The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill

Bibliography: O'Neill, Alexis. 2002. The Recess Queen. ill. Laura Huliska-Beith. New York: Scholastic Press.

Plot Summary: O'Neill approaches the all to familiar tale of the school bully in The Recess Queen. Mean Jean was the recess queen and no one did anything, said anything, or played anything until Jean gave the OK. If a child ever crossed her, she would bully them until she got her way. This all changed when Katie Sue came to school. Even though Katie Sue was small and the new kid on the block, she did not allow Mean Jean to intimidate her.

Critical Analysis: The Recess Queen is a great story of how one person can stand up to a bully and make a difference. Mean Jean was the recess queen and no one was allowed to play anything until she gave the OK. However, this changed when Katie Sue came to school. Even though she was small and the new kid in school, she did not let Jean push her around. In fact, Katie Sue did the unthinkable...she asked Mean Jean to play with her. O'Neill does a wonderful job tackling a tough subject. The author's writing is simple, fun, and flows easily.

The illustrations provided by Laura Huliska-Beith are a great addition to the story. She brings the words to life. Vibrant colors and great facial expressions are used throughout the book. She also includes children of all size, color, and style. The combination of writing and illustrations make this a fun read aloud for children of all ages. Include this one in your next lesson on bullying.

Reviews
Children's Literature: "Told entirely in rhyme, young children will surely enjoy the heart-warming and encouraging story just as much as they enjoy the colorful acrylic and collage illustrations."

School Library Journal: "Both the text and the art are smart, sassy, and energetic. Rendered in collage and acrylics in vibrant shades of fuchsia, lime green, and azure blue, the illustrations showcase Mean Jean as an over-the-top cartoon character who is frenetic and effervescent. The text effectively dips, swirls, and slants around the action of the art, further marrying the two."

New York's Bravest by Mary Pope Osborne

Bibliography: Osborne, Mary Pope. 2002. New York's Bravest. ill. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Plot Summary: New York's Bravest is set in 1848 and is a fictionalized account of Mose Humphrey, a New York City volunteer firefighter. Described as "eight feet tall and hands as big as Virginia hams", Mose put out fires everywhere he went. After September 11, 2001 Osborne decided to bring this legend to life by telling of his heroic deeds that he considered to be part of his duty and dedicated it to the fallen heros of 9-11. This is a great story of a true American hero...children and adults will love it.

Critical Analysis: Dedicated to the fallen firemen of September 11, 2001, Mary Pope Osborne, author of the Magic Tree House series, brings a legend to life. New York's Bravest examines the life of Mose Humphrey, a New York volunteer firefighter in the 19th century. Osborne's writing is simple but powerful as she describes the heroic deeds performed by Mose on a daily basis. This is a great example of how one person can truly help and should be shared with children everywhere.

Johnson and Fancher does an excellent job with the illustrations. Mose is drawn to tower over everyone else in the story thus adding to the legend. Beautiful colors are used throughout the story and the drawings reflects America in the 1800's. Combining the illustrations with Osborne's writing makes this a must read for children and adults.

Reviews
Publishers Weekly: "Author and artist carefully and respectfully balance the tall-tale ingredients with actual events to craft a loving tribute one that may well help youngsters cope with the loss of these brave leaders."

School Library Journal: "With its obvious connection (and dedication) to the firefighters of 9/11, this book will be welcomed by adults seeking an entry to the topic for younger children. It also stands alone as a fine addition to the pantheon of picture-book legends."

David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon

Bibliography: Shannon, David. 2002. David Gets in Trouble. New York: Blue Sky Press.

Plot Summary: David is a typical little boy that gets into trouble but of course it is never his fault. According to David, accidents happen, dogs do eat homework, and cats love having their tail pulled. No matter what happens, David has an excuse.

Critical Analysis: David Shannon is back with the third book featuring one of our favorite characters, David. Once again, he is up to no good in David Gets in Trouble. In it Shannon correctly portrays the life of a rambunctious little boy. The writing is simple and words are few but combined with the illustrations, tell a hilarious story. The large scribbled print and colorful pictures add meaning to the main character, David. This story will instantly grab the attention of every child, especially the boys.

Reviews
Publishers Weekly: "This memorable character is nothing short of a force of nature, from his scribbled eyes and hair to his shark-sharp teeth. In the end, it's a confession ("Yes! It was me!") that allows him a peaceful night's sleep, with a woman's tender hand and an "I love you, mom" hovering over his angelic (for now at least) round head. Readers will gladly call for "More, David!"

School Library Journal: "Children who enjoyed No, David (1998) and David Goes to School (1999, both Scholastic) will welcome this lighthearted sequel."

A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow

Bibliography: Zolotow, Charlotte. 1963. A Tiger Called Thomas. ill. Diana Cain Bluthenthal. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Plot Summary: After Thomas and his family move into a new house, Thomas has a hard time making new friends. He assumes that no one likes him so he makes no attempt to talk to Marie as she plays hopscotch, Gerald as he walks down the street, or the old man as he walks his dog.

For Halloween, his mother buys him a tiger costume. He assumes he has the perfect disguise and sets out to go trick or treating. He visits all his neighbors and was shocked when they all knew who was hiding behind the mask. All night people continued to talk to him and invite him over to play sometime. Thomas soon realized that everyone did like him.

Critical Analysis: Zolotow tackles the tough subject of being the new kid on the block in A Tiger called Thomas. When Thomas moved into a new house, he had a hard time making new friends. He was very shy and assumed that no one would like him so he never left his front porch. Everyday his mother would encourage Thomas to go play with the other children in the neighborhood but he would always reply "they might not like me." For Halloween, Thomas receives a tiger costume from his mother. With a perfect disguise and new courage, Thomas sets off for a trick or treating adventure and soon discovers that everyone does like him.

Zolotow's simple writing is perfect for this story. Many kids will be able to relate to Thomas and how difficult it can be to make new friends. The story may also provide parents with a helping hand with their child who will not leave the stoop. The illustrations are a great addition to the story and fit it well. Bluthenthal creates the typical neighborhood street along with the typical neighborhood scenes. Zolotow's writing combined with Bluthenthal's illustrations, added in 2003, makes this a great picture book to share with children young or old.

Reviews
Kirkus: "Now reissued with its third set of illustrations, this 1963 text of Zolotow's remains timeless. In a wonderful change of pace, Bluthenthal depicts Thomas as a fetchingly round-headed child with dark skin and places him in a suburban setting. These are the best illustrations yet, not only because of Thomas's ethnicity, but because they are as direct, winsome, and clear as the story. A heartening episode to share with any shy newcomer."