Book review: Roundup of fall children's books

ack-to-school ads promise deals for every student's needs. But one item has been conspicuously missing from the hype: children's books.

A common homework assignment for elementary students is independent reading. Children are expected to have a book tucked in their schoolbag or waiting at home.

Fortunately, some of the most popular children's authors have released new books. From the first new Pinkerton book in 14 years to a picture book by Newbery Award winning author Sharon Creech, there is plenty for young readers.

Picture books

Primary-grade teachers frequently ask parents to join in the reading of picture books. Several selections from well established authors and illustrators stand out this season.

Famous for his popular young adult trilogy ('The Golden Compass,' 'The Subtle Knife,' and 'The Amber Spyglass'), Philip Pulman presents a lively retelling of a classic fairy tale in 'The Adventures of That Most Enterprising Feline: Puss in Boots' (Knopf, $16.95). Illustrations by acclaimed artist Ian Beck include comic-book style dialogue balloons and crisp details that add depth to the characters. The colorful full-page spreads and melodious flow, with descriptive phrases such as the creaky-croaky and rumbly-mumbly voices of the ghouls, make this book one to share.

Caldecott Medal winner David Wisniewski's fall offering, 'The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups: The Second File' (HarperCollins, $16.95), will delight adults as much as the younger audience laughing at its secrets. Designed as a classified file revealing the real truth behind grown-ups' sayings, the book elaborates on reasons why parents create rules. This short volume could inspire conversations around the dinner table.

Pinkerton, the Great Dane invented by author/illustrator Steven Kellogg, reappears this fall in 'A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton' (Dial, $15.99). Although the story seems more contrived than earlier Pinkerton books, children will enjoy the return of the friendly dog. When Emily learns about penguins in school, she shares her knowledge with Pinkerton, who quickly imagines himself as a penguin parent and goes on the prowl for ways to act out this fantasy. Notable are small inset pictures that offer the reader a view of Pinkerton's wild imagination.

Imaginative illustrations by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss give an extra sparkle to Sharon Creech's subtle statement about school year length in 'A Fine, Fine School' (HarperCollins, $15.95). Bliss' humorous details, especially in the development of a minor character, Beans the dog, add interest to the tale of a school that begins to meet on weekends and holidays when the enthusiastic principal sees his students succeeding in school subjects. Children will warm to the intelligent narrator, Tillie, as she teaches the principal the need for out-of-school learning.

Transitional readers

Beginning readers eager to enter the world of chapter books also have some solid choices by widely known authors. The popular Madeline returns in 'Madeline Says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book' (Penguin Putnam, $11.99) by John Belemans Marciano, grandson of Ludwig Belemans, the creator of the Madeline series. Madeline fans may be a little disappointed in the small changes in the illustrations, some rendering Madeline with a slightly elongated face. Overall, the short book offers a pleasing version of basic rules for polite behavior.

Stan and Jan Berenstain launched their newest enterprise this fall: an easy-reader chapter book series based on their popular Berenstain Bears stories. Although the ages of Sister and Brother Bear and their friends do not match their actions (in particular the criminal behaviors of the notorious fourth grade Too-Tall gang members), the books continue the tradition of solid Berenstain storytelling. The first four books appearing this fall, 'The Runamuck Dog Show,' 'The Haunted Lighthouse,' 'The Goofy, Goony Guy' and 'The Wrong Crowd' (Random House, $3.99) are likely to appeal to those Bears fans ready to tackle more difficult prose.

Intermediate readers

Upper elementary students have several choices, including a summer release standout from Andrew Clements, author of award-winning 'Frindle' and bestseller 'The Landry News.' Clements' latest, 'The School Story' (Simon & Schuster, $16), is a well-paced, engaging tale of two talented girls who write and publish a young adult novel. The wonderful character development of the girls and the girls' teacher, as well as the emphasis on a book agent's role and the difficulty of editing, make this novel a standout.

Devoted fans of the Captain Underpants books will be delighted to hear about the release of the fifth story in the series. This time, imaginative George and Harold aid Captain Underpants in defeating their teacher's alter ego, Wedgie Woman, in 'Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman' (Dav Pilkey, Blue Sky Press, $4.99). Although not the best prose available for youngsters, the new book is an entertaining and easy read.

Preschool readers

Special treats to slip in the preschool and day-care bags of your littlest students include two new Maisy mouse stories by Lucy Cousins, 'Doctor Maisy' and 'Maisy's Morning on the Farm' (Candlewick Press, $9.99). There is also an enjoyable new tale from Rosemary Wells: 'Bunny Party' (Penguin Putnam, $15.99). This bunny story is actually a counting book, but pays attention to the story line first and the counting purpose second.

A sweet tale titled 'Kiss Good Night' (Candlewick Press, $15.99) from Amy Hest and illustrator Anita Jeram (illustrator of the best-selling 'Guess How Much I Love You') makes a wonderful bedtime story. Little Sam the bear leads his mother through a bedtime ritual on a dark and stormy night on Plum Street until she remembers the important last step of a goodnight kiss. The rhythmic repetitive prose matched by deeply colored illustrations will help lull any youngster to sleep.

-- Lauren A. Liang is the Guy Bond Fellow in Reading Education at the University of Minnesota.