BCCB-February 2004 Bulletin Dozen

	The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
	The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based booklist available as an online-only Bulletin feature. 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.
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Hearts of Gold: A Valentine's Dozen
--selected by Debra Mitts Smith

This month's Dozen features picture books that look at friendship, demonstrating that friendships come in many forms and may be found in the most unusual circumstances. Traditionally, as the saying goes, Man's best friend is his dog. But who is to say that a pigeon is not capable of providing loyalty and companionship? And as a lonely, but wealthy pig discovers, an empty package on Christmas day contains more possibilities than the latest, greatest video game could ever possibly offer. While the books on this list are not specifically Valentine's Day books, their various messages of friendship tell of those special ties between friends that are also suitable for February celebration.

Appelt, Kathi. Bubba and Beau: Best Friends; illus. by Frank Howard. Harcourt, 2003. 4-7 yrs
Bubba (a baby) and Beau (a hound puppy) have many things in common: they were born the same day, move around on all fours, like to chew, prefer mud to soap, and above all love Bubba's stinky pink blankie. (BCCB 9/00)

Bond, Rebecca. When Marcus Moore Moved In; written and illus. by Rebecca Bond. Tingley/Little, 2003. 4-7 yrs
Marcus Moore is feeling all alone on 44 MacDougal Street until Katherine Brown taps, ringles, jingles, and ker-unches by his stoop. (BCCB 7/03)

Bynum, Janie. Otis; written and illus. by Janie Bynum. Harcourt, 2000. 5-8 yrs
It's lonely being a pig who hates mud. It's equally lonely being a frog who hates mud--until the pig and frog meet each other. (BCCB 5/00)

Crimi, Carolyn. Don't Need Friends; illus. by Lynn Musinger. Doubleday, 1999. 5-8 yrs
When Possum moves away to another junkyard, Rat decides that he doesn't need any friends. Then one day big, dirty grouch Dog moves in…(BCCB 1/00)

Dewan, Ted. Crispin: the Pig Who Had It All; written and illus. by Ted Dewan. Doubleday, 2000. 4-9 yrs
At first Crispin is dismayed to receive an empty box for Christmas; then he discovers it brings him the best gift of all. (BCCB 12/00)

DiTerlizzi, Tony. Ted; written and illus. by Tony DiTerlizzi. Simon, 2001. 6-9 yrs
Ted arrives on Saturday morning looking for raspberries to keep his complexion pinkish-purply. His arrival, however, brings more than fun to the lives of a father and son. (BCCB 2/01)

Egielski, Richard. Slim and Jim; written and illus. by Richard Egielski. Geringer/Harper Collins, 2002. 6-9 yrs
Slim, a homeless orphaned rat, and Jim, the beloved offspring of wealthy mice, work together to fight off Buster the evil cat. (BCCB 9/02)

Elliot, Laura Malone. Hunter's Best Friend at School; illus. by Lynn Munsinger. Harper Collins, 2002. 4-6 yrs
Hunter discovers that sometimes the best thing one friend can do for another is not to play along when mischievous impulses strike. (BCCB 10/02)

Henkes, Kevin. Wemberly Worried; written and illus. by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow, 2000. 5-8 yrs
Wemberly's worries about the first day of school begin to subside when she meet her classmate Jewel. (BCCB 9/00)

Hunter, Tom. Build It Up and Knock It Down; illus. by James Yang. HarperFestival, 2002. 2-4 yrs
As they play together two small children say hello and say good-bye, stand up and sit down, go in and go out. (BCCB 5/02)

Lacome, Julie. Ruthie's Big Old Coat; written and illus. by Julie Lacome. Candlewick, 2000. 4-6 yrs
The old red coat might be too big for Ruthie, but it is the perfect fit for Ruthie and her friend Fiona. (BCCB 6/00)

Macaulay, David. Angelo; written and illus. by David Macaulay. Lorraine/Houghton, 2002. 6-10 yrs
Angelo, an old plasterer, nurses a sickly pigeon who later does the same for him. (BCCB 6/02)

White, Carolyn. The Adventure of Louey and Frank; illus. by Laura Dronzek. Greenwillow, 2001. 5-8 yrs
Louey and Frank set out to sea in boat made out of old shoes, a sail made from a sock, pickle sandwiches, and marshmallows. (BCCB 3/01)

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