The Scrambled States of America Talent Show by Laurie Keller

Released August 5, 2008

“Ten years after their memorable debut the states once again pop open their wide eyes, leap up on pipestem limbs and strut their stuff—this time on stage in a display of talent that ranges from the heartthrob singing of New York and New Mexico as ‘New States On The Block’ to Michigan using its Upper Peninsula in a ventriloquist act and Wyoming linking with Tennessee to impersonate Oklahoma. Rendering her performers with flashbulb intensity and reasonably accurate borders, Keller sends them gamboling with abandon across spreads strewn with hilarious side comments (Idaho: ‘Does this grass skirt make my BUTTE look big?’), as well as abbreviations and statehood dates. Closing with a bit of traditional stagecraft by having shy Georgia visualize fellow states in their underwear to get over a case of stage fright, this exuberant geographical jamboree will definitely leave readers in a state.” –Kirkus

Bedtime at the Swamp by Kristyn Crow

Released August 1, 2008

“Sitting in the moonlit swamp with his West Highland white terrier, a boy hears, ‘Splish splash / rumba-rumba / bim bam BOOM!’ and knows it’s a swamp monster. He high-tails it up a willow, but his sister comes to tell him Ma wants him home for bedtime. When they hear the monster again, she joins him up the tree. Each time a relative arrives to fetch him home, they end up in the tree. Even the monster is frightened into joining them by the strange sound—and then Ma herself appears to march her brood off to bed. They all go ’splish splash’ in the bath, ‘rumba-rumba’ with their toothbrushes, ‘bim bam’ up the stairs and ‘BOOM!’ into bed. Crow’s rhythmic chant and rhymed text are nicely brought to life by Pamintuan’s bright, swampy, expressive art, the clean lines and colors making the most of the absurd situation. Bedtime and monsters haven’t gone together so well in years.” –Kirkus