Top Childrens Books for the Holidays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 8, 2003

Contact: Shirley Melikian Armbruster

(559) 278-2795 or (559) 593-1815

Children’s Book Experts Offer Top 10 Lists for Holiday Gifts

The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature has issued its third annual Top 10 lists of new and classic children’s books for holiday gift-giving.

Angelica Carpenter, curator of the center at California State University, Fresno, said the lists are compiled to help shoppers who are buying gifts for children and young people.

“Everybody needs a book for the holidays, and really, one book is not enough! Children need books most of all and there are plenty of excellent ones to choose from,” said Carpenter, who reviewed dozens of newly published books to developed a Top 10 list.

Denise Sciandra, president of Arne Nixon Center Advocates, a support and fund-raising group, prepared a list of Top 10 “classic” books.

The Arne Nixon Center, the largest and most significant research center for the study of children’s books on the West Coast, is housed in the Henry Madden Library at Fresno State. It is named for the late Arne Nixon, a professor who taught children’s literature and storytelling at Fresno State for more than 30 years. Dr. Nixon also issued lists of his favorites for children, reflecting his interest in multicultural books for all ages.

Carpenter, author of four children’s books, and Sciandra, a student of Nixon’s for many years, revived the book list tradition in 2001. Because the lists were so well-received by parents, grandparents and others looking for the best books for children, they decided to make the compilation an annual event.

Top 10 new books recommended by Angelica Carpenter:

“The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter,” written and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen (Knopf, 2003). In the 1880s, when women were usually not allowed to write for newspapers, Nellie Bly landed a job as a reporter. Championing women's rights, she risked her own life to expose injustice and corruption. She had herself committed to an insane asylum, traveled around the world in 72 days, and became one of the first correspondents to report from the front lines of World War I. Her life reads like an adventure story and the book's pen-and-ink drawings recall graphic illustrations of the times.

“Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez,” by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Yuyi Morales (Harcourt, 2003). Until he was ten, Cesar Chavez lived on an 80-acre ranch in Arizona. His family lost their land in the 1930s and moved to California, where they became migrant workers. This book focuses on Chavez's early career, as he leads a protest march from Delano, through Fresno, to Sacramento to win the first contract for farmworkers. Morales' bright, swirling, mural-like paintings compare to the work of Diego Rivera and Thomas Hart Benton. Also published in Spanish as “Cosechando Esperanza: La Historia de César Chávez.”

“How I Became a Pirate,” by Melinda Long, illustrated by David Shannon (Harcourt, 2003). Young Jeremy Jacob's sand castle on the beach attracts the attention of a passing pirate crew, who need a good digger to help hide their treasure. At first Jeremy loves life on board ship--learning to speak “pirate,” learning pirate manners (there are none), and not brushing his teeth--but he changes his mind when he learns that there are no tuck-ins, stories, or goodnight kisses. Hilarious illustrations and responses to chant make this a good choice for reading aloud.

“Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale,” by Laurie Myers, illustrated by Michael Dooling (Holt, 2002). A charming chapter book, narrated by Meriwether Lewis' dog Seaman, a large black Newfoundland who draws attention wherever he goes. Seaman provides a dog's-eye view of the famous 1803 expedition as he sniffs, hunts, retrieves, guards, gets kidnapped, and narrowly escapes death. Each chapter concludes with a brief excerpt from Lewis' journal, with the original spelling intact. A map, silhouettes, and oil paintings in a muted palette add to the historical tone.

“The Man Who Made Time Travel,” by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003). In the 18^th century, ships sank and sailors drowned because there was no accurate way to measure longitude. Though famous scientists tackled the problem, it was finally solved by John Harrison, a self-taught clockmaker. His dream, to invent an accurate clock, lasted a lifetime and his success changed the world. A charming picture book biography with humorous touches in both text and pictures.

“My Lucky Day,” text and pictures by Keiko Kasza (Putnam's, 2003). When a piglet knocks on his door, Mr. Fox is delighted. He's ready to pop dinner into the oven until the pig points out that he is a pig--filthy. "Shouldn't you wash me first?" he asks. After giving the pig a hot bath, a good dinner to fatten him up, and a massage to tenderize him, Mr. Fox collapses from exhaustion and the piglet celebrates his lucky day. And then there is a surprise ending!

“Necessary Noise: Stories about Our Families as They Really Are,” edited by Michael Cart (HarperCollins, 2003). Stories for young adults about family. The term is broadly defined, matching current demographics. Standouts are Joan Bauer's tale of the family owners of a hardware store, fighting the arrival of a Waldo's SuperStore across the street; Walter Dean Myers' account of a young man on death row, talking to his father for the first time in twenty years; editor Cart's story of a boy caught in an obsessive relationship; and a hilarious finale by Lois Lowry in which a college girl brings her lout of a boyfriend home to meet the family.

“The River Between Us,” by Richard Peck (Dial, 2003). In 1861 a steamboat from New Orleans docks in a sleepy little Illinois town. Fifteen-year-old Tilly Pruitt watches from shore as two remarkable figures debark: a commanding and glamorous young lady in a rustling hoop skirt and her darker, silent servant. Tilly's mother invites them to room and board at her house and soon the town is scandalized by their outlandish behavior. A young adult novel about family secrets, race, and the female experience of the Civil War.

“Ruby's Wish,” by Shirin Yim Bridges, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Chronicle Books, 2002). Adorable Ruby, named for the color she loves, peeks through a gate on the dust jacket of this visually stunning picture book. Ruby lives in old China, in a house with 100 children. They are the grandchildren of a rich man who has returned from Gold Mountain, the Chinese name for California. Ruby has an unusual (for the time) desire: to attend university when she grows up, like her brothers. Inspired by the life of the author's grandmother, whose photo appears at the end.

“The Twins and the Bird of Darkness: A Hero Tale from the Caribbean,” by Robert San Souci, illustrated by Terry Widener (Simon & Schuster, 2002). A beautiful princess is kidnapped by a monstrous black bird with seven heads. Twin brothers, one good and brave, the other lazy and mean-spirited, sail off together on a quest to bring her back. A mystical tale of love, loyalty, treachery, and forgiveness, with glowing acrylic illustrations.

Top 10 classic books recommended by Denise Sciandra:

Classics are new thanks to reissues, retellings and new artwork. The blend of text and artwork is important to most of these selections.

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” a pop-up adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s original tale by Robert Sabuda (Little Simon, 2003) Pop-ups are not just for kids anymore. In the first of six pop-up spreads, Alice and her sister are on the riverbank reading. Behind them characters camouflaged aged in the trees. Under the flap that says “Open me,” is a pull-out panel that allows the reader to look down the rabbit hole and see Alice falling. Foil highlights and felt add to the visual and tactile pleasures. The essence of the story is retained in minibooks that open up on the side of each pop-up spread. Truly a trip to Wonderland.

“Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl,” written by Virginia Hamilton with paintings by James E. Ransome (The Blue Sky Press, 2003) In this retelling of the tar baby story, Bruh Rabbit is stealing vegetables from Bruh Wolf’s garden. Since a “scarey-crow” doesn’t frighten Bruh Rabbit, Bruh Wolf puts up a tar baby girl that catches him. Bruh Wolf is ready to eat Bruh Rabbit when Bruh Rabbit cries, “Oh, Bruh Wolf, don’t do me so, I beg you. You may roast me and toast me; you may cut me up and eat me. But whatever you do, don’t throw me in the briar bush!” Readers will savor this clever escape again and again. The text and artwork blend perfectly. An historical endnote is included.

“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” by Ian Fleming (Random House, 2003) The Pott family and its intrepid leader, Caractacus Pott, an explorer and inventor, rescue an old green roadster from the scrap heap. They soon discover that it is not just any ordinary car. A day trip to the beach leads to a secret cave, gangsters, and mortal danger. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang plays a key role in saving the Potts family. Ian Fleming has created a “007” story of adventure, mystery, and humor for young readers.

“Cinderella,” retold and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson (Little, Brown and Company, 2002) Not just another Cinderella fairytale. Generations of readers have loved the story of how Cinderella, in spite of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, finds her Prince Charming. What sets this edition apart is the artwork. It begins with the glitter and elegance of the cover art that draws the reader inside for more.

“Pinocchio, the Boy” (or Incognito in Collodi), written and illustrated by Lane Smith (Viking, 2002) This “sequel” to The Adventures of Pinocchio, by C. Collodi, begins with a cleverly illustrated two-page summary of the original story. Pinocchio sets out looking for soup for his father. Not realizing that the Blue Fairy has turned him into a real boy while he slept, he unknowingly still acts like a puppet. He appears eccentric when he speaks of talking to crickets, being made of wood, and his nose growing when he tells a lie. In this 21st century slant on a classic, Smith cleverly uses the sarcasm and irreverence for which he is known while creating characters that the reader cares about. Colorful, detailed collage artwork that fills every page distinguishes this book.

“Peter Pan,” written by J.M. Barrie and illustrated by Michael Hague (Henry Holt & Company, 1987) The characters are comfortingly familiar: Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up; Tinker Bell, the fairy; Captain Hook, the pirate; Nana, the children’s Newfoundland dog nurse; and the children--Wendy, John and Michael. When Peter says, “Wendy, Wendy, when you are sleeping in your silly bed you might be flying about with me saying funny things to the stars,” the reader is ready to fly off to Neverland with him and to meet the Indians, pirates and crocodile that ticks. This unabridged edition allows the reader to get acquainted with these characters and share in their adventure. Hague’s full-page illustrations capture this wild fantasy.

“Sleeping Beauty,” retold by Mahlon F. Craft and illustrated by Kinuko Y. Craft (SeaStar Books, 2002) The story is familiar. A vengeful fairy gives the Princess the gift of death. A kind fairy alters that gift from death to a 100-year sleep. The Prince braves a wall of brambles to get to the Princess. The enchanting, detailed illustrations of this edition capture the elegance of 15th-century Europe and the emotions of the story.

“Three Cheers for Pooh,” by Brian Sibley (Duttton Children’s Books, 2001)

“Oh, Bear!” said Christopher Robin. “How I do love you!” “So do I,” said Pooh. Winnie-the Pooh was created by A.A. Milne in 1926. The inspiration for Pooh was a teddy bear purchased in 1921 at Harrods in London by Daphne Milne for her son Christopher Robin for his first birthday. One-year-old Billy Moon, as he was known, loved Pooh from the beginning. The friendship between Pooh and Piglet was modeled after the close friendship of brothers Ken and Alan (A.A.) Milne. This volume, which is full of photos and original E.H. Shepard illustrations, will be enjoyed by Pooh fans of all ages.

“The Wind in the Willows,” by Kenneth Grahame with illustrations by Michael Foreman (Harcourt, Inc., 2001) Mole climbs out of his hole and the first being he meets is Rat. This simple opening is the beginning of Mole’s emancipation and a literary friendship like that of Frog and Toad and George and Martha. Rat says to Mole, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing¾absolutely nothing¾half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” And so the adventure begins. This unabridged edition allows the reader to spend lots of time hanging out with Rat, Mole, Badger, and Mr. Toad. Foreman’s warm, lighthearted illustrations inspired by letters from the author to his son are the perfect accompaniment to the story.

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” a pop-up adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s original tale by Robert Sabuda (Little Simon, 2000) This spectacular pop-up opens with a spinning cyclone. The Emerald City contains a hidden message that can only be seen by wearing the “Spectacles for You” provided in a special pocket. The hot air balloon rocks gently as the Wizard departs the land of Oz. Sabuda is a paper engineer wizard as he captures the essence of this beloved story.

###

EDITORS and NEWS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORS: Press releases can be downloaded at www.fresnostatenews.com. University Relations also provides releases for news media companies via e-mail. To be added to the distribution list, send your e-mail address to tomu@csufresno.edu.

Featured: Faculty Who Energize Fresno State		Save Mart Center - Search
Maps: Heading to a campus event? -- Use our online maps