“a bus called heaven”

What makes a children's book remarkable? Many things, of course, but I am always looking for books that the child will come away from having learned something of value.

The true gems in children's books come from prolific writers who capture the child's attention with carefully crafted characters and situations that become almost real, all wrapped-up in the subtle message of value that the writer wishes the reader or listener to believe.

Being able to accomplish all of that is not an easy task. But when you find a book that does all of those things, it is extraordinary, it is wonderful, and it must be shared with children.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>“The Report Card”</B> by Andrew Clements, Simon & Schuster, 173 pages; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Do grades and standardized tests really measure a person's intelligence? Not according to fifth grader Nora Rowley, and Nora has a plan to prove she's right.The fact is, Nora is a genius, but she's the only one who knows that. She discovered her genius when she was a little girl but didn't want to stand out.So, Nora intentionally has always been an average student. But with standardized tests making her friends and classmates nervous and worried, Nora decides it's time to take action.First, Nora gets a report card with all D's (and one accidental C) and the ball starts rolling just as Nora planned, with her ultimate goal to convince everyone that tests alone don't accurately measure intelligence.Lively, thought-provoking, and superbly written, “The Report Card” is an A+.

<B>Library: </B>Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St.<B>Library Director: </B>Lori Campbell<B>Youth Services Librarian:</B> Peter Bess<B>Choices this week: “The Kissing Hand”</B> by Audrey Penn; <B>“Secret in the Old Attic”</B> by Carol Keene; <B>“The Secret Garden” </B>by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>“The Cloud Spinner” </B>by Michael Catchpool, illustrated by Alison Jay, Alfred Knopf, 2012, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 and 8.There was once a boy who could weave the most extraordinary cloth from the clouds. His mother had taught him this magical skill, and she had also told him that he should only weave enough cloth to make what he needed; not one stitch more.The boy wove just enough cloth to make two scarves for himself. One day, when the boy was in the village, the king rode through town, noticed the boy's magnificent cloth scarf, and told the boy to make scarves and cloaks and dresses galore for the royal family.The boy told the king that his request wasn't wise, but this enraged the king who then said, “I want those clothes and I order you to make them!”Sadly, the boy set off to work, knowing this was a bad choice. Not long thereafter, the boy was proven right.Fortunately, the king's young daughter knew just what to do.The wonderful illustrations of Allison Jay provide the perfect complement to Michael Catchpool's delightful tale about greed, our fragile planet, and the courage to do what's right.<B>“a bus called heaven” </B>written and illustrated by Bob Graham, Candlewick, 2012, 40 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and 8.An old, abandoned bus suddenly appeared one morning outside of Stella's house.Stella knew right away that there was something magical about it. In an odd way, many people in the city thought so, too. Little did any of them know how this abandoned bus would bring many people together in the very best of ways.Filled with a myriad of colorful characters, intriguing storyline, and his usual delightful artwork, author and illustrator Bob Graham has once again delivered an awesome book.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.<U></U>

?The Cloud Spinner?