Kids' Thursday: The Edge Chronicles

Millions of dollars are spent in the promotion of books and yet hundreds of great books come out each year that barely penetrate your consciousness. Topical nonfiction pervades the news, and an occasional fiction will become a water cooler subject, but kids books have it tougher. As much as the adult world coalesces around single books, often for inexplicable reasons that have little to do with quality, in the world of children's books the concentration is intense.

If, as someone said, books are a conspiracy of smart people, it's even more important that we teach our children to explore the world of books. A homogenized reading list based on what everyone else is reading can stunt their growth.

Whatever the merits of a certain boy about to graduate from a school for wizards, there is a lot more out there. Last year (and this year) I was privileged to read to Scott Burch's 5th Grade class a Mt. Tabor Elementary School during their annual read-in. Parents and community leaders come in to read their favorites to the children in an all-day celebration of reading and story-telling. Finding myself in the room with judges, school board members, an ex-congressman, and the U of L Cardinal doesn't make me a community leader, but I was proud to be there.

Last year I introduced Mr. Burch's class to The Edge Chronicles. From Beyond the Deep Woods (Book 1) to The Winter Knights, the eighth and latest in the series, we together discovered a fantasy series and an imaginary world that, by consensus, surpassess Harry and his pals, and even Lemony Snicket. Truly, this is a gem of a series, stocked and ready for summer reading. And it really has no top end. A really bright 3rd-grader might be able to read it, 5th grade is probably the target demographic, and teens and adults won't begin to be bored.

Rather than try to tell the story of this mysterious world, I invite you to visit the Web site for The Edge Chronicles, the world created by Brits Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell for David Fickling Books and Random House. Enjoy

Warriors Phenomenon Keeps Building

Today is a banner day for author Erin Hunter as she launches the third six-book series in her incredibly successful Warriors series. Today is the release date for The Sight, book one in her Power of Three series.

Actually, Erin Hunter is the pen name of two English writers, Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry, and if you have a child anywhere between the ages of 8 and 18, they have surely read one or more of the previous 12 books. Around here, it's one of those series that we have a standing order for each new release. We try to keep all of the titles on hand, too, so that as children reach a certain age they can begin the adventure at the beginning.

Those of you who pre-ordered will have already been called about the new book, but you may be unaware that HarperCollins Children's Books has extended the brand even further into manga...that's the Asian-influenced graphic novel style with all original stories, and book one of a planned three-book series also comes out today: The Lost Warrior.

If you're still puzzled about the whole Warriors phenomenon, just ask the child in your life, or read the annotation below:

There will be three, kin of your kin . . .

The wild cats have flourished in their new home on the banks of the lake for several seasons, and the Clans are growing strong and healthy with new kits. The time has come for three kits of ThunderClan to become apprentices.

Hollypaw, Jaypaw, and Lionpaw spring from a strong legacy: children of Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, two of the noblest ThunderClan warriors, and grandchildren of the great leader Firestar himself. All three young cats possess unusual power and talent and seem certain to provide strength to the Clan for the next generation.

But there are dark secrets around the three, and a mysterious prophecy hints at trouble to come. An undercurrent of rage is rising against those who are not Clanborn, and the warrior code is in danger of being washed away by a river of blood. All the young cats' strength will be needed if the Clans are to survive.

. . . who hold the power of the stars in their paws.

For You, Only the Best

We hope to make Thursdays our preview day for children's books; that is, for pre-school and early grades picture books and outstanding books for early readers.

Interestingly enough, while kids who visit love the store, the nature of this market is inclined more to adults making selections for the children they love. Add in the dedicated school teachers who spend their own money to make sure their pupils get only the best, and it makes a lot of sense to blog to adults about children's books.

In fact, many adults without children collect the best of children's literature.

A little over a year ago, Melinda Long wrote How I Became a Pirate, the story of young Jeremy Jacob's encounter with the notorious pirate Braid Beard and his band. Much credit must also go to David Shannon, the illustrator, for helping this book earn several book of the year honors. It has been a popular choice here, too.

Now, the pirate band has returned to Jeremy's house to recover its buried treasure, but complications ensue when the wake Jeremy's baby sister, Bonney Anne, in Pirates Don't Change Diapers. Kids love pirate stories, and you will delight in this well-told tale.

ISBN 9780152053536 Harcourt Children's Books March 2007 (Reinforced HC) $16