Completely Clementine - an audiobook review

Below is my review of Completely Clementine, as it appeared in the October 1, 2015, edition of School Library Journal.

PENNYPACKER, Sara. Completely Clementine. 2 CDs. 2 hrs. Recorded Books. 2015. $25.75. ISBN 9781490625225. digital download.

Gr 2–4—Clementine faces a host of rising fourth-grader issues as the school year ends. She’s feuding with her father over his refusal to become a vegetarian like the rest of the family, she can’t bring herself to say goodbye to her third-grade teacher, and the family’s new baby is due soon and they haven’t even chosen a name yet. Picking the baby’s name should be easy, but her other problems are more serious. She’s avoided her teacher and given her dad the silent treatment for so long that she begins to regret it—but it’s so hard to stop! Clementine and her friends sometimes exhibit the concerns of adults (school friends worry about future wedding plans), but Clementine’s steadfast good nature and silliness are endearing and relatable. Jessica Almasy narrates, bringing infectious enthusiasm to Clementine’s usually upbeat and slightly sassy personality. Other character voices are clearly defined, with Clementine’s parents sounding especially authentic. VERDICT Fans of the series and kids ready to move up from Junie B. Jones will enjoy. [“This last title in the popular and laugh-out-loud chapter book series is a must-have for library collections": SLJ 2/1/15 review of the Disney-Hyperion book.]

 Copyright © 2015 Library Journals, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.

 ##

Note:

The review was edited slightly and did not include the following:

Jessica Almasy narrates all of the Clementine books. A New Yorker herself, she sounds more Southern Californian than befits Clementine’s Boston environs, but she brings infectious enthusiasm to Clementine’s usually upbeat and slightly sassy personality. 

Listen to a sample of Completely Clementine here.

Picture Book Roundup - June 2015 edition

Enjoy a slide show version of this month's picture book roundup - a sampling of my new favorites!

 If the slide show doesn't work for you, I've listed the books below with links to my reviews on LibraryThing.

 

• Butterfly Park
• Pepper & Poe
• Bunny Roo, I Love You
• My Pen
• Baby Love

You're Getting a Baby Brother! (Sister!) - a review

There are many, many books about new siblings, and while many are very funny or entertaining, the ones that I usually recommend to parents are the ones that make it abundantly clear that new babies don't do much - best to keep expectations low. Two of my favorites are My Baby and Me (Knopf, 2008) and this year's One Special Day (Disney/Hyperion).

Today I received two interesting additions to the "new sibling" collection.  I say, "interesting" because 1. they are board books (although it seems that everything is becoming a board book these days!) and  2. they're not particularly well-suited for a public library.  That being said, I'm glad I have them available, and I hope they last.

Higginson, Sheila Sweeny. 2012. You're Getting a Baby Sister! New York: Little Simon.
Higginson, Sheila Sweeny. 2012. You're Getting a Baby Brother! New York: Little Simon.


These board books will appeal directly to the preschooler who is accustomed to his position as the star of the family show, and unsure about what role the future sibling may play.

It's very exciting.  Your family will grow!
But before you start cheering, there are a few things you should know.
...

Your brother will poop.
He will spit.
He will cry.
And you'd better watch out -- or he'll pee in your eye!
 

The negative behaviors, of course, are only a small portion of the book, and kids will enjoy the humorous accompanying illustrations. The reigning preschooler is reminded that babies need understanding and protection,

And if he grows up, watching all that you do, surely he'll be amazing --
for he'll be just like you!
 

The final two pages are designed for personalization, offering space for baby's name and a photo of the new siblings. (I hope the library's copies are returned without writing, but I have my doubts!) The brother and sister versions have variations in text and illustrations, however, the message remains the same.  You will both be loved; you have a new and special role in your family.

Short and rhyming with a multicultural cast of families, these are great introductions to a new family cast member.


Click to see a graphic excerpt from You're Getting a Baby Sister!
Click to see a graphic excerpt from You're Getting a Baby Brother!

 

The Nonfiction Monday is at Simply Science today.

My choice of books today is not nonfiction in the strictest sense of the word,
but factual enough for the preschool set.

Picture Book Roundup - April edition

A quick picture book roundup for April ...

• Gibson, Amy. 2012. Split! Splat! Ill. by Steve Bjorkman. New York: Scholastic.

April showers bring May flowers and delightful books about rain! Enjoy this rhyming, cumulative book with bright watercolor illustrations. It begs to bed read aloud - perfect for storytime!

I sing a little mud song,
a puddle song,
a muddle song,
a no-shoes, toes-ooze,
slip-slap-and-thud song.

• Schaefer, Lola M. 2012. One Special Day. Ill. by Jessica Meserve. New York: Disney/Hyperion.

Bold, "digital oil pastel" illustrations accompany bold and simple text that describes a bold young boy, who was "strong as a" [bear], "fast as a" [horse], and many other wonderfully bold things, until

he was gentle,
because,
for the first time ever --
Spencer was a brother.

A fun, participatory (the animal names are provided in illustration only), and touching book about welcoming a new baby.

• Allen, Jonathan. 2012. Don't Copy Me! New York: Boxer Books.

As any younger sibling can tell you, the old repeat-everything-you-say and copy-everything-you-do is one of the oldest tricks in a young one's toolbox.  The reason it's so popular is that it is virtually impossible to defend against - as Little Puffin finds out in Don't Copy Me! The very-funny Jonathan Allen has a great time with this one (click the title link for a peek inside).  Call me politically incorrect, but what I like best about Don't Copy Me! is that all does not end well for Little Puffin.  Score one for the little guys!

Waiting for the Magic

MacLachlan, Patricia. 2011. Waiting for the Magic. New York: Atheneum.

Fifth-grader, William's, father doesn't like dogs. When Papa deserts the family, going off "to write," one summer morning, Mama loads William and 4-year-old Elinor into the car and heads for the local animal shelter.

"What kind of dog are we getting? I asked.
"Whatever they have," said Mama.
"Can we get a cat?" asked Elinor from the back.
"Yes," said Mama.
For a moment I thought about asking for a horse, but I didn't think Mama's mood about animals would last that long.

At the shelter, Mama makes another impulsive decision,

"We'll take them all," Mama said crisply,

the protective Bryn, high-energy Bitty, peaceful Grace, friendly Neo and Lulu, the very patient cat. It is Elinor who first understands the nature of their new pets.  She waves her toy magic wand above them, and they sit patiently, orderly, and they talk - but only Elinor can hear them, because the only
ones who know magic are:

The young
The old
The brave
The honest
The joyful

What will it take for the rest of the family, including Papa, to "know the magic?" It will take love and bravery and honesty and time.

Waiting for the Magic is a short (143 pages) chapter book peppered with simple and attractive penciled sketches by Amy June Bates, perfect for young readers, ages 9-12.  It has some similarities with Kate Feiffer's delightful book, The Problem with the Puddles. Both feature endearing, talking dogs as fully developed characters.

Though Waiting for the Magic is told in William's voice, the dogs often interrupt,

Neo
He misses his father.

Bitty
Yes, he does.

Neo
Can you move over, Bitty?

Bitty
The cat's there.

Neo
The cat's name is Lula, Bitty.  Lula.

Bitty
Okay, Lula.
I know you like her. You ask her to move over.

Printed in italics and placed in the center of the page, readers will have no trouble distinguishing the canine dialogue, and will enjoy the dogs' sometimes silly and sometimes profound commentary.

Newbery winner Patricia MacLachlan's gentle treatment of a difficult topic is laced with humor, magic, and a happy ending.  An enjoyable read.

Read an excerpt here.

© Amy June Bates
This cover image is taken from Amy June Bates' website,
where it is just so precious, that it deserves a visit.

Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth

Weeks, Sarah. 2009. Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth! New York: Beach Lane Books.

Kids deserve to know the truth about having a sibling, and Sarah Weeks tells it in Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth!


"Babies are not sweet. Babies are not precious. Babies are not cute. Babies are... YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE! Here are some true things about babies:

1. If you try to sell one, nobody will buy it.
2. If you try to pick one up, BEWARE, they leak."

(imagine the baby in a cardboard box in the yard with the FOR SALE sign, or Sophie carrying the leaking baby with a diaper hanging down to his knees!)

As if these problems arent' bad enough, WATCH OUT if

"he starts calling you something really cute because he can't say your name right..." "SOAPY!" "...and he always cries when you go off to school...You might actually start to LIKE him."

Robert Neubecker's illustrations are priceless - comically and colorfully depicting the alien newborn, complete with huge eyes and head, the fumes emanating from his car seat, and of course Sophie's alternating expressions of anger, disgust, horror, and eventually - love. Even the font is clever - changing in size and orientation, often appearing as childish scribble.

A humorous and engaging look at the age old problem of the new sibling. Loved it!

My Baby & Me

Reiser, Lynn. 2008. My baby & me. Ill. by Penny Gentieu. New York: Knopf.

New babies may seem like they can't do much, but My Baby & Me will convince any child that his new sibling can be great delight! With simple text,

You can crawl?
Watch me go. I go fast -
You go slow!
...

I can read.
Here's my book.
I can show you.
Look, look, look!

older siblings can see the joy of having a younger brother or sister. Side-by-side with building blocks, bottles, sipper cups, car seats, and blocks, siblings are depicted spending time with each other.

The photographs by Penny Gentieu are superb! Each double-page spread has a single color background that does not detract from the photos of brother/sister, sister/sister and brother/brother combinations. Photos show children with diverse racial backgrounds, and the they patiently and soothingly depict the reality of having an infant sibling. There are no forced poses or smiles. These are photos of earnest infants looking, laughing. and pondering with an older sibling - and no insinuation that they can do much more. And yet, My Baby & Me is able to convey the loving bond between very young children and new siblings.