SPRING 2006

Keys to the Kingdom: Sir Thursday (Scholastic, $15.99)
by Garth Nix

This 4th book in the Keys to the Kingdom series is as exciting, original and satisfying as the first three. The variety of characters, creatures and settings in each book and between each book in the series is one of the aspects that keeps me reading. Sir Thursday focuses on the House's military aspect. While the Skinless Boy (released on earth at the end of Drowned Wednesday) wreaks havoc in Arthur's hometown with only Arthur's human friend, Leaf, to oppose it, Arthur is conscripted into the House Army for the hundred years of service required of all House denizens. The army finds themselves facing an entirely different sort of combat against a race of New Nithlings, intelligent, organized, and disciplined soldiers. (Ages 12 and older)

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The World's Greatest Elephant
written by Ralph Helfer, illustrated by Ted Lewin

Ralph Helfer's narration and Ted Lewin's illustrations in The World's Greatest Elephant tells the story of Modoc and her lifelong friend Bram Gunterstein. Born at the same time in the Wundercircus, a small german circus, Modoc and Bram grow up together. When the circus is sold to Mr. North, the staff and performers are told the circus is moving to New York and they will no longer be needed. Bram stows away on the ship carrying Modoc. Bram and Modoc's story continues through shipwreck, rescue, escape, and separation. Ralph Helfer was Modoc's owner for the last 20 years of the elephant's life and witnessed Bram and Modoc's unexpected reunion. (Ages 6 and older)

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Ruby and Bubbles (Penguin, $15.99)
by Rosie Winstead

Ruby's best friend is a little yellow bird named Bubbles. She throws Bubbles a fantastic birthday party which is ruined by the horrible next door neighbor Bratty Hatty and Hatty's best friend Mean Maureen. "That's not a friend, that's a bird." Then they make fun of Bubbles because he doesn't fly.Ruby decides to teach Bubbles how to fly. Rosie Winstead's sweet story about a special friendship is brought to life by her whimsical illustrations. (Take a close look at the twins' hired sitter.) (Ages 4 and up)

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The True Story of Stellina (Random House, $14.95)
written and illustrated by Matteo Pericolo

This is the true story of a little bird who was rescued after falling from her nest onto the corner of 46th and 3rd in Manhattan. The author's wife takes the little bird home, where she feeds and cares for her. She takes the bird to the office on the Subway and to her dance studio. Stellina happily lives out her life in the small apartment in Manhattan. Everyone who comes to the apartment falls in love with Stellina and so will the readers and listeners of this book. Even little six year old boys will be moved by the story and will want to participate by saying the "cheeps" for the little bird.

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Bebe Goes Shopping (Harcourt, $16.00)
written by Susan Middleton Elya and illustrated by Steven Salerno

This is the story of Bebe who goes shopping with his Mama in the supermercado. Sometimes he's a help and sometimes he isn't, but always the Mama is patient and they both have fun. You will too as you read the sing song words and while you have fun you'll learn some Spanish words too. The pictures are colorful and the little baby is just mischievous enough to catch the young listeners attention. What is most fun is hearing your children trying to pronounce the Spanish words and giggling with glee.

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Lilly's Big Day (HarperCollins, $16.00)
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Lilly is back. Now her teacher Mr Slinger is getting married and Lilly is convinced that she will be his flower girl. Her parents try to explain that she is mistaken but Lilly goes on determined that she will be chosen to be the flower girl. Finally after she makes several attempts to let Mr Slinger know how much she wants to be his flower girl, he tells her that his niece will be the flower girl but that Lilly can be Gingers assistant. Lilly makes a great assistant even down to carrying the fear stricken niece down the aisle. As usual Lilly will not disappoint her readers or her listeners.

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Firebirds Rising: An Anthology of Original Science Fiction and Fantasy (Penguin $19.99)
edited by Sharyn November

I'm not usually a fan of science fiction, but Firebirds Rising has helped to change my opinion of the genre. This anthology has much more science fiction than the first (Firebirds (Penguin $19.99 hard, $8.99 paper). With stories from such favorites as Tamora Pierce, Charles de Lint, Diana Wynne Jones, and Patricia McKillip, and less well known authors like Ellen Klages, Kelly Link, Kara Dalkey, and Alan Dean Foster, this anthology offers up some amazing stories that I still find myself thinking about.Alan Dean Foster's "Perception", and Kara Dalkey's "Hives" leave a lasting impression. For those fans of Alison Goodman (Singing the Dogstar Blues; Penguin $6.99), there is a short story that further develops Mav and Joss's relationship.

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Babymouse: Queen of the World (Random House, $5.95)
Babymouse: Our Hero (Random House, $5.95)
by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Jennifer Holm's (author of the Boston Jane series) new collaboration with her brother Matthew Holm is a fun graphic novel with great appeal for little girls. In Queen of the World, Babymouse has a dilemma. She really wants to be invited to Felicia Furrypaws' slumber party. If she goes to the party,though, she will have to cancel the monster movie marathon with her best friend.

At school, Babymouse has her best friend, Wilson, but she also has a bully, Felicia Furrypaws. In Babymouse: Our Hero, Babymouse has to face the dodgeball tournament. She would do anything not to have to play, Felicia Furrypaws is one tough player and Babymouse is in dire need of practice.

These are the first two books in the Babymouse series, with a new installment due every four months.