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| Just as Spring brings flowers and fresh, green growth, so it has sprouted an exciting new crop of books for children. Board book versions of old favorites, enchanting picture books, books that will move middle grade readers to laughter or tears, and exceptional non-fiction for all ages - these are the springtime treats we bring you in this issue. |
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 Tentative and uncertain though they may be, a child's first steps shake her parents' world.
Henry Sorensen, illustrator of Laura Kraus
Melmed's I Love You As Much, has written and illustrated Your First Step, a tender and glowing tribute to the magnitude of that moment. Wolf pups romping in Canada, Atlantic dolphins leaping high, from the plains of the Serengeti to your own home, young creatures the world over slide, play, groom, and drink at the very moment the "precious baby" lets go and takes those first few steps. A soft and glowing remembrance of a most memorable moment.
(ages 2 and up, hc)
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There are terrific books published today for middle school-aged kids, we enjoy reading them, we enthusiastically recommend them, and find them just as enthusiastically received by their intended audience. One author who has produced a number of fine books for this age group is Avi - author of The True Confessions of Charlotte
Doyle, The
Barn, Nothing But the Truth, and Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway? Two of these books, Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth, were named Newbery Honor books. |
 With the publication of Beyond the Western Sea, Book One: The Escape from Home, Avi presents readers with a 304-page Victorian novel in serial form; the second book will be published in October. A masterful reconstruction of the Victorian period, which will appeal to adventure lovers, both boys and girls, it relies on a favorite literary device of the period: short, suspenseful chapters with cliffhanger endings that keep the readers turning pages far into the night as kids beg to "read just one more chapter."
Set in 1851 against a background of massive emigration from England and Ireland to America, Beyond the Western Sea recounts the adventures of Maura and Patrick O'Connell, whose pathetically poor Kilonny, Ireland hut has been razed by Lord Kirkle, a greedy English landlord. Fortunately their father has sent money for their passage to America, where they are to join him in Lowell, Massachusetts. Parallel to Maura and Patrick's story is that of privileged young Sir Laurence Kirkle, eleven-year-old son of that same greedy landlord. Young Laurence determines to run away to America after a caning at the hands of his loutish older brother. Coincidence, that staple of the Victorian novel, enables the paths of the three protagonists to cross in Liverpool, as they seek passage on a ship bound for America. A host of other intriguing characters appears - dastardly villains, raffish rogues, and appealing rakes.
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