31 is a collection of stories by Lawrence Clayton. Clayton, author of many books about ranches in Texas, tells his favorite stories about ranches and cowboys in the West Texas area, particularly in Shackleford and Throckmorton counties. It is a good collection, particularly to those who are interested in the history of Albany, Texas, and the cowboy culture that still exists there.

My daughter is 2 1/2 years old, and just loves doing the activities in the book. Very easy to understand and complete.

You must "meet" Idabelle and Blackie "Ice" Berg in this wonderful book that truly captures a cat's personality, while combining it with humor and love. You'll experience a soothing escape from your day as you follow Blackie through his daily adventures, seeing nature and life through his eyes! Idabelle and Blackie have blended words and thoughts together in the most enjoyable collection I've read in a long time! You'll laugh through much of it, as well as feel deeply touched at parts. This is a fun read for many ages and walks of life. You will not be able to put it down and will be sad when you've finished it, resolving to read it again very soon because you'll have made a new friend through "Ice" whom you'll long to revisit. Idabelle is the most talented writer and illustrater in this area that I know! Thank you Idabelle and "Ice" Berg for all your love and insight, and for sharing your talent with the world in this wonderful collection!

Set in Amish country, this story introduces a young Amish boy who takes care of the horses on his family's farm. "Ever since I was old enough to help with the chores, I've cared for our horses. Datt says that I have a special way with them." Written in the first person, our young Amish friend introduces the readers to the types of horses used on the farm and what their jobs are. He takes us along to a horse auction and gives us an insight into how a horse is chosen to join those already on the farm Patrick's vivid pastel illustrations bring the story to life. The realistic illustrations capture the image created by the text, whether its in the field planting or at the horse auction. Each illustration is framed by a red border. An Amish Quilt pattern border set in the same red frame sets off the text. The author has included a glossary of horse terms. As with his other stories featuring the Amish, the author has had the story read by Amish friends and the art examined for accuracy. This will be a valuable addition to a library's collection or for anyone who loves horses.

This is a GREAT book. It is a MUST read for all 4th grade teachers and students. It has universal appeal, that I think anyone, who enjoys reading about history, in a kind of you are there style, will enjoy. I have read this book yearly to my 4th grade classes since it was first published. The story is based in the Rancho period of California history. It is unique in that it is about a girl, and how daily life on a rancho affects her. The girl is young and the kids easily relate to her. The story itself is fiction. But, it is set on a Rancho that really did exist in what would later become Ventura County. The names of the people that the girl and her family interact with are real names of local founding families, and are historically accurate. A LOT of research has gone into making it as historically accurate as it can be. There are other good fiction stories for other periods of California history, but usually a boy is the main focus. It is WONDERFUL to have a book that has a girl as the main character and to have one that strives to be historically accurate while still telling a good, engaging story.

Hahn has another winner with this gentle and wise novel of a city girl who finds freedom and friendship during a summer visit to her aunt and uncle's farm. Dramatic tension comes from Anna's encounters with Theodore, an orphan boy who has been taken in by the farm family. Theodore and Anna begin as jealous rivals, but are as close as brother and sister by the book's end. Readers will cheer for Anna as she leaves her stuffy, urban life behind (if only for a while) and becomes a scrappy and happy mud-caked farm girl. I was genuinely sorry to see the book end, and hope Ms. Hahn has more books about Anna in the works.

Fellow parents, if you like fall, family outings, and certainly, sipping cider, you'll want this book for your children's library. No doubt elementary school teachers will call on this book fall after fall as well. Apple Cider Making Days is a delicious blend of facts about the cider pressing process and the warmth of family pride and cooperation. Friar's illustrations are a perfect complement to Purmell's clean, crisp
story content. From the cheery cover to the cider making facts in the back, this work of creative non-fiction is a delight. I raise my cider glass to Apple Cider Making Days. You will too!

I've enjoyed the American Girls Collection books for years, and was thrilled to see that Josefina's books from the American Girls Series were printed in Spanish as well as English. Jose Moreno does an excellent job translating Josefina's books into Spanish--the story stays the same as if you were reading the original English version--nothing is lost. This book, like the English one, tells the story of how Josefina's family copes with the death of Josefina's mother, and how Tia Dolores comes to stay with them. Even more funny is the story of Tia Dolores's piano, which sounds even more funny in the Spanish version than it does in English. I hope that one day the rest of the books in the American Girls series--the adventures of Felicity, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit, and Molly--will one day be available in Spanish as well.

Candace

Oh, Crumps!/Ay, Caramba! by Lee Bock is a thoroughly "kid friendly", English/Spanish bilingual picture book, about a tired farmer with an endless list of chores to do - and who becomes sleeper and sleeper as he works into the night. A friendly story illustrated by Morgan Midgett in whimsical color, Oh, Crumps!/Ay, Caramba! is ideal for sharing with young ones right before bedtime and a very strongly recommended addition to school and community bilingual picture book collections for young readers ages 4 to 8.

Margaret Wise Brown is my two-year-old's favorite author, and we read this story everyday at bedtime. Baby birds, lambs, pigs, kittens, puppies, horses, and a little girl are the subject of a day on the farm. The approach of bedtime is foreshadowed in a simple, lulling poem ... "Night comes on / Soft and still / With shooting stars / And a whippoorwill." Baby Animals has been a wonderful step beyond The Big Red Barn as my child has grown.