The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based list of titles available only on-line. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months. Natural Disasters selected by Elizabeth Bush There's nothing quite like a great disaster to entice primary and early middle schoolers to crack open a book. (And if the Discovery Channel's weekly line-up is any indication, adults share this guilty pleasure.) Here are fourteen favorites--a literal dozen being too stingy, and thirteen, well . . . let's not push our luck. --Elizabeth Bush, Reviewer

VOLCANIC ERUPTION
• Nirgiotis, Nicholas. Volcanoes: Mountains That Blow Their Tops. illus. by Michael Radencich. Grosset, 1996. Gr. 1-2

  A collage-illustrated read-alone that incorporates just enough history, science, and mythology to satisfy a beginning reader in one sitting. (BCCB 7-8/96)

• Tanaka, Shelley The Buried City of Pompeii. Hyperion, 1997.

  A you-are-there style format and a bounty of photos, drawings, and slightly lurid paintings make this account of the Vesuvius eruption a browser's delight.

  TORNADO

• Branley, Franklyn M. Tornado Alert; illus. Giulio Maestro. Crowell, 1988. Gr. 1-3

  A reliable entry in a reliable series, this is a solid introduction to the mechanics of the storm and safety precautions to follow. (BCCB 9/88)

• Lyon, George Ella. One Lucky Girl; illus. by Irene Trivas. Jackson/DK Ink, 2000. 4-7 yrs

  One of the finest recent picture books about a family separated and happily reunited through a devastating twister; Trivas' outstanding watercolors match the text thrill for thrill. (BCCB 3/00)

  SHIPWRECK

• Spedden, Daisy Corning Stone. Polar, The Titantic Bear; illus. by Laurie McGaw and with photographs. Madison/Little, 1994. Gr. 3-6

  Mention disaster, and Titanic is among the first things to come to mind. A Steiff teddy bear narrates the adventure surrounding his rescue (and that of his owner and family). Based on a Spedden family story. (BCCB 12/94)

• Winter, Jeanette. The Christmas Tree Ship; written and illus. by Jeanette Winter. Philomel, 1994. 5-8 yrs

  This offbeat, fact-based Christmas tale recounts an early twentieth century fishing captain's seasonal voyages to Chicago with Michigan pines, his death during a storm, and rebirth of the holiday tradition in his honor. (BCCB 12/94)

  FLOOD

• Calhoun, Mary Flood; illus. by Erick Ingraham. Morrow, 1997. 6-9 yrs

  Evocative watercolor pictures underscore the emotions of Sarajean and her family as they realize all their best efforts won't stop the 1993 Mississippi floodwaters from advancing on their home. (BCCB 4/97)

• Kurtz, Jane. River Friendly, River Wild; illus. by Neil Brennan. Simon, 2000. Gr. 2-5

  Free verse poems express the narrator's feelings toward the swollen 1997 Red River as it claims her North Dakota town. Similar in scope to Calhoun's title, but for an older audience. (BCCB 2/00)

  HURRICANE

• Kramer, Stephen. Eye of the Storm: Chasing Storms with Warren Faidley; illus. with photographs by Warren Faidley. Putnam, 1997. Gr. 3-6

  Illustrated with Faidley's stock shots, this follows the adventures of the professional storm photographer as he captures Mother Nature in her most furious moods. (BCCB 4/97)

• Lauber, Patricia. Hurricanes: Earth's Mightiest Storms; Scholastic, 1996. Gr. 3-6

  This is a fine blend of meteorology, history, and coastal ecology, and enticing photo illustration for middle grade science buffs. (BCCB 10/96)

  BLIZZARD

• Lavender, David. Snowbound: The Tragic Story of the Donner Party; Holiday House, 1996. Gr. 4-8

  Lavender retraces the missteps that left an Overland Trail party trapped in the Sierra Nevadas, facing starvation and dwindling hope of rescue. (BCCB 6/96)

• Wetterer, Margaret K. The Snow Walker; written by Margaret K. and Charles M. Wetterer; illus. by Mary O'Keefe Young. Carolrhoda, 1996. Gr. 1-3

  This exciting fact-based read-alone follows a young boy who delivers food and medicine to snowbound neighbors during the record-setting 1888 blizzard in the Northeast. (BCCB 12/96)

  TSUNAMI

• Hodges, Margaret. The Wave; ad. from Lafcadio Hearn's Gleanings in Buddha-Fields by Mararet Hodges; illus. by Blair Lent. Houghton, 1964. Gr. 3-5

  A resourceful old man saves his village from a tidal wave in this tightly plotted and fast paced Japanese folktale, based on a retelling by Lafcadio Hearn. (BCCB 9/64)

• Wisniewski, David. The Wave of the Sea Wolf; written and illus. by David Wisniewski. Clarion, 1994. 5-9 yrs

  Fussy but nonetheless compelling cut paper illustrations embellish a tale of a Tlingit princess who uses nature clues to predict the arrival of tidal waves and summons a sea monster's vengeance against greedy traders who threaten her village. (BCCB 11/94)

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