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REVIEWS BY LOU

An Introduction to Clayton Book Review Readers from Lou Fancher.

I've started a project with Clayton Books. After many years of illustrating-and a few less years of writing-children's picture books, I'm now applying my hand to reviews.

Raised in a house of readers, I relied on my mother to steer me towards good books. To this day, I trust her judgment and know that her general love of all things bound between two covers will not disappoint. I hope you learn to trust me in the same fashion. I'll warn you; I do come with a bias: I love books! As the daughter of a voracious reader, I am genetically predisposed to look for the positive in a book. As the daughter of a research scientist, (my dad,) I am also geared to gather data, analyze the facts, ask questions, and draw sometimes blunt conclusions. Last, I remind myself, and you, that books are art: my reviews will offer those objective descriptions you need, but I won't resist an occasional rave or rant in what, one must admit, is a personal, subjective, heart-felt response to the art of reading.

Here is my rating system:

1. Go get it!!
2. Go get it.
3. Don't bother, unless . . . . .
4. Walk in the opposite direction.
5. Run in the opposite direction!

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FRENCH MILK
by Lucy Knisley
for ages 14+

French Milk, by Lucy Knisley, a young author and someday comics star, has written both a clever graphic diary/travelogue and a touching story of six weeks spent in Paris with her mother. From their home base in the fifth arrondissement, Lucy and her mother set out to explore the culture and cuisine of this great city. A love affair of sorts-between youth and age, between mother and daughter, between Americans and the French, between Lucy and her all-important, delicious French milk - develops with wit and good humor. The visual palette is complex: Knisley's line drawings of everything from Filet de Boeuf to Picasso's nudes, written lessons on French literature, art and history, photographs of well-known sculptures interspersed with pictures of Lucy's new earrings...all well-conceived and clearly designed. If you've never been to Paris, you'll want to go, and if you have been, you'll want to return asap. Reading French Milk brought to mind the comfort and fun of a long, late-night telephone chat with a girlfriend, yet avoided the trite, with the touch-and-go story of a mother and daughter, moving forward with tension and love, to a mature relationship.

Personal Recommendation: Go Get It.

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ALFRED'S NOSE
by Vivienne Flesher
for ages 4-7

Admirers of artist and author Vivienne Flesher will delight in Alfred's Nose, her latest, spectacular addition to children's picture books.

Alfred is a comic: a dog whose mug causes him to wonder at his own, well. . ."dogginess," and to search for self- acceptance in a canine version of dress-up. His tale is filled with woe, charm and belly-shaking humor, captured perfectly by Flesher's imaginative, candid photographs.

Flesher manages to transcend silly and reach profound with a universal story to which young and old can relate. The icing on the cake comes near the end, when Alfred's friends steer him away from conformity with a rousing, "We love you just the way you are, Alfred!" This is a book to be given to everyone on your list: old, young, dog-doting, animal-worshiping, even cat-loving; the latter will be pleased at proof that the beauty of dogs is clearly well-hidden.

Personal Recommendation: Go Get It!! (And buy at least 10)

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ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE NORTH
by Philip Pullman
for ages 12 and up

Once Upon A Time in the North, by Philip Pullman, brings together Lee Scorseby, a young, daring aeronaut, and Iorek Byrnison, a mighty bear. The two combine forces to fight evil men and to help the Captain of a ship sail to freedom with his precious cargo.

Full of sly humor and the thrills of great chase scenes, this is a fast and vigorously pleasurable novel for young readers. With the perfect blend of lovable and hateful characters, a fine ear for language suited to time and place, and a delicious mix of magic and realism, Pullman sweeps us into a world we may never have experienced, but feel instantly comfortable inhabiting.

Engravings by John Lawrence bolster what is already a fine work, adding authenticity and interest throughout. Any novel crafted by a masterful author is bound to captivate devoted readers. The extra care in packaging and art in this edition only add pleasure to the pleasure provided by Pullman's delightful tale. Buy it for your son or daughter, but don't miss the opportunity to read it yourself. Expect to experience a battle of your own when young readers are told, "Time for lights out," midway through the story. Let them stay up late to read-it's worth the price of a yawn or two the next day.

My recommendation: Go get it!!

From the publisher: Featuring the illustrations of John Lawrence and a removable board game inside the back cover, this exquisite prequel to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy offers a glimpse into the friendship of two of the trilogy's most beloved characters--Texan aeronaut Lee Scoresby and armored bear Iorek Byrnison.

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GOING AROUND THE SUN: SOME PLANETARY FUN
by Marianne Berkes
for ages 4-9

Going Around the Sun, written in charming singsong verse by Marianne Berkes, introduces children to the planets. The astronomy lessons are simple enough for very young readers, then are made more substantial with extra facts and entertaining activities included at the end of the story's solar journey. The illustrations by Janeen Mason create gentle, swirling worlds of light and color. An added bonus is the artist's explanation of her process and tips on how to create your own planetary artwork. Teachers and parents hoping to ignite a child's interest in the solar system or emphasize an artistic approach to science will want to add this book to their shelves.

Personal recommendation: Go get it

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THE BUDDHA'S DIAMONDS
by Carolyn Marsden and Thay Phap Niem
for ages 8-12

The Buddha's Diamonds, by Carolyn Marsden and Thay Phap Niem, tells the story of Linh, a ten-year old boy, growing up in a small, close-knit Vietnamese community. Thrust from childhood into young manhood by a sudden, fierce storm, Linh and his family make both good and bad choices. The story is a charming blend of young exuberance and generational wisdom. Linh is caught between the two: attracted to the deep-rooted beauty of his family's Buddhist faith and the instant pleasures of soccer, money and a rare, remote-control car.

With gentle, artful hands, Marsden and Niem weave details of Buddhism, Vietnamese history, Asian culture, and universal growing-to-maturity experiences into the story's structure. The characters reveal the flaws and strengths we all recognize as human, without resorting to cliché. The pace is just right too; avoiding the plodding "I'm going to teach you a lesson" found in many books for young readers.

Personal Recommendation: I admired the subtlety of the thematic elements and the characters' scratch-and-dent portrayals. Beautifully written and composed, I give this a "Go get it."