ALBERT by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Jim LaMarche. 2001. 32 pp. 0-15-201572-8 (Silver Whistle) $16.00. What is the defining moment when a life is changed
forever? In one small second when he puts his hand out the window and a twig suddenly appears in it, we see the tentative Albert transformed. In this journey to self-fulfillment, a pair of cardinals is the catalyst to change a
life forever. Jim LaMarche's radiant illustrations reflect the wonder of this change.
BASHO AND THE FOX by Tim Myers, illustrated by Oki S. Han. 2000. 32 pp. 0-7614-5068-8 (Cavendish Children's Books/Marshall Cavendish)
$15.95. In this quiet but humorous tale, the Japanese haiku master encounters a fox who challenges the poet's skill. A bit of psychology is all that's needed to turn the proud creature into an admirer of Basho's verse.
THE COLLECTOR OF MOMENTS written and illustrated by Quint Buchholz, translated by Peter F. Neumeyer. 1999. 48 pp. 0-374-31520-5 (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers) $18.00. A young boy is befriended by a
mysterious artist named Max in this spellbinding picture book. When the artist must leave on an unexplained journey, he leaves his pictures in the care of his young friend. Max's pictures are windows into magical moments,
shared by boy and reader alike.
FLY! written and illustrated by Christopher A. Myers. 2001. 32 pp. 0-7868-0652-4 (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children) $15.99. This book is a treasure for the stunning artwork
alone. The thoughtful story about the meaning of friendship is icing on a beautiful cake.
HARLEM by Walter Dean Myers, illustrated by Christopher A. Myers. 1997. 32 pp. 0-439-54340-7 (Scholastic Press) $16.95. Lines that
resonate with the rhythms of jazz pay tribute to a community that has given birth to important cultural movements. The everyday lives lived in Harlem today, as well as its legendary heroes, come through vividly in the text and
in the bold collage art.
MANSA MUSA: The Lion of Mali by Khephra Burns, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. 2001. 56 pp. 0-15-200375-4 (Gulliver Books) $18.00. In this fictionalized account of the early years of
one of Mali's most celebrated kings, author Khephra Burns introduces us to the boyhood of this famous chief whose realm would eventually rival that of all of Africa. The richly detailed illustrations of Leo and Diane Dillon
evoke the timeless beauty of the lands and peoples of this ancient kingdom.
THE OTHER DOG by Madeleine L'Engle, illustrated by Christine Davenier. 2001. 48 pp. 1-58717-040-X (SeaStar Books) $15.95. Fans of Madeleine
L'Engle's classic fantasy novels will be pleased to discover this engaging picture book. The story, narrated by a pampered poodle who is jealous of a new baby in the house, stars one of the author's actual pets.
THE
THREE GOLDEN KEYS written and illustrated by Peter Sís. 2001. 64 pp. 0-374-37525-9 (Francis Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers) $23.00. An extraordinary artist takes readers on an extraordinary
journey: magical keys unlock legends associated with sites in Prague, as Peter Sís revisits the landscape of his childhood. An intricate, personal project that explores story, memory, and the ways that places shape our lives.