SEE ME GROW by Penny Arlon and Tony Gordon-Harris

Arlon, Penny and Tony Gordon-Harris. See Me Grow. New York: Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 978-0545345132. Ages 5 and up.

Part of Scholastic’s “Discover More” line of books, which all come with a link and a code to read more and learn more from a downloadable digital book, See Me Grow shows the baby stages of several different kinds of animals. The first page outlines what makes the book a good choice for young readers – picture sequences, small words, and short sentences. What follows are 12 different kinds of animal babies and interesting trivia about each. The child reader will learn that baby bunnies are called kittens, that a foal can stand up and walk around within minutes of being born, and that baby birds are born blind, among other tidbits. Oddly enough, while puppies get a section, there is no mention of those other kittens, those of the feline variety.

This is a simple, easy-to-read book with straightforward facts. It’s a good start for a basic knowledge of baby animals. There is no mention of how babies are made, only that they come from either eggs or tummies. There are plenty of full-color photographs of cute baby animals along with fascinating shots of fish eggs and shark-egg-pouches. A nice little book for a kid who wants to know more about baby animals.

Jill Coste

POP! THE INVENTION OF BUBBLE GUM by Meghan McCarthy

McCarthy, Meghan. Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2010. ISBN:978-1-4169-7970-8. $15.99 US. Ages 4-8. 

Bubblegum really doesn't take up much thought, unless you're trying to decide what flavor to grab at the check-out line. There is, however, a lot more to bubblegum than a person might think, and author and illustrator Meghan McCarthey uses Pop! The Invention of Bubblegum to describe gum's development through the centuries and how it became the multi-hued, bubble-blowing, sticky-sweet thing we chew today.

The story begins in the 1920s with the true-life, central figure Walter Diemer who works as an accountant in the Fleer family's factory. The factory produces lots of gum and candy, but the gum isn't like it is today. The Fleer family decides they want to make their product different from any other type of gum: They wanted it to make bubbles. This though, is no easy process, and Walter watches as scientist after scientist goes by his office to work on the secret project. Walter isn't a scientist, but he is very curious. One day, when Walter's boss asks him to mind a kettle containing a gum experiment, Walter can’t just watch. Soon he starts adding ingredients but nothing really changes.

Eventually, Walter's boss gives up on making bubble gum, but Walter doesn’t stop. Months after everyone else has given up, one of Walter's experiments starts bubbling. There is only one problem, the gum quickly turns hard and is a less than appealing, oozy brown color. Even more months go by until Walter can figure out a recipe that stays soft, but he succeeds, but the gum is still an unappetizing brown. Walter grabs the nearest dye and pours it in—it’s pink.

The first batch produced is cut into five pieces and delivered to a small store nearby. And, before long, gum is sold in stores across the country; according to Walter Diemer, the little pink cubes of gum, named Dubble Bubble, are what saves the company. While Walter never makes a lot of money off of his invention, he is promoted to vice president of the Fleer family business, a position he keeps until he retires.

Not only does McCarthy tell the recent history of bubblegum, she also works in the historical aspects of bubblegum, or, up until that point, plain old gum. While Walter wonders what is going on with the experiments, McCarthy takes the opportunity to tell how ancient Greeks chewed sap from the mastic tree (think “to masticate”) and American Indians introduced spruce tree resin. Also of interest are the facts about Walter Diemer and gum that fill the last two pages of the book. For instance, I never knew that college-educated women in their thirties, not children, chew the most gum! Or that chewing gum non-stop for a full year will make you lose eleven pounds!

Related Links:
Author's Web Page
Activities for Pop! The Invention of Bubblegum

Stephanie Ashley

NO SMALL VICTORY by Connie Brummel Crook

Crook, Connie Brummel. No Small Victory. Ontario. CA: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-5545-5169-9. $12.95

The theme of “moving” comes up frequently in works of children’s literature, and rightly so—for many kids, moving translates to losing everything they know and love, starting over with seemingly nothing.

In No Small Victory, Bonnie’s family has been hit hard by the Great Depression, and they are forced to move quickly, without taking time to slowly say their goodbyes to the only home Bonnie has ever known. She’s the new kid in her one-room schoolhouse, unfamiliar with the strict male teacher, and faces many of the same challenges as adolescents today, but in a historical setting that distances the events from immediate reality while still modeling lessons and behavior.

The story also addresses issues of money and debt, particularly that of a family who struggles valiantly to pay down their bills. In today’s economy, these are problems with which many families struggle. Bonnie serves as a character to identify with for someone in a similar situation.

Despite being a bit of an underdog, Bonnie uses her smarts to become a heroine. It is Bonnie who creates the rhyme that saves her peers from bullies when they acquire lice, and it is Bonnie who wins the spelling bee to defeat the big older bully from the neighboring town!

A story of family, of friendship, and of wholesome triumph, No Small Victory is a book I recommend without reservations. With this story, Crook has won no small victory!

Marisa Behan

THE GOLDEN BULL by Marjorie Cowley

Cowley, Marjorie. The Golden Bull. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-58089-181-3. $15.95. Ages 10-14. 

Marjorie Cowley gives you little buildup before plunging immediately into the issue: A drought has come over Mesopotamia and Jomar and his sister Zefa must leave their farm and family to travel to Ur. Without food, the family has no choice but to send them away. Jomar’s father has arranged an apprenticeship for him with a goldsmith, but twelve year old Zefa must find other work—she’s not part of the arrangement.

Like many historical fiction novels for young readers, child characters are forced by dire circumstances into adult roles: Jomar, as the older sibling, bears the responsibility both to protect his sister and to find her work in the city. Zefa, however, proves herself a responsible young woman, saving them on multiple occasions with her compassion, bravery, and musical ability. The story truly belongs to Jomar, however, as he learns to care for his sister, to thank those who sacrifice for him, and to act with understanding and wisdom. Ultimately, it is the genuine self-sacrifice and honesty of both siblings that saves them from harm in the big city of Ur.

Cowley’s writing is filled with historical details about the social structure, city design, government, religion, and trade of ancient Mesopotamia, even describing the earliest application of the written word—as receipts! The author’s note at the end also includes historical information, describing the religion of Mesopotamia and the means by which scholars study this ancient society.

As a history teacher, I’m pleased to include this book in my collection of young adult historical fiction. Cowley’s work is engaging and historically accurate, a wonderful combination for budding (or not-so-budding) historians!

Marisa Behan

THE TREASURE by Susan Yost-Filgate

Yost-Filgate, Susan. The Treasure. McHenry: Raven Tree Press, 2009. ISBN: 979-1-934960-41-7. $16.95. Ages 4-7.

See Also: Rip Squeak and His Friends

The adventures of Rip Squeak continue when Euripides arrives in his newest costume: a pirate's hat, coat, belt, and leggings. Euripides has also brought a book about pirates, treasure, and even more treasure. The biggest surprise, though, is a treasure map they find in the book. Rip, Jesse, Abby, and Euripides set off on their new adventures to find the treasure, properly attired in pirate-wear. Abby is scared, but her friends guide her across logs and through thickets.

As the friends journey on, they begin to encounter animals with their own special kind of treasure. They come across ants who gleefully cart away the cookies Euripides gives them. They also meet Mother Duck and the three little ducklings that make up her treasure. This encounter prompts Rip to come to the realization that "a treasure can be something different for each of us." The final character they encounter is a dragonfly who recognizes the map and the spot that marks the treasure. He doesn't think, though, that it is much of a treasure. Nonetheless, the four friends press on. When they round the corner they find...a pirate ship! They climb aboard and raise the pirate flag Euripides has brought along. That's not enough, though, and Jesse fashions her own flag out of a scarf with a big red heart on it so that even though "we pretend we're real pirates, every one will know we're friendly." Once again, Rip has set out for adventure, but "with the greatest treasure of all--his friends!"

The themes of friendship, imagination, and adventure continue to feature prominently in Rip Squeak's journey. The encouragement and patience that Rip Squeak, Jesse, and Euripides show Abby is heartwarming and worth emulating. This is a beautiful second book of a series, and I look forward to the third.

Stephanie Ashley