“JUNIE B.’S THESE PUZZLES HURT MY BRAIN! BOOK,” by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus, Random House Books for Young Readers, May 24, 2011, $5.99 (ages 6 and up)

The hardest part about reviewing “Junie B.’s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book” was extracting the volume from my six year old’s hands once I’d let her see it.  After supplying herself with a pencil, she became quickly entrenched in the book’s pages, and was more than unwilling to return it to me so that I could take a look at what was inside.

With 219 pages of puzzles – ranging from crosswords, to hidden pictures, to letter scrambles, to mazes – this book can provide days of entertainment (and quiet for you!).  Each puzzle comes complete with its own signature Junie B. introduction, and many even refer to Junie B. books your child may have read.  The majority of the puzzles were easy enough for my six year old to do herself (she is a confident reader), while a few were hard enough that they provided fun for both her and Dad.

If you’re looking for a last minute stocking stuffer to keep your resident Junie B. fan busy while you take a nap Christmas afternoon, or while you make a long drive to Granny’s, this is a great choice.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

It’s rare to give 100 percent approval to everything a publisher sends you, but in the case of Ammo Books, I have yet to be disappointed.

My first introduction to the publishing house came in the form of “Charley Harper Colors: and “Counting in the Garden.” Both are amazingly beautiful books. They were followed up by two puzzles and a coloring book.

Though Cracking the Cover only focuses books, in the case of Ammo Books, an exception has been made. Beautiful art, quality binding and materials, and overall attention to detail makes these products some of my favorite of 2011. Read more…

© 2011 – 2012, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“THE CHRISTMAS PUPS,” by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by John Kanzler, Albert Whitman & Company, Aug. 1, 2011, $16.99 (ages 3 and up)

Ruff, Tuff and Penny are cold. An icy rain is falling and the puppies are confused. They’re in a box on the side of the road. They’ve been left behind. Just as the rain begins to turn to snow, they see the lights from a car and feel themselves being put inside. It’s late and they’re too tired to wonder where they’ll end up next.

When Ruff, Tuff and Penny wake the next day, they find themselves in a shelter with Brownie, an older dog who explains what Christmas is and how they might find themselves a permanent home.

Ruff and Tuff decide to be naughty so Penny will find a home first, but the plan backfires, and by the end of the day, no one has picked any of the three puppies. Just then, a family with two boys and a girl enter the shelter. Penny is the obvious choice, but so are Ruff and Tuff. And with all those puppies, an older dog is needed to keep them in line — Brownie finds a home, too.

Though it’s perhaps a little too idealistic, “The Christmas Pups” is innocent fun. Illustrator John Kanzler’s puppies will captivate children — and grown men who want a “goggy” for Christmas. Teresa Bateman’s tale is sweet and hits just the right notes for this holiday season.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“WHAT AM I? CHRISTMAS,” by Anne Margaret Lewis, illustrated by Tom Mills, Albert Whitman & Company, Aug. 1, 2011, $9.99 (ages 2-5)

“I am topped with a golden star, and my needles are green.
What Am I? What Could I be?”

A Look and See Holiday Book, “What Am I? Christmas” is a charming riddle book for small children. Simple rhymes and little previews give children hints as to what’s hiding underneath interactive flaps. And bright, colorful illustrations are easily recognizable as symbols of the holidays.

Children over the age of 5 or younger kids with short attention spans may become bored or be tempted to skip ahead. But children in the earlier stages of discovery will enjoy solving puzzles and discovering what hides behind the questions “What am I? What could I be?”

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“LISTEN TO THE SILENT NIGHT,” by Dandi Daley Mackall, Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson, Dutton, Oct. 13, 2011, $16.99 (ages 3 and up)

“In our hearts, find a silence in the middle of the noise,
With the bustling of our Christmas and the clattering of toys.
Help us slip into the silence, filled with hallelujah joys
On not such a silent night.”

Many think of the night of Jesus’ birth as silent, peaceful. But, as author Dandi Daley Mackall points out in “Listen to the Silent Night,” Jesus’ birthday was full of sound.

As Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, they hear the who, who, who of an owl and the flip, flap, flap of Joseph’s sandals. Horses neigh and growing crowds search for their own lodgings. Joseph’s rap, tap, tap sounds on the inn door and barn animals noisily welcome Mary to their home. Wise men travel in the desert and sheep baa on the hill. Angel wings rustle as a wondrous message is spread and a shout rings out as Baby Jesus makes his presence known.

Mackall looks at the Nativity in a beautifully simplistic and natural way. Her lyrical prose adds an almost hush to the noises that surround the night. The reverence with which she tells the story is rare and near perfect. Illustrations by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson elegantly tie the story together into a harmonious whole. If you don’t already have it, this is one book you’ll want to add to your Christmas collection.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“THE CHRISTMAS SNOWMAN,” by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Johanna Westerman, Sky Pony Press, Oct. 1, 2011, $12.95 (ages 4 and up)

Christmas is just around the corner and Kevin and Sally are helping put the finishing touches on their family Christmas decorations. But the two are tired of being inside and decide it’s time to build a snowman. The two put on their warmest clothes and head outside.

Kevin and Sally loose no time getting to work, and soon there’s a tall man made of snow dressed in mittens, an old vest and a raccoon hat. All they need is a name — Mr. Snow.

Days pass and Mr. Snow stands tall in the middle of the field. One night, however, the children are surprised to see Mr. Snow making snow angels, sledding and skating on the pond. The next morning, Mr. Snow is back exactly where he’s supposed to be. It must have been a dream, the children decide. Though they decide to check that night just in case. But the weather warms up, and Mr. Snow starts to melt. The only way to save Mr. Snow — if he really is alive — is with Santa’s help.

“The Christmas Snowman” has an old-fashioned feel to it, in both innocence and charm. Johanna Westerman’s attractive drawings have a timeless elegance that pairs nicely with Margery Cuyler’s sweet tale. While there’s nothing too dynamic to this tale, it’s simplicity stands on it’s own. No bells or whistles needed here.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“THE HUNGRY GHOST OF RUE ORLEANS,” by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, Random House Books for Young Readers, September 27, 2011, $15.99 (ages 3 and up)

The first page of Mary Quattlebaum’s “The Hungry Ghose of Rue Orleans” immediately draws readers in with words like: “jazzy-snazzy,” “squeaked,” “moaned,” and “clicked.” How can your ears not perk up with all those interesting sounds being thrown around?  Meanwhile, the warm colors of the full-page illustrations are busy presenting puzzles and details for the reader eyes to wander about and discover (like a man with legs made of smoke, and a ceiling dripping with rain). By the time the page ends with the revelation that the book’s main character, Fred, is a ghost, you can’t help but keep reading to find out more about Fred and what his life is like at 28 Rue Orleans.

Set in a New Orleans’ restaurant, this creative picture book will make young readers giggle as they watch Fred experience life with the new — and living — residents of his house.  With entertaining additions including a beloved cactus, and diners who enjoy the haunting antics of a resident ghost, this book is full of all those crazy details that young readers enjoy.  Fred isn’t a scary ghost, he’s a fun ghost — and anyone would enjoy getting to know him better.

Full of fun sensory-laden language, this quick-paced picture book has both likeable characters and topsy-turvy surprises. Add to that an ending centered around loving your neighbor — even if he is a ghost — and you’ve got yourself a fun read for the whole family.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,” by Jan Brett, Putnam, Nov. 1, 2011, $20 (ages 3 and up) and “HOME FOR CHRISTMAS,” by Jan Brett, Putnam, Nov. 1, 2011, $17.99 (ages 3 and up)

It doesn’t seem like Christmas unless there’s a new Jan Brett book beneath the tree. And this year is no different, with a new offering and a musically enhanced classic now available.

The author of “The Mitten” and “The Hat” has become a staple of picture books. So it’s no surprise that G.P. Putnam’s Sons has re-released Jan’s “The Night Before Christmas,” which was first published in 1998.

Not only is the book as beautiful as ever, this new edition includes a DVD featuring original music by Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by Keith Lockhart. Narrator Jim Dale reads Clement Moore’s poem and Jan’s artwork, digitally rendered, completes the package. Jan’s husband is in the Orchestra and her proceeds will benefit the popular musical group.

Jan’s new book, “Home for Christmas,” features some of her favorite characters — trolls. This book is about Rollo, a wild troll who runs away from home because he doesn’t want to do his chores.

Rollo’s first stop is an owl’s nest, where there’s no bed to make. But a plethora of owlets make for tight space, and besides, Rollo doesn’t know how to fly. Next stop is a mossy cave with Mother Bear and her cubs. There’s no wood to cut and living is pretty comfortable until angry bees from a hive attack him.

Rollo then happens on to a gang of playful otters, but after a while the water gets too cold for him to stay. Rollo has fun playing with a lynx — until the lynx starts looking at him like he’s dinner.

As the snow falls and gets deeper and deeper, Rollo notices moose tracks and makes a new set of friends. But Mother Moose isn’t his Mama and Father Moose isn’t his Papa. Rollo even misses Little Sister.

The time has come for Rollo to return home, and his family happily welcomes him back. It’s Christmas Eve and everyone lends a hand. Rollo realizes helping with chores isn’t so bad after all, not when you’re with family.

“Home for Christmas” isn’t your typical Christmas book. Christmas itself only comes into play at the end. It’s that idea of having Christmas in your heart that rings true with the season. Jan celebrates family and independence all at once.

Children will laugh at Rollo’s antics and get lost in Jan’s meticulously detailed illustrations. And, as with all Jan’s stories, scenes unfold in her signature borders, adding a story within a story feel.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“GRACE AT CHRISTMAS,” by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu, Dial, October 13, 2011, $17.99 (ages 3 and up)

Like every child, Grace has been looking forward to Christmas.  And she has especially been looking forward to the many traditions that usually make up her holiday season.  But when Grace’s Ma and Nana announce that there will be visitors this Christmas, Grace gets worried that the Christmas season won’t be quite what she has hoped for all year.  Not only does she have to give up her bedroom and sleep on the floor in Nana’s room, she also has to make friends with a quiet, lonely girl who doesn’t seem much interested in making friends with her.  Grace can’t help wondering if this Christmas will be any fun with all the changes and strangers that are headed her way.

Grace’s Christmas is not just another rehashing of the Christmas season, but a unique story told by a well-developed character with real feelings and real experiences. While readers will enjoy the fun traditions that Grace’s family takes part in during the Christmas season, they will also have a chance to think about how to feel the Christmas spirit when not everything goes according to plan — and how to spread that holiday spirit to strangers and new friends.  This book works well for older children who are ready to move beyond the basic story of Santa and presents, and talk about the feelings and relationships that can be impacted by the Christmas season.

“Grace at Christmas” delivers a fun and interesting story — complete with a real ballerina — while also providing a great jumping point for discussing real issues that children might be experiencing. For those interested in getting to know Grace better after enjoying “Grace at Chrismas,” Mary Hoffman’s character has many other books to her name. These include both picture books and chapter books.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.

“THE OGRE OF OGLEFORT,” by Eva Ibbotson, illustrated by Lisa K. Weber, Dutton Juvenile, August 18, 2011, $16.99 (ages 8 and up)

Princess Mirella has become fed-up with being a princess, and would much rather be a bird. Ivo is ready to escape the orphanage where he lives, and have some true adventures. And a smattering of aging magical beings and beasts are worn-out with the duldrums of living in what is becoming — more and more – a very unmagical world.

What do they do to solve these problems?

They head off to the local Ogre’s castle to change their fates and use their talents in vanquishing a terrible foe. Of course, things are never exactly what they seem in stories such as this, which means both the characters and the reader are in for an exciting journey of fun as they experience Oglefort and all its unique peculiarities.

While much of “The Ogre of Oglefort” is a meandering read through conflict and resolution, several battle scenes near the close of the novel offer more substantial adventure for the reader. By this point, the reader has discovered that life is always full of twists and surprises, and that the novel’s characters are not exactly who they appeared to be at the beginning.

One of the greatest strengths of this book, Ibbotson’s characters are both likeable and approachable — including the Ogre. One can’t help enjoy meeting all these fascinating individuals with their strange abilities and nutty personalities. Written with both a hero and a heroine, boys and girls will find it easy to put themselves inside the story and imagine they are truly along for the fun. Meanwhile, the novel’s secondary characters are full of quirks and qualities that make the reader want to make friends with them too. Even Ibbotson’s few truly evil characters are humorous and amusing — often providing laughs at the same time that they are creating havoc and mayhem.

Nothing about Eva Ibbotson’s “The Ogre of Oglefort” is typical or dull. Her delight in twisting things from what they appear to be to another — slightly comical — reality makes this book a delightful and pleasant read for both children and adults. A few scary ghost scenes and one light swear word make this book an appropriate choice for the slightly older elementary school audience.

© 2011, Cracking the Cover. All rights reserved.