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'Bark Park' will have children dreaming of dogs

BY STEVE JOHNSON

"Bark Park," written and illustrated by Karen Gray Ruelle (Peachtree Publishers, ages 2-6, $15.95), is a perfect read-aloud book for summer.

In "Bark Park" you will meet small dogs, tall dogs and every size in between. These canines beg, fetch, dig, yap and sniff as they explore the park.

Karen Gray Ruelle's playful rhymes and bright pictures will hold the attention of the youngest listener. Precise wording and simple collage illustrations work together to introduce amazing vocabulary: surly, roam, strut, prowl, and so on.

Although each page has only six to 10 words, "Bark Park" will be hours of fun and will leave youngsters "doggie-dreaming through the night."

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"The Perfect Bear," written by Gillian Shields and illustrated by Gary Blythe (Simon and Schuster, ages 4-8, $16.99), explores a familiar theme.

A teddy bear is not happy about being a birthday present. He had enjoyed being admired in a store next to a sign that read "Do Not Touch." He thought Do Not Touch was his name, and he hated that his new owner wanted to hold him and play with him. She lost his fine red hat, got his fur dirty, and ruined his music box, leaving him with an empty tummy.

Gillian Shields writes a touching story that is reminiscent of "The Velveteen Rabbit" but more easily understood by young children. The illustrations by Gary Blythe are realistic to the point of almost appearing to be photographs.

An old pink rabbit explains to Do Not Touch bear that it is "so much better to be loved than admired." Still, it takes being lost for Do Not Touch bear to understand what love is. Finally, "the place inside of him that used to be empty" is filled with happiness.

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"Swinging for the Fences, Hank Aaron and Me," by Mike Leonetti with illustrations by David Kim (Chronicle Books, ages 7-12, $15.99), is a fine picture book for older readers.

A young baseball player in 1973 wants nothing more than to hit home runs just like his hero, Hank Aaron. Summer days are filled with games and practice, buying packs of baseball cards, and listening to Braves ball games. The problem is that he strikes out more than he hits home runs -- a lot more.

Mike Leonetti's writing is much like a fine short story -- most pages have 75 to 100 words on them. The book ends with an extensive sources section including books, magazine articles, videos and Web sites. David Kim's illustrations portray the 1970s well.

Baseball fans of all ages will enjoy this story of Hank Aaron's record-breaking season set against the backdrop of a young boy's love for the game.

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"Moving Day" by Meg Cabot (Scholastic Press, $15.99, ages 8-12) is the first book in her "Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls" series.

Nine-year-old Allie Finkle is not thrilled about moving. Why would her parents want to leave a perfectly good ranch-style home for an old place that needs fixing up? Mom says she cannot take her rock collection. Also, Allie does not want to meet new kids -- even if her classmates are all mad at her, including her best friend who has always been a crybaby.

Meg Cabot's crisp writing catches the jargon of intermediate-grade children flawlessly. Each chapter is titled with one of Allie Finkle's rules, immediately capturing the attention of the reader and giving a hint of what to expect: "Rule # 8 Don't Put Your Cat in a Suitcase."

Fans will recognize Meg Cabot as the writer of "The Princess Dairies." This series looks to be great for a younger audience.

Steve Johnson, a former teacher, librarian and professional storyteller, is director of the Protestant Campus Center in Hays.