Freelance
LARRY COX
contactlarrycox@aol.com
‘Maisy Bakes a Cake: A Maisy First Science Book’
By Lucy Cousins (Candlestick Press, $12.99
Maisy decides to bake a cake and after carefully weighing and measuring the ingredients, she mixes everything in a large bowl and then places the batter in a cake pan and bakes it in the oven. Young readers will be fascinated by the tabs scattered throughout the book that when pulled make the illustrations spring to life. (Ages 2-5)
‘Maisy Goes to the Hospital: A Maisy First Experiences Book’
By Lucy Cousins (Candlestick Press, $6.99)
One day while jumping on a trampoline, Maisy falls and injures her leg. At the hospital, she has an X-ray and discovers that her leg has been broken and requires a cast. This informative little story takes much of the mystery and fear out of the hospital experience. (Ages 2-6)
‘Alex and Lulu: Two of a Kind’
By Lorena Siminovich (Templar, $14.99)
Alex and Lulu are best friends even though Alex is a dog and Lulu is a cat. Even though they have different interests, does this mean they can be best pals? Not necessarily, according to this wonderfully illustrated book that reaffirms the joy of friendship, even the friendships of creatures that are different. (Ages 2-7)
‘The Wind in the Willows’
By Kenneth Grahame with illustrations by Inga Moore (Candlestick Press, $19.99)
In one of the most beloved stories for children ever, this classic first published in 1908 introduces young readers to such colorful characters as an amiable mole, his hearty friend Water Rat, Mr. Badger and Mr. Toad who resides at Toad Hall. Inga Moore’s sensitive illustrations capture all of the magic and charm of the English countryside. This book is a joy to behold and a pleasure to read, and recommended even for adults who need a little escape especially during difficult times like the present. (Ages 5 and up)
‘The Roman News,’ ‘The Egyptian News,’ ‘The Greek News’ and ‘The Aztec News’
By Philip Steele and others (Candlewick Press, $6.99 or $7.99)
These four titles explore such events as the death of Caesar, the sudden death of Tutankhamen in Egypt, the saga of Alexander the Great, and the Aztecs who establish new cities and struggle to survive. Told in a newspaper format, each story is historically accurate and richly illustrated. (Ages 9-14)
‘Flip, Flap, Fly!’
By Phyllis Root with illustrations by David Walker (Candlewick Press, $14.99)
This dandy little tale is about baby animals that fly, swim, wiggle and slide, all with the help of their mamas. With clever rhymes by Phyllis Root and the cheerful illustrations of David Walker, this is an irresistible page-turner for babies and toddlers alike. (Ages 2-5)
‘The Pop-Up House of Inventions: Hundreds of Facts About Your Home’
By Robert Crowther (Candlewick Press, $17.99)
This remarkable book has pop-up pages that allows young readers to step inside, open cupboards, peek inside closets, and discover all the fascinating inventions, great and small, that are in our homes. The pages feature the family kitchen, the living room, the bathroom, the bedroom and the garage, in addition to an overview of inventions that changed the way we live. (Ages 3 and up)
Tucsonan Larry Cox’s “Shelf Life” reviews of fiction and nonfiction books and his “Treasures and Trends” antiques column run Thursdays in Calendar Plus. For more, go to tucsoncitizen.com/calendar. E-mail: contactlarrycox@aol.com