New Publishers Make an Impact with Interesting and Heartfelt Children's Stories by Lee Littlewood on Creators.com

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New Publishers Make an Impact with Interesting and Heartfelt Children's Stories

From brand-new publishers, a few fresh lines of children's books warrant worthy mention.

"Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug" by Ellie Bethel; illustrated by Alexandra Colombo; Worthwhile Books/Jonas Publishing; 32 pages; $15.99.

This colorful new series of environmentally friendly, rhyming picture books star a green-caped crusader with fun adventures and a 'green' conscience. The sequel to "Michael Recycle," this newest book — sure to capture kids' interests after Earth Day activities — debuts a nemesis known as Litterbug Doug. Doug leaves mountains of garbage and hates recycling; he is certain to leave a huge carbon footprint.

Enter blond, friendly Michael Recycle, who teaches the smelly Doug and his team of bloated rats how to recycle and properly dispose of real trash.

With humorous, bold illustrations and adventurous, rhyming text, "Michael Recycle" is a fun and important read. Bonus "Trash Talk" and "Go Green Tips" add earth-friendly oomph.

Also from Worthwhile Books, "Seamus McNamus: The Goat Who Would Be King" by Rob Kurtz; illustrated by Mike Lester; 38 pages; $16.99.

Again in the hero realm, Irish goat Seamus, along with his barnyard pals, finds himself in trouble. Townspeople are buying soda, nylon and cholesterol-free foods instead of milk, wool or eggs. The funny goat Seamus finds himself accidentally crowned king at the local fair. He aims to save the day and his friends, and get things back to normal.

"Carl the Frog" — also from Worthwhile Books and penned by David N. Weiss and Pete Whitehead (42 pages, $16.99) — is the tale of a friendly but greedy frog with an unnaturally long tongue. Trouble ensues when Carl zaps friends and foes with that tongue, until a wise kingfisher soon shows him the error of his ways. The kingfisher also saves him from being hit by a bus he tries to eat. Carl learns to control his whims and the urge to grab every insect that crosses his path, making this tale a gentle lesson in moderation and friendship.

Whitehead's hilarious, personable computer artwork adds excitement.

Visit www.myworthwhilebooks.com for more information on this new picture book company.

"Waiting to Score" by J.E.

MacLeod; WestSide Books; 200 pages; $16.95.

WestSide Books, a new YA publisher, offers many promising novels that delve into problems and concerns experienced by teens.

"Waiting to Score" is the action-packed tale of a 15-year-old hockey player who must deal with an obnoxious team captain, other people's drinking problems as well as the consequences of being interested in too many girls.

"Sliding on the Edge," by C. Lee McKenzie (268 pages, $16.95), is a heartfelt, coming of age story about a hardened 16-year-old girl and her stubborn youngish grandmother. The pair, who deals with Shawna's tough past, an ill-treated horse and Shawna's tendencies to cut herself, learns eventually to transcend the past and bond.

"Running for My Life," by Ann Gonzalez (238 pages, $16.95), is the heartbreaking story of a 14-year-old girl who tries to cope with her mother's schizophrenia with the help of her father, her friends and her love of running.

Other smart new novels from WestSide Books include "One Wish" by Leigh Brescia, a story about the pressures of weight loss and performing in a high school musical; "Seattle Blues" by Michael Wenberg, the 1969 story of a promising teen musician and her family's struggles with racism and the Vietnam War; and "Between Us Baxters" by Bethany Hegedus, an amazing tale of the friendship between a white girl and an African-American girl in the 1950s.

Visit www.westside-books.com for more information on these books.

Another great publisher for young teens? Square Fish, a division of MacMillan, recently released the classic 1960s series "The Austin Family Chronicles" by Newbery Medal winner Madeleine L'Engle, still timely and engrossing. Other released classics include "Lassie Come Home" by Eric Knight and Natalie Babbitt's "Goody Hall." Other captivating teen tales: "Multiple Choice," "Powers," "Talk," "The Trap" and "Under the Persimmon Tree" — all new and available in affordable paperback.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.