Waukegan Public Library - children’s

Have You Heard About... Secret of the Wings

Fran J — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 07:07:23 +0000

… Tinker Bell? Most people know she is the most amazing, most wonderful, bestest fairy of all, but if you haven’t already met her, this movie is a treat.

In the new DVD from Disney, Secret of the Wings, you will learn about friendship and the powerful bonds of sisterhood. Tinker Bell is a summer fairy who lives in Pixie Hollow with the fall and spring fairies. She is curious about the snow owls who come for the woven leaf baskets that the summer fairies make. These baskets are for the winter fairies in the Winter Woods for the snowflakes that they make, and that is strictly off limits to all of the summer, fall and spring fairies as their wings will freeze up, and they won’t be able to fly. Being the curious fairy that she is, Tink just has to try out the cold and snow of the Winter Woods, and of course she gets into trouble. But in this case, the trouble leads to her never-known sister, Periwinkle. What follows is pure Disney magic as these two sisters save Pixie Hollow from a cold snap. This is a delightful movie for the entire family to enjoy over and over again. Be sure to watch through the credits or you will miss about 30 seconds more of the movie when two fairies are on a glacier.

Be sure to watch the rest of the wonderful Tinker Bell DVD’s. Tinker Bell, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, and Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

Reviewed by Terry (staff)

Have You Heard About... Prep and Landing

Fran J — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:27:37 +0000

…the elves who make sure everything is ready for Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve? The elite Prep and Landing unit has the task of making sure everything will run smoothly when the big guy arrives – everyone is asleep, the child is on the Nice list, cookies and milk are provided, and all of the other details. Without them going ahead to take care of things, Santa would never have time to reach every house in one night.

Unfortunately, Wayne has been working Prep and Landing for a long time, and he’s getting burnt out. Instead of the promotion he expected, he gets a complete rookie for a partner. Lanny thinks that being on Prep and Landing is the best thing ever, particularly with a great partner like Wayne to show him the ropes. When their mission is nearly compromised at one house, the two must work together to make sure a little boy isn’t disappointed on Christmas day. In the process, Wayne remembers why his job is as important to him as it is to the children he helps.

This movie could have easily become yet another overly-cute piece of holiday drivel. Instead, it balances sweetness, snark, and genuine comedy. The characters are believable and varied, and the animation is very well done. Renew your Christmas spirit with Prep and Landing!

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

Fran J — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:59:13 +0000

… what happens when you mix a classical favorite with great jazz? Anna Harwell Celenza and Don Tate bring the story to life in Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. In 1960, Duke Ellington and his best friend Billy Strayhorn were hot. A record producer offered them the opportunity to do whatever they wanted – any music at all – if Duke signed a contract with him. He wanted to push himself and try music that was completely new, so he decided to take Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and add his own special twist to it. Duke and Billy created something that was both Tchaikovsky’s and theirs, and is unmistakably jazz.

This book is based on historical events, confirmed through letters, memoirs, photographs, and other records, and embellished by the author’s imagination. Both the text and the art cleverly show the hard work that went into making this beautiful music. The Sugar Plum Fairies become a West Indian beauty named Sugar Rum Cherry, and the “Waltz of the Flowers” turned into “Danse of the Floreadores” (flashy big spenders). To help readers get in the mood, the book is accompanied by a CD with a recording of the jazzy Nutcracker Suite.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Giants Beware!

Fran J — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:32:19 +0000

… the smallest giant hunter of Mont Petit Pierre? Giants Beware! in this wonderful graphic novel by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre. Young Claudette is ready to take on any monsters she can find, a difficult prospect since she is not permitted outside the walls of her home town. However, she manages to get out with the help of her younger brother, Gaston, her best friend, Marie, and her dog, Valiant. Together, they overcome many obstacles to find the dreaded Baby-Feet-Eating Giant.

This is a wonderful story about bravery, loyalty, and being willing to admit when you’re wrong. The artwork is cartoonish, but surprisingly detailed, particularly in facial expressions. The characters are well-defined and mature over the course of their adventure. They also are not constrained by stereotypes — Claudette is a rather bloodthirsty girl, eager to hunt monsters like her parents, while Marie wants to become a princess; Gaston wants to be a blacksmith and a chef. The story shows the values of different skills and the need to work together to achieve goals. However, it never gets preachy, staying interesting and fun throughout the story.

If you enjoy medieval fantasies with strong girl characters, give this great graphic novel a try!

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on audiobook

Fran J — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:07:54 +0000

… the many voices of Jim Dale, the narrator for the Harry Potter audio books? As my first foray into the world of audio books, I tried listening to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone a couple months ago, and I felt like I was discovering the series all over again. I won’t go into a plot summary of the Harry Potter books, since most everyone is familiar with the story, but I will say that listening to the books on CD is completely magical.

Jim Dale, a well-known British actor, narrates the entire series, and brings the characters to life in a way that goes beyond mere imagination. (Need proof? Listen to Chapter four of The Sorcerer’s Stone, when we are first introduced to Hagrid. Jim’s voice for the bearded giant exceeds anything our imaginations could ever convey.)

And while nothing will ever be able to take the place of my Harry Potter book collection, I’m really happy that I gave these audio books a listen. It’s like being treated to story time as an adult, and by the time I finish the seventh book, I know that I will be just as sad to leave Hogwarts as I was when I first finished the series. So, thank you, Jim Dale. Thank you for bringing Harry Potter to life for me again.

Reviewed by Katie (staff)

Have You Heard About... Bailey

Fran J — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 06:01:00 +0000

… the rewards and challenges of elementary school? Harry Bliss’s Bailey takes us through a normal day for one student, who just happens to be a dog. Bailey may be the only dog in a school full of humans, but he has the same problems as everyone else. Will he miss the bus? What if he gets stuck on the slide? Being a dog adds a few problems, too – most students don’t eat their own homework or get in trouble for painting with their tails in art class. However, Bailey also has fun at school. He loves math and is a great dancer.

This is a sweet book with low-key humor. It would be particularly good for children who are nervous about starting school or a new grade. Bailey goes through a normal day, with some good times and some problems. The teachers and other students have a nice mix of reactions to Bailey and his sometimes odd ways of dealing with everyday activities.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... the picture books of Steven Kellogg

Fran J — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 06:41:16 +0000

… some great picture books that stand the test of time? This is a two for one review…my favorite picture books of Steven Kellogg!

My sister and I used to read The Mysterious Tadpole and Much Bigger than Martin over and over and over again when we were little girls. Now my sister has been reading them to my daughter. (Aren’t they cute?)

The illustrations are very creative, the stories are a lot of fun, and Mr. Kellogg represents librarians very well. You don’t have to be a librarian to appreciate that Ms Severs in The Mysterious Tadpole is referred to as a friend. When Louis meets her on the street and fills her in on what’s been going on with his tadpole from Loch Ness, she devises a brilliant solution and helps to facilitate a happy ending. Total librarian, right?

In Much Bigger than Martin, Mr. Kellogg aptly describes the growing pains a little brother goes through along with all of the creative ideas he comes up with to grow “much bigger.” These are the kinds of books that parents can appreciate right along with their kids. I don’t think it has to be a childhood favorite! Enjoy!!!

Reviewed by Heidi (staff)

Have You Heard About... Chopsticks

Fran J — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 06:29:33 +0000

… the best friends who do everything together? In Amy Crouse Rosenthal and Scott Magoon’s Chopsticks, the title characters are best friends. They do everything together – swim in the sink, balance with peas, even practice their martial arts moves against the asparagus! One day, one of them gets hurt. The uninjured one is reluctant to go out on his own, but he learns to try new things. When the hurt chopstick is all better, they have lots of new activities to try together.

This cute picture book would be a great choice for best friends who are forced to spend some time apart. It’s filled with characters from the kitchen and medicine chest. A combination of text and visual puns keep things lighthearted (when injured, “Chopstick was quickly whisked away,” by a whisk with a red cross painted on its handle), and the story’s moral is obvious without being forced.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... Piggies in the Kitchen

Fran J — Tue, 29 May 2012 06:29:30 +0000

… Mama Pig’s surprise? In Piggies in the Kitchen by Michelle Meadows, you will see what can happen in the kitchen when Mama Pig leaves for the day. Her darling little piggies decide to make her a birthday cake, but they make a big mess instead.

When Papa Pig comes home, he helps them so they won’t get hurt when using the oven. Mrs. Cow, Mrs. Sheep and Mrs. Mouse are also in this wonderfully illustrated story. Will Mama Pig be surprised or will she be mad at the mess in her kitchen?

Reviewed by Terry (staff)

Have You Heard About... 39 Clues

Fran J — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:44:07 +0000

…the fast-paced adventure starring Dan and Amy Cahill, two normal kids whose lives are thrown into a tailspin when their beloved grandmother dies? Their story is told in the popular 39 Clues series.

Dan and Amy are orphans who have spent most of their lives in the care of indifferent, ever-changing nannies. The only bright spot is Grace, their grandmother who has a zest for life and regales them with stories of her adventure-filled past. When Grace’s will is read, Dan and Amy learn that they are part of the most influential family in history and their relatives include Beethoven, Benjamin Franklin, Shaka Zulu and Princess Anastasia. They embark on a race across the globe with their latest nanny (who is harboring secrets of her own) in search of 39 clues which, when assembled, will make the owner the most powerful person on earth.

Reviewed by Sara (staff)