Off To War: Voices of Soldiers’ Children, by Deborah Ellis, $15.95. The author’s earlier books — including the novel “Breadwinner,” set in Afghanistan — looked at children in foreign war-torn countries. This features interviews with the children whose parents are serving in the U.S. and Canadian militaries.
The voices are direct responses to what seems to be a standard set of questions — how do you feel when your mother or father is in combat? How does life change when they’re gone? When they’re back? Do you want to be a soldier?
The candid answers offer insights into a group that’s usually overlooked in the mainstream media’s coverage of the military. (Ages 9 to 12)
Nation, by Terry Pratchett, $16.99. This intelligent, philosophical novel examines society reborn from the ragtag survivors of a catastrophe. This task falls to two improbable leaders, both children — Mau, the only living native of an island wiped out by a tsunami, and the shipwrecked Ermintrude/Daphne — who lead a handful of adults.
How they contrive to bridge linguistic, cultural and physical barriers is enterprising and often amusing. Mau manages to milk a wild pig to feed a newborn. Both children struggle past social mores — “Does not happen!” mutters Mau when he violates a taboo — to cobble together an enviable milieu. (Ages 12 and up)
Twenty-odd Ducks: Why, Every Punctuation Mark Counts, by Lynn Truss, illustrated by Bonnie Timmons, $16.99. In about a half-dozen examples, this droll book shows how a punctuation mark can mean the difference between a blue-whale expert, who’s the go-to guy on blue whales, and a blue whale expert, who is either sad or whose skin is tinged blue.
The examples, as in the collaborators’ previous book, “Eat Shoots & Leaves,” are witty and pointed. “Jack’s parents; who could be happier?” shows two fond parents snuggling a child with a perfect report card. “Jack’s parents, who could be happier,” however, shows an uneasy couple in a chaotic room where their little snowflake is running amok.
Sometimes, punctuation means the difference between a compliment and an insult:
“Dear Teacher: We want a teacher who knows what punctuation is all about. You are clever. People who are not like you admit to being horrible at grammar.” The meaning is entirely different here: “Dear Teacher: We want a teacher who knows what punctuation is. All about you are clever people, who are not like you. Admit to being horrible at grammar!” (All ages)
Twelve Terrible Things, by Marty Kelley, $16.99. The Lemony Snicket-esque introduction advises the reader not to turn the page, which is how many of us anticipate feeling the day after Tuesday’s election. No candidates hide inside these pages, but there are one or two Terrible Things that could be even worse.
Kelley’s looming dentist says, “Say AHHH,” instead of the truly chilling “You might feel some discomfort.”
But the birthday clown? Pure evil. So are the elderly lady’s manicured fingernails lunging toward the reader (“Oh my goodness, just look at those CHEEKS.” (Ages 4 to 8)
The Animals Came Two by Two: The Story of Noah’s Ark, by Christopher Wormell, $19.95. English wood engraver Wormell’s minimalist illustrations are invariably striking and handsome.
His latest book, a simple recounting of the story about the man whose large wooden boat rescued “two of every creature” from the ultimate version of ethnic cleansing, is ravishing. Pick a page, any page, and it’s suitable for framing and hanging on the wall. (Ages 4 to 8)
Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes, by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, $16. This enchanting picture book is a gentle reminder of what nearly all of us share when politics and religion are shelved. Born under various circumstances, some healthy and some not, these delightful babies and toddlers present a picture of unity and love that’s worth emulating. (Ages 4 to 8, and new grandparents)
