Children's Books: Reading Recomendations

CAN'T YOU MAKE THEM BEHAVE, KING GEORGE?
by Jean Fritz. Color and B&W pictures by Tomie de Paola. Condition: UNREAD c. 1990s Coward-McCann soft cover, 14th printing. Tiny edge wear. Content: This is a very clever intro to the American Revolution and England's kings for young readers. Reviewer: "Jean Fritz has created many fabulous books for children. This book is one of my favorites. It shows the beginning of the American Revolution from the eyes of King George. The book is humerous and historically correct. Kids and adults will enjoy reading it together!" [1 copy available]
$ 4.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO SANTA'S FOR DINNER?
color illustrations and story by Tomie dePaola. Condition: NEW 2004 G. P. Putnam's over-sized hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: When Santa invites his family and his friend Lars for Christmas dinner, things get a little raucous. Children will find funny details to appreciate in dePaola's signature drawings – executed here in a red and green palette – and lively narrative, with dialogue-balloon asides. The result is a fun celebration complete with Lars's pet polar bear and a flaming plum pudding. Ages 4 - 8. [2 copies available]
$ 4.49 + $ 3.49 media shipping.

JAMIE O'ROURKE AND THE POOKA
story and pictures by Tomie dePaola. Condition: UNREAD 2001 Scholastic soft cover, 5th printing. Donation inscription inside front cover. Content: Award-winning author and artist Tomie dePaola has created another lively folk tale based on traditional Irish lore. Jamie O'Rourke, the laziest man in all of Ireland, has been left in charge of the house while his hard-working, long-suffering wife Eileen goes to visit her sister for a week. In spite of his plan to stay in bed the entire time (thus not "dirtyin' a thing"), Jamie's cronies come by to keep him company and eat up the grub Eileen left behind. Jamie goes back to sleep amid the mess that night, only to awaken to a mysterious donkey-man cleaning the house. Pleased at his good fortune, Jamie continues his slovenly ways all week long, watching the Pooka (Irish animal spirit, as explained in the author's note) sweep and wash every night. But lazy Jamie's luck is just about to run out... Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 4.89 + $ 2.99 media shipping.

THE LEGEND OF THE INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
Retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Condition: NEW 1988 Paperstar softcover (10.0 x 8.0 x 0.2, apx 30 pages), 12th printing. As always, de Paola's illustrations are a delight. Content: Little Gopher was smaller than the other young Indian boys of his Plains tribe, and although he tried hard, he could not do what the others did. The tribe's wise shaman assures him, however, that he has a different gift. As he grows up it is revealed to him in a vision that he will paint pictures of the glories of his tribe, that his own greatest work will someday be ``a picture that is as pure as the colors in the evening sky.'' As he grows older he does indeed paint the great deeds, the hunts, the visions of his tribe. But making paints to match the colors of the evening sky eludes him. One night, a voice directs him to a special vantage point where he finds brushes filled with wonderful colors. He creates at last his masterwork, and the next day the brushes have rooted and become the brilliant flowers we now call Indian Paintbrush. Wonderful old Texas Native American legend. [1 copy available]
$ 4.75 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA
text and color illustrations by Tomie dePaola. Condition: NEW 1997 PaperStar soft cover, 10th printing. Content: In this legend from Mexico, a little girl, Lucinda, is proud to help her mother weave a new blanket for the Baby Jesus to be used in a Christmas procession. But when Lucinda's mother takes ill, Lucinda tangles the yarn and is unable to complete the blanket. Feeling she has ruined Christmas, Lucinda is reluctant to go to the procession until a mysterious old woman appears from the shadows and tells Lucinda, "Any gift is beautiful because it is given. Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love because it comes from you." Nervously, Lucinda grabs an armful of weeds, which she brings into the church. As she prays, the weeds open into dazzling red flowers that decorate the altar. The story has a simple dignity, but it is the artwork that takes center stage here. The spreads, which feature everyday occurrences (set in a generic era), are magnificently staged and colored and culminate in the last spread--Lucinda praying at a crŠche, with a profusion of poinsettias decorating the pages. An author's note gives the origin of the story as well as facts about the poinsettia plant and its Christmas connections. Ages 6 - 10. [2 copies available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping. Priority shipping available.

THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
text and color illustrations by Tomie dePaola. Condition: NEW 2000 Scholastic softcover, fourth printing. Tiny edgewear. Beautiful Southwestern colors in the hands of DePaola are special. Content: The story of the nine days of Las Posadas as celebrated in Spain and in the Southwestern United States. The last page details a history of the holiday. [1 copy available]
$ 5.59 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY
story and pictures by Tomie dePaola. Condition: NEW 1979 Trumpet softcover edition, second printing (c. 1990s). Perfect. Content: This is a wonderful little book about being different and being okay with it. A little boy must come to terms with being teased and ostracized because he’d rather read books, paint pictures, and tap-dance than participate in sports. [1 copy available]
$ 4.50 + $ 2.94 first class shipping.

PASCUAL AND THE KITCHEN ANGELS
text and color illustrations by Tomie DePaola. Condition: NEW 2006 Puffin soft cover, first printing. Content: DePaola brews up a delightful retelling of the life of the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. On the day of Pascual's birth, angels sing in the trees, and his father realizes that "God must surely love him." Acrylic illustrations with soft pastel backgrounds show Pascual as a little boy, frolicking joyfully with animals and hanging garlands of flowers around the necks of sheep. The winsome paintings capture his serene spirituality as he and the creatures lift their voices toward heaven. Simple, well-chosen words reflect the youngster's sincere love for God and all of His creatures. When Pascual is older, he goes to the monastery of Saint Francis, hoping to become a friar and help the hungry. However, the friars ask him to make their meals. Knowing nothing about cooking, Pascual bows his head and prays. Suddenly, apron-wearing angelic visitors "swoosh in the air above him" and then descend to concoct a feast. Curious about the delicious meals coming from the kitchen, the friars spy on the dinner preparations and learn the truth. Realizing how much God values him, they decide to take a joyful Pascual with them to feed the hungry. Framed by light peach watercolors splashed with rainbow-colored droplets, the illustrations beautifully complement the celestial mood. An author's note provides some background about this humble man. Grades 1 - 4. [2 copies available]
$ 4.19 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

PASCUAL AND THE KITCHEN ANGELS (Hard Cover)
text and color illustrations by Tomie DePaola. Condition: UNREAD 2004 Putnam's hard cover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first impression, first printing. Content: DePaola brews up a delightful retelling of the life of the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. On the day of Pascual's birth, angels sing in the trees, and his father realizes that "God must surely love him." Acrylic illustrations with soft pastel backgrounds show Pascual as a little boy, frolicking joyfully with animals and hanging garlands of flowers around the necks of sheep. The winsome paintings capture his serene spirituality as he and the creatures lift their voices toward heaven. Simple, well-chosen words reflect the youngster's sincere love for God and all of His creatures. When Pascual is older, he goes to the monastery of Saint Francis, hoping to become a friar and help the hungry. However, the friars ask him to make their meals. Knowing nothing about cooking, Pascual bows his head and prays. Suddenly, apron-wearing angelic visitors "swoosh in the air above him" and then descend to concoct a feast. Curious about the delicious meals coming from the kitchen, the friars spy on the dinner preparations and learn the truth. Realizing how much God values him, they decide to take a joyful Pascual with them to feed the hungry. Framed by light peach watercolors splashed with rainbow-colored droplets, the illustrations beautifully complement the celestial mood. An author's note provides some background about this humble man. Grades 1 - 4. [2 copies available]
$ 11.39 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE QUILT STORY (Soft cover book only)
text by Tony Johnston with color illustrations by Tomie dePaola. Condition: UNREAD 1990 Scholastic soft cover edition, 24th printing. Content: This is the story of a quilt that was loved and moved across country by two generations of little girls. Reviewer: "In essence, this story is about the constancy of motherly love, even when everything else in the world seems to change. The quilt, crafted by a mother's loving hands, wraps the child in love both physically and metaphorically. The story follows the quilt from it's creation in pioneer days, through to its restoration in modern times. It also follows two girls through the experience of moving, one in a wagon, one in a moving van. We see that ours is not the only generation that has had to cope with changes and transitions, and we see that mothers have always comforted their children by rocking them. Sweet. Ages K - 4. [1 copy available]
$ 2.69 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE QUILT STORY (Hard cover book)
text by Tony Johnston with color illustrations by Tomie dePaola. Condition: UNREAD c. 1997 Putnam's harad cover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), 19th printing. Light edge wear top top DJ edge. Content: This is the story of a quilt that was loved and moved across country by two generations of little girls. Reviewer: "In essence, this story is about the constancy of motherly love, even when everything else in the world seems to change. The quilt, crafted by a mother's loving hands, wraps the child in love both physically and metaphorically. The story follows the quilt from it's creation in pioneer days, through to its restoration in modern times. It also follows two girls through the experience of moving, one in a wagon, one in a moving van. We see that ours is not the only generation that has had to cope with changes and transitions, and we see that mothers have always comforted their children by rocking them." Sweet. Ages K - 4. [1 copy available]
$ 10.69 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

STREGA NONA: An Old Tale Retold and Illustrated by Tomie de Paola
text and color artwork by Tomie de Paola. Condition: NEW 1975 Scholastic Trade Paperback edition, 33rd printing (c. 2001). Perfect. Content: When Strega Nona leaves Big Anthony in charge of her house while she goes away, she gives very strict instructions that he is not to touch her magic pasta pot. Being somewhat forgetful and wanting recognition from the townspeople, Big Anthony decides that using it can't cause too much harm. Strega Nona arrives home just in time to save the town from being overtaken by pasta, and Big Anthony gets his comeuppance. [1 copy available]
$ 3.79 + $ 2.89 media shipping.

THE TALE OF RABBIT AND COYOTE
by Tony Johnston. Beautiful color illustrations typical of Tomie dePaola. Condition: UNREAD 1995 Scholastic paperback (stapled wraps), first printing. Tiny edge wear. Bookstore blacked out note covered with blank bookplate. Content: Reviewer: "Rabbit is very mischievous and clever. But after he steals chili peppers from a farmer one night, he finds himself trapped in a sack, waiting to be thrown into a pot of boiling water for the farmer's meal. Just then, Coyote comes along and asks what Rabbit is doing there. Rabbit tells him that he is waiting to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter and offers for Coyote to take his place. Coyote agrees, and Rabbit escapes. When Coyote figures out that he has been fooled, he runs off to find Rabbit. Again Rabbit tricks Coyote and escapes. Will Coyote ever catch Rabbit? I would definitely recommend this to any kid who wants to read a good short story." This story from the town of Juchitan, in Oaxaca, Mexico, weaves together several traditional threads of story: tales of Brer Rabbit, the story of Coyote swallowing the moon, and the origin of "the rabbit in the moon." Ages 6 +. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping.