters in a context-less space. Gestures and poses tell the visual tale with emotional clarity. The contrasting touches of red, first as the flower, then the ribbons on the gift boxes and the seeds, offer the metaphorical uplift. The red cloth spine, end-papers, and a real red ribbon that ties together the hand-size book all contribute to the warm feelings generated, as the moral becomes perfectly clear. 2006, a minedition book/Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 3 to Adult, $11.00. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-698-40050-X
Street Love
Walter Dean Myers
College-bound 17-year-old Damien Battle is a Harlem success story in the making, but when he connects with streetwise Junice Ambers, he embraces a whole new world. In a varied series of carefully crafted poems, free verse and rap in different voices, a master writer brings freshness to an old story. Will their love be strong enough to withstand the obstacles set up by their family and class differences as well as the decisions of the New York family court? Myers is wise enough to leave that question unanswered, focusing on the emotional dance as they slowly come together. The gritty city background is clear but not obtrusive; the contrast between Damien's dreams of success and his rival Sledge's embrace of hate is presented early on, as is the contrast between his successful family and the dissolution of Junice's when her mother is sentenced to 35 years in jail for drug-dealing. The form of the narrative allows readers to get inside the head of both participants and onlookers. For the adult reader, like Damien's parents, the tragic waste of his promise is akin to Romeo's death; for teens the romance of this accessible love story will probably be the attraction. 2006, Amistad/HarperTempest/HarperCollins, Ages 12 to 16, $15.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Isaacs (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-06-028079-4
ISBN: 978-0-06-028079-6
ISBN: 0-06-028080-8
ISBN: 978-0-06-028080-2
Where is Baby's Valentine?
Karen Katz
Like her other board books, this one has large flaps to be lifted. To celebrate Valentine's Day, the cover showcases a bright and shiny red heart. Baby is on the hunt for her special valentine and a little clue peeks out from behind the chair, but it is just a bunch of shiny balloons. The hunt continues as Baby looks under a blanket, under a pillow, and in the cupboard, until we reach Baby's room. There, the triple page spread shows the big red heart from the cover as Baby's gift to her mother. The flaps are sturdy so this book should stand up to plenty of use by babies and toddlers. 2007, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 6 mo. to 2, $6.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-0971-2
ISBN: 1-4169-0971-0
Valentine Friends
April Jones Prince
Illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg
What do friends do on Valentine's Day? They make things for each other. First they draw, cut, and paste paper to make Valentine cards. Then they work together to prepare valentine treats-heart-shaped cakes with plenty of pink icing and red berries on top. The pastel and pencil illustrations have a soft tone and each page has a simple phrase, most often only two words. For example, "Dog draws....Stork Stirs." The book closes with a cheery message noting that the real fun is in preparing all of these Valentines because the holiday is made for sharing. A very simple book that should appeal to lap-sitters and toddlers. 2007, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 1 to 3, $3.99.
Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-79999-7
ISBN: 0-439-79999-6
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Updated 1/31/07
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