What We're Reading: Current Picks from the Watermark Staff

Watermark Teacher Feature – April 16, 2008
 
In this issue:
 
FRESH TITLES:
 
* “The Way Back Home” by Oliver Jeffers
* “Clementine’s Letter” by Sara Pennypacker
* “The Penderwicks on Gardam Street” by Jeanne Birdsall
* “Mouseguard: 1152” by David Petersen
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
*Keith Pickus Reading & Signing: Thursday, April 17. 7:00 p.m.
* May KMUW Literary Feast
* Dr. Bryan Jack Reading & Signing: Saturday, May 3. 3:00 p.m.
* Molly O'Shaughnessy Talk & Book Signing: Saturday, May 10. 3 p.m.
* Elizabeth Berg reading & signing: Wednesday, May 21. 7:00 p.m.
 
FEATURED REVIEWS: Two great pre-school & kindergarten books!
 
* “Dog and Bear: Two’s Company” by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
* “Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories” by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
 
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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: http://www.watermarkbooks.com/teacharchives.html

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Greetings and salutations,
 
Did you catch Teacher Feature in the news? This newsletter and recommendations first featured in it were given a spotlight in the April 3 edition of the Wichita Eagle’s “WichitTalk” section, along with picks from two stellar local librarians. Check it out on-line on the Eagle’s Web page and take part in the newspaper’s search for readers’ favorite children’s titles: http://www.kansas.com/298/story/360493.html

In other news: so many great new books have just been released. You know the feeling. Our shelves runneth over! Enjoy this issue, which includes titles from the cream of the crop. Also, for everyone in a pinch to use book funds before they expire with the end of the school year, we stand ready to help. Give us a call at (316) 682-1181 or e-mail our dedicated school liaison at lisa.johnson@watermarkbooks.com
 
And remember: keep smiling, it’s nearly May, and the sun is shining!
 
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FRESH TITLES
 
Picture books:
 
“The Way Back Home” by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel, 9780399250743, $16.99, 32 pages, ages 4 to 8) Irish children’s writer and illustrator Oliver Jeffers is creator of last year’s fantastic picture book “The Incredible Book-Eating Boy.” His brand-new book tells a very kind and funny story about two young boys (one from Earth, the other from Mars) who learn to cooperate and become friends despite their differences. It has amazing illustrations! Read review
 
 
Early chapter book:
 
"Clementine's Letter" by Sara Pennypacker, pictures by Marla Frazee (Hyperion, 9780786838844, $14.99, 150 pages, for ages 7 to 10) Clementine is at the very top of my list of great chapter-book characters. Like many youngsters, she has trouble listening and paying attention in school, and in this third book of her adventures, she gets very worried when her favorite teacher plans to leave before the end of the school year. How can a substitute learn all of her teacher’s special tricks for helping Clementine learn? Read review
 
 
Middle-readers fiction:
 
“The Penderwicks on Gardam Street” by Jeanne Birdsall (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780375840906, $15.99, 320 pages, ages 9 to 12) In this new sequel to 2005’s National Book Award winner, the awesome Penderwick sisters are back for another story of bravery, honor, truthfulness, and imagination. This book features outstanding characters that will capture readers’ affection and admiration, and it’s an instant classic that can be set alongside excellent works like “The Tale of Despereux.” Read review
 
 
“Mouse Guard: Fall 1152” by David Petersen (Random House Publishing, 9780345496867, $17.95 in paperback, $24.95 in hardcover, 128 pages, ages 9 and up) Everyone with “Redwall” fans will want to check out this unique painted graphic novel that begins the adventures of the Mouse Guard, an elite group of scouts and guards-mice who escort small, furry travelers past unknown dangers and peril. Independent comics creator David Petersen draws and paints the book all himself, and he packs a lot of wonder and excitement into its pages: Read review
 
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UPCOMING WATERMARK EVENTS
 
 
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 & 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/

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
 
“Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories”
 
“Dog and Bear: Two’s Company”
 
… both by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook Press, 9781596430532 and 9781596432734, $12.95 each, 32 pages each, for ages 4 to 7)
 
Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s name should sound familiar to you: her picture book First the Egg earned a 2008 nominee for the Caldecott Medal and an honor for the Geisel Award. She’s also the author and illustrator of “Lemons Are Not Red” and “Black? White! Day? Night?” All of her books combine simple ideas with striking, appealing visuals that make them favorites with teachers, librarians, parents, and young kids alike. Her two “Dog and Bear” books are no exceptions: they are simply wonderful early picture books.
 
“Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories” first came out last year and was named an ALA Notable honoree. Its brand-new follow-up, “Dog and Bear: Two’s Company,” is just as great. Each book contains three short stories about the lovely camaraderie of a stuffed bear and his dachshund best friend. They’re perfect for individual reading or for sharing with a group.
 
In the first book, the two friends have an easy give-and-take. Dog coaches Bear on how to get down from a tall chair (the quickest way: slide down dog's noodly back). The pair learns to compromise when one wants to play and the other wants to read: they end up taking turns reading to each other. And in the end story, Bear changes Dog's name to "My Best Friend Dog" but still calls him just "Dog" for short.
 
The new book adds a little more conflict. The opening story shows Dog in a huff and packing his toys to leave. Bear coaxes him to stay for ice cream, and they are reconciled. Next, Dog bakes Bear a tremendous birthday cake, but accidentally eats it all before Bear arrives. Still, Bear adores the birthday candle that remains. Finally, Bear takes good care of Dog while he’s sick, and when Bear starts to feel poorly, Dog returns the favor.
 
Seeger illustrates both books with bold brushstrokes and bright patches of color that add genuine homespun warmth to her stories of everyday friendship. Add to that the books’ nice size and sturdy hardcover bindings, and you have a perfect package for story time. (And should I mention the books’ welcome lack of dust jackets? Why can’t all children’s book be made that way? It would be heaven!)
 
These books will easily become repeat favorites, and Dog and Bear will become two of your young readers’ very best friends.
 
Read a review of Seeger's acclaimed "First the Egg" here: http://www.watermarkbooks.com/review0108-011.html

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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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