Picture books, mystery, romance, young adult, craft, and cookbooks are just some of the things we covered this week in Media Reviews.
The most prestigious annual awards for children’s literature are the Caldecott and Newbery. Lauri gives us brief glimpses of the books that won the 2008 Caldecott and Newbery awards.
Tristi reviewed Star Shining Brightly by LDS author Marcia Mickelson, a story about a superstar facing hard choices in the world of Hollywood. Tristi also continued her series on author G.G. Vandagriff with Tangled Roots. And LDS author Traci Hunter Abramson’s suspense story The Deep End sounds like a complex story of the witness protection program and the desire to be an Olympic swimmer.
Book of a Thousand Days is from Newbery author Shannon Hale. Tristi says it is a fascinating story of perseverance and the power of the human mind.
If you are looking for unique Valentine’s, consider Vintage Pop-Up Cards by Taylor Hagerty. You’ll find instructions and reproducible art for making your own vintage looking cards.
In the picture book Nora’s Room by Jessica Harper, a mother hears odd noises and wonders what kind of things could be happening in her little girl’s room. Tristi also reviewed the picture book Lizzy’s Do’s and Don’ts by Jessica Harper about a little girl frustrated by all her mother’s rules. And in When Cows Come Home, Tristi was charmed by the cute illustrations. And in Dylan the Eagle-Hearted Chicken, a young adopted chicken learns to pull from both sides of his heritage.
In Baby Einstein: The ABCs of Art, Lauri reviewed a different sort of picture book that teaches young children to explore art.
Tristi also reviewed Red Dragon Codex by R. D. Henham, a young adult fantasy novel with twists, turns and adventures. It is a companion volume to the “Dragonlance” series. And for modern day comedy, consider Bullies in the Headlights by Matthew Buckley,the story of two sets of feuding brothers. Make Me a Home is also for the middle-grade audience. It has been praised by the Military Child Education Coalition for accurately depicting the thoughts and emotions of those children whose parents have been deployed.
And finally, the Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook will charm children and Suess fans with recipes like The Cat in the Hat Tub Cake and The Pink Yink Ink Drink.