Splat the Cat
By Rob Scotton
Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780060831547
$16.99
Grades K-2
In Stores

CAUTION: COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT HORROR STORY

While in school, a classmate told me about their upcoming school library job. They were to take over for an older librarian who had held the position for many years. My classmate said that job numero uno will be collection development rehab. The reason? The former librarian was a cat lover, and she made it a priority to stock the collection with a wildly disproportionate amount of feline titles. Not only did she buy them by the armful, but she also couldn’t bear to part with any of the old ones. Books about dogs? One. A classic case of letting your personal tastes get in the way of a nicely balanced collection.

Why do I bring this story up? Well, I have before me the latest from Rob Scotton (of “Russell the Sheep” fame), “Splat the Cat”, and I can’t help but think of that cat loving librarian, eager to snap this one up. Problem is, it might not be the top choice for the role it fills.

“Splat the Cat” is a first day of school book. The story begins with the titular Splat, in bed, petrified of the day that lay before him. After packing Seymour, his pet mouse, and using all the delay tactics he could muster, Splat arrives at cat school to meet his teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, and his new classmates. After Seymour escapes, Splat must do everything he can do to keep his pet safe in a room full of cats. When Seymour saves the day by unlocking the milk cupboard, everyone gains a new appreciation for rodents.

Books written to be read aloud are often frantic in spots. While this tone can pair nicely with humor, “Splat” has the feel of a story that is jumping from one event to the next in a race to the finish. A disjointed quality creeps in on occasion, distracting from the fun.

The illustrations will appeal to young readers. While no information is provided about their creation, they appear to these eyes as a digital/hand drawn combination. Fur is rendered in remarkable detail, each hair on fluffy display.

As far as first day of school books go, “Splat the Cat” is not a must add. However, its humor and illustrations will be a draw for youngsters… and possibly a few cat obsessed school librarians.

Click here to browse inside this book.

Also reviewed by Charlotte’s Library, Library & Literary Miscellany, Cheryl Rainfield.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

It could be argued that Roald Dahl is the reason I became a elementary school librarian. I’m not sure who is going to partake in that argument with me, but I am prepared if ever the time should come. Now the Brits have gone and done something smart: created a literary award in Mr. Dahl’s name that honors funny books.  This is one of the only places in children’s lit where serious stories need not apply. I have to say I like it.

To hear U.K. Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen explains the motivation behind the award, click the play button below.

[2 min. 58 sec.]

(Image: ‘Matilda‘
www.flickr.com/photos/45606113@N00/233081405)

The apple bobbing is done and winners have been chosen:

Becky L. will be holding a copy of “Three Shadows” very soon.

Kari F. is going to receive “Bat’s Big Game”.

Thanks to everyone who entered. May Lady Luck be on your side next month.

(This review first appeared in the June edition of The Edge of the Forest)

Bat’s Big Game
Retold by Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrated by Eugenia Nobati
Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN: 9780807505878
$16.95
Grades K-2
In Stores

Author of aught seven standout “Little Rooster’s Diamond Button” is back with this retelling of an all too common schoolyard occurrence: switching teams when losing looks eminent. “Bat’s Big Game” will be a nice addition to teacher’s collections and will work well as a classroom read aloud.

Bat is anxious to take part in the Birds vs. Animals soccer game. The thing is, Bat wants to be on the winning side. He sizes up each team, decides that the Animals have it in the bag, and joins their side. It helps that bat straddles the line between the two species - the wings of a bird, but also the fur and teeth of animals. When Team Animal falls behind on the scoreboard, Bat makes a switch to the other team. The birds accept him but the animals go on a scoring tear, nudging ahead in goals. When Bat tries to trade sides again, the jig is up and he is banned from both squads. Lesson learned and price paid, Bat sulks off to practice his skills for next time.

As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think this question: why is the soccer game birds vs. animals and not birds vs. mammals? After all, aren’t birds animals too? Maybe there’s a good reason for this, but it struck me as odd.

Eugenia Nobati’s digital illustrations continue to blur lines between paper/canvas and computer artwork. I would have placed a wager that these were the former. Solid nonetheless. If I asked 10 random folks the first word that came to their mind when they looked at the illustrations in “Bat’s Big Game”, I’m guessing “cute” would be response numero uno. Softly textured characters exist within a world of slightly hazy, vague landscapes. If you know Rob Scotton’s work on the “Russel the Sheep” books, then you can get a sense of the style.

“Bat’s Big Game” is more of a “serves a purpose” book than a pure “just for the fun of it” story, but it fills it’s role of addressing schoolyard mischief with success.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

This book is up for grabs in the 100 Scope Notes Book Giveaway.

I’ve got a mess of books to give away and I want to get these things movin’! Just for fun, I even threw in a book that was recently bestowed upon with Unfortunate Cover status. It’s the original folks, and sure to be a collectors item. Collectors everywhere are surely unimpressed by this statement.

If you like any of the books below, send me an email at scopenotes@gmail.com and include the title of the book that you are most interested in. If I get that message before midnight on Thursday, your name will be written on an apple. I will then put all the apples in a bucket and start bobbin’ for a winner. You may not know that besides children’s lit blogger, I’m also the founding member of the convoluted contest drawings fan club. Now lets see those books:

“Three Shadows” by Cyril Pedrosa.

“Bat’s Big Game” By Margaret Read MacDonald.

Unfortunate Cover (#1) recipient “Superfudge” by Judy Bloom

Good luck!

(This review first appeared in the June edition of The Edge of the Forest)

Three Shadows
By Cyril Pedrosa
First Second
ISBN: 9781596432390
$15.95
Grades 9 & Up
In Stores

*Recommended*

Graphic novels that set out to tackle tough subjects have their work cut out for them. Fair or not, graphic novels often come with the presumption that excitement and fun are contained within. GNs that can tastefully handle heavy emotional content are worth noticing. “Three Shadows” is one such book. Written in response to the death of a friend’s child, Cyril Pedrosa confronts fate and grief with affecting results.

Joachim is an only child living with his mother and father in the countryside. Their life together is a happy one until three mysterious horsemen appear, ominously watching their goings on. Joachim’s mother decides to consult the town exorcist, who foresees a grim future: the horsemen have come for their child and there is nothing that can be done. Upon hearing this news, Joachim’s father takes his son and steals away on a last ditch effort to allude fate. Their travels take them across rough seas and into contact with an old man who offers to solve all their problems for a price. But even that cannot change the inevitable.

French writer and artist Pedrosa honed his skills on Disney’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Hercules”. This influence is apparent his fluidly exaggerated illustrations. They add to the mood of tension that is tangeble throughout. The heavy subject matter and very “French” depictions of innocent nudity make “Three Shadows” most appropriate for mature readers. A moving graphic novel.

Also reviewed by A Fuse #8 Production, Boing Boing, Panels and Pixels.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Animal Planet: The Most Extreme Bugs
By Catherine Nichols
Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 9780787986636
$15.95
Grades 3-6
In Stores

*Recommended*

It’s summertime here in Michigan and the bugs are out in full force. Ants, spiders, and mosquitoes invade my house day and night. Your common, run of the mill insects. Oh, if only a Spiny Devil Katydid would come strolling through the living room carpet, looking for its next meal. Or maybe a Hummingbird Hawk Moth could hover through the kitchen, eager for a little nectar. Then I might have something to write in my (nonexistent) “What I Did This Summer” journal. Ah, well - at least I have Animal Planet’s countdown extravaganza, “The Most Extreme Bugs”, to pour over as I go and grab yet another wad of Kleenex to keep my wainscoting ’skeeter free.

In the foreword, an Animal Planet producer confesses an affinity for countdown shows. You’ve seen them on cable - “The 100 Most Unforgettable Terribly Great Power Ballads” and the like. The Animal Planet series on which this book is based operates in this format. A topic is selected, and the countdown to number one begins. “Extreme Bugs” goes for some categories with real kid appeal: the strange looking, the speedy, the deadly, the giant - they strive to max out the high interest meter, and succeed pretty swimmingly.

A book like this would be nothing without some stellar photos. “Extreme Insects” passes the cool picture test with flying colors. They’re plentiful, they’re sharp, they’re close-up. Readers will be pleased with the results.

It has nice photos, but does it have information useful to kids? Indeed. Each bug presented comes with a description that does a not too shabby job of giving the specs. Size, weight, habitat and special information are all there. Not a one stop shop for all your insect information needs, but a solid source to be sure.

So as I continue to wage war with my carpenter ants (yawn), do yourself a favor: get your hands on “Most Extreme Insects” and find out how fascinating bugs can be.

Click here to visit the Nonfiction Monday Roundup at Picture Book of the Day

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

I keep an eye on both the New York Times Bestseller list and the American Bookseller Association list to see which kids books are popular, but I dream of a different list entirely. The dream list I speak of would be a national list of the most checked out children’s books from public and school libraries. See, the NYT and ABA give a snapshot of what’s moving units, but who is it making the purchases? Aside from the occasional busted piggie bank, it’s adults ponying up the cash. I want the unfiltered view of what kids like. Give me that and I would be a happy man. Until that becomes a reality, I bring you the books that may (or may not) be the most popular with America’s youngsters:

Gallop, folks, Gallop. The Scanimation powerhouse just keeps on keepin’ on. Look for Rufus Butler Seder’s new book “Swing!” when it is released on October 15.

Both “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” installments are still on top. I bet you a buck they’ll still be in the top 5 when the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” comes out in January 17, 2009.

I may have recently made a bit of a subtle jab at the outbreak of children’s lit-related television and movie adaptations of the past few months, but I’m better now. Better enough to bring you the most recent trailer for The Tale of Despereaux:

The CGI looks pretty good, but will the film live up to the book’s high standard? We find out on December 19.

Night of the Veggie Monster
By George McClements
Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 9781599900612
$14.95
Grades K-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

I can relate to kids who don’t like their vegetables. I’ve been slow in coming around myself. As a kid, I was known to pull the old switcharoo and hide the veggies in the nearest napkin. “Night of the Veggie Monster” uses humor, inventive illustrations, and descriptive language in an attempt to reach kids who don’t like the green stuff.

The story is told from the perspective of our unnamed protagonist and veggie disliker. Upon receiving his dinner plate containing three peas, his “we’ve been through this before” parents know what to expect. Our hero tries one of the peas and the transformation begins. Wiggly fingers, curled up toes, and watery eyes all lead up to the main event: full fledged veggie monster. The change does not last long however, as the monster eventually swallows said pea, realizing that maybe they’re not as bad as he first thought.

The way the main character deals with the consumption of a solitary pea is something kids will identify with:

As the pea rests in my mouth, my eyes begin to water.

That’s a great line, and one that true veggie haters will relate to. You don’t want to touch the food with your tongue, you don’t want to chew, you just kind of let it rest there in your mouth while you figure out what to do next.

The mixed media illustrations stand out for their originality. McClements creates a world where photographs mingle with simple line drawings. The characters appear to be drawn on brown paper, cut out, and placed in their surroundings. It’s a unique touch.

While I have yet to test it out, “Night of the Veggie Monster” is a likely pick for storytime. It’s vivid descriptions are ripe for the interpretin’. A solid picture book selection.

Also reviewed by Pink Me, Kids Lit, Young Readers.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.