The Smugglers' Mine

October 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 1—-ittle Bear has too many items on his Christmas list and does not want to cull it down. When all the gifts under the tree go to his cousins, he suffers the indignity of watching the coveted skateboard, hobbyhorse, and pogo stick belong to someone else. Unsatisfied with the envelope he has gotten, Little Bear leaves it unopened and retreats under the kitchen table, coming out when his cousins need help figuring out how to play with their toys. The shared experiences are so much fun that Little Bear forgets about his own present, making his reward at the end all the sweeter. While the characters are not very expressive, the subtle touches make Little Bear's spoiled behavior easier to swallow. The illustrations also help the lesson gently unfold through the story, rather than overtly explaining the virtues of patience and sharing, or that the holiday is about more than just presents.—"Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2010
Grades 3-6 When plucky young Stanley decides to trust the retired pirate who appears on the doorstep of his mansion, they begin an adventure that takes them into the islands subterranean tunnels. Above ground, tensions mount when the dreaded werewolf returns. Stanleys small band of co-conspirators must keep its discoveries secret to protect the (relatively) innocent islanders. Mould creates a moody, macabre atmosphere through the fine black-and-white drawings and silhouettes that appear throughout the book. The fifth entry in the Something Wickedly Weird series, this fast-paced story will keep readers guessing as it sweeps them along to the offbeat yet satisfying conclusion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)