Children's Books That Will Fuel The Imagination

Sometime in October, when I start thinking about the annual roundup of new kids' books for gift-giving, I get that feeling I used to have in school when finals were imminent. Stacks and stacks of books to read, but not enough time. Yet once I cull the piles spilling every which way, then begin delving into the pages of promising titles, I forget about feeling rushed and allow myself to sink into the world of an Ojibwa family, or maybe the British Isles where the Sealfolk swim, or perhaps I'm roaming around Depression-era Michigan, trailing a 10-year-old black boy, ready to cheer him on when he discovers his true home.

A library's worth of childrens' books (more than 5,000) is published every year. From this daunting mound, I have selected those which reached out and grabbed my attention. Yet - as a courtesy to the authors I missed - I should note space considerations force me to leave out many superb offerings. So when putting together those holiday gift lists, take a look at my suggestions, but don't forget to pick the brains of librarians and booksellers. It's always worth doing a little mining to discover that gem your child will cherish for years to come.

"Here Comes Mother Goose," edited by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells (Candlewick, $21.99, ages 2-6). More Mother Goose - made cozy - by the acclaimed illustrator. Makes a most compatible companion to Wells' "My Very First Mother Goose."

"Joseph Had a Little Overcoat," by Simms Taback (Viking,

$15.99, ages 3-6). Tabak, who won the Caldecott Honor Award for "There was an Old Woman who Swallowed a Fly," has adapted and illustrated an old Yiddish folk song, "I Had a Little Overcoat." His entertaining pictures, including clever placement of die-cut holes, will sit well with the little ones.

"Cook-A-Doodle-Doo!," by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, illustrated by Janet Stevens (Harcourt Brace, $17, ages 4-8). The great-grandson of the Little Red Hen decides he wants to try his hand in the kitchen. So with the help of three friends (not the cat, dog and goose, of course) he rustles up some scrumptious shortcake. Includes many cooking tips for young chefs.

"I, Crocodile," by Fred Marcellino (HarperCollins, $15.95, ages 4-8). After he's captured and hauled off to Napoleon's court, a feisty crocodile wallows in the flattery of the people. Yet when the ruler becomes bored with his pet, ordering Crocodile pie with Egyptian onions for dinner, the ravenous croc makes a daring escape. He has his own ideas about what makes a delicious feast.

"Koi and the Koala Nuts," by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (Atheneum, $16.95, ages 4-8). In this Liberian folk tale, Koi discovers the value of generosity, after he gives all his precious koala nuts to those in need.

"White Tiger, Blue Serpent," by Grace Tseng, illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng (Lothrup, $16, ages 4-8). Though they are poor, Kai works extra hard so his mother will have time to weave one of her popular brocades - just for him. And the resulting product ends up having powers mother and son could never have imagined. Enchanting illustrations.

"The Blizzard's Robe," by Robert Sabuda (Atheneum, $16, ages 5-8). Sabuda uses batik to ingeniously illustrate his original tale, set in the Arctic, about a young girl who makes a deal with Blizzard.

"Westlandia," by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick, $15.99, ages 5-8). Wesley is an outcast - tormented by his peers - until he creates a new civilization by making use of a mysterious plant. This one has already racked up a pile of raves.

"Michael Hague's Magical World of Unicorns," by Michael Hague (Simon & Schuster, $16, ages 5-up). A beautifully illustrated anthology of literary snippets on unicorns that should whet the appetite of young fans.

"Snow White," by Josephine Poole, illustrated by Angela Barrett (Knopf, $15.95, ages 8-10). Barrett's artwork for this fairy-tale favorite can only be described as haunting.

OLDER READERS

"The Lost Flower Children," by Janet Taylor Lisle (Philomel, $16.99, ages 7-10). A mysterious yarn starring two sisters who come to believe in a story about a band of mischievous fairies who, long ago, turned a group of children into a tea set.

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick, $24.99, ages 8-up). Oxenbury's fresh visual interpretation of this classic is delightful. A volume kids will hold onto - even after they've left home.

"The Birchbark House," by Louise Erdrich (Hyperion, $14.99, ages 8-up). This mesmerizing tale, set on an island in Lake Superior in 1847, describes a year in the life of an Ojibwa family, with a focus on the inner world of 8-year-old Omakayas. Erdrich based the story on her own family history and renders Ojibwa culture in vivid detail. Nominated for the National Book Award. "Harry Potter Boxed Set - Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban," by J. K. Rowling (Scholastic, $55.85, ages 9-up). The adventures of a young wizard who has captured the hearts of countless children (and adults). Kids will definitely read these books more than once.

"The Mouse of Amherst," by Elizabeth Spires, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola (FSG, $15, ages 8-up). The life of Emily Dickinson as seen through the eyes of Emmaline, a mouse who lives in the wainscoting of the poet's bedroom. Includes a number of Dickinson's poems, as well as a few by the mouse - who discovers the joy of poetry after spending many hours observing her hostess.

"Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales," by Julius Lester, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (Phyllis Fogelman, $30, ages 8-up). Lester's widely acclaimed retellings of these beloved trickster tales, originally published in four volumes, are now available in one book.

"The Folk Keeper," by Franny Billingsley (Atheneum, $16, ages 10-14). Young Corinna, an orphan, escapes a life of drudgery by changing her name and gender so she can earn her living as a Folk Keeper (the folk are dangerous little people who live in the British Isles and cause all sorts of problems if not properly cared for). A most surprising adventure.

"Bud, Not Buddy," by Christopher Paul Curtis (Delacorte, $15.95, ages 9-12). Ten-year-old Buddy doesn't have anyone to look out for him, so he survives as best he can in 1936 Flint Michigan. Fortunately, he's got a terrific sense of humor. By the author of "The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963."

YOUNG ADULT

"With all my Heart, with all my Mind: 13 Stories about Growing up Jewish," edited by Sander Asher (Simon & Schuster, $18, ages 10-14). Well-known Jewish writers, including Eric Kimmel, Johanna Hurwitz and Sandy Asher, answer the question, "What is it to be a Jew?" Each story is followed by a brief interview of the author.

"When Zachary Beaver Came to Town," by Kimberly Willis Holt (Holt, $16.95, ages 10-15). Zachary Beaver is the fattest kid in the world - or so he says. And when 13-year-old Toby Wilson checks out this one-kid freak show, he has no way of knowing Zachary's presence in this small Texas town will become entwined with his own rite of passage. Winner of this year's National Book Award for young people's literature.

"Mary, Bloody Mary" by Carolyn Meyer (Harcourt Brace, $16, ages 11-up). An engaging work of historical fiction about the first daughter of King Henry VIII. Young Mary is the apple of the king's eye - not to mention heir apparent - until Anne Boleyn appears in the royal court with her own ideas about who should inherit the throne.

"Just Ella," by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Simon & Schuster, $17, ages 12-up). So Cinderella lived happily ever after . . . or did she? Haddix fractures the happy ending of the popular fairy tale, only to make it whole in a different way.

"King of Shadows," by Susan Cooper (McElderry, $16, ages 10-up). A time-travel suspense story about a young actor, talented and lucky enough to perform at the new Globe Theater in London. One night during the performance run, he goes to bed somewhat ill, only to wake up and find himself co-starring with the Bard on the original stage.

LOCAL AUTHORS

"Quack and Count," by Keith Baker (Harcourt Brace, $14, ages 2-5). A perfect read-aloud - with cheerful collage illustrations - for those working on their counting skills.

"Never Let Your Cat Make Lunch for You," by Lee Harris, illustrated by Debbie Tilley (Tricycle, $12.95, ages 3-7). Pebbles the cat makes terrific breakfasts (sort of), but her lunches just won't do. Perfect for cat fans.

"Maria's Comet," by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Deborah Lanino (Atheneum, $16, ages 4-8). Life in the 19th century was often tedious for young girls. But Maria broadens her universe with the help of Papa's telescope. Loosely based on the life of Maria Mitchell, America's first woman astronomer.

"Mrs. Piccolo's Easy Chair," by Jean Jackson, illustrated by Diane Greenseid (DK, $15.95, ages 4-8). Like many comfortable pieces of furniture, Mrs. Piccolo's easy chair swallows a lot of stuff. But things get out of hand when the chair starts chewing up live people. Fortunately, it would rather be snacking on cheese puffs.

"Zelda and Ivy and the Boy Next Door," by Laura McGee Kvasnosky (Candlewick, $15.99, ages 4-8). Kvasnosky's spirited sequel to her well-received "Zelda and Ivy" won't disappoint fans.

"Aesop's Fox," by Aki Sogabe (Browndeer, $16 , ages 5-8). As Fox wanders through the forest, interacting with many fellow creatures, he discovers much of what Aesop had to teach. A clever use of fables, handsomely illustrated.

"Dragon," by Jody Bergsma (Illumination Arts, $15.95, ages 5-8). The royal advisers think young Prince Langilor is too soft to ever rule the kingdom. To prove his worth, the boy goes after the most terrifying dragon in the land.

"Sometimes Moon," by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Pierr Morgan (Crown, $17, ages 5-8). Grandpa tells Selene how the moon waxes and wanes. But she already knows the moon's ways. Highly imaginative in text and illustrations.

"Lootas Little Wave Eater: An Orphaned Sea Otter's Story," by Clare Hodgson Meeker, photographs by C. J. Casson (Sasquatch, $12.95, ages 6-10). The rescue of a young sea otter is described in fascinating detail. Packed with the sort of adorable photos kids will love.

"The Tree of Bells," by Jean Thesman (Houghton Mifflin, $15, ages 9-12). This sequel to "The Ornament Tree" is about a girl coming of age in 1920s Seattle.

"The Rainbow Hand: Poems about Mothers and Children," by Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Jennifer Hewitson (McElderry, $15, ages 10-up). Wong continues to hear the muse in this tribute to mothers and children. Check out her earlier poetry, too.

"To Jaykae: Life Stinx," by Jean Davies Okimoto (Tor, $18.95, ages 12-up). Jason's got some difficult stuff going on: a death to deal with and a reconfigured family. Then he meets a girl online, and to get her attention, he masquerades as his hunky new stepbrother, which in time becomes a problem. Set in Seattle.

Kari Wergeland reviews children's literature on the last Sunday of each month in The Seattle Times books section.