Scanning the Bookshelf

A boy who worships Elvis, baseball great Ted Williams, acclaimed literary icon Virginia Hamilton and a young boy with autism are presented with strength and grit in these new children's books.

"Shake, Rattle & Turn That Noise Down! How Elvis Shook Up Music, Me and Mom" by Mark Alan Stamaty; Knopf Delacorte Dell; 40 pages; $17.99.

Cartoonist Stamaty revisits his childhood's most pivotal musical moments in this lively biographical picture book. A fun journey back to the mid-1950s, when rock 'n' roll came alive, is told through young Mark's tongue-in-cheek remembrances and the importance of a radio as a birthday gift. At first pleasantly happy with the gentle soothing melodies his parents listened to, Mark is bolted alive by "a howling thunder of sound that took me over and made me want to move and dance like nothing before." A hilarious time capsule picture of Mark's mother's horror — "she burst into my room looking like a cornered hostage in a vampire horror movie" — brings alive the impact Elvis Presley had on music and families in the 1950s.

Happily for Mark, his mother learns to tolerate rock 'n' roll and even comes to enjoy Elvis' ballads. An empowering moment arrives when Mark performs as Elvis at a Cub Scout dinner, receiving much applause. From then, even through adulthood, Mark has performed Elvis from time to time, even while on assignment as a political cartoonist and at the White House for President Bill Clinton.

A truly fun ode to the joy of rock 'n' roll's early days and the power it held over one boy, Stamaty's cartoon-designed tale should get readers "all shook up."

"No Easy Way: The Story of Ted Williams and the Last .400 Season" by Fred Bowen; illustrations by Charles S. Pyke; Dutton Children's Books/Penguin; 32 pages; $17.

Sports heroes and sports stories are becoming the new legends and myths of our culture, whether about a racehorse that inspires millions or a golf hero seeking redemption. Bowen, a sports columnist for the Washington Post, says he wrote this straightforward, classic picture book biography to show how Ted Williams achieved his dream through hard work and never taking the easy way out.

With authentic, retro sportswriting and dramatic illustrations, "No Easy Way" brings a period feel to the true tale of hitter Ted Williams' quest toward the unprecedented .400 batting average in 1941.

Fans of all ages will cheer for this timeless tale that's an inspiring nod to old-fashioned work ethics and vintage baseball magic.

"My Brother Charlie" by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete; illustrated by Shane W. Evans; Scholastic; 32 pages; $16.99.

Penned optimistically and with hope, this colorful picture book — from actress Holly Robinson Peete and her preteen daughter — tells a semi-autobiographical tale of life with a twin brother diagnosed with autism. Though the twins in the tale are a bit younger and have different names, Ryan Peete's heartfelt story of patience, love and acceptance is based on her real life with brother Rodney, diagnosed with autism at age 3.

In "My Brother Charlie," Callie points out Charlie's talents — playing the piano, running fast and communicating with their dog. She also tells how Charlie sometimes seems lost and that his words are locked away inside. But the easy-to-read tale's positive tone outweighs any other — that Charlie does laugh, holds hands and has fun. He's just like any other boy and he has autism.

The picture book offers biographical information on the Peete's family journey. Young Ryan is sensitive and mature when reminding young readers to be kind and friendly with autistic children.

"Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays, and Conversations" edited by Arnold Adoff & Kacy Cook; Blue Sky Press/Scholastic; 368 pages; $29.99.

Author Virginia Hamilton accomplished much to alter the landscape of young readers' collective interpretation of American history, race and the absolute necessity of civil rights. More than just a novel writer, Hamilton penned folk tales, trickster stories, slave histories, biographies, picture books and novellas. She also spoke at conferences and meetings on multicultural literature; she was an inspiring leader to many educators, librarians and young readers.

The carefully edited book of Hamilton's works is a must-have for fans. Plus, it is a smart read for students who want to learn more about a thoughtful leader well ahead of her time.

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.

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