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What’ s best to read this year?
Secrets I Know (Random House Children’s Books, ages 3-7)
This tale written by Kallie George and pictured by Paola Zakimi follows a young girl and her little friend as they move from rain to sunshine, from pleasant loneliness to sweet friendship, and finally from adventures on earth to an exploration of the sky above. The colors of Zakimi’s pencil drawings are calming and George’s poetic text tells her story with simple language.
Pandora (Clarion Books, ages 3-7)
The award-winning author Victoria Turnbull tells the story of a little fox Pandora. Pandora lives alone. She makes herself a handsome home, but no one ever comes to visit. Then one day something falls from the sky — a bird with a broken wing. Little by little the bird helps Pandora feel less lonely. Turnbull’s watercolor and colored pencil drawings make this story of friendship and growth an atmospheric delight.
Prince and Pirate (G.P. Putnam’ s Sons Books for Younger Readers, ages 5-8)
A different kind of friendship is described in this book, by Charlotte Gunnufson with pictures byMike Lowery. Prince and Pirate are a pair of mismatched fish put into the same aquarium (水族馆). At first it seems that they’ll never learn to be friends. It is only when both take pity on a frightened dogfish that they learn the benefits of cooperation, and soon all three fish become good friends.
The Giant Jumperee (Dial Books, ages 3-5)
The story was written by the award-winning British author Julia Donaldson. When Rabbit hears a loud, voice bellowing (吼叫) threateningly from inside a cave, he gathers Cat, Bear and Elephant to help him decide what to do. But it’s Mama Frog who fearlessly confronts (面对) the unknown creature. Helen Oxenbury’s soft watercolors create a beautiful countryside and hercharacterizations of the animals are impressive.
1. Who pictured the book Pandora?
A. Kallie George. B. Victoria Turnbull.
C. Paola Zakimi. D. Charlotte Gunnufson.
2. Which book tells a story about courage?
A. Pandora. B. Secrets I Know.
C. Prince and Pirate. D. The Giant Jumperee.
3. What do the four books have in common?
A. Their publishers are the same one.
B. Their characters are all animals.
C. They all have pencil drawings.
D. They are all for younger readers.
