School Library Journal articles from January 2009

School Library Journal archives from January 2009

What's up, doc? Thanks to blended programs, the elusive doctorate is more in reach.(Editorial)(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... Last month, I completed a milestone of sorts: I received my Ph.D. in information science. I bring this up not to congratulate myself (OK, maybe a little!) but because the experience has sharpened my thinking about the importance of doctoral...

Gizmine: gizmine.com.(Site of the Month)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Japanese gadgets are way cool, sometimes too cool or wacky to be made available in the U.S. market. A new Web site promises to satisfy our yen, so to speak, for the latest in innovative, often irreverent Japanese...

Green libraries grow in SL: eco-friendly Emerald City launches in Second Life.(Tech Knowledge)(Second Life)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MEET EILEEN DUMAS AND VICTORIA PETERSEN, cocreators of the Sustainable Living Library, a so-called green learning center on Second Life's (SL) Emerald City, one of the newer islands in the 3-D virtual world and one...

Flip MinoHD: high-definition video camera.(Test DRIVE)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2009... Full details and customization available at www.the-flip.com/products_flip_mino.shtml. $229.99. I love Flip-style video cameras. These inexpensive, pocket-sized digital camcorders with built-in editing and uploading software and that...

Go higher with cloud computing.(THE NEXT BIG THING)
January 1, 2009... My predictions for 2009? The 1980s are the new '70s, leg warmers are going to be all the rage, and mainframe computing will stage a comeback. OK, we're not talking about the computer taking up a whole room; but like ripped jeans and Beverly...

Rome Reborn.(Tech Knowledge)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Educators with a passion for all things Roman have two opportunities to steep themselves in the land of antiquities, courtesy of Google. Enter the Rome Reborn Project. Sponsored by Google Earth, the...

Making sense of the economy: sites that demystify the financial crisis for kids--and the rest of us.(THE Librarian's INTERNET)
January 1, 2009... Economy for Kids--A Scholastic News Special Report www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=455 This online guide will help upper elementary and middle school students understand the current financial crisis. Don't Miss: The...

LIFE photos via Google.(The Buzz)(LIFE magazine)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The storied photo archive of LIFE magazine containing among the most iconic images of our times is now available on Google Image Search. The Zapruder film of the Kennedy assassination and images of the Apollo 11...

Mail sleeve.(The Buzz)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new entry in laptop sleeves from Kena Kai manages to be both elegant and clever. The "Inter-Departmental Mail" computer sleeve is styled after the office standby, complete with cord closure, and fashioned in lux...

Give yourself a hand.(The Buzz)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Couldn't we all use a little recognition? If you or a certain someone could stand to feel the love, take matters into your own hands with the Applause Machine. Just push the button and this bright little contraption enthusiastically claps its...

A switch to Mac.(The Buzz)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More people are considering purchasing a Mac over a Windows machine, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley. Now that transition's even simpler, thanks to the Belkin Switch-to-Mac Cable. The $50 USB device...

Enlighten me.(The Buzz)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A new, online subscription source provides unique insight into the minds of the greatest writers and thinkers of the 18th century. A scholarly research project of the University of Oxford, Electronic Enlightenment consists of the...

iRecord Snags Video.(The Buzz)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] iRecord Pro makes it easy to grab music and video for your iPod and other devices. Simply plug in iRecord to a television or cable or satellite box to record your selected program or connect to a DVD player or TiVo...

The F-word: what to do when cussing appears on the printed page.(Scales on Censorship)
January 1, 2009... A 10th-grade English teacher received an advanced reader's copy of a novel, and she'd like me to purchase It when It's available. While thumbing through her copy, I spotted the F-word on one of Its pages. Now I'm worried about buying the book...

Count us in: storytime is a perfect occasion to strengthen children's math skills.(First Steps)
January 1, 2009... At a recent statewide workshop, Laurie Danahy, a Head Start prekindergarten specialist for the Oregon Department of Education, urged librarians to "mathematize" their next storytime. Before you shriek, "I won't add any more instruction to my...

Expedient, but at what cost? How vendor tools can fit into best practice.(Up for Discussion)
January 1, 2009... You have a lot to do. For public librarians that can mean conducting class visits; creating, promoting, and executing programs; working on public service desks; and, of course, developing your collection. School librarians might spend the...

Meet the Darwins: Deborah Heiligman's 'Charles and Emma' isn't your typical love story.(Under Cover)(Charles Darwin)(Interview)
January 1, 2009... During Darwin's lifetime, his best-selling book was The Formation of Vegetable Mold through the Actions of Worms with Observations on Their Habits. Did you actually read the entire book? No, I did not read the whole thing. Stop the...

Tabletop fantasy RPGs: tips for introducing role-playing games in your library.(The Gaming Life)(Recommended readings)
January 1, 2009... Fantasy role-playing games (FRPGs) utilize a set of rules for a group of players and a game master (GM) to create characters and tell stories in fictitious worlds that are provided in the game or created by the group. During actual play, the...

Happy days: despite the ups and downs, our satisfaction survey shows that most librarians are crazy about their jobs.(Cover story)(Survey)(Statistical data)
January 1, 2009... GLANCE THROUGH THE THOUSANDS OF COMMENTS left by the participants in School Library Journal's Job Satisfaction Survey and the same verbs keep popping up: love, help, assist, connect, match, teach, promote. And the objects of these verbs?...

The great unknown: before she snagged the National Book Award, Judy Blundell was one of publishing's best-kept secrets.(Interview)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF JUDY BLUNDELL until recently, join the club. For nearly 20 years, Blundell has toiled in anonymity, turning out more than 100 mysteries, romances, and media tie-ins under various pen names,...

A reading list for Barack--and the rest of us: this year's best reads for adults help us better understand ourselves.(Book review)
January 1, 2009... With the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the most troops overseas since Richard Nixon's presidency, President-elect Obama will certainly have his work cut out for him. But at least Obama is a reader (and a writer),...

Breaking hews: journalism's in turmoil, then there's YouTube. How can we build the next generation of news consumers?
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK, BLOGS, AND TEXT MESSAGES. Today's youth have access to an extraordinary amount of news sources, but how can they discern the accuracy of this information? A revolution in media has sparked an...

Gone but not forgotten.(focus on: Dinosaurs)(Bibliography)
January 1, 2009... PALEONTOLOGISTS ARE STILL UNEARTHING THE MYSTERIES SURROUNDING DINOSAURS. It's no wonder youngsters ask questions about when these prehistoric animals lived, what they ate, or even if they're still alive. Digging for these answers is exciting...

On the web.(focus on: DINOSAURS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Dinosaur Dig. http://sdnhm.org/kids/dinosaur/index.html. San Diego Natural History Museum. (Accessed 11/16/08) Gr 3-8--An interactive "Name That Reptile" game, FAQs about Jurassic Park and DNA, and fossil-hunting clues with photos...

Media picks.(focus on: DINOSAURS)(Sound recording review)(Audiobook review)(Children's review)(Book review)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Alphabet of Dinosaurs. CD. approx. 27 min. with hardcover book, poster. Soundprints (soundprints.com). 2007. ISBN 978-1-59249-724-9. $15.95. K-Gr 2--This CD of Barbie Heit Schwaeber's book (Soundprints, 2007) opens with a song about...

Preschooler Learns Spanish/Aprendamos Espanol.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Preschooler Learns Spanish/Aprendamos Espanol. DVD. 36 min. Galloping Minds. 2008. ISBN 978-0-9814944-1-8. $14.99. PreS-K--This bilingual program is intended to assist toddlers with Spanish language acquisition. Vocabulary basics about...

Preschoolers.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Preschoolers (Series). 3 DVDs. range: 21-24 min. (closed captioned). Magna Systems. 2008. $249 ser., $99 ea. Includes: Physical Development (ISBN 1-55740-505-0); Cognitive Development (ISBN 1-55740-506-9); Social & Emotional Development (ISBN...

Flattering Fashions: A His & Hers Guide.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Flattering Fashions: A His & Hers Guide. DVD. 22 min with tchr's, guide. Learning Seed. 2008. ISBN 1-917159-61-6. $99. Gr 7 Up--The six basic principles of fashion design and tips and tricks for building a flattering wardrobe are covered....

Our Country USA to Z.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Our Country USA to Z. DVD. approx. 34 min. Team Baby Entertainment. 2008. ISBN 978-0-9794625-0-4. $19.98. PreS--American symbols, history, and landmarks introduce the alphabet and facts about the United States. The program does a fair job...

Confessions of a Food Stylist.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Confessions of a Food Stylist. DVD. 18 min. (closed captioned). Learning Zone Express. 2008. ISBN 1-57175-635-3. $79.95. Gr 6 Up--A veteran food stylist is followed through a typical day on the job: planning and preparation, kitchen work,...

Straight Talk: The Truth about STDs.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Straight Talk: The Truthabout STDs. video or DVD. 20 min. (closed captioned), with tchr's, guide. Human Relations Media. 2008. ISBN 978-1-55548-684-6. $139.95. Gr 7 Up--Teen-to-teen sharing of information is often an excellent teaching...

Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody. 2 DVDs. Approx. 90 min. Viz Media. 2008. ISBN 1-4215-2294-2. $29.98. Gr 7 Up--Based on the manga and anime series of the same name, Bleach the Movie is a stand-alone film that the fans of action anime...

Get ready for Black History Month.(Media NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Get ready for Black History Month in February with two stellar DVDs for young children. March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (Weston Woods), an iconographic rendering of the picture book (Scholastic, 2008) by Christine King...

A free one-year subscription to PaperToolsPro Online.(Media NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A free one-year subscription to PaperToolsPro Online (papertoolspro.net), an educational tool to help students learn good research skills and ethics, is being offered to all public and private schools nationwide by ePen&lnc. This online...

Have you thought about introducing live radio theater in your schools and libraries?(Media NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Have you thought about introducing live radio theater in your schools and libraries? Galaxy Press is offering a free copy of a reading performance guide to L. Ron Hubbard's The Last Drop, a collection of three pulp sci-fi stories for students...

Disney Educational Productions.(Media NEWS)(The Science of Disney Imagineering)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Disney Educational Productions (disneyeducation.com) is releasing a new DVD science series, The Science of Disney Imagineering. Disney imagineers are research and development folks who combine imagination with engineering to create some...

eStory Magic, Vol. 1: Pied Piper and Other Stories.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... eStory Magic, Vol. 1: Pied Piper and Other Stories. DVD. 31 min. Prod. by eStoryMagic. Dist. by Victory Multimedia. 2008. $12. PreS-Gr 2--Five well-known fairy tales are retold in this digital story book: "The Smart Pig," "The Pied Pier...

Goosebumps.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Goosebumps (Series). 3 DVDs. approx. 87 min. ca. (closed captioned). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. 2008. $11.98 ca. Includes: Goosebumps: Monster Blood; Goosebumps: A Night in Terror Tower; Goosebumps: One Day at HorrorLand. Gr...

Hero Cat.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Hero Cat. DVD. 12 min. Nutmeg Media. 2008. ISBN 1-933938-58-7. $49.95. PreS-Gr 3--A very pregnant mother cat finds an abandoned building in which she gives birth to her five kittens. She cares for them carefully, but must leave to eat....

Super WHY!: The Three Little Pigs & Jack and the Beanstalk.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... * Super WHY!: The Three Little Pigs & Jack and the Beanstalk. DVD. approx. 50 min. (closed captioned). Prod. by Out of the Blue Enterprises. Dist. by PBS Home Video. 2008. ISBN 0-7936-9405-1. $14.99. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Addicted to Plastic.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... * Addicted to Plastic. video or DVD. 85 min. (53 min. edited version on same DVD). Prod. by Cryptic Moth Prods. Dist. by Bullfrog Films. 2007, 2008 release, video: ISBN 1-59458-794-9, DVD: ISBN 1-59458-795-7. $295 (Rental: $95). Gr 10...

Bugz.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Bugz. DVD. 31 min. Prod. by ahh! Prods. Dist. by Marvelous Media. 1996, 2008 release. $6.99. PreS-Gr 2--In this look at members of the insect world, viewers see common and unfamiliar bugs up-close and children interacting with them. The...

Core Meteorology.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Core Meteorology (Series). 3 DVDs. 30 min. ca. (closed captioned), with tech's, guides. Ambrose Video. 2008. $99 ser., $49.95 ea. Includes: Atmosphere; Weather; Climate. Gr 7 Up--These films explore meteorology from three interrelated...

Elementary Science: Minerals.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Elementary Science: Minerals. video or DVD. 14 min. (closed captioned), with tchr's, guide, blackline masters. Visual Learning Co. 2008. video: ISBN 978-1-59234-182-5, DVD: ISBN 978-1-59234-183-2. $79.95. Gr 3-5--Minerals found...

Elementary Science: Simple Animals.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Elementary Science: Simple Animals. video or DVD. 14 min. (closed captioned), with tchr's. guide, blackline masters. Visual Learning Co. 2008. video: ISBN 978-1-59234-202-0, DVD ISBN 978-1-59234-203-7. $79.95. Gr 3-5--Vibrant live-action...

Glaciers and lee Caps: The Melting.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Glaciers and lee Caps: The Malting. DVD. 30 min. (closed captioned), with tchr's. guide. Prod. by Centre Communications. Dist. by Ambrose Video. 2008. $49.99. Gr 7 Up--This program provides information about the reciprocal relationship...

How the Earth Was Made.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... How the Earth Was Made. DVD. 1:34 hrs. (closed captioned). The History Channel. 2002, 2008 release. ISBN 1-4229-0368-0. $24.95. Gr 7 Up--Four and a half billion years of the Earth's development is summarized, with a focus on popular...

Sealings.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Sealings. DVD. 22 min. Prod. by Steve Clark Prods. Dist. by Pyramid Media. 2008. ISBN 978-1-55981-934-3. $79. Gr 4-8--Students will be fascinated by the beautiful live-action photography and the odd and interesting creatures living in...

Secrets of Plant Genomes: Revealed!(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Secrets of Plant Genomes: Revealed! DVD. approx. 24 min. with tchr's, guide. New Dimension Media. 2007, 2008 release. ISBN 1-59522-696-6. single site: $49, multi site: $159. Gr 7 Up--A red convertible races through a field of com and a...

American Experience: George H.W. Bush.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... American Experience: George H.W. Bush. DVD. approx. 3 hrs. (closed captioned). with tchr's, guide Prod. by WGBH Educational Foundation. Dist. by PBS Home Video. 2008. ISBN 0-7936-9458-2. $24.95. Gr 9 Up--Insights into the political life...

America's Greatest Monuments: Washington.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... America's Greatest Monuments: Washington, D.C. DVD. 56 min. Smithsonian Networks. 2008. $24.98. Gr 6 Up--Our country's history and heritage are well-represented by the monuments and memorials in our nation's capital. This outstanding...

Connections: Feedback.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Connections: Feedback. DVD. 50 min. Discovery Education. ISBN 1-60288-381-5. $59.95. Gr 9 Up--This episode of James Burke's popular TV series introduces the concept of feedback, which is defined as a system that uses a variety of...

Connections: Life Is No Picnic.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Connections: Life Is No Picnic. DVD. 43 min. Discovery Education. 2008. ISBN 1-60288-385-8. $59.95. Gr 9 Up--This entertaining, but at times disjointed, production attempts to show how a wide range of historic events are intricately...

Discovery Atlas: France Revealed.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Discovery Atlas: France Revealed. 2 DVDs. 45 min. ea. Discovery Education. 2008. ISBN 1-60288-584-2. $99.95. Gr 6 Up--This two-part documentary about life in France today reveals the determination of the French people to maintain their...

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
January 1, 2009... * March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World. DVD. 18 min. (closed captioned). Weston Woods. 2008. ISBN 978-0-545-10645-0. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-10685-6: $12.95; CD with hardcover book: ISBN 978-0-545-10689-4, $29.95. ...

Refugee Like Me.(Brief article)(Video recording review)
January 1, 2009... Refugee Like Me. video or DVD. 50 min. Prod. by Purple Pictures. Dist. by Landmark Media. 2002, 2008 release. $195. Gr 10 Up--This poignant film focuses on six individuals, now living in Australia, who had to abandon their homeland and...

American Listeners Theatre: A Texan's Tales for All Seasons.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... American Listeners Theatre: A Texan's Tales for All Seasons. 2 CDs. 2:01 hrs. CD Americana. 2008. ISBN 978-0-9649040-4-0. $9.99. Gr 7 Up--Five short stories written by O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) are matched with the seasons. Moving...

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol .2: The Kingdom on the Waves.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol .2: The Kingdom on the Waves (unabr.). 11 CDs. 13:25 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-6788-9. $75. Gr 9...

The Burn Journals.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Bum Journals (unabr.). 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 8 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-3871-0: $56.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-3876-5: $77.75. Gr 8 Up--One day 14-year-old Brent Runyon came home from school and set himself...

The Door of No Return.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Door of No Return (unabr.). 9 CDs. 10:48 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-6735-3. $55. Gr 5-8--Zac's grandfather, Pops, has always told him that he is descended from...

Faerie Lord: The Faerie Wars Chronicles, Book 4.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Faerie Lord: The Faerie Wars Chronicles, Book 4 (unabr.). 11 cassettes or 11 CDs. 12:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-5418-5: $88.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4281-5423-9: $108.75. Gr 6-10--In the final installment...

Found: The Missing, Book 1.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Found: The Missing, Book 1 (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-0689-4: $61.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-0694-8: $87.75. Gr 4-8--A mysterious airplane appears out of nowhere. No pilots or...

Going, Going, Gone with the Pain and the Great One.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Going, Going, Gone with the Pain and the Great One (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:24 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 9784)-7393-7150-3. $20. Gr 1-3--Jake, a first grader, is the Pain, and his...

I Wanna Be Your Shoebox.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... I Wanna Be Your Shoebox (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4:37 hrs. Prod by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-6683-7. $38. Gr 4-7--Yumi Ruiz-Hirsch comes from a diverse cultural background--she has a Cuban...

Ink Exchange.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Ink Exchange (unabr.). 8 cassettes or 8 CDs. 9 hrs: Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-3765-2: $67.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-3770-6: $87.75. Gr 9 Up--In Melissa Mart's debut novel, Wicked Lovely (HarperTeen, 2007; Recorded...

The Magic Thief.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Magic Thief (unabr.). 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 7:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-3735-5: $61.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-3740-9: $77.75. Gr 5-8--Thinking he is stealing from a wealthy old man, sheet urchin Conn...

Mistik Lake.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Mistik Lake (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4:52 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-6472-7. $38. Gr 8 Up--A lakeside town in Canada sets the scene for this emotional tale (Farrar, 2007) by...

My One Hundred Adventures.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... My One Hundred Adventures (unabr.). 5 CDs. 5:29 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-7164-0. $45. Gr 4-7--Twelve-year-old Jane Fielding lives an idyllic life on the...

Neptune's Children.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Neptune's Children (unabr.). 8 cassettes or 8 CDs. 9:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4281-8781-8: $61.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4281-8786-3: $87.75. Gr 7 Up--In the wake of a biological terrorist attack, adults are killed but...

The Not-Just-Anybody Family.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Not-Just-Anybody Family (unabr.). 3 CDs. 3:16 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-7391-0. $30. Gr 3-6--This charming, quirky story (Delacorte, 1986) by Betsy Byars begins...

The Octopus.(Brief article)(Audiobook review)(Children's review)(Book review)
January 1, 2009... The Octopus (Readalongs for Beginning Readers Series). cassette or CD. 9:59 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-43010-455-1: $16.95; CD, ISBN 978-1-43010-458-2: $18.95.; cassette with 4 paperback books, ISBN...

School Trouble for Andy Russell.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... School Trouble for Andy Russell (First Chapter Books Series). 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 2:28 hrs. Live Oak Media. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-43010-481-0: $18.95; CD, ISBN 978-43010-482-7: $22.95; cassettes with paperback book, ISBN 978-43010-483-4:...

The Schwa Was Here.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Schwa Was Here (unabr.). 5 CDs 6:01 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-7237-1. $50. Gr 6-9--Calvin Schwa has an almost magical ability to go unnoticed, and at first Antsy...

The Secret Book Club: Main Street, Book 5.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... The Secret Book Club: Main Street, Book 5 (unabr.). 4 CDs. 5:11 hrs. Scholastic Audiobooks. 2008. ISBN 978-0-545-03316-9. $49.95. Gr 4-6--Ann Martin's series involves four friends in the small community of Camden Falls and exhibits her...

The Seer of Shadows.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... * The Seer of Shadows (unabr.). 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-3725-6: $33.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-3730-0: $46.75. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gr 5-7--Avi's gothic tale (HarperCollins,...

A Snout for Chocolate.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)(Book review)
January 1, 2009... A Snout for Chocolate (Readalongs for Beginning Readers Series). cassette or CD. 11:01 min. with paperback book. Live Oak Media. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-43010-463-6: $16.95; CD, ISBN 978-1-43010-466-7: $18.95; cassette with 4 paperbacks,...

Swindle.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Swindle (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-0649-8: $33.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-0654-2: $46.75. Gr 4-7--Gordon Korman's novel (Scholastic, 2008) concerns a valuable baseball card that...

Tamar.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... * Tamar (unabr.) 10 CDs. 12:09 hrs. Candlewick Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7636-4121-4. $50. Gr 9 Up--Mal Peet's Carnegie Medal-winning novel (Candlewick, 2007) deftly weaves suspense and painful emotion with story strands set in World War...

Waiting for Normal.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Audiobook review)
January 1, 2009... Waiting for Normal (unabr.). 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-0639-9: $51.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-0644-3: $66.75. Gr 5-8--"Normal" is the dream for 12-year-old Addie in this poignant novel...

Biggest Everything in the World.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2009... Biggest Everything in the World. CD. approx. 37 min. Prod. by Crooked Knees Records. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2008. $15. K-Gr 3--On his third album, Kentucky children's librarian Joel Caithamer sings 12 rock and country songs, some of which...

Camp Lisa.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2009... * Camp Lisa. CD. approx. 37 min. Redeye. 2008. $14.99. Gr 1-5--With a sweet, folksy voice, Lisa Loeb croons 13 original and traditional songs highlighting the summer camp experience in her second album for children. The other six tracks...

Celebrate Yourself.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2009... Celebrate Yourself. CD. 40:40 min. Prod. by All Aglow Songs. Dist. by CDBaby. com. 2008. $15. K-Gr 4--Gio Dati, an elementary school physical education teacher in New York, wrote and performs these 13 original songs intended to empower...

Hop n Bop: Songs for You and Me.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2009... Hop n Bop: Songs for You and Me. CD. 30 min. Tot-a-Doodle-Do. 2008. $9.99. PreS-K--Written and performed by Penny L. Cohen, these 12 songs will have children moving around in no time. Songs such as "What Can You Do" and "Point with Me"...

Painting Box.(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Children's review)
January 1, 2009... Painting Box. CD. approx. 42 min. Battersby Duo. 2008. $12. PreS-Gr 3--Laura and Tim, the award-winning Battersby Duo, wrote the 15 silly songs for this fun album. Inspired by the artistic creativity of youngsters in a kindergarten class,...