Author of the Month

Kevin O'Malley

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New Book Reviews from The Children's Bookstore Staff

Freak Magnet
written by Andrew Auseon

Gloria is the freak magnet, Charlie is the freak. When they first meet, Gloria assumes Charlie is just like all the other freaks who feel compelled to talk to her. She'll write him down in her Freak Folio (a record of a year's worth of encounters) and forget about him. Circumstance and contrivance work to bring these two together in a friendship both desperately need.

We come to know Charlie and Gloria through the unique double perspective of alternating first person narrative. The story is at times serious, funny, poignant and absurd, sometimes all four at once. What makes Freak Magnet so fabulous is not just Charlie and Gloria, but their family, friends, and acquaintances. In a few words, Auseon exposes the humanity of these secondary characters so completely that they are as memorable and as real as the two protagonists. Those brief flashes of beauty remind us why it is worth all the trouble of being human.

Todd's TV
written and illustrated by James Proimos

Todd's parents were pretty busy people. When the phone rang they told him to go watch TV, when it rained outside they put him in front of the TV, when they had parent things to discuss Todd watched TV. Then one night, when his parents were trying to figure out who would go to Todd's parent-teacher conference, Todd's TV volunteered to do the job. Soon, Todd's TV was doing just about everything for Todd. Then one day, the TV announced it's desire to adopt Todd legally. What could Todd's parents do? Luckily, Todd has the answer.

City Dog, Country Frog
words by Mo Willems and pictures by John Muth

This story about friendship resonates with Mo Willems' wit while John Muth's beautiful watercolor illustrations bring the animals and the countryside to life.