Julia Donaldson is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of the world's best-loved picture books, and was the 2011-2013 UK Children's Laureate. Her books include The Paper Dolls, the bestselling smash-hit What the Ladybird Heard and the modern classic The Gruffalo, which has sold over 13.5 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over sixty languages. Julia also writes fiction as well as poems, plays and songs and her brilliant live children's shows are always in demand. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between Sussex and Edinburgh.
Anna Currey's warm, classic watercolour style has brought to life many enchanting picture books. Her previous work for Macmillan includes Rosie's Hat, also written by Julia Donaldson. Anna was born in Norfolk, grew up in Ireland and now lives near Bath with her husband.
A teddy bear tumbles out of its owner's bed and, even though the toy "tugs and pulls the covers," the child remains oblivious ("two eyes are tight shut"). What's a bear to do? Donaldson (The Gruffalo) and Currey (Don't Forget I Love You) show his attempts to wake the child, with the help of three rambunctious mice ("They roar around in four fast cars/ Then sit and gaze at five bright stars"). There's also a dainty tea with six dolls, a lively pillow fight with seven trolls and a jam session with nine plush frog musicians before the construction of a staircase ("ten red bricks!") topples and brings about the desired results. Currey, in her watercolor-and-ink scenes, eschews nocturnal lighting in favor of sunny nursery colors that capture the giddy, magical fun. And readers who project a wealth of emotions onto their own teddy bears will be assured that while this plush fellow is clearly having a good time, he's not having a great time, and very much wants to be back in bed with the child. The final scene, the very definition of "warm and cuddly" is certain to elicit an "Ahhh" from readers of all ages. Ages 2-6. (June) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
PreS-K-In this rhythmic counting book, a sleeping child's teddy bear falls out of bed and can't climb back up. Three mice invite him to play, racing four cars, counting five stars, sipping tea with six dolls, and so on. Finally, the toys work together to help the stuffed toy build a 10-brick staircase up to the top of the bed. When the inevitable tumble of bricks occurs, the playthings and mice are counted down as they scatter back to their places. The noise awakens the child, who drowsily reaches for Ted and nestles back to sleep. Although no numerals are used, the text and watercolor-and-ink art combine to show the progression to 10 and back again. The toys in the airy illustrations that sweep across the pages are packed with personality. Perfect for storytimes or one-on-one lapsits, this book can be counted on for a gentle, cozy read.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI DOWELL, Frances O'Roark. From the Highly Scientific Notebooks of Phineas L. MacGuire: The First Experiment. illus. by Preston McDaniels. 167p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. June 2006. Tr $15.95. ISBN 1-4169-0195-7. LC 2005012605. Gr 3-5-Phineas MacGuire loves scientific explanations and experiments. He demands empirical evidence of why old beans stink, how to make film canisters explode, and why fellow fourth-grade scientist Aretha always seems to be right. Mac just can't get back into his scientific groove, though. He misses his best friend and former lab partner, Marcus, who has moved away, and his teacher pairs him with obnoxious classmate Mac R. in the science fair. As the two Macs struggle to agree on a project, Mac R. confesses that his real name is Ben, and the boys plot to introduce the new, improved Ben to the class. Predictably, they make peace and become friends. Details of classroom life, like bouncy Mrs. Tuttle and her frog collection, and the mystery of a mouse in the paper closet, ring true. However, the story is surprisingly bland, given the author's past successes. Fans of funny, realistic chapter books might find Mac likable, but they are unlikely to remember him or to clamor for more.-Wendi Hoffenberg, formerly at Yonkers Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
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