Truckery Rhymes
By Jon Scieszka
(Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2009)
Reading time: 10 minutes
Ages: 1 and up

Your listeners will want you to read the 20-plus rhymes in this book straight through, and then again and again. Each rhyme is a brief fun-filled adventure; read as a whole the book is one noisy, good time. Just let loose and create all sorts of sound effects, be they scrapes, whoops, chomps, vrooms or whooshes , to name but a few of the many readalouder opportunities.

Every Second Something Happens: Poems for the Mind and Senses
Selected by Christine San Jose
(Wordsong, 2009)
Reading time: Selections vary from one minute to fractions thereof
Ages: 2 and up

A great picture book poetry anthology for the very young and not so young. The compilation includes some classic poetry, some contemporary poems by adult authors and many contemporary poems by children, some as young as 5 and 6.

An important collection because the author chooses themes prevalent in children's literature worldwide, and then presents several selections illustrative of each of them. Thus, in the "Runaway Cookie" section, we find the familiar Gingerbread Man from the United States, and the not so familiar variations, "The Pancake" from Norway and "The Bun" from Russia. In this section, regardless of the country of origin or the variations in characterizations, the same message rings clearly 'round the world: Child, do not run off by yourself and then trust a stranger. This collection is valuable in that it provides many tried and true read-alouds for young children, and it's a great opportunity to discuss the development of similar stories in different cultures, and the universal messages.

A remarkable collection of both fictional and factual herstories, the products of the imaginations and the lives of black women. The readalouder will enjoy alternating direct narratives with expressive dialogue, often written in dialect. Hamilton's comments at the end of each story is as interesting as the story: she has researched general as well as African-American folk history and literature to provide informative background on each selection. Often the story, coupled with the comment, provides the basis for spirited discussion on issues of gender, race, rights, wrongs and accidents of history.

What a wonderful collection of Latin American stories for young children. Juan Bobo, Trickster tales and less familiar archetypes can all be found here. Most charming and fun to read aloud of all is the long poem from which the book takes its title. It can be read deadpan seriously, as if it were blank verse, which will contribute to the humor of the piece.

A spirited anthology of stories and poems all with a common theme: the sea, its delights, mysteries, and dangers. The story that provides the book with its title in which "The Thousand Yards of Sea" becomes the fabric taffeta, is especially good.

Maxwell Parrish painting paired with works of some of the best read-aloud authors of all time – Eugene Field, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Robert Browning – to name a few – combine in a truly beautiful keep-forever treasury. A whole family book for children and adults of all ages.

A diverse compilation of creation stories – of the whole world, of light and warmth, and of creatures – in which the biblical is but one of many accounts of how the world began. Opportunities for discussion are as vast as the universe, with the questioned listeners raise likely leading the way.

Walker's introduction is critical to the readalouder for introducing the stories to the group, and for leading a stimulating discussion following each. Walker puts stories of "little folk" – be they Leprechauns in Ireland, Nisse of Denmark, or the Menehune of Hawaii – into historical/anthropological perspective, then retells each tale clearly and well. Chances for readalouders to compare and contrast the role of the little folk in various cultures abound.

Mills' complex introduction needs paraphrasing for younger children, but is important in enabling the readalouder to lead stimulating discussions, comparing and contrasting various countries' and ages' renditions of their "little folk." A wonderfully rich resource book of rhymes, poems, stories, legends and myths. By taking the fairies out of fairy tale books, the Leprechauns out of the books of Irish lore, etc.., and placing them all under one "little folk" cover, Mills develops opportunities for exploration of a "little folk" genre unto its own.

Birthday Surprises is an outstanding anthology for children 5 and older. An excellent collection of 10 stories, each written by a different author and each based upon the same plot: A boy or girl receives one beautifully wrapped empty birthday package. Editor Huritz, who invited contributions, says that "all writers use and reuse a limited number of plots." She believes "it's the point of view that each writer brings to the telling of a story that makes it unique." Birthday Surprises more than bears out this hypothesis; each story is different, beautifully written, and each reads aloud wonderfully.

Author Arnold Adoff has done a super job of putting the ancient art of the love note into modern dress. The premise is humor – in the form and content of each note – as well as gently satirizing traditional poetry and art. To be read with a straight face.

A wonderful compilation of some of Dickinson's poems, originally written well over a hundred years ago as little notes for her nieces and nephews, to whom she was more a friend and playmate than simply and aunt. Never published in her lifetime, they are a perfect legacy to our "sound bite generation" accustomed to acquiring information and ideas in abbreviated form.

Although many of us tend to associate Dahl primarily with Charlie, Willy and James, it's great to find that there is so, so much more in these 443 pages. Dahl is highly diverse, always irreverent, and ranges from very literary to downright gross. But he is never boring and defiantly holds his own place in modern children's literature. Best of all, he is a readalouder's dream. The dialogue flows easily and naturally, and the tongue is in cheek most of the time.

A unique picturebook anthology comprise of three selections, introducing readalouders and listeners alike to a delightful character reminiscent of both B'rer Rabbit and Uncle Wiggly. Lapin is very much a Louisiana trickster who betters the other animals through his wits. Accents are plentiful, the dialogue is fun, and the action well-paced. Each selection provides a springboard for discussion of what is meant by living by one's wits: pros and cons.

A magnificent treasury in which Cohn includes songs, poetry, myths, legends, and short stories of many cultures including Native American, Spanish, African American, British, Irish, to name but a few. The nearly 400-page volume is organized historically: poems, songs and legends which were on these shores for many centuries before the European explorers arrived are placed first, with stories of assimilation and acculturation later in the book. This giant compendium of Americana has something for every listener over 5, for every discussion facilitator, and every readalouder (humor such as "Clever Mistress Murray;" contrasting dialogues as in "The Debate in Sign Language;" and accents such as in "Paul Bunyan, the Mightiest Logger of them All.")

Nourse is a gifted storyteller and a truly inspired ancient history buff. From her author's note at the beginning of the book to the back jacket flap, she exudes a wonderful chance for the readalouder to hold listeners spellbound. This, in contrast to Brian Alderson's The Arabian Nights (Morrow Junior Books 1995) also newly published but suffering from an overdose of faithfulness to older versions, stilted language, and difficult passages.

An excellent compendium of the history of slavery in this country from revolutionary to modern times. Because Hamilton's non-fiction reads with the urgency and excitement of good fiction, this book serves as both story and text for discussions of numerous aspects of human slavery and its concomitant suffering. The book's 35 chapters can be read one or two at a time over a period of many weeks since each can stand alone. Separately, each chapter is moving; taken as a whole, the book will provide a tremendous learning experience to children and families of all origins. Like Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold (Crown 1992) and Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson (Alfred A. Knopf 1993) which illustrate the incidents, movements and issues that Hamilton treats, this book is intended for year-round home and classroom use, not only for Black History Month.

Other excellent African-American history resources for children aged 9 and older appropriate for class discussion and research include: Bound for the Promised Land by Michael Cooper (Lodestar 1995), an explication of black migration patterns from the South to urban areas; Black Frontiers: A History of African American Heroes in the Old West by Lillian Schlissel (Simon and Schuster 1995); Martin Luther King by Rosemary L. Bray (Greenwillow 1995), a colorfully illustrated biography.

Through the ages stories of the prophet Elijah have abounded with this messenger from heaven to earth depicted in various disguises – from beggar to peasant to king – and of various character – stern, kind, caring, a healer, a magic maker. In this compilation of some of the most diverse of the Elijah stories, Jaffe teams with illustrator Elvia Savadier to produce a beautiful volume. Though Elijah is a major character of Jewish folklore, these tales will appeal to children of all ages, religious and cultural backgrounds.

Climo creates an interesting comparative mythology of mermaids, bringing their stories from ancient and more modern times and from all over the world under one cover. A good springboard for discussion of comparative legends and myths which children old enough to hear the story will enjoy discussing.

This interesting compilation of myths, legends and folktales from diverse Latin cultures, including Mexico, Cuba, Bolivia, and Puerto Rico, will inform many North American children, while heightening the cultural identity of Hispanic children. Includes a good introduction, end notes for each selection and notes and sources section at the back of the book for those seeking further information.

It's curious that this anthology was re-published at all. First of all, the readalouder will likely need a dictionary to explain some of O. Henry's very large vocabulary to todays readers. Secondly, it's politically incorrect and thus should be used in settings where the readalouder has plenty of time to explain to explain O. Henry's work within the context of his times. It's an excellent resource for upper level literature courses as an example of highly literary writing with expert use of irony, as well as satire, humor and suspense.