Children's Book Reviews

Welcome to the current issue of The Scoop. We have some marvelous suggestions in this issue including a new book by Brian Jacques, the 50th anniversary edition of Goodnight Moon, and the publication of the exciting discovery of the first novel by Louisa May Alcott. So settle back and get ready to add some great new books to your "To Buy" list.

When experienced parents offer advice to new or prospective parents, they invariably suggest Goodnight Moon as a "must-have." Its gentle text and gradually changing illustrations have charmed generations of children and adults. Publisher Harper Collins has chosen to mark the fiftieth anniversary of this childhood classic with the publication of a fine cloth-bound edition containing the original picture book Goodnight Moon plus a 32-page retrospective by Leonard S. Marcus detailing in text and photograph the collaboration of Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd, and editor Ursula Nordstrom. Interesting and amusing anecdotes will intrigue fans of this childhood classic - the debate over whether the "old lady" and the child should be human characters or rabbits, the concern over the proximity of the mouse to the child's bed. The retrospective also includes fascinating biographical sketches of Brown and Hurd, as well as some of Hurd's preliminary sketches and watercolors. This publication of this special fiftieth anniversary edition is a wonderful gift to all those who have read, re-read, and loved Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Moon, a Fiftieth Anniversary Retrospective (hardcover, $19.95) Also available: The Making of Goodnight Moon, a Fiftieth Anniversary Retrospective by Leonard S. Marcus (paperback, $5.95) The Goodnight Moon Bedtime Box containing board book and plush bunny (package, $24.95)

A literary jewel was discovered in 1988 by two researchers working on The Selected Letters of Louisa May Alcott. Inside the cover of the red notebook found among archived family documents in Harvard's Houghton Library were written the words: "My first novel written at seventeen - High St Boston." Beloved author Louisa May Alcott had written extensively as a girl, but the existence of this novel had remained largely unknown and unrecognized. The publication of The Inheritance is a remarkable literary event, to be welcomed by legions of Little Women devotees. The Inheritance is the story of an orphaned Italian girl, pure and lovely in looks and spirit. Edith Adelon has come to live with the Hamilton family as companion and governess to Amy. Determined to remain in her place as impoverished companion, Edith is at first reluctant to accept noble Lord Percy's offer of friendship. Pure, chaste love blossoms amid the rancor and bitterness of the jealous Lady Ida. Romance, envy, and betrayal, but above all, fine courtesy, self-sacrifice, and nobility of spirit, will captivate readers who may even find echoes of Jane Austen within its covers. Readers will do well to experience this piece of American literary history. (hardcover, $18.00)

British author Brian Jacques has delighted his eager fans with the publication of the ninth novel in the beloved Redwall series: The Pearls of Lutra. Another story of mystery and adventure, The Pearls of Lutra refers to six rose-colored pearls of such magnificence that they move all who see them to greed and passion. The evil emperor Ublaz Mad Eyes is desperately determined to have the pearls for himself. When the pearls are hidden in Redwall Abbey, a young hedgehog maid begins the search, not a task to be undertake lightly since the pearls are hidden separately and each is accompanied by a riddle that leads to the next. Then Redwall's Father Abbot is taken prisoner by Ublaz and it falls to the courageous Martin the Warrior to assemble a small band and go to the rescue. Readers will find themselves puzzling over the intriguing riddles and captivated by the thrilling action and adventure which characterizes Brian Jacques' Redwall novels. (ages 10 and up, hc, $19.95)

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