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Second Annual Children's Book Festival (2007)

March 31st, 2007, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friends of Axe is proud to present its second annual Children's Book Festival. Authors from all over the United States and abroad have been kind enough to donate a representative sample of their work usually signed and frequently decorated with a small drawing or a note. We have books which appeal to youngsters and others that appeal to Middle and High School Audience. We will be seated in the East Lobby, just outside the Young Authors' Conference. The books are not only signed but we offer a 25 percent discount. Enjoy!

NOTE: This year the Children's Book Festival will be held in conjunction with the annual Young Authors' Conference. The featured speakers at the conference will be young people's novelist Kimberly Willis Holt, author of National Book Award Winner When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, and brilliant and talented artist Chris Soentpiet, illustrator of award winning books such as More than Anything Else, about the childhood of Booker T. Washington. While their lectures are only open to attendees of the Young Authors' Conference they will be autographing their own books which will be on sale after 3 p.m. in the West Lobby.

Hear an interview about the Festival with Jane Victor, on KRPS.

Hope to see you in the Weede on March 31st!!

Elementary Grade Level :

All Twelve of Them, by Larry Allen and Sherry Kay; illustrated by Kas Winters, who signed the book. Eleven guests turn down the exotic food at Aunt Mable's dinner party, with the exception of Rick, who happily devours everything after they all leave. Pen drawings appropriate for coloring. 1st to 4th grades.

Amelia Bedelia's Family Album, in which the world's most literal maid introduces a collection of equally amusing relatives, by Peggy Parish; illustrated by Lynn Sweat, who signed the book. 1st to 4th grade.

Atomic Ace (He's Just My Dad), in which Atomic Ace, between bouts of capturing bank bandits, defeating evil robots, saving a sick whale and capturing the evil "Insect King", still manages to help Mom around the house, barbecue hot dogs, encourage his son's trumpet lessons and tuck him into bed; and, Atomic Ace and the Robot Rampage, wherein Atomic Ace's young son finds out that his Mom is really the legendary super heroine "Energy Angel". Author and Illustrator Jeff Weigel drew beautiful pencil drawings on the lining papers. 1st grade and up.

Bootsie Barker: Ballerina, by Barbara Bottner. Would-be ballerina Bootsie Barker invades the local Ballet class to give Bernie and Lisa some "pointers"...plus a lot of hard knocks. 2nd to 5th grades.

Christmas Presents: Holiday Poetry, Poems about Christmas for the very young, selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Melanie Hall, who signed the book. Pre School to 2nd grade.

Click!, by Dandi Palmer. Young Minty finds an old mouse (the electronic kind) and finds she can click at a weed and make it a sunflower, click at her brother and make him a dog and click at her mother and make her a cat. But things really start to go haywire when she clicks at a lizard and makes him a dinosaur. Beautifully illustrated in line drawings which can be colored. Kindergarten to 5th grade.

Colonial America, (4th to 9th grades) part of the "Making a New Nation" series which deals with the early history of the United States (1513 - 1787); information packed sidebars and period illustrations; and The Battle of Gettysburg (2nd to 5th grades), graphic non fiction book in the style of a comic book, about the battle; by Michael Burgan.

Danger in the Narrows (the Parker family visits Bryce and Zion National Parks) and Tail of the Scorpion (the Parker family visits the Grand Canyon), by Mike Graf. First two installments of the "Adventures With the Parkers" series; in which the Parker twins and their parents have adventures in our National Parks filled with fun...and danger. 2nd to 6th grades.

Double Pink, by Kate Feiffer. Madison loves pink; loves it so much that her room, her clothes, her toys and her walls were covered with a color called, you guessed it, "Double Pink". Preschool to 2nd grade.

G is for Granite: A New Hampshire Alphabet and Primary Numbers: A New Hampshire Number Book, an ABC book and a counting book, written by Marie Harris, about things uniquely New Hampshire (granite, moose, Uncle Sam, White Mountains, Shakers, Franklin Pierce...etc.) Are you curious yet? I know I am. Kindergarten and up.

Games with Books, by Peggy Kaye. The author of the Games for...series (Games for Math, Games for Writing...) has taken 28 children's classics, such as "Harold and the Purple Crayon", "Blueberries for Sal", "Many Moons", "Pippi Longstockings", etc. and invented or adapted games to go with the text. Preschool to 7th grades.

Gorp's Dream: A Tale of Diversity, Tolerance and Love in Pumpernickel Park, by Sherri Chessen. A young grape named "Gorp" lies down and dreams (in poetry!) of a neighborhood named "Pumpernickel Park" where all the multicolored and multishaped pastries live in harmony until the white "Sourdoughs" move in and start to spoil everything. 2nd to 5th grades; includes Teacher's Guide by Tracy Atwell.

Happy Birthday to You, You Belong in a Zoo. Gilbert, a timid possum, is invited to the class bully's Birthday Party, where his understanding parents prevent him from making a social faux pas, by Diane deGroat. Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Hawk Highway in the Sky, which chronicles the activities of HawkWatch International in the Goshute Mountains of Nevada, and African Animals and South American Animals, which describe the better known (Lions, Gorillas, Jaquars, Boas) and lesser known (Meerkats, Foxes, Guanacos, Spectacled Bears) animals of these two continents. All three by Caroline Arnold. 3rd to 7th grades.

Jessica's X-Ray, by Pat Zonta. Jessica breaks her arm and goes to the hospital in this information packed story written by a Medical Radiation Technologist. Includes 6 real X- ray pictures, printed on real film, which include traditional X-Rays, an MRI, an ultrasound and a CAT-Scan. 1st to 4th grade.

Just Kidding, Sorry! and My Secret Bully, by Trudy Ludwig. Three self help "bully manuals" for the beleaguered nearly middle schooler. Respectively, the "c'mon, can't you take a joke?" bully, the "I said I was sorry...isn't that enough?" bully, and the ever popular, "whispering campaigner/back stabber" bully. Do you think Ms. Ludwig got them all? 3rd to 6th grades.

Kichi in Jungle Jeopardy, by Lila Guzmán. A rare blue Chihuahua living a pampered existence in the Mayan city of Chilaan is delighted when he finds out that his master's newest servant, Uxmal, can speak Dog. But when Uxmal is kidnapped by slave raiders, Kichi goes out in the Jungle to bring him back. 2nd to 5th grades.

Killer Rocks from Outer Space: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites, by Steven N. Koppes. A killer title along with killer illustrations enhance this information packed book. 3rd to 8th grades.

A Little Child Shall Lead Them, by Joe Oswald. Scripture readings and advice for young Christians by the Senior Pastor of Compass Christian Fellowship in Glendale, AZ. 3rd to 6th grades.

Little Monkey Says Good Night. Merry adventures of Little Monkey, who, while trying to say good night to all the performers in the Big Top, causes mass confusion in the show, by Ann Whitford Paul. Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch. I'd tell you what this one's about, but I'm too choked up. Kindergarten and beyond.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish, by Cynthia Rylant and charmingly illustrated by Arthur Howard, who signed the book. Mr. Putter thinks he's too old for birthdays, but Mrs. Teaberry has a surprise for him. Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle, by Margaret Read MacDonald. An old lady living in substandard housing is given a nice cottage by a fairy; but her ungrateful attitude as she tries to continually "trade up" wears the fairy's patience out. Kindergarten to 2nd grades.

Ollie Jolly, Rodeo Clown, about a young class clown who decides he wants to be a rodeo clown when he grows up, and Jalapeño Hal, about a "rough, tough cowboy" from Big Bend, the "roughest part of Texas" who saves the town of Presidio from a drought. Both by Jo Harper. 1st to 4th grades.

Once Upon a Tide, by Tony Mitton. Two children set out for a trip across the ocean with a sail made out of red bandannas. Preschool to 2nd grade.

Our Family Has Cancer, Too!, by Christine Clifford. Cartoon booklet encouraging families and, especially, children, to love and support each other, discuss their feelings and, most important, laugh, in the face of cancer. Author based her book on her own family's experiences with cancer. Preschool to 4th grade.

A Sea of Words: An ABC of the Deep Blue Sea by Australian writer and illustrator Kim Michelle Toft. Beautifully illustrated picture book which teaches children how to read as well as how to recognize sea animals. Kindergarten to 3rd grades.

Shelby, a timid lemon shark who is afraid to play with the other fish, gets a chance to show how brave she is when the other fish are captured, by Stacy A. Nyikos. Kindergarten to 2nd grades.

The Skit Book: 101 Skits from Kids, by Margaret Read MacDonald. Collection of "camp skits" developed by children to entertain their fellow campers and counselors. Skits collected from Seattle, Washington children, teachers and camp counselors. Can be used for theater groups, class parties and, of course, camps. 2nd to 7th grades.

The Spiderwick Chronicles: Book 2; The Seeing Stone, the continuing saga of the Grace Children in the fairy and goblin infested Spiderwick Estate, by Tony DiTerlizzi (writer and illustrator) and Holly Black (writer). 4th to 8th grades; and Ted, by Tony DiTerlizzi (writer and illustrator), in which a father and son find out they share an imaginary friend. Kindergarten to 2nd grades.

Starring Prima! The Mouse of the Ballet Jolie, by famed author Jacqueline Mitchard (The Deep End of the Ocean) about a mouse who wishes to dance for both a rodent and human audience, much to the understandable misgivings of her family. 1st to 4th grades.

Things to Make for Your Doll. Book of crafts which children can make for their dolls, and Crafts for Kids Who are Learning About Weather, for the more scientific child; by Kathy Ross. 1st to 5th grades.

Tryin' Ryan, by Elissa Thompson; illustrated by Kas Winters. Ryan's self confidence is bolstered when he manages to save a drowning cat during a rain storm. Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

What to Do When You're Sad & Lonely, What to Do When You're Scared & Worried, and When Someone You Love Abuses Alcohol or Drugs, by James J. Crist, a clinical psychologist specializing in children's problems. 3rd to 8th grades.

Where Do Chicks Come From?, Step by step analysis of the development and birth of a baby chick, by Amy E. Sklansky. Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Who Is Melvin Bubble?, a charming character portrait of a very cute, and very typical, 6 year old boy, written and illustrated by Nick Bruel, and Bob and Otto, by Robert O. Bruel; illustrated by Nick Bruel, a story about the unlikely friendship between a caterpillar and an earthworm. The illustrator found the story among his late father's papers and revised it for publication. Preschool to 2nd grade.

Middle School Level :

Anna's Blizzard. An historical novel about a resourceful pioneer girl who helps her classmates survive the 1888 Children's Blizzard in Nebraska, and Chase: a Police Story, a true life tale of a police chase written with the assistance of the Staunton, VA, Police Dept., by Alison Hart. 6th to 10th grades.

Bridging Beyond, by Kathleen Benner Duble. Troubled teenager dreams of a near death experience. Suspenseful, spooky plot. 7th grade and up.

Cécile, historical novel about a 12 year girl who gets the chance of a lifetime to serve at the French Court of Louis XIV, and experience what pleasures and especially dangers lurk there. By Mary Casanova. From the Girls of Many Lands Series. 6th grade and up. Author included autographed photo.

Farewell to Manzanar, by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston. Japanese American family tries to adjust to life in Manzanar internment camp during World War II. 6th grade and up.

From Charlie's Point of View: A Mystery, by Richred Scrimger. Charlie's father has been accused of robbing the bank he works in. The police are convinced that he's guilty, so it's up to Charlie to prove that his Dad didn't do it; not easy for a 7th grader who is blind from birth. 6th grade and up.

Lorenzo and the Turncoat, historical novel about young medical doctor Lorenzo Bannister, resident of multi ethnic New Orleans at the end of the eighteenth century and sympathizer of the American cause, whose faith in his fiancée is shaken by her supposed fraternization with the British by Lila and Rick Guzmán. 2nd of 3 "Lorenzo Bannister" novels. 6th grade and up.

A Piece of the Sky, about some young teenagers searching for a mysterious lost meteorite (with some deadly competition) and Dark Starry Morning, six mysterious stories about some courageous young people who brave an encounter with the supernatural to pursue an opportunity, both by David Patneaude. 6th grade and up.

Pop Princess, Starstruck and Teen Queens and Has-Beens, by Cathy Hopkins. Plots of these three novels based on the teenage game Truth, Dare, Kiss or Promise. Playing the game provokes teenage jealousy, bullying or popularity contests. 6th to 11th grades.

Red Kayak, by Priscilla Cummings. Young natives of Chesapeake Bay, resent wealthy newcomers destroying their way of life and plot revenge, with deadly results. 7th grade and up.

Refugees, by Catherine Stine. A teenage, Afghan refugee, Johar, living in a camp in Pakistan, meets an American "refugee", Dawn, on the run from her foster family, via e-mails. Their bond gives them hope to face the future. 6th grade and up.

The Truth Cookie, by Fiona Dunbar. Lulu needs to get rid of an obnoxious future step family. Will a magic cookie recipe with "truth serum" baked in it do the trick? 6th to 9th grades.

High School Level :

Abhorsen, by Garth Nix. Fantasy yarn about a Second Assistant Librarian who is tasked with capturing the evil spirit Orannis before it destroys all life. Sequel to Nix's other novels Sabriel and Lirael. 9th grade and up.

Bowman's Store: A Journey to Myself, by Joseph Bruchac. Distinguished and prolific author of Native descent (Abenaki) writes a memoir about his childhood and youth being raised by his grandparents in upstate New York. Fascinating detail. 9th grade and up.

Boys, short story collection which includes a novella, Boys Only, about the sometimes fun, mostly frightening adventures of boys as they are growing up, by David Lloyd. 7th grade and up.

Call Me María: A Novel in Letters, Poems and Prose. Young María comes to New York from Puerto Rico, leaving her mother behind, to live in a basement apartment in the barrio. Her experiences are described in this epistolary novel by Judith Ortiz Cofer. 8th grade and up.

A Distant Enemy, by Deb Vanasse. Joseph, a 14 year old Yup'ik Eskimo whose Anglo father has abandoned him is consumed with rage as he grows to manhood and faces cultural clashes with the white man's world. 8th grade and up.

Oy, Joy!, a novel about a young high school girl whose life is disrupted when Uncle Max moves into her family's tiny apartment, takes over her room and tries to play matchmaker, and Lucky Stars, a novel about troubled teens finding fulfillment in a school choir, by Lucy Frank. 9th grade and up.

Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps, by Andrea Warren. - True adventure of Jack Mandelbaum, Polish Jew and survivor of a number of Nazi concentration camps, written by Prairie Village native Andrea Warren, who also wrote Orphan Train Rider, Pioneer Girl and We Rode the Orphan Trains. 7th grade and up.

Time Bomb, by Nigel Hinton. Four British teens in post war (1949) London are suffering a difficult adolescence when they find an unexploded bomb. 7th grade and up.

Young Adult Level :

Mystical Rose, by Richard Scrimge. Rose Rolyoke, is in her eighties and dying of Alzheimer's disease. Despite her dementia, she occasionally has crystal clear memories of her youth and her family. A sad book with occasional touches of humor. High School and up.

The Rest of Us: Dispatches from the Mother Ship, the collected syndicated column on parenting and family living by famed Jacqueline Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean, and Cage of Stars, Mitchard's 2006 novel about a devout Mormon family which loses two daughters to a deranged killer. High School and up.

And... For Moms and Dads of All Ages:

Mother Lode: The Ultimate Collection of Ideas for Keeping Kids Busy, written and illustrated by Kas Winters, who signed the book. Science projects, arts and crafts, outdoor and indoor games, cooking, dramatics. Etc. Preschool to Great grandparents.