A Favorite New to Paperback:
* “Fairy Haven & the Quest for the Egg” by Gail Carson Levine
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
* Catherine Ryan Hyde reading & signing: Tuesday, April 8. 7:00 p.m.
* Keith Pickus Reading & Signing: Thursday, April 17. 7:00 p.m.
* Dr. Bryan Jack Reading & Signing: Saturday, May 3. 3:00 p.m.
* Molly O'Shaughnessy Talk & Book Signing: Saturday, May 10. 3 p.m.
* May KMUW Literary Feast
* Elizabeth Berg reading & signing: Wednesday, May 21. 7:00 p.m.
* Tony Horwitz reading & signing: Tuesday, May 27. 7:00 p.m.
 
FEATURED REVIEW
 
* “The Pigeon Wants a Puppy” by Mo Willems -- BRAND NEW THIS WEEK!
 
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This and previous issues of Teacher Feature are available on the Watermark Web site. You can read on-line, complete with pictures and clickable links, here: www.watermarkbooks.com/teach.html

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Greetings and salutations!

Happy Foolish April. I think I easily could have written two issues of Teacher Feature this time; there are so many great new books out this week!

I'd like to mention the two I've included as bookends: first up is a charming picture book illustrated by Kansas artist Brad Sneed, a frequent visitor to Wichita schools. Every school and public librarian will want to check out his new "The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians." It really is a love letter to all librarians. At the other end of the newsletter comes the much-anticipated new Pigeon book from Brooklyn-based children's author Mo Willems. The title (solicited as "The Pigeon Wants...") was a well-kept secret up until the day of its release, but now the secret is out: "The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!"

As we start to slide into summer, and your break-time calendar begins to fill up, be sure to check out Watermark's line-up of upcoming events. We have local scholars discussing their research, novelist Elizabeth Berg signing her bestselling books, and Pulitzer-winning journalist Tony Horwitz digging deep into American history. And these are truly just the tip of the iceberg. Makes plans to visit us!
 
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FRESH TITLES
 
Picture books:
 
“The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians” by Carla Morris, illus. by Brad Sneed (Peachtree Publishers, 9781561453917, $16.95, 32 pages, ages 4 to 8) This brand-new storybook with pictures by Kansas illustrator Brad Sneed tells of Melvin, a young boy who spends all his free time in the library with his favorite people, the three super librarians who help fill his childhood with books, lots of information on nearly every subject, and endless encouragement! Read review

 
Beginning chapter reader:
 
“Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea” by Mary Pope Osborne (Random House Books for Young Readers, 9780375837319, $11.99, 128 pages, for ages 7 to 10) Jack and Annie are at it again in their new Merlin adventure! When their magic tree house parks them on a desert island, they join forces with a ship of scientist-explorers in search of real-life sea monsters like the fabled giant squid. Mary Pope Osborne wraps this early-reader story around lots of squidgy facts and captivating undersea information.
 
 
Middle-readers fiction:
 
“Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4: The Battle for Skandia” by John Flanagan (Philomel, 9780399244575, $16.99) This new book in the epic adventure series from Australian author John Flanagan continues the story of Will, a young apprentice scout defending his homeland against enemies and treason. When Will and his friends uncover an advance invasion force, they’re faced with the difficult choice of whether to ally themselves with their country’s sworn enemies. This series keeps building in popularity, and with several more volumes already published in Australia and a movie now in the works, it’s a good time to add these books to your library collection.
 
 
Teen fiction:
 
“Good Enough” by Paula Yoo (HarperTeen, 9780060790851, $16.99, ages 12 and older) This is a fun and funny YA novel focused on violin recitals, first crushes, SAT-prep anxiety, church youth-group rivalries, and the constant quest to please one’s highly-motivated Korean parents. It's a great laugh and a welcome dose of understanding for teens who feel over-scheduled and pressured to be perfect little overachievers. A must for young musicians: Read review
 
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A Favorite New to Paperback:
 
“Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg” by Gail Carson Levine (Disney Press, 9781423108191, $9.99, 208 pages, ages 8 to 12) Levine, author of “Ella Enchanted,” peers into the miniature world of Tinker Bell and the fairies of Never Land. Each one has a special inborn talent, like being an animal-handler or a skilled baker, but the story’s most resonant moments arrive when its fairy heroes must learn to grow beyond what comes easily to them. This is a gentle illustrated adventure story full of fascinating characters and the timeless ideals of honesty, courage, kindness. Read review

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UPCOMING WATERMARK EVENTS
 
 
Catherine Ryan Hyde reading & signing: Tuesday, April 8. 7:00 p.m.
 
Join us as we host Catherine Ryan Hyde for a reading & signing of her latest book, “Chasing Windmills.” Hyde is the author of several books, including “Pay it Forward” and “Love in the Present Tense.” For more information about the author, visit her websites at www.cryanhyde.com and www.payitforwardfoundation.org

 
Keith Pickus Reading & Signing: Thursday, April 17. 7:00 p.m.
 
Keith Pickus will read from and sign copies of his new book, “Our Only Hope: Eddie's Holocaust Story and the Weisz Family Correspondence.” Pickus is Associate Provost at Wichita State University and an Associate Professor of German and Jewish history. His book is based on correspondence between a German émigré to the U.S. and his family members who remained in Berlin and Prague.
 
 
May KMUW Literary Feast: Friday, May 2. 7:00 p.m.
 
The May book will be “The Commoner” by John Burnham Schwartz, a novel of a young woman who marries into the Japanese Imperial family and learns the lessons and sacrifices that come with a life lived apart. Read Beth’s review: http://www.watermarkbooks.com/review0108-013.html

Tickets for the feast are available at the Watermark book counter or by calling (316) 682-1181. Places are limited, and we recommend purchasing your ticket well in advance. Read more about the book and author on the KMUW Web site: http://www.kmuw.org/LiteraryFeasts.html

 
Dr. Bryan Jack Reading & Signing: Saturday, May 3. 3:00 p.m.
 
Join us as we welcome Dr. Bryan Jack for a reading and signing of his book, “The Saint Louis African American Community and the Exodusters,” which chronicle the post-Civil War migration of former slaves to the plain states in search of a new promised land. Dr. Jack is Assistant Professor of History at Winston-Salem State University.
 
 
Molly O'Shaughnessy Talk & Book Signing: Saturday, May 10. 3:00-4:00 p.m.
 
Join Wichita native Molly O'Shaughnessy for a talk and signing for her new book “Just Write: The Art of Personal Correspondence.” The book will be available beginning April 15, and pre-orders are welcome. Please call (316) 682-1181 to order a copy.
 
 
Elizabeth Berg reading & signing: Wednesday, May 21. 7:00 p.m.
 
Join us as we host bestselling novelist Elizabeth Berg for a reading & signing of her latest book, “The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted: and Other Small Acts of Liberation.” This is a thoughtful, whimsical, entertaining collection of short stories about food and family, love and loneliness, denial and the triumph of desires. Berg’s most recent novel “Dream When You’re Feeling Blue” is also new in paperback. Visit her Web site at: http://www.elizabeth-berg.net/
 
 
Tony Horwitz reading & signing: Tuesday, May 27. 7:00 p.m.
 
Join us as we host Tony Horwitz for a reading & signing of his new book, “A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World.” This non-fiction book is a history of North America from Columbus to Jamestown, and it covers Vikings, conquistadores, French voyageurs, and many others who preceded the Pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth Rock. Horwitz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the bestselling author of “Blue Latitudes” and “Baghdad Without a Map.” He lives in Martha's Vineyard with his wife, novelist Geraldine Brooks, author of “March” and “People of the Book.”
 
 
For a full listing of Watermark events, including book clubs and art openings, visit the Events page of our Web site at: http://www.watermarkbooks.com/events.html

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FEATURED REVIEWS

“The Pigeon Wants a Puppy” by Mo Willems (Hyperion Books for Children, 9781423109600, $14.99, 40 pages, for ages 2 to 6)

The pigeon is back! Mo Willems’s funny, flighty cartoon bird is back, and as usual, he’s in a flap. This time, the Pigeon wants a puppy. He’s a puppy-lovin’ pigeon!

Like all of Willems’s picture books, “The Pigeon Wants a Puppy” is a perfect combination: its energy will enthrall even very young children while also delighting their grown-up readers for many, many re-readings. This particular outing pokes a little fun at the sheer want-iness that youngsters sometimes fall prey to… at pet stores, at toy stores, even in grocery store aisles. On the floor. Rolling all around. Like them, the Pigeon really, really, REALLY wants a puppy. It’s what he’s wanted forever… at least since last Tuesday!

(Now, understand: the Pigeon has a long list of wants: Drive a bus! Eat a hot dog! Wear roller skates! Buy real estate! But a puppy is really the big-ticket item.)

The Pigeon is begging. He’s pleading. He’s promising to water it once a month. (After all, “Everybody knows that puppies need plenty of water and sunshine!”) And he’s really quite miffed that you seem to be dragging your feet: don’t you want him to be happy? Don’t you want him to have piggyback rides on his puppy? Don’t you? Don’t you?

As you might suspect, when Pigeon finally meets Puppy, beak to cold wet nose, that flighty, flappy bird starts to sing a different tune. This book is great fun for all ages.
 
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Past reviews and archived issues of Teacher Feature can be read on-line on the Watermark Web site at: http://www.watermarkbooks.com/teacharchives.html

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Later educators,
 
Mark David Bradshaw

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