A letter to families prefacing the story explains the authors’ inspiration: “Adoption is a perfect picture of what God has done for each of us.” The Chapmans’ third Shaoey and Dot Adoption Story, written in four-line rhymed stanzas from the perspective of a ladybug named Dot, tells of Dot’s discovery and immediate attachment to a wiggling bundle in a basket and subsequent journey with the “creature.” Arriving in a room filled with “dozens of almond-shaped eyes,” Dot investigates, then tells her friend, “We are where mommies and daddies come looking/ to find special babies like you!” As the story progresses, geometric patterns on baskets, quilts, curtains, and cribs give way to rounder, softer lines in Jim Chapman’s illustrations, painted in hues of green, gold, and blue. Dot, adorned with antenna barrettes, different shoes for each foot, and a hat, makes a visually entertaining companion whose promise of lifelong devotion foreshadows the adoptive parents’ commitment. Despite occasionally awkward rhythms (“Cause if you know anything about ladybugs,/ You know they always keep their word”), the story is emotionally stirring. Ages 4–7. (June)

Reviewed on 05/17/2013 | Details & Permalink

In the second book in the Buddhism for Children series, Kelsang Gyatso retells the story of the Buddha’s enlightenment. The author—a Tibetan-born lama and founder of a worldwide network of Buddhist centers—brings distinguished credentials to the task. His version of Buddha’s enlightenment, however, differs somewhat from the familiar story: for example, the Prince Siddhartha starts his quest to end suffering with a mind that is “completely pure,” motivated by a vision of “all the Buddhas of the ten directions.” While the book is aimed at school-age children, they may not understand or benefit from such phrases as “space-like concentration” and “mistaken appearance of all phenomena.” The stylized pictures are static and repetitive, many of them with murky brownish backgrounds, set opposite white pages containing stark black text, some of it long and discursive. This esoteric retelling of Buddhism’s central story contains little for young children; adults who want to communicate the most accessible aspects of this tradition, such as cultivating patience, generosity, kindness, and calm, should look elsewhere. Ages 7–10. (July)

Reviewed on 05/17/2013 | Details & Permalink

Previously unpublished stories by the late Khan (Twenty Jataka Tales) make up this collection of original works and traditional fables, legends, and tales. With three English exceptions, the stories are presented in French, with English translations on facing pages. Sparsely detailed but filled with dialogue, the stories depend on incantatory rhythm for effect. Some familiar characters appear (Renard the Fox, the Snow Child, and Father Christmas). A few stories are original (one character is based on Scheherazade). The author’s life as a British special agent and her death at age 30 in a concentration camp during WWII are at least as fascinating and inspiring as the stories. Accompanying photographs, editor’s notes, a memory of Khan by her brother, and a bibliography will pique interest in further study of this idealistic Sufi war heroine. All ages. (June)

Reviewed on 05/17/2013 | Details & Permalink

McGee (Right Where I Belong) pitches readers into a dystopian future in which a logical and rigid state sustains the remnants of humanity after nuclear war has devastated the surface world. The Ten Scientists who are the de facto rulers of the State have attempted to weed out emotion from the survivors. Thalli, a musician, manages to conceal her emotions and curiosity until she is asked to perform a Bach piece, whereby her abnormality is revealed. Her incarceration and looming execution spark a dangerous partnership with a childhood friend–turned-Scientist; raise questions about the nature of existence, suffering, and the afterlife; and suggest a Designer more powerful than the Scientists. Though Thalli’s “conversion” after learning of the Designer is underdeveloped, McGee successfully asks readers to consider both what it means to act (or not act) on human emotions and the role such emotions play in relationships with God. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jenni Burke, D.C. Jacobson & Associates. (July)■

Reviewed on 05/17/2013 | Details & Permalink

Making his debut, Treskillard delivers a sweeping, deeply detailed fantasy that re-imagines the adven-tures of figures from Arthurian legend in a battle between "new" Christian ideology and the ancient rites of the druids. In his fifth-century British village, Merlin, a nearly blind teenager and son of a blacksmith, quickly emerges as the empathetic and courageous hero following the teachings of Jesu. Merlin is the only one who can resist the temptations and mystical enchantments that emanate from a glowing stone—part of a "Dragon Star" that had crashed in flames to Earth; he desperately encourages others to reject the stone's evil and take up his path under God's protection. A toddler King Arthur and the famous sword Excalibur are thrilling elements of the tale for fans of the genre. The author skillful-ly crafts intense action scenes and vivid settings. But the book's length, large cast of characters, and period vernacular tend to slow the pacing in places and may prove a challenge for some younger read-ers less keen about comprehensive detail. Those who follow Merlin to book's end, however, are re-warded by hints at what's to come in the sequel in the Merlin's Spiral series. Ages 13-up. Agent: Les Stobbe, Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency (Apr.)

Reviewed on 05/17/2013 | Details & Permalink