My Garden by Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)
Reading level: 4-8
Greenwillow Books (February 23, 2010)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Kevin Henkes has made some amazing contributions to the children’s literature with his insightful themes and simple, yet lovely illustrations. And, Henkes is truly an advocate of nature and his books are one big invitation to kids to join him outside to observe birds and get dirty in the garden. Henkes aptly captures the standard childhood garden fantasies of planting atypical items (in this case, seashells) to see if they’ll grow and imagining that carrots might disappear, sunflowers change colors, no weeds and flowers would never die.

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Books Make Me Happy: My First Reading Log by Judy Pelakin
Ages 4-8
Workman Publishing Company (November 26, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
The cover is a definite attention grabber with cover art and interior illustrations by little-known artists (Judy Pelikan embroidered drawings by real kids about their love of books - charming!). If any other parents have had this experience, recording the books your child reads seems to inspire a fire of reading more and more so the child can see the list grow. And, this book adds another dimension for kids and parents to start a dialogue about the best parts of the book and their critique (I had better watch my back - these kids may be after my job :). If you have an avid or reluctant reader in early elementary school, this book is useful and fun.

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The EARTH Book by Todd Parr
Ages 4-8
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (March 17, 2010)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Todd Parr has a way of getting positive messages across to kids without being preachy. And, his simple boldly colored drawings, literally jump off the page. The formula works well and this book is another winner in his catalogue of 30 or more books.

The message is easily understood and powerful; if I bring my own bags to the store I am showing my love for trees and making sure owls have a place to live. The book follows along with simple tips that any child can do and what the wonderful result will be. Every one of us can (and should) do all of these things.

My favorite was the gigantic pull-out poster of ten things we can all do, including putting our underwear in the freezer on hot days. Love Todd.

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Night Lights by Susan Gal
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (November 10, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
All of the lights of the night feature brightly in this sweet, creative book. There is no plot line, but the series of illustrations of the lights such as flashlights and lightening would make for a great discussion for bedtime reading.

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The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis (Author)
Gwen Millward (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Schwartz & Wade (October 13, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Bog babies do exist. They really do. If you’ve never seen one, you probably had a similar experience when you captured that baby toad or frog and thought you could be best friends forever. But toads, frogs and bog babies don’t belong in pickle jars or pockets. This story really sends a fanciful yet practical message about all of the wonderful creatures who hop, run, skip and fly nearby and that’s exactly how it should remain; let the bog babies stay where they belong as we observe their magic.

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Secret Santa by Fernleigh Books
Ages 4-8
Sterling; Pop edition (October 6, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Letters to Santa fill the pages of this paper-engineered pop-up book. Santa responds to each letter with some surprising answers, always followed by a p.s. about the fact that Santa just revealed a secret and the reader should tell no one. This book is fun and festive and a great gift for kids 3-8.

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The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
Ages 4-8
Feiwel & Friends (September 29, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Nancy Tillman has created a lovely story with gorgeous illustrations about the importance of being with ones we love at Christmas. The verse rhymes and chimes about all of the trappings of the season, but takes us to the story’s message swiftly, yet gently; that the season is just not quite right when a loved one isn’t there.

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The Princess’s Blankets by Carol Ann Duffy
Catherine Hyde (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Templar (November 10, 2009)
Cautions: Death, fear

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I would definitely bump the age group up a bit to at least 6-10 because the story is quite long for the younger set and a bit on the dark side. Everyone, however, will appreciate the beauty of the magnificent illustrations. The story has some dark turns about death and similar themes, but it is fascinating and fiercely beautiful, albeit not for more the more sensitive child.

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Who Will I Be, Lord? by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Sean Qualls (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Random House Books for Young Readers (October 27, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
A young girl watches her family and neighbors and wonders what she will be when she grows up. A preacher, a teacher, a pool shark, a car man, a mama. So many choices present themselves to the young girl. Mama sagely tells her that hard word has more to do with your choice than natural gifts. That God gives us all seeds to sow, but it’s up to us to decide how they grow. The sweet illustrations accompany this refreshing text that echoes the sentiment of many children, and perhaps many adults as well.

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Mo Smells the Holidays: A Scentsational Journey by Margaret Hyde
Amanda Giacomini (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Mo’s Nose, LLC (August 15, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
If you’re going to create a scratch n’ sniff reading experience for children, we can think of no better scratchers or sniffers than dogs. Mo is a rescue dog who takes his readers on a journey of the senses, particularly scents. The author wisely lets the reader place scented stickers throughout the book as they choose, rather than overwhelming us with pages of spicy pumpkin or sweet candy scents. We are particularly excited that she opted out of ‘wet dog,’ ’something dog rolled in,’ and ‘other unidentified dog scents.’

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