Mazza Institute welcomes noted authors, illustrators

This is one in a series of monthly reviews of books for young people written by four area teachers of children's literature. Today's reviews are by Melissa Cain of the University of Findlay.

The University of Findlay is presenting the 2010 Mazza Summer Institute Monday through Friday. The lineup of authors and illustrators includes Tomie dePaola, Robert Sabuda, Matthew Rinehart, Guy Porfirio, Judith Caseley, Calef Brown, Brian Lies, Suzanne Bloom, Ian Schoenherr, Brandon Dorman, Jackie Urbanovic, Carol Heyer, and Steve Bjorkman. For further information or to register, contact Ben Sapp, director, at 419-434-5343 or sapp@findlay.edu.

JUNK MAN'S DAUGHTER by Sonia Levitin. Illustrated by Guy Porfirio. Sleeping Bear Press. $17.95. Ages 4-8.

Papa convinces his family that immigrating to America is a good thing. After all, the streets are paved with gold there. However, reality is a different story. The family practically starves until they find some junk in the street and start a new business. Set in the early 20th century, this story of hard work and determination is enhanced by Porfirio's luminous realistic paintings.

THE JUNGLE BOOK adapted and illustrated by Matthew Reinhart. Little Simon. $26.95. Ages 4-8.

This sumptuous pop-up edition of Kipling's classic tale of Mowgli, the man-child raised by jungle animals, is a paper-engineering marvel, highlighted by a tiger that practically leaps off the page. Other amazing sights are the opening jungle scene, the monkey peoples' lost city, and Bagheera the panther, who is covered with black flocking. This is a must-see, must-have book for a family library.

TOMIE DEPAOLA'S MOTHER GOOSE (25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) selected and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Putnam. $25.99. Ages 4-8.

First printed in 1985, this collection of over 200 Mother Goose rhymes is lavishly illustrated in dePaola's characteristic folksy style. Careful to stay true to Iona and Peter Opie's benchmark collections of the Mother Goose rhymes, dePaola included all of the verses of the longer rhymes, as well as all of the favorites every child should know. This is a perfect introduction to Mother Goose for young children.

DEEP IN THE SWAMP by Donna M. Bateman. Illustrated by Brian Lies. Charlesbridge. $15.95. Ages 4-8.

Using the pattern and rhyme scheme of the classic children's song "Over In the Meadow," Donna Bateman introduces young readers to the creatures and ecosystem of the Okefenokee Swamp. One might expect lighthearted cartoon-style art, but Brian Lies chose instead to treat readers to full-color nature paintings showing the variety of life in the swamp. The last pages provide details about featured flora and fauna.

PINGO by Brandon Mull. Illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Shadow Mountain. $17.95. Ages 4-8.

Brandon Mull, creator of the popular Fablehaven books, teams again with their illustrator, Brandon Dorman, on this picture storybook about a boy and his imaginary friend, Pingo, who looks like a fuzzy Dracula child. Dorman's use of light is notable and his illustrations are action-packed as they show Chad and Pingo's fanciful adventures. Mull's theme of outgrowing imaginary friends until old age reconnects us is touching.

PETER PAN, adapted and illustrated by Robert Sabuda. Little Simon. $29.99. Ages 4-8.

This is one of a series of Classic Collectible Pop-up Books by paper-engineering master Sabuda. The adaptation of the J.M. Barrie story of the boy who never wanted to grow up incorporates the best parts of the original. The cloud scene over London when Peter first meets Wendy and her brothers is especially striking. On another page, a pop-up Peter flies out towards the reader.