It Takes a Village (Simon & Schuster, $19.99) to build a playground, and it takes “every one of us to help.” Hillary Rodham Clinton reminds our youngest citizens that they are instrumental in creating a just and peaceful future,” a future that “includes all kinds of families.” Marla Frazee’s beautiful illustrations combine seamlessly with the text and demonstrate the potential for a hardworking community to achieve something beautiful. Clinton reminds readers that “when the news is grim or the odds seem long,” we must remember what we are truly fighting for. A picture book with a timely but lasting message, It Takes a Village is an essential addition to any home or library. Ages 3-7.
When a young girl discovers a book “free to a good home” outside the library, she does not suspect that it carries the true magic of The Five Forms (Farrar Straus + Giroux, $17.99) of the martial arts. Once home, she ignores all warnings not to “attempt these forms without an experienced teacher” and plows right on through the book. Author/illustrator Barbara McClintock returns with a tale of magic filled with delightful details on every page. Kids will enjoy learning each move along the way and may discover even more than expected! Ages 4-8.
Do you know which animal has “one THOUSAND” bones? Or which animal has a bone that grows an inch every single day? Do you know which animal has the heaviest bone? If you don’t, fear not: Book of Bones: 10 Record-Breaking Animals (Phaidon, $19.95) is here to answer all the bony questions you didn’t know you had. With amazing animal facts and a built-in guessing game, Gabrielle Balkan has complied the best bone trivia from around the globe. With colorful, detailed, and textured illustrations by Sam Brewster, this scientific compendium is perfect for both the classroom and the home. Ages 7-11.
