Orchard Books/Scholastic. - The Picturebook Shelf

Children's Bookwatch, August, 2004

Orchard Books/Scholastic

557 Broadway, New York NY 10012

www.scholastic.com

Marisa Montes' Get Ready For Gabi! (0439517117, $12.95) receives fine drawings by Joe Cerpeda as it presents preteens with a satisfying story of new neighbors who move into a spooky old house. Gabi is determined to snoop to get the latest scoop--and discovers a weird little girl with a secret, in the process. Jenny Nimmo's Charlie Bone And The Time Twister (043949687X, $9.95) tells of Charlie, who hopes that a new term at school will hold no terrible surprises. When Henry appears, twisted through time from 1916, Charlie finds that the academy is a dangerous world for both of them in this complex story older teens will relish. Sara Pennypacker's Stuart Goes To School (0439301823, $15.95) receives Martin Matje's fun cartoon-like drawings as it presents the story of Stuart's first day of school. His fears about clothing and a new third grade class provides a fun sequel to Stuart's Cape with just the zany artwork kids will relish. Luis Sepulveda's Story Of A Seagull And The Cat Who Taught Her To Fly (0439401860, $15.95) tells of a kind black cat named Zorba who watches over a dying gull's egg, and who promises to teach the hatchling to fly. He must keep his promise--even though he has no idea how to teach a bird to fly--in this warm story of friendship and promises. Jenny Nimmo's latest Charlie Bone story, Charlie Bone And The Invisible Boy (0439545269, $9.95) turns to a new semester at Bloor's Academy, where a new student and art teacher involve Emma and Charlie in a new secret. They stumble upon the poor invisible Ollie and face new challenges as a result in this engaging story.