By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 13, 2012

Mary Blair

If you grew up watching Disney’s Peter Pan and Cinderella or once drifted along in a boat on the “It’s A Small World” ride at Disneyland, then you’re well-acquainted with Mary Blair’s unique artwork.  Blair was honored as a Disney legend in 1991 for her designs during the golden age of animation. In October 2011, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored her with a “Centennial Tribute” at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. There’s even an iPhone app for her “It’s A Small World” design.

Blair is also famous for the enduring appeal of her Little Golden Book series. In her illustrations for the classic book I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss, she seems to encourage even the most timid child to attempt acts of bravery. From her first image of a small, raven-haired beauty flying high in the sky on her swing that accompanies the line, “A bird can fly, so can I” to her picture of the little girl boldly proclaiming, “Who can climb anywhere? Me! Like a bear” as she scoots up the banister, it’s a triumph in children’s picture books. Blair emboldened children yet always imbued her illustrations with warmth and humor. She made her readers believe they could be anything and do anything.

The latest update on her Baby’s House was just reissued as a Golden Baby board book. It’s perfect for little hands to hold and cherish as they flip through baby’s explorations around the house while Mama knits and Papa smokes his pipe, in his robe and slippers, and reads the newspaper. Baby has certainly come a long way since 1950. Yet she still resourcefully brushes her teeth and washes dishes convincing youngsters they too can take care of themselves. In August 2012, A Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books will be published. I’m delighted Blair’s original artwork will be available for future generations to treasure.

Below are a few more books about this beloved artist:

The Art and Flair of Mary Blair by John Canemaker

Walt Disney’s Peter Pan by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson and Mary Blair

Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland by Jon Scieszka and Mary Blair

Walt Disney’s Cinderella by Cynthia Rylant and Mary Blair

What is your favorite book by Mary Blair?

Illustration copyright © by Mary Blair

Nicki Richesin is the editor of four anthologies,What I Would Tell Her: 28 Devoted Dads on Bringing Up, Holding On To, and Letting Go of Their Daughters; Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond; Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love; and The May Queen: Women on Life, Work, and Pulling it all Together in your Thirties. Her anthologies have been excerpted and praised in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, Redbook, Parenting, Cosmopolitan, Bust, Salon, Daily Candy, and Babble.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 1, 2012

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Kids Winter Books: Snow, mittens, polar bears and other arctic animals

Star Wars Books for Kids

Author Interview: Gary Paulsen

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

The most coveted books that release this month:

Cinder: Book One in the Lunar Chronicles

by Marissa Meyer

(Ages 12-17)

The Fault in our Stars

by John Green

(Ages 14-17)

Llama Llama Nighty-Night

by Anna Dewdney

(Ages 2-4)

Fallen in Love: A Fallen Novel in Stories

by Lauren Kate

(Ages 12+)

A Million Suns: An Across the Universe Novel

by Beth Revis

(Ages 13-17)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen

(Ages 4-8)

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Author), Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

(Ages 4-8)

If You Give a Dog a Donut

by Laura Numeroff (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

(Ages 3-7)

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

by Eric Carle

(Ages 0-5)

The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories

by Dr. Seuss

(Ages 6-9)

CHAPTER BOOKS

Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-11)

The LEGO Ideas Book

by Daniel Lipkowitz

(Ages 8-12)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-12)

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick

(Ages 9-12)

Every Thing On It

by Shel Silverstein

(Ages 8-11)

PAPERBACK BOOKS

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

(Ages 9-12)

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 10 and up)

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham

(Ages 8-12)

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

(Ages 14 and up)

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

(Ages 12 and up)

SERIES BOOKS

Inheritance

by Christopher Paolini

(Young Adult)

The Twilight Saga Collection

by Stephenie Meyer

(Ages 12 and up)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9 to 12)

Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset

by Suzanne Collins

(Ages 12 and up)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Jeff Kinney

(Ages 9 to 12)

This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit: www.nytimes.com.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 20, 2011

So, you have a real book lover on your hands and you want to give a book that is sure to impress. From storybook classics to world famous authors, the following books will do just that!

Click on the images to learn more about each of these outstanding titles.

Ages 8+

Ages 8+

Ages 8+

Ages 3+

Ages 6+

And just for fun …

Ages 4+

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 17, 2011

Looking for some last minute gift ideas? Here are some fun books and book related items that you can’t go wrong with. There is something for everyone—babies to teenagers! Just click on the images to learn more …

The Adventures of Tin Tin: Season 1 (DVD)

The Magic School Bus: Oceans (Nintendo DS—Ages 5+)

The Giant Book of Giants (Ages 4+)

The Girls' Book of Secrets (Ages 8+)

A Pocket Library: Oh, David! (Ages 0+)

Star Wars: Darth Vader, A 3-D Reconstruction Log (Ages 5+)

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Strikingly True (Ages 10+)

Tiffany's Table Manners for Teenagers (Ages 12+)

Modern Art Memory Game (Ages 5+)

The Odyssey: A Pop-Up Book (Ages 8+)

Source of items: Publishers and publicists.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Best Kids Christmas Books of 2011

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 6, 2011

Home for Christmas

By Jan Brett

A new holiday favorite about the importance of family and working together. Jan Brett’s clever storytelling begs to be read aloud while eyes devour her wonderfully detailed illustrations. More wintery, holiday favorites from Jane Brett: The Night Before Christmas and The Mitten. (Ages 3-5)

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree

By David Rubel; illustrated by Jim LaMarche

David Rubel, a children’s historian, captures the essence of giving and charity, showing the importance of compassion during the holidays. The colored-pencil illustrations by LaMarche are evocative of the 1930′s era, depression time, and warm the sol with their glow. (Ages 5-8)

A Bad Kitty Christmas

By Nick Bruel

Bad Kitty is a little on the greedy side; however, with the help of an old friend and  a new friend, he learns the true meaning of Christmas. Bruel’s alphabetical and lyrical format combine well with the busy and entertaining illustrations that fill the pages with a comical and epic Christmas journey. A Bad Kitty Christmas is for those that enjoy a good giggle. (Ages 4-8)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

By Barbara Robinson; illustrated by Laura Cornell

Based on her 1972 bestselling novel, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, popular author Barabra Robinson delivers an amusing picture book about the Herdmans family (“the worst kids in the history of the world”), who single-handedly capture the true meaning of Christmas with their candid interpretation. Bestselling illustrator Laura Cornell, who is well known for her artwork in actor/author Jamie Lee Curtis’s books, adds to the authenticity of the Herdmans candidness with her pictures that are purposefully unruly and farcical. This book is lots of fun. (ages 4-8)

The Story of Christmas

Illustrated by Pamela Dalton

Pamela Dalton has masterfully created intricate artwork using her paper-cutting scherenschnitte skills to bring the Nativity story from the King James Bible story alive. This is a great selection for those that are looking for a respectful, spiritual book. (Ages 4-8)

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Illustrated by Laurel Long

This is a splendid visual celebration of one of the most beloved Christmas carols, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Adults and children alike can get joyfully lost in the detailed oil painting illustrations as they search for hidden gifts from each of the previous verses. Destined to be a family favorite. (Ages 3+)

A Christmas Goodnight

By Nola Buck; illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright

Nola Buck has written a sweet, rhyming Christmas story that  doubles as a bedtime book for young readers. The illustrations are charming and offer a gentle visual introduction to the traditional Nativity story. (Ages 2+)

The Helpful Elves

By August Kopisch; illustrated by Beatrice Braun-Fock

The Helpful Elves is a classic German tale with a cautionary message that will discourage children from unnecessary investigation into the lives of elves. The retro illustrations are enhanced by ten die-cut elves, each with their own little personality, that are perched at the top of each page. This is quick read that lingers on the mind well after the last page has been turned. (Ages 3-7)

Here are a couple more suggestions for the youngest readers in your family: Santa’s New Idea by Nina Chen, What am I? Christmas by Anne Margaret Lewis, and Duck & Goose, It’s Time for Christmas by Tad Hills.

Add these books to your collection by clicking on the book cover images above.

Source of books: Some of these books were provided by the publishers. Submissions are evaluated based on the following particulars: literary value, illustrative quality, and over-all presentation. Our reviews are always positive because we only appraise those books with the strongest potential impact on the reader.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 29, 2011

During the holiday season it’s a great joy to share family traditions and spend time together. Every year, I look forward to reading these beloved books below to my daughter.

The Story of Holly & Ivy

By Rumer Godden; illustrated by Barbara Cooney

Rumer Godden begins The Story of Holly & Ivy with the sweetest line, “This is a story about wishing.” When an orphan named Ivy and a dreamy doll named Holly see each other through a toy shop window, magic happens. In this classic Christmas tale, Holly and Ivy both find a sense of belonging in their new home and to each other. Wishes come true in part thanks to Barbara Cooney’s tender illustrations of the festive village and toys. Godden captures the precious beauty of a brave girl unwilling to give up on her dream. (Ages 5-10)

Christmas Tree Memories

By Aliki

My daughter and I love returning to Christmas Tree Memories by Aliki each December just like the family’s tradition in the book of sitting by their tree with cookies and a roaring fire to recount each story behind their homemade ornaments. Aliki imbues such gentleness to each character, whether it’s Papouli or the children, the love this family feels for each other comes across with her every detail. (Ages 4-8)

Jingle Bells

By Iza Trapani

Jingle Bells (as told and illustrated by Iza Trapani) is a rollicking fun songbook filled with holiday customs and traditions from around the world. Children will enjoy learning about bearded little gnomes in Sweden, lantern parades in the Philippines, breaking the piñata in Mexico, and presents found in their shoes in Italy. (Ages 4-8)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

By Gloria Houston; illustrated by Barbara Cooney

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston tells the story of Ruthie a little girl in the Appalachian Mountains whose Papa is called away to fight in the war. With the help of her resourceful mother, they cut down the perfect balsam tree from Grandfather Mountain and deliver it to the church on Christmas. Barbara Cooney’s pictures of the mountains and the determined characters sweeten and enliven this heartwarming tale. (Ages 4-8)

The Magic Dreidels: A Hanukkah Story

By Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Katya Krenina

Based on “The Tablecloth, the Donkey, and the Stick” Eric A. Kimmel retells this old tale in a Hanukkah setting. He originally wrote The Magic Dreidels: A Hanukkah Story for Spider, The Magazine for Children. Katya Krenina beautifully illustrates young Jacob’s adventures with his new brass dreidel and the goblin at the bottom of the well. (Ages 4-8)

The Night Before Christmas

By Clement Moore; illustrated by Jan Brett

Clement Moore’s classic poem The Night Before Christmas (illustrated by Jan Brett) comes to life with rich details, as she is well known for including in all of her books. That chubby old elf St. Nick and his sleigh full of toys promise a Merry Christmas for all! (Ages 4-8)

The Trees of the Dancing Goats

By Patricia Polacco

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is a touching story of how two families combine their holiday traditions. When Trisha’s Russian family celebrates Hanukkah, they decide to surprise their Christian neighbors who are suffering from scarlet fever. A gifted storyteller, Polacco’s vivid illustrations of the family’s traditions, like candle-making and carving wooden toys, are also delightful. (Ages 5-8)

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree

By Robert Barry

Sharing the joy of the season in Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, Robert Barry charms readers with his clever lilting rhyme. Dissatisfied with the imposing height of his tree, Mr. Willowby orders his butler to chop off the top. The treetop is handed down to Adelaide the upstairs maid, Timm the gardener and various woodland creatures including Barnaby Bear, Frisky Fox, Benjamin Rabbit, only to return once again to Mistletoe Mouse and his family in the Willowby mansion. (Ages 4-8)

A Child’s Christmas in Wales

By Dylan Thomas; illustrated by Edward Ardizzone

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas is the wondrous story of a child’s Welsh Christmas as told by a doting grandfather to his grandson. Thomas’s lyrical tale honors his rich cultural heritage, but also offers us a peek back in time. Edward Ardizzone’s carefully detailed illustrations recall those magical long ago Christmases in the snow. (Ages 7-11)

Nicki Richesin is the editor of four anthologies,What I Would Tell Her: 28 Devoted Dads on Bringing Up, Holding On To, and Letting Go of Their Daughters; Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond; Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love; and The May Queen: Women on Life, Work, and Pulling it all Together in your Thirties. Her anthologies have been excerpted and praised in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, Redbook, Parenting, Cosmopolitan, Bust, Salon, Daily Candy, and Babble.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Add these books to your collection: The Phantom Tollbooth 50th Anniversary Edition and The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth

Reading Level: Ages 8-12

Video courtesy of RandomBooks: “2011 marks the 50th Anniversary of the beloved classic, The Phantom Tollbooth. Meet the book’s creators, Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer, and hear them discuss how this classic came to be.

Also with commentary from Leonard S. Marcus, children’s books critic and historian, and author of The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth.”

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 1, 2011

Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases and bestsellers.

Cedella Marley Inspires with “One Love”

Author Interview: Gary Paulsen

Lessons from Laura Ingalls Wilder

Review: Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online

The most coveted books that release this month:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever

by Jeff Kinney

(Ages 8-11)

Inheritance

by Christopher Paolini

(Young Adult)

Home for Christmas

by Jan Brett

(Ages 0-5)

Ivy an Bean: No News is Good News

by Annie Barrows

(Ages 6-9)

Red Sled

by Lita Judge

(Ages 0-5)

Steps and Stones: An Anh’s Anger Story

by Gail Silver

(Ages 4-10)

THE BEST SELLERS

The best selling children’s books this month:

PICTURE BOOKS

If You Give a Dog a Donut

by Laura Numeroff (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

(Ages 3-7)

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

by Eric Carle

(Ages 0-5)

The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories

by Dr. Seuss

(Ages 6-9)

Llama Llama Home with Mama

by Anna Dewdney

(Ages 3-5)

Press Here

by Herve Tullet

(Ages 4-8)

CHAPTER BOOKS

Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-11)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9-12)

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick

(Ages 9-12)

Every Thing On It

by Shel Silverstein

(Ages 8-11)

LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia

by DK Publishing

(Ages 12 and up)

PAPERBACK BOOKS

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

(Ages 10 and up)

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham

(Ages 8-12)

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

(Ages 14 and up)

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

(Ages 12 and up)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

(Ages 12 and up)

SERIES BOOKS

The Twilight Saga Collection

by Stephenie Meyer

(Ages 12 and up)

Ranger’s Apprentice

by John Flanagan

(Ages 9-12)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

by Rick Riordan

(Ages 9 to 12)

Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset

by Suzanne Collins

(Ages 12 and up)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Jeff Kinney

(Ages 9 to 12)

This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit: www.nytimes.com.

Know of any kids’ literacy or author events that are happening during the months of November or December? Leave your suggestion in the comments field below.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 26, 2011

Fairy tales have the power to teach us valuable lessons about love, loyalty and friendship. In these stories, characters are transformed into magical beings, sacrifices are made in their honor and small creatures perform enormous acts of courage and daring. These classic stories have been told for many generations and yet their legend grows richer with each telling.

Michael Hague’s Treasured Classics has the old-fashioned appeal of books my mother once read to me. Reading “The Three Billy Goats Gruff,” I fondly remembered my mom growling like the fierce troll under the bridge. With fourteen tales to choose from including “Jack and The Beanstalk” and “The Gingerbread Man,” children will marvel at the intricately detailed illustrations. It seems this book played a magic trick on me by transporting me back in time. (Ages 6-9)

Mouse & Lion is an unusually beautiful retelling of Aesop’s fable. Rand Burkert’s rich language embellishes the familiar story and Nancy Ekholm Burkert’s lush illustrations reflect the magnificence of the African landscape (with its brilliant orange setting sun and ancient baobab tree) in this heartwarming tale.  Burkert has composed and recorded a CD of songs inspired by Aesop, also entitled Mouse & Lion. (Ages 4-8)

Brigette Barrager illustrations in Twelve Dancing Princesses reminded me of classic Disney movies such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, but her version has a decidedly modern spin.  When Pip the clever cobbler discovers why the sleepy princesses’ shoes are worn out each morning, she unveils the mystery with witty dialogue rather than long-winded descriptions of the enchanted forest, boat ride, and ballroom (yawn). Well done, Miss Barrager. A lovely matching game is also available from Chronicle Books. (Ages 5-8)

Bambi by Felix Salten is such a sad story and yet this coming of age tale brings with it hope and resilience. The soft watercolor paintings by Maja Dusikova of the sweet woodland creatures glow in the forest light. The Old Prince gets me every time when he saves Bambi and watches over him until he is well again. (Ages 5-8)

Grimm’s Tales retold and illustrated by Eric Carle include “Tom Thumb,”” The Fisherman and His Wife,” “Hans in Luck” and” The Seven Swabians.” “The Fisherman and His Wife” is the most compelling with its morality tale of the greedy woman who demands more and more of the magical fish. As always, Carle’s artwork stuns with its bold originality. (Ages 3-8)

Hans Christian Andersen’s bittersweet fairy tale follows a Chinese emperor who becomes devoted to The Nightingale for its beautiful voice, but then replaces it with a golden mechanical replica who can only sing one tune. Delicate illustrations of the imperial court by Pirkko Vainio render a spellbinding setting as readers discover more about the sweet songbird’s loyalty to the emperor. (Ages 6-9)

Nicki Richesin is the editor of four anthologies,What I Would Tell Her: 28 Devoted Dads on Bringing Up, Holding On To, and Letting Go of Their Daughters; Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond; Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love; and The May Queen: Women on Life, Work, and Pulling it all Together in your Thirties. Her anthologies have been excerpted and praised in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, Redbook, Parenting, Cosmopolitan, Bust, Salon, Daily Candy, and Babble.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 12, 2011

Looking for some spooky good reads this Halloween? Below is our family’s list of all-time favorites. Have a Happy Halloween!

A cautionary tale from 1829 The Spider and the Fly will capture your children’s imagination. Tony DiTerlizzi spins a masterful retelling of Mary Howitt’s poetic fable with his perversely charming pictures. It’s such fun and best read with a wicked voice… Ba ha ha ha ha! (Ages 6-9)

Humbug Witch is a little witch who can’t quite fly her broom or make her cauldron boil and bubble, but Lorna Balian’s surprise ending will delight your little ones. (Ages 3-8)

Diane Goode’s Book of Scary Stories & Songs is a fabulous collection of old folktales, poems, and songs that will either send a shiver down your spine or make you laugh out loud. Goode’s playful illustrations bring old favorites back to life like “The Ghost of John” and “The Green Ribbon.” (Ages 5-8)

From the creators of The Gruffalo, zooms Room on the Broom. Julia Donaldson tells the story of this enterprising witch and cat. Young children will become bewitched by the rhyme and have a silly time. (Ages 4-8)

The Witches’ Supermarket is a terribly clever book for ages 4-8 who will enjoy being one step ahead of the little girl in disguise who shops for all manner of shocking grocery items (like apples with worms and shake n’ bake snake) with her faithful dog. (Ages 5-8)

Ghosts in the House become repurposed by the new owner as lovely curtains, tablecloths and comforters. Decorating her cozy home with Kazuno Kaharo’s simple yet charming illustrations, kids might just want to move in. (Ages 3-6)

You’ll probably have to check your local library for copies of Adrienne Adams classic Halloween books A Halloween Happening and A Woggle of Witches. In A Halloween Happening, the witches throw a party for the children complete with special delicious things like toad tarts, wart soup and worm waffles. After their feast, they take to the sky on bat-wing gliders. Adams’ moonlit pictures enchant with originality and fun. (Ages 4-8)

And for more advanced readers:

Bed-knob and Broomstick by Mary Norton is a combined edition of The Magic Bed-Knob and Bonfires and Broomsticks. Best known for her novels about The Borrowers, Norton created a timeless classic in the forties when she wrote these two books about an apprentice witch named Miss Eglatine Price who befriends three young waifs who threaten to tell their aunt on her. After offering them a magical bed-knob in return for their silence, together they take adventures on a marvelous flying bed which becomes part of Miss Price’s witchcraft training. (Ages 8-11)

The Witches by Roald Dahl Enough said, right? He’s a genius. Mr. Dahl presents witches as ordinary women in plain-clothed disguise who loathe children. When an orphan boy discovers their terrible secret, he must risk everything to prevent them from turning more children into mice. Eeek! With his trademark humor and charm, Dahl casts a dizzying spell on us with his magical prose once again. (Ages 7-12)

Nicki Richesin is the editor of four anthologies,What I Would Tell Her: 28 Devoted Dads on Bringing Up, Holding On To, and Letting Go of Their Daughters; Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond; Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love; and The May Queen: Women on Life, Work, and Pulling it all Together in your Thirties. Her anthologies have been excerpted and praised in The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle,The Boston Globe, Redbook, Parenting, Cosmopolitan, Bust,Salon, Daily Candy, and Babble.

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.