Scanning the Bookshelf

New books that help youngsters deal with bullying, grief and weighty philosophical questions also promote kindness and thankfulness.

"I am Jack" by Susanne Gervay; Tricycle Press; 126 pages; $14.99.

School bullying is all too common and all too harmful. In this sensitive yet funny portrayal of an 11-year-old boy being pushed around at school, Gervay writes with realism and candor. Though lovable and fun to be around, Jack becomes the butt of other boys' jokes, which escalates due to the contagious and destructive nature of bullying.

All is not lost, however, as Gervay positively portrays the power of bystanders, family, friends and educators who come to protect and support young Jack. A truly important read for kids, educators and parents, "I am Jack" is a very special book.

"The Hole in the Sky" by Barbara A. Mahler; Sea Turtle Publishing; 300 pages; $20.95.

The first novel in a new trilogy for kids ages 8 to 13, Mahler's "The Hole in the Sky" is that coveted thoughtful, heartfelt adventure that's both fantastical and loving. Author Mahler, a traditional medicine healer who has assisted people with chronic illness and cancer, believed she needed to pen a book about the healing power of love and the beauty of the human spirit — she has certainly done just that.

"The Hole in the Sky" is the tale of a 13-year-old girl who struggles with grief over the death of her mother and her father's emotional withdrawal. When she finds a mysterious butterfly pendant and her mother's old diary, Kaela realizes her dreams just may come true. A fantastical journey with her cousin, and plenty of adventure and mystery, lead Kaela to face her deepest fears and overcome her grief head-on.

Also notable, Sea Turtle Publishing donates a portion of proceeds to conservation organizations. The wood products used to make the book are also derived from 100-percent Forest Stewardship Council certified sources.

For more information, visit www.theholeinthesky.net.

"Gracias Thanks" by Pat Mora; illustrated by John Parra; Lee & Low Books; 32 pages; $17.95.

This fabulously attractive picture book does two important things — it's bilingual in its presentation of text in both English and Spanish and it emphasizes thankfulness.

Child-centric and lighthearted, Mora's fun book introduces a boy thankful for "the sun that wakes me up so I don't sleep for years and years and grow a long white beard," "For the bees that didn't sting me and turn me into a pincushion," and "for my friend Billy, who showed me a book about a boy giant who puts his parents on top of a tall tree when they misbehave."

A refreshing bedtime read, plus an introduction to the Spanish and English language, "Gracias Thanks" is also filled with entertaining artwork.

"Really, Really Big Questions" by Dr. Stephen Law; illustrated by Steve Weston; 64 pages; $$16.99.

Meant to prompt dinner-table, or any-time, family conversations, "Really, Really Big Questions" primes with doozies, such as "Did someone design the universe?" "Is it okay to eat animals?" and "Will money make me happy?" These weighty questions, and many more, are asked and discussed — but not necessarily answered — in Dr. Law's introduction to philosophical musings and reasoning for 9-year-olds to 12-year-olds.

With an easy question and answer format, quirky quotations, brainteasers and a retro feel (the book even looks aged and worn as if from the 1950s), Law's fabulous book makes a great gift to send kids off on their own paths to curious inquiry.

"The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule" by Stan & Jan Berenstain with Mike Berenstain; Zonderkidz.com Publishing; 32 pages; $3.99.

For those of us who grew up with the Berenstain Bears books, it's now a joyful blast from the past to be able to introduce our own kids to new Bear family tales. Working with his legendary parents, son Mike adds assistance in the family's new "Living Lights" series meant to "help children learn how God wants them to live every day."

This book, completely nondenominational yet important, has Sister Bear pondering a dilemma — should she ignore the new girl in school just because her friends do? Plenty of kid-friendly, lighthearted text — "Suzy Whoozy-face has weird clothes and corny pigtails" — make "The Golden Rule" fun and readable. The Berenstains show children how choosing to be kind may not always be the easy choice, but always the right one.

Still in the same classic look and affordable paperback price, the new Berenstain Bears books teach gentle, fundamental lessons.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM