THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 12, 1995 TAG: 9512120040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Barbara Burns
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
HERE ARE SOME more suggestions for books to give to children:
In his own right, Michael Hague has contributed a story collection to this season's offerings. ``Michael Hague's Family Christmas Treasury'' (Holt, $19.95) includes ``A Visit From St. Nicholas,'' ``Gift of the Magi,'' ``The Fir Tree,'' ``Little Match Girl,'' the King James version of the Gospel According to St. Luke and numerous other all-time favorites. Hague's incomparable illustrations bring this volume alive.
A poetry collection that will put the subject of holiday giving in perspective is ``The Book of Giving'' (Dutton, $16.99). This anthology is complied and illustrated by Kay Chorao. She begins with a poem praising God's creation and ends with a prayer of thanks. In between, numerous poems by beloved writers such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Langston Hughes encourage children to think about giving and all of its aspects. This is a special book meant to instill in readers of all ages a better appreciation for the giving of time, joy, thanks and, most importantly, love.
In a new picture-book edition of Eric Knight's 1938 novel, Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers have collaborated to create an adaptation entitled ``Lassie Come Home'' (Holt, $16.95). It will be irresistible to lovers of animal stories. The classic tale of how the loyal collie travels 1,000 miles from northern Scotland to Yorkshire, England, to return to her friend, Joe, will warm today's young hearts as it did their parents'. Wells' masterful retelling combined with Jeffers' exquisite watercolors make a wonderful match. In the frontispiece, youngsters can follow Lassie's journey by using a helpful map.
A poignant story is in store in ``The Tie Man's Miracle: A Chanukah Tale'' (Morrow, $16). An old man selling ties door to door spends some time talking to a Jewish family. They invite him to join them as they light the menorah. The children wonder why he does not have a family of his own waiting at home. He finally tells them about his family, whom he ``lost . . . in the war.'' The tie man then shares a story from his childhood about the candles of the menorah. Steven Schnur links remembrance of the Holocaust and the Jewish celebration of Chanukah in a sensitive way. Stephen T. Johnson's watercolors are expressive and give this book a special quality.
``Silent Night: A Christmas Carol Sampler'' (Knopf, $18) is a collection of 12 traditional carols complete with lyrics and musical scores. What makes this book so unique are the shimmering embroideries in fabric, thread and gold-stitched highlights by textile artist Belinda Downes. ``Silent Night,'' ``Away in a Manger'' and ``Joy to the World'' have never looked so special as they do in this exquisite book just right for caroling and sharing with loved ones.
``Some Body!'' (Knopf, $20) by Dr. Pete Rowan is an amazing oversized anatomy book for ages 8 to 12. Readers will be fascinated with life-size cross-sections of the brain, heart and digestive system; a 3-foot fold-out page of the skeletal system; cutaways of a fetus; and much more! Full-color illustrations are by John Temperton. This book gives enough viscerally inspired details and interesting facts to keep budding physicians busy for some time. This is SOME book!
The Nature Company Discoveries Library is a new reference series from Time-Life Books that will spark the curiosity of kids 8 and up. The books contain captivating information; bold, colorful images; an inviting format; and an exciting span of topics, including ``Ancient Egypt,'' ``Dangerous Animals,'' ``Native Americans,'' ``Under the Sea,'' ``Flight,'' ``Volcanoes and Earthquakes,'' ``Dinosaurs'' and ``Great Inventions'' (Time-Life, $15). A total of 24 titles is expected to be published in this series.
As a companion volume to two previously related works, ``Lives of the Musicians'' and ``Lives of the Writers,'' ``Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes and (what the neighbors thought)'' (Harcourt, $19) is a unique look at the lives of 20 artists as they have never been seen before. As she did in the other two volumes, Kathleen Krull presents idiosyncrasies, humorous as well as disastrous, of such remarkable masters as Michelangelo, VanGogh, Warhol and Cassatt. Each of her three- to four-page biographies is fascinating. Kathryn Hewitt adds a humorous touch in her renditions of the artists' portraits. Ages 8 to 12 will find out why all the artists' neighbors were talking in this informative tell-all book.
Caldecott medalist Alice Provensen has created a marvelous over-sized extravaganza in ``My Fellow Americans: A Family Album'' (Harcourt, $19.95). The book is a collection of hundreds of portraits of Americans who have made contributions to our society in a number of different ways. From pilgrims and puritans, warriors and patriots, pathfinders and settlers, millionaires and financiers, scoundrels and villains, this book is brimming with fascinating information about Americans who have influenced us all in many ways. It reminds us that the best part of the gift of books is that they provide lasting insight into ourselves. MEMO: Barbara Burns is a librarian in the Lower School at Norfolk Academy.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``Some Body!'' (left) is an oversized anatomy book for ages 8 to 12.
``My Fellow Americans: A Family Album'' (above) is a collection of
hundreds of portraits of Americans who have made contributions to
our society in a number of different ways.
by CNB