Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
by Melissa Sweet
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the biggest parades in the entire United States. Every year, one of the highlights of the parade are the giant balloon characters that fill up the New York City streets. But how did these giant balloons come to be? Who came up with the idea? The answer is Tony Sarg (rhymes with aargh!), a puppeteer and toy maker that Macy's first hired to do their Christmas windows and then to work on their Thanksgiving Day parade. Sarg loved puppets and marionettes from a very young age, so when Macy's asked for something spectacular to replace live animals in the parade, Sarg immediately turned to puppetry. His puppets so far had only been about 3 feet tall though, so he knew if he used those in the parade no one would be able to see them. How could they be bigger - much bigger? And if they were much bigger, where would the strings go? Soon Sarg was off and running with ideas and a parade legend was born!

Melissa Sweet tells the story of Sarg's life and accomplishments and accompanies it with illustrations that combine watercolors, paper scraps, bits of fabric, buttons and other small objects. You'll want to take your time over this picture book biography of a little-known, but fascinating, creative talent. Winner of the 2011 Sibert Award for best children's informational book.

 

Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World

by Douglas Wood
With the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor this year, this engaging junior illustrated book tells the story of the first Christmas after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a naval base located in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Although Americans were trying hard to catch the holiday spirit, it proved a difficult task due to the tremendous amount of sadness they were feeling because of the number of lives lost when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Only a few days later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and English Prime Minister Winston Churchill decide to meet with one another over the Christmas holiday, in order to make a strategic plan that would lead to the success of the Allied powers in defeating Hitler and the rest of the Axis powers. It was hoped that a swift defeat would also lead to a continuing peace after the war ended. Interestingly, this would also be the first time Roosevelt and Churchill actually meet one other, despite exchanging numerous letters and telegrams over the years. Their friendship and genuine affection for each other, despite differences in their daily routine, is revealed in Douglas Wood's text. Moser's illustrations are also perfect at capturing the colorful personalities of both men, as Churchill adjusts to being Roosevelt's one week houseguest at the White House. For those looking for an out of the ordinary true story, as well as another way to explain the mood of the home front during World War II that will appeal to history buffs both young and old, Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World, will fit the bill. To learn more about these two men and the times they lived in, a bibliography is also included. 

Recommended for grades 2 and up
Reviewed by Rozanne Porter 

Along a Long Road

by Frank Viva
In the many, many picture books that I see, it is not very often that I pick one up that I instantly think deserves an award.  Somebody give this one an award!  Frank Viva has created this wonderful picture book journey.  Children love to follow the endless road with the happy cyclist from the front cover, through every page of the book, around and across the back cover and continuing continuously along again.  It is a jaunt without a destination, but what a lovely trip.  Early readers will not mind practicing their emerging skills on this one.  The text is simple, but the concept is inspiring.  This is refreshing treat.

Recommended for grades PreK-2
Reviewed by Koren Power 

The Eyes of the Unicorn

by Teresa Bateman
A visiting minstrel's song of the fabled unicorn causes the Duke and the nobles of the castle to plan how they will capture and kill the unicorn for his horn and hide. The minstrel's words, "few men will dare to look into a unicorn's eyes" only increases the boasting of the men as they prepare for the hunt. Tanisa, a serving girl, is told to go along with the men on the hunt, to serve them luncheon. She and Chris, the Duke's son, were friends when they were young, but now Chris has become hard and unfeeling. He wants only to impress his father, and is intent on killing the Unicorn. After preparing for the luncheon, Tanisa falls asleep under a tree and awakens to find the Unicorn by her side. She looks into his eyes and sees such peace and love that she wants nothing more than to gaze into his eyes forever. Chris comes upon Tanisa and the unicorn and is still bent on killing him. What happens will change his and Tanisa's life. This is a great read aloud for parents and teachers of children in grades 3-5.

Recommended for grades 3-5
Reviewed by Alice Woertendyke

Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln

by Patricia Polacco
Michael and Derek are on their way to Harper's Ferry with their Grandmother. When they arrive they meet the mysterious Mr. Portufoy. Their grandmother tells them he has an extensive collection of Civil war uniforms, rifles and a display of the photographs of Matthew Brady. Once at the museum the boys are allowed to put on Yankee uniforms and are told they may participate in a game in Antietam just after a battle has taken place. Derek comments that he has a video game about the battle of Gettysburg, and Mr. Portufoy asks if they would like to play something better than a video game. They are not sure if they want to play when they learn they will not have guns or swords, but they decide to play. They will go through a door, and will be in the year 1862 right after the battle of Antietam. They must tell no one who they really are, or anything about their modern life. Mr. Portufoy gives them a pocket watch with a chime and admonishes them to hurry when they hear the chime, because they will have one hour to get back to the door. The game is starting, come along for their journey.

Recommended for grades 3-5
Reviewed by Alice Woertendyke

Nini Lost and Found

by Anita Lobel
Nini the gray and white tabby cat is back in her third book; taking a cat's eye view of the world.  When a door is unexpectedly left open, Nini decides to explore the garden and nearby woods.  As she wanders farther and farther from her house, she contemplates the comforts of her home and compares them to the wonders of nature.  When night falls, the little tabby realizes she is lost and the noises of nearby animals frighten her. Luckily she finds a hiding place until her owners call for her and lead her back to her cozy house. Lush, color-rich illustrations capture the comforts of Nini's house and the beauty of the surrounding yard and woods. Lobel does a superb job of getting to the essence of cat emotion and expression. Simple text and bright colors make this an ideal picture book for the youngest of readers. Simply a delight!

Recommended for grades Preschool-2
Reviewed by Alexa Newman

Otis

by Loren Long
I can honestly say that I have never wanted to hug a tractor before. This is by far the sweetest picture book I have seen a while. Otis, the little tractor, is kind, playful and a hard worker, but he gets sent to a barn where he is all but forgotten when the brand new, shiny yellow tractor arrives. While parked in the barn, Otis finds that he can still be helpful by soothing a young calf with his soft "putt puff puttedy chuff." The calf finds himself in trouble one day. The farmer, the new tractor and the fire department cannot save the sorrowful calf, but Otis comes to the rescue. Friendship triumphs over all. Keep this book in mind if you have a gift to buy for a young loved one. This is a book that will touch young children today much like Mike Mulligan or the Little Engine That Could did for previous generations.

Recommended for ages 3-7
Reviewed by Koren Power

The Circus Ship

by Chris VanDusen
"I don’t want to read that." Can't find a book that will satisfy all your children? Here is a good option. This title is meant to be read aloud. The rhythm will hold the interest of young children and the story will hold the attention of children in grade school. It is based on a fascinating but little known historical event. In 1836, the Royal Tar was sailing off the coast of Maine with a full circus on board when it caught fire. Locals from the nearby islands reported seeing exotic animals for many years after the wreck. Young readers will delight in all of the detail put into each illustration. Like VanDusen's If I Built a Car, the quality of this read aloud stands out amongst similar picturebooks.

Recommended for ages 3-9
Reviewed by Koren Power

Two Bobbies

by Kirby Larson
How do you explain tragedy to children? When there are catastrophes that invade the world of our young loved ones, we are often at a loss to balance our needs to shelter and to explain. This book does an excellent job of telling a heart warming tale of heroism in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A tailless mutt acts as a seeing-eye dog for a blind, tailless cat as they struggle to survive post-hurricane and find a new life. Based on a true story with photos and a description of their happy ending, this title offers many opportunities for discussion and provides a warm fuzzy story to share. The illustrations show in subtle colors the ravaged homes with water damaged toys and furniture in the streets and bolder images of the animals in front. This is a true find for parents and teachers needing something for one-on-one or group discussions.

Recommended for ages 5-10
Reviewed by Koren Power

Daddy Hug

by Tim Warnes
Animal daddies show their softer side and cuddle with their little ones in this picture book. The illustrations in this book are soft but realistic and you feel like you could reach out and touch the animals. I've tested this book on my own little one and she keeps coming back for more! Plus you get the added bonus of getting a hug at the end of the book, even if you're not daddy.

Recommended for ages 2-5
Reviewed by Alicia Parmele

Mother, You're the Best! (but Sister, You're a Pest!)

by Diane deGroat
Second grader Gilbert is looking forward to pampering his mother on Mother's Day. After finishing a hand-made card for his mother, his classmates fill him in on all the neat presents and activities that they're planning for their mothers. While they were all good ideas, Gilbert decides he wants to do come up with his own plans. Come the big day, his designs quickly go awry as breakfast in bed turns into watching his mother eat burnt toast and spilled orange juice! To add insult to injury, his pesky baby sister Lola gets to share Mom's lap while Gilbert goes to clean up the mess he made. As a ruse to get Lola off Mom's lap, Gilbert coaxes her into walking to the store with him to buy Mom a present. His day is just getting worse when his "present" melts all the way home! After more misadventures, Gilbert gets discouraged because he feels that nothing has gone right, and more importantly, he has done nothing special for his mother. But does his mother feel this way? Fans of the Gilbert series will enjoy this warm, funny book about a child who wants to please his mother, and surprisingly ends up doing so - despite everything that goes wrong!

Recommended for grades 1-3
Reviewed by Rozanne Porter

Such a Prince

by Dan Bar-el
Princess Vera is ill, and Libby Gaborchik, an unlikely fairy has diagnosed that she is love starved. The man who brings her three perfect peaches will cure her and win her hand in marriage. Three brothers all vie to win her hand, but it is Marvin the skinny, good son who brings Princess Vera three perfect peaches. But the king does not like his looks and says he must prove his worthiness. 100 rabbits are involved and an impossible test. Will Marvin win the hand of Princess Vera, and will Libby Gaborchik help him? Parents and children ages 4 and up will enjoy this rollicking good twist on a fairy tale.

Recommended for ages 5-8
Reviewed by Alice Woertendyke

Bobbie Dazzler

by Margaret Wild
illustrated by Janine Dawson
Jump, skip and bounce to the shelves to find this "dazzler." Poor Bobbie, the red-necked wallaby, can do many amazing things, but what she really wants to be able to do is the splits. Her friends try to tell her that it is OK. "Never mind," they say, but Bobbie really does mind. She minds a lot. Whirl and twirl through the Australian landscape with these marvelous marsupials as Bobbie tries and tries again. Will she ever be able to do the splits? Keep trying, Bobbie. Don’t give up.

Recommended for ages 2-7
Reviewed by Koren Power

Ballerina Dreams

by Lauren Thompson
photographed by James Estrin
It is a curtain call for ALL dancers. A true story about five incredible ballerinas, read about their strength and it will fill your hearts. Though they have physical difficulties including cerebral palsy, a condition very near and dear to me, these young dancers will not be told that there is anything they cannot do. Five little girls dreamed of tutus and tiaras. Find out how they made their dream come true. This is a good book for all aspiring ballerinas, those with disabilities or have friends with disabilities, or anyone who needs a reminder that anything is possible when our hearts are in our dreams.

Recommended for ages 3-6
Reviewed by Koren Power