True Companions

A host of picture books join previously published partners. The irresistible dog pals of the Misadventures of Gaspard and Lisa series return in two more books by Anne Gutman, illus. by Georg Hallensleben. In Gaspard and Lisa: Friends Forever, Gaspard tells how, when Lisa first arrived as a new student in his class, he didn't like it that everyone said they looked like brother and sister (all the other students are human). But when Lisa won the relay race for his team, they became fast friends. In Lisa in the Jungle, Lisa is jealous that Gaspard went sailing on his summer vacation, while she only went to the pool. So she makes up a story about visiting her uncle in the jungle. (Knopf, $9.95 32p each ages 4-8 ISBN 0-375-82253-4; -82254-2; Sept.)

Rosemary Wells presents a follow-up to Felix Feels Better in Felix and the Worrier, in which the furry hero is visited every night by the Worrier, a little gold-colored creature who raises one worry after another: Does Felix have a black spot on his tooth? What if nobody comes to his birthday party? How can Felix make the Worrier go away for good? Wells tells this reassuring story with warmth and humor. (Candlewick, $12.99 40p ages 2-up ISBN 0-7636-1405-X; Sept.)

Henry Climbs a Mountain, the third book by D. B. Johnson based on the life of Henry David Thoreau, follows the ursine hero on his way to go mountain-climbing. Before he gets there, Henry is jailed for tax evasion. However, being locked up doesn't stop Henry from climbing mountains and forging some streams of his own invention. Interesting perspectives and Cubist shapes convey the adventurous bear's imagination and connection with nature. (Houghton, $15 32p ages 4-8 ISBN 0-618-26902-9; Sept.)

Joining last fall's photographic puppet adventure Windy, Sunny by Robin Mitchell and Judith Steedman chronicles a noisy summer day. As Sunny and his friends listen to the sounds of the city, they feel inspired to hold a hootenanny, and sing, whistle and stomp until it's time to go home. Simple line drawings alternate with photographs of the finger puppets; the small square book comes with a CD of original music, tucked inside the back cover. (Simply Read, $15.95 40p ages 3-7 ISBN 0-9688768-5-4; Aug.)

After making a sponge cake in last season's Guri and Gura, the two mice have a picnic outing and meet a very unusual rabbit who can climb trees and fly, among other things, in Guri and Gura's Magical Friend by Rieko Nakagawa, illus. by Yuriko Yamawaki. (Tuttle, $10.95 32p ages 3-up ISBN 0-8048-3356-7; Aug.)

Growing Up Stories: Go! Go! Maria! What It's Like to Be 1 by Robie H. Harris, illus. by Michael Emberley, tells the story of one-year-old Maria, as she learns to walk and to say words like "Hola!," "Papá!," "No!" and "Mine!" As with their Hello Benny! What It's Like to Be a Baby, Harris and Emberley sprinkle facts about toddlers throughout the story, with tidbits about how they learn and how they play, in sidebars with spot illustrations. (S&S/McElderry $16.95 40p ages 3-7 ISBN 0-689-83258-3; Aug.)

Stella's little brother, in a second book of his own, can't sleep without his dog, Fred, in Good Night, Sam by Marie-Louise Gay. Sam says that Fred is afraid of the dark, and of the monster in the closet, so sleepy Stella reassures him and helps him find his pooch. (Groundwood, $14.95 24p ages 2-3 ISBN 0-88899-530-X; Aug.)

Dot & Jabber and the Big Bug Mystery by Ellen Stoll Walsh is the third in a series about the two mouse detectives. This time their scientific mystery involves the insects they've been watching, which seem to disappear. As the two search for bugs, grasshoppers and butterflies, they learn about how insects use camouflage to survive. (Harcourt, $15 40p ages 3-7 ISBN 0-15-216518-5; Aug.)

The title character of Buster: The Very Shy Dog returns in Buster & Phoebe: The Great Bone Game by Lisze Bechtold, geared to those just starting to read on their own. Phoebe, an adult dog, teaches Buster all about dog bones—about collecting them, marking them and even training them. Although Buster is just a puppy, he learns a much more important lesson on his own—about friendship. (Houghton, $15 48p ages 6-9 ISBN 0-618-20862-3; Aug.)

Amelia Bedelia is back and she's volunteering in the library in Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm by Herman Parish (the nephew of creator Peggy Parish), illus. by Lynn Sweat. Misunderstandings abound when literal-minded Amelia Bedelia heads to a bookstore after the librarian tells her "to go by the book" (as in, "rules are rules"). (HarperCollins/Greenwillow, $15.99 64p ages 5-up ISBN 0-06-051890-1; Aug.)

Winning Stories

Two record-breaking Thoroughbreds meet for a showdown in Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral: The Greatest Horse Race in History by Kat Shehata, illus. by Jo McElwee. This true story of the famous November 1938 race (which also inspired the movie Seabiscuit) begins with a painting of the Pimlico Race Course, then tells about the champion horses (including the blood relation between Seabiscuit and War Admiral), the trainers and jockeys, and the excitement of the race. Long, narrow double-page panels emphasize the rounding of the racetrack, capturing the drama. A glossary of horse-racing terms will aid novices. (Angel Bea [IPG, dist.], $15.95 32p ages 8-12 ISBN 0-9717843-1-0; Sept.)

Curious George and Friends: Favorite Stories by Margret and H.A. Rey includes stories about the well-known monkey as well as less familiar characters such as Pretzel, "the longest dachshund in all the world"; Katy No-Pocket, a kangaroo with an unusual problem; and the long-lost star of White-Black the Penguin Sees the World discovered in 1999 and published posthumously. (Houghton, $25 272p all ages ISBN 0-618-22610-9; Aug.)