books for loan books to own
By Lisa Thalhimer

Delicious, Nutritious Back-to-School Books …And High-Fiber, Too!

Oliver Jeffers were an American citizen, I’d predict a Caldecott award for The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Philomel, 2007). A Northern Irish artist and author, Jeffers’s picture book is fresh and exciting. The illustrations are created on top of covers and pages of old books and maps, adding an extra layer of interest to his story.
Henry loved books, but not quite like you and I love books, no. Not quite…
Henry loved to EAT books.
It all began quite by mistake one afternoon when he wasn’t paying attention. He wasn’t sure at first, and tried eating a single word, just to test. Next, he tried a whole sentence and then the whole page. Yes, definitely liked them. By Wednesday, he had eaten a WHOLE book.
Henry’s appetite becomes an obsession, as every word he eats makes him smarter and smarter. He eats math books, dictionaries, storybooks and more. Eventually, Henry’s diet disagrees with him. Digestion becomes problematic. The words and facts in Henry’s brain scramble so that he no longer feels smart.
When forced to give up eating books, Henry decides he can still become the smartest person in the world…all he has to do is read them instead!
The back cover and last few pages all share a bite mark die cut. What fun for children (ages 4 through 7) and adults who enjoy brilliant graphics and a humorous story.

Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s newest book, Cowboy and Octopus (Penguin, 2007) is certainly a contender for this year’s Caldecott awards. The two are always offbeat and slightly subversive in their collaborations, and “Cowboy and Octopus” is no exception. Children ages 5 to 8 will chuckle at the odd friendship between a vintage paper cowboy and a cartoon octopus.
When Octopus helps Cowboy balance the seesaw, Cowboy asks if he wants to be friends.
“Certainly,” says Octopus.
So Cowboy and Octopus shake hands… and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands.
Cowboy works hard to surprise Octopus with dinner.
“I cooked all my favorites just for you,” says Cowboy. “Beans and Bacon, Bacon and Beans, and just plain Beans…with a little bit of bacon.”
Octopus doesn’t like beans. He doesn’t like bacon. But he does like it that Cowboy worked so hard just for him.
Octopus politely licks one bean and declares himself full.
Lane Smith expertly weaves interesting fonts, comic book and newspaper print backgrounds, photographs and vintage pictures into the collaged illustrations.

Will You Read to Me? (Atheneum, 2007) by Denys Cazet is a quiet picture book for ages 3 to 6. Hamlet is a different sort of pig. He prefers to wear clean shirts rather than wallow in mud like the rest of his family. Hamlet loves reading stories and writing poetry. His sole audience is his own reflection in the pond. When a cloud covers the moon, Hamlet’s “twin” fades. He is despondent.
Hamlet sat down.
“I liked it,” said a small voice. “Me too,” said another. “We all did.”
Hamlet looked up. “Oh my,” he said.
To the pig’s delight, dozens of animals are gathered around waiting to hear more of Hamlet’s poetry.

Former editor-in-chief of Sesame Street Books, Anna Jane Hayes is the author of Kindergarten Countdown (Knopf, 2007), illustrated by Linda Davick.
My school starts in one week, so – I have SEVEN DAYS to go. Mom says be patient, do not worry. But I can’t wait! I’m in a hurry!
Lucy’s weeklong countdown involves practicing her alphabet and numbers, packing her backpack and thinking about what to bring to show-and-tell. The last page shows Lucy’s mother handing a lunchbox to her excited daughter. The yellow school bus, full of smiling faces, waits in the background.

Robert Neubecker’s Wow! School! (Hyperion, 2007) explodes with color and excitement. Young Izzy lives in the mountains. Neubecker depicts her first day of school with two-page spreads full of activity. Each spread is framed and captioned.
Wow! Classroom!  Wow! Book!  Wow! Friends!
The illustration for the Wow! Numbers! page shows a dozen wide-eyed white rabbits, each holding a number. Children beginning nursery school, kindergarten or grade will enjoy this lively picture book.

Lisa Thalhimer recently unearthed a box of childhood favorites in her parents’ attic, including “The Secret Garden,” “Mary Jane” and “A Wrinkle in Time.” She’s busy dusting and re-reading in her Richmond home.

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