Return of the Classics

Some old favorites are now available to a new generation of readers. The omniscient narrator of The Little Fish That Got Away by Bernadine Cook, illus. by Crockett Johnson, originally published in 1956, will win readers over as he or she addresses them directly: "Once upon a time there was a little boy who liked to go fishing. See, there he goes, over there on the other page." A clever use of repetition reinforces the boy's patience as he waits for a nibble on his bait, and Johnson's visual variations are so subtle that the pages almost serve as a flip book. (HarperCollins, $14.99 64p ages 3-8 ISBN 0-06-055713-3; Apr.)

"Bobby was named after his best friend, his grandfather, Bob," begins Tomie dePaola's heartwarming tale of the special relationship between grandchild and grandparent, Now One Foot, Now the Other (1981). The title refers to one of the boy's favorite stories: how Bob taught Bobby to walk. And after Bob has a stroke, it's Bobby's turn to help his grandfather relearn how to walk. (Putnam, $14.99 48p ages 5-up ISBN 0-399-24259-7; May) Originally published in 1969, The Fourteen Bears Summer and Winter by Evelyn Scott, illus. by Virginia Parsons, describes the togetherness of this rather large ursine clan as they plunge into the swimming hole in the summer months, and hunker down for a hibernation cut short by Little Theodore—who prompts the family to ice skate, ski and make a snowbear before settling back down until spring. (Random/ Golden, $14.95 64p ages 2-5 ISBN 0-375-83279-3; May)

Two Times the Fun gathers four previously published stories by popular Ramona author Beverly Cleary: The Real Hole (1960); Two Dog Biscuits (1961); The Growing-Up Feet (1987) and Janet's Thingamajigs (1987). Charming half-tone pen-and-ink-and-watercolor-wash illustrations by Carol Thompson, er, double the pleasure. (HarperCollins, $11.99 96p ages 3-7 ISBN 0-06-057921-8; Apr.)

Fans of the Thomas family's "nice but not very clever" cat will heartily welcome the oversize Mog Time: Six Stories About Mog by Judith Kerr. The half dozen previously published tales include: Mog the Forgetful Cat; Mog and Bunny; Mog's Bad Thing; Mog and the Baby; Mog on Fox Night and Mog's Christmas. Despite Mog's lack of cleverness, Mog manages to bungle a burglar, rescues her bunny toy and more. (HarperCollins UK [Trafalgar Sq., dist.], $24.99 208p ages 2-4 ISBN 0-00-719360-2; May)

A septet of Jill Tomlinson's tales from the 1960s and '70s appear with a generous sprinkling of half-tone illustrations by Paul Howard, sure to attract newly independent readers. The tale of a frightened owlet who, with the help of others, learns to appreciate the night—The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark (this 1968 text was also adapted to a picture-book format with full-color artwork by Howard in 2001, from Candlewick)—appears in its unabridged version, along with a half-dozen other titles in a similar format: The Aardvark Who Wasn't Sure; The Cat Who Wanted to Go Home; The Gorilla Who Wanted to Grow Up; The Hen Who Wouldn't Give Up; The Otter Who Wanted to Know; The Penguin Who Wanted to Learn. (Egmont [Trafalgar Sq., dist.], $6.99 each paper 96p ages 5-7 ISBN 1-4052-1093-1; Aardvark 1-4052-1084-2; Cat 1-4052-1080-X; Gorilla 1-4052-1081-8; Hen 1-4052-1083-4; Otter 1-4052-1082-6; Penguin 1-4052-1085-0; May)

All Aboard!

The team behind the Gaspard and Lisa books now turns to parental love in a pair of original board books, first published in France: Mommy Loves and Daddy Cuddles by Anne Gutman, illus. by Georg Hallensleben. "All mommies love their babies," begins the text of the first, and counts up from one kangaroo who "loves her joey" to a fish who "loves her [10] fry." And in the second, each spread pays homage to parent and progeny: "Daddy penguin cuddles his chick." Hallensleben's thick brush strokes and naturalistic landscapes pay respect to the energetic creatures he portrays. (Chronicle, $5.95 each 14p ages 6 mos.-4 yrs. ISBN 0-8118-4616-4; 0-8118-4674-1; May)

Two original board books by Harriet Ziefert, illus. by Erik Brown—Just Like Mommy! and Just Like Daddy!—depict daughter emulating mother, and son aping father. "I have rouge./ I have lipstick./ Just like Mommy!" says one spread; foil accents play up the girl's earrings, lipstick tube and hand mirror, and the mother's hanging mirror and exact same earrings. Foil similarly highlights the faucet and handles on the sink as father and son omit their whiskers: "I have shaving cream./ I have a shaving brush./ Just like Daddy!" (Sterling, $6.95 each 16p ages 3-5 ISBN 1-4027-1788-1; 1-4027-1789-X; May)

Photographs of 3-D artwork highlights intricate stitchwork by Salley Mavor to introduce youngsters to two nursery favorites: Mary Had a Little Lamb and Hey, Diddle, Diddle! Mary's farm, village and schoolhouse come to life in meticulously embroidered backgrounds; textured fabrics provide borders; patterned dresses and aprons clothe the heroine; and readers can nearly touch the woolly naps of the lamb's fleece. Meanwhile, satiny felt in nighttime hues provides the backdrop for the Holstein that leaps over a crescent moon. (Houghton, $5.95 each 20p ages 1-4 ISBN 0-618-49637-8; 0-618-49638-6; Apr.)

In two more nursery standbys, Tracey Campbell Pearson injects some humor into her delicate watercolors,: Little Miss Muffet and Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling. In the first, for instance, the heroine's pillow serves as a tuffet, and her pet cat has the last laugh: after the spider scares her away, the feline makes a play for the arachnid then laps up the milk. (FSG, $5.95 14p ages 1-4 ISBN 0-374-30862-4; 0-374-30861-6; Apr.)

Girl Power!

Several titles this season may well prompt girls to spring into action. "My mother boogie-boarded while she was pregnant with me," begins the star of Blue Crush in Surfer Girl: A Guide to the Surfing Life by Sanoe Lake, with Steven Jarrett. Lake started surfing at age two, and she discusses what it takes to ride the waves ("courage, persistence, focus and respect, discipline"); comics, quizzes, insiders' lingo, exercise tips and a bounty of full-color photos keep this paperback volume visually enticing. (Little, Brown, $12.99 paper 144p ages 12-up ISBN 0-316-11015-9; May)

First Moon: Celebration & Support for a Girl's Growing-Up Journey by Maureen Theresa Smith comes in an attractive cardboard trunk, which holds a 160-page paperback book about the "first moon" (or first period), connecting the menstrual cycle to the lunar cycle and describing its significance as a rite of passage in Native American and other cultures. A chart lists the months and 31 days, so young women can track their cycles; a journal and stickers also allow them to reflect and celebrate. (New World Library [415-884-2100], $24.95 160p ages 9-14 ISBN 1-57731-489-1; Apr.)

Crafty gals will glom onto the spiral-bound Button Girl: More Than 20 Cute-as-a-Button Projects by Mikyla Bruder, photos by Scott Nobles, which can help sewers convert a lavender camisole into a garden of button-face flowers, or a belt into a glam pants-cincher. Gift ideas abound: button rings, chic shades and button barrettes among them. (Chronicle, $12.95 60p ages 9-up ISBN 0-8118-4553-2; Apr.)

Encouraging partnership and points of interest, The Girls' World Book of Friendship Crafts: Cool Stuff to Make with Your Best Friends by Joanne O'Sullivan suggests a gift of a Chinese Zodiac Sign Necklace, then teaches girls the signs and their significance (e.g., "Monkey, 1980, 1992, 2004/ Witty, popular, good-humored, versatile, clever" and names "some well-known Monkeys" such as Julius Ceasar and Eleanor Roosevelt). On the lighter side, "dangly spangly sequin sandals" and a purse made of ties add pinache to any outfit. (Sterling/Lark, $14.95 paper 144p ages 8-up ISBN 1-57990-471-8; May)

From the tools of the trade to the basics of slipknots and slip stitches, Crochet: Fantastic Jewelry, Hats, Purses, Pillows & More by Jane Davis, part of the Kids' Crafts series, makes crocheting look easy. Simpler projects, such as key chains and scrunchies, act as confidence-builders, until crocheters work up to felted backpacks or shirt edging. With few detailed visual demonstrations, this may appeal more to those with some experience. (Sterling/Lark, $19.95 112p ages 8-up ISBN 1-57990-477-7; May)

"A ball of yarn—that's all you need to get started learning how to crochet," begins the reassuring Kids Crochet: Projects for Kids of All Ages by Kelli Ronci, photos by John Gruen, illus. by Lena Corwin, part of the Kids Craft series. This liberally illustrated book gives clear step-by-step instructions and diagrams to help novices find their way. Each project is laid out like a recipe, with a list of materials, including the estimated yards of yarn needed. From a "patchwork poncho" to "critter cushions," plenty of diverse projects will catch crocheters' fancies. (Stewart, Tabori & Chang/Falick, $19.95 128p ages 9-12 ISBN 1-68479-413-5; May)

And, at the end of a long day, what better than a handbook on how to meditate: Um, Like... OM: A Girl Goddess's Guide to Yoga by Evan Cooper. In a conversational tone ("So let's talk about yoga. Like, what exactly is it?"), the author briefly describes the origins of yoga and why it could help teens slow down the frantic pace of today's world. She starts with breathing then goes through a few basic poses before moving into sequences such as Sun Salutations; b&w diagrams demonstrate the transitions. (Little, Brown, $9.99 paper 192p ages 12-up ISBN 0-316-98001-3; Apr.)