Reviews and News from the Children's Department at Prairie Lights
Winter 2000
Main | Adult Staff Selections | Children's Staff Selections
The Children's Department at Prairie Lights now offers a buyer's club discount to our customers. For a ten dollar fee, you and your family will receive a 10% discount on purchases of merchandise from the Children's Department.
- GINGERBREAD BABY
- LITTLE BUNNY ON THE MOVE
- SECTOR 7
- ROLIE POLIE OLIE
- FAVORITE STORIES BY JOHN A. ROWE
- SWINE LAKE
- ELOISE IN PARIS
- WHY?
- EMELINE AT THE CIRCUS
- THE LOST BOY AND THE MONSTER
- THE PROG FRINCE
- LUBA AND THE WREN
- FERRYBOAT RIDE!
FIRST READERS
- KOMODO!
- ON GUARD!
- A SUMMER IN THE SOUTH
- THE FLIGHT OF RED BIRD
- THE WATCHER
- FUNNY LAWS AND OTHER ZANY STUFF
YOUNG ADULT
PICTURE BOOKS
Ages 2-6. Brett's annual picture book tells the traditional fairy tale of the mischievous runaway cookie, dashing through a Tyrolean landscape with a posse of villagers in hot pursuit. In this version, Clever Matti masterminds a comforting twist at the end, making it more fun for the youngest listeners. $16.00 hb. 
Little Bunny on the Move by Peter McCarty
Ages 2-6. Peter Mccarty's dreamlike illustrations for NIGHT DRIVING were a store favorite. In his latest, he follows a determined bunny as it strides across a rural landscape for home. The subtraction of color, focus and detail from the pictures magnifies the simple sense of the little story. $14.95 hb.
Ages 5-10. A Caldecott honor book, Wiesner's newest wordless picture book continues his theme of surrealism visiting the earth from the sky, from a fantasy realm as big and full-blown as a Terry Gilliam movie set. On a field trip to the observatory at the top of the Empire State building, a boy is whisked away by a friendly cloud to Sector 7, the manufacturing plant where clouds are shaped. $16.00 hb.
Rolie Polie Olie by William Joyce
Ages 2-6. In catchy verse and neon-bright pastels, "round" rules the planet, and Olie and his robot family roll through the day. All the fun must end at bedtime, though, and like many an active child, Rolie finds it hard to switch off. Based on the Rolie Polie animated television series. $15.95 hb.
Favorite Stories by John A. Rowe by John A. Rowe
Ages 4+. Besides being a wonderful buy-three picture books for the price of less than one- they are great. Rowe's plot action springs from the characters so his illustrations are portraits, and his descriptions take odd forays-a pig "soft as raspberries"-that will perk up veteran storybook ears $12.98.
SWINE LAKE by James Marshall, illus. by Maurice Sendak
All ages. An aesthetic response unseats the baser appetite of a nefarious wolf who lurks in the theater box off stage-left during an all-pig performance of Swine Lake. The flourish of Sendak's pensive pigs on pointe unveil the high drama of the Boarshoi Ballet and the saving grace of art. $15.95 hb.
ELOISE IN PARIS by Kay Thompson, illus. by Hilary Knight
All ages. The enfant terrible of the Plaza Hotel jets off with Nannie, Weenie and Skipperdee to the City of Lights, circa 1957. Including jet lag, rain, the Louvre, sidewalk cafes, fishing on the Seine, a dinner at the Ritz and a fitting at the House of Dior, Hilary Knight's two-color ink drawings highlight the attractions of a model visit to Paris, attended by the exuberant, aberrant Eloise. A great bon voyage gift for a premiere visit. $17.00 hb.
WHY? by Lindsay Camp and Tony Ross
Ages 4-8. Those who incessantly question "why" may save humankind...Lily is not put off by the perturbation of others, no matter what planet they come from. Crayon pictures by Amber Brown illustrator Tony Ross aptly figure the child-defined circumstances of the plot. $15,99 hb.
EMELINE AT THE CIRCUS by Marjorie Priceman
Ages 5-8. Emeline's class takes a field trip to the circus. As the lesson proceeds, Emeline wanders off for some peanuts. Suddenly, she is "taken up" by an elephant, and discovers a more exciting view of the subject. Kids will love the bright, wild circus scenes, and the shocked surprise of the all-knowing teacher. $15.00 hb.
THE LOST BOY AND THE MONSTER by Craig Kee Strete, illus. by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Ages 4-8. A nameless boy finds his way through a primeval forest, home to a snake, a scorpion and a feet-eating monster with a sticky rope. With a clay-colored palette and petroglyphs stamped in the borders, this fable of random kindness repaid will capture the picture book audience. $15.99 hb.
THE PROG FRINCE by C. Drew Lamm, illus. by Barbara McClintock
Ages 4-7. McClintock uses an 18th century setting and a19th century drawing style to create an "antique" look for her lively watercolors. The story itself is also transposed from the past, taking familiar elements of a fairy tale and threatening to thwart the plot by giving a principal player amnesia--spell-induced, of course. Children may feel they know...but still must guess...what will happen next...? $16.95 hb.
LUBA AND THE WREN by Patricia Polacco
Ages 4-8. Polacco's picture books often feature a colorful Old World setting and a morality tale, aspects perfectly suited to this variation of "The Fisherman and His Wife". A young Ukrainian peasant girl earns the gratitude of a wren, and after great anguish, the appreciation and love of her parents. $16.95 hb.
FERRYBOAT RIDE! by Anne Rockwell, illus. by Maggie Smith
Ages 5-8. For many, the summer vacation officially begins with a ferry boat ride to a remote, relaxing retreat. Rockwell's young child excitedly watches the crew load all the bags and cars, climbs to the windy upper deck and finds a bench. She throws pretzels to the circling seagulls as the ferry passes buoys and boats and finally bumps along the pilings on the opposite shore. $17.00 hb.
FIRST READERS
26 FAIRMONT AVENUE by Tomie de Paola
Ages 7-10. Lavish with illustrations and deftly drawn characters, Tomie de Paola recalls a hurricane in Connecticut, his first day of kindergarten, seeing Disney's "Snow White", and moving to a new house. De Paola promises this is the first installment of a chapter book series about his own childhood in a large Irish-Italian family. $13.99 hb.
ANNABEL THE ACTRESS STARRING IN GORILLA MY DREAMS by Ellen Conford, illus. by Renee W. Andriani
Ages 7-9. Annabel the aspiring actress finds the world of her neighborhood to be a stage...which is handy, since she doesn't have a limo...yet. As she tames the five-year-old boys at a birthday party and foils the playground bully, she proves her talent. $14.00 hb.
THE SECRETS OF DROON series by Tony Abbott
Ages 6-9. Follow Eric, Julie and Neal through the door under the basement stairs into a fast-paced, magical world. With elements found in many popular early readers, the first two titles of this series meet the tastes of the just-into-chapterbooks crowd who want action and fantasy adventure with kids like themselves. $2.99 ea. pap.
BUSTER (THE VERY SHY DOG) by Lisze Bechtold
Ages 5-8. Buster is not exactly a party animal...or an athlete. When he tries to sniff out the garbage bandit and discovers a skunk, he does not come out smelling like a rose. He may need glasses, but his assets are revealed for all to see in the end. $15.00 hb.
THE FRIENDSHIP OF MILLY AND TUG by Dian Curtis Regan
Ages 6-8. A cat and mouse are often intimate, but not often friendly. Though they have their differences, Milly the cat and Tug the mouse are exceptional. $15.95 hb.
Ages 7-10. While vacationing at the seaside, Sam, Polly and Joe come across a magical message in a bottle that grants them three wishes. Suddenly their summer is complicated. With nary a parent to advise them, they solve bizarre problems, learning they can depend on each other when it counts. $3.99 pap.
NEW IN PAPER
Ages 3 up. Peter Sis finds magic in the real world: there are dragons, after all. For a boy whose life passion is dragons, a trip to the Indonesian island of Komodo is a dream. Sis' watery illustration style suits this fantasy-come-true. $5.95. pap.
Ages 8-12. Mikey comes upon a fencing demonstration during a class trip, and he's hooked. His friends are into soccer, but Mikey finds that fencing is something he can do well. Sports can also teach life skills, and from practicing fencing strategy, Mikey discovers how to manage the neighborhood bully. $4.99 pap.
A SUMMER IN THE SOUTH by James Marshall
Ages 4-9. A summer seaside resort hotel is a perfect setting for an old-fashioned whodunit, chock full of odd characters for suspects. Sniffing out the mystery of the treasure is the tenacious and circumspect Eleanor Owl. Marshall's droll illustrations highlight the mannered tale. $5.95 pap.
THE FLIGHT OF RED BIRD by Doreen Rappaport
Ages 10 up. The "recreation" of the inspiring life of Zitkala-sa, a Yankton born on a South Dakota reservation in 1876. Using her own letters and writings, the memories of her niece and historical research, Davenport tries to reflect the experience and views of this Native American civil rights pioneer. $5.99 pap.
Ages 12 up. The storytelling slips in and out of fantasy, following the lives and thoughts of the lifeguard, the good brother and the troubled, lonely girl through a long summer at a seaside. Through the shifting bits of this haunting narrative, their personal stories are revealed. $8.00 pap.
FUNNY LAWS AND OTHER ZANY STUFF by Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts, illus. Myron Miller
Ages 10 up. Do you know how the Greek tragedian Aeschylus died? If you don't, you won't believe it. Fact can be more fun than fiction, and the logic behind many laws is hard to guess. $5.95 pap.
YOUNG ADULT
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt
Ages 12 +. inner of this years young adult National Book Award, from the author of My Louisiana Sky, Holt taps Gilbert Grape setting and themes in this down-home coming-of-age story. $16.95 hb.
A Blizzard Year by Gretel Ehrlich
Ages 9-13. A beautiful, affecting account of life on a Wyoming cattle ranch, with chapters characterized by months, the months by their part of a season. While Timmy's family struggles to save their way of life, their place in nature and the local culture is the real theme, and emerges as a compelling motive for their struggles. $14.99 hb.
Ages 8 up. Part ghost story, part psychological puzzle, this wonderfully crafted plot pivots on the unlikely existence and ambiguous purpose of Skellig, an eerie creature uncovered in a decrepit garage by Michael. When Michael's baby sister becomes very ill, Michael and his confidante Mina discern a connection between her demise and this creature. Readers will ponder Skellig's true purpose long after they finish the book. $15.95 hb.
Ages 8-12. Whenever they can, Ian and Jenny love to play baseball, but lately something interferes. With the help of a perceptive mom and genuine friendship, they get back on the diamond for a crucial game. $15.99 hb.
SUMMER SOLDIERS by Susan Hart Lindquist
Ages 10-14. Eleven-year-old Joe Farrington is managing the sheep ranch with his mother while his father is fighting in France in the Great War. Tensions mount in the California coastal town when his friend's father decides not to join the army. Joe's compelling story relates the struggle of convictions, and the hardships of life on the home front. $14.95 hb.
Ages 12 up. Another gripping drama of a teen perpetuating a dangerous lie, trying to live outside of society. Feeling neglected, a month before her sister's wedding, Jennifer falsely reports an attempted assault. As the investigation continues, the pressure on her mounts to a disturbing conclusion. $15.99 hb.
Ages 10 up. A new installment in the Wolves Chronicles finds Dido on a quest to the mysterious island of Aratu to find a game master to cheer and comfort the ailing King James. However, the king of Aratu has his own problems... can one resourceful adventurer solve two royal dilemmas? $15.95 hb.
MULTIPLE CHOICE by Janet Tashjian
12 up. Monica has always been a perfectionist, but her self-monitoring has become extreme. She devises a game to return an element of chance to her life, but the game itself becomes a destructive obligation. According to recent surveys, obsessive-compulsive behaviors like Monica's are growing more pervasive among teens. $16.95 hb.
Ages 12 up. When Zack's family is attempting to put down new roots after a move, Zack begins to wonder about old ties. His maternal family is black, and he's never heard of or met any of them. After researching the life of a runaway slave who escaped to freedom, Zack is determined to research his own family past. $16.95
PRAIRIE LIGHTS is located one block east of Old Capitol at 15 South Dubuque St., Iowa City, 52240. We are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 to 6 on Sunday. We offer special order and book search service, shipping, and free gift wrap. You may phone us at 337-2681, or 1-800-295-BOOK.
- SWINE LAKE
- ELOISE IN PARIS
- WHY?
- EMELINE AT THE CIRCUS
- THE LOST BOY AND THE MONSTER
- THE PROG FRINCE
- LUBA AND THE WREN
- FERRYBOAT RIDE!
FIRST READERS
- KOMODO!
- ON GUARD!
- A SUMMER IN THE SOUTH
- THE FLIGHT OF RED BIRD
- THE WATCHER
- FUNNY LAWS AND OTHER ZANY STUFF
YOUNG ADULT
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