Pam Conrad (1) (1947–1996)

The first time Zoe met Zoe Louise, Zoe was four years old. Zoe Louise was more than 100. From that day on -- living in the same house, separated by a staircase and a century -- Zoe and Zoe Louise have been an important and permanent part of each other's lives.
Now Zoe is older. And although Zoe Louise never grows up, she is changing in dreadful, frightening ways. Time is running out for Zoe's best friend -- and Zoe is the only one who can help her. To do so, she must travel back 100 years in show more time and somehow alter the past. But in changing the past, must she also change the present? If she saves her friend's life, will she lose Zoe Louise forever? show less

Read in?áThe 20th Children's Book Treasury.?á A neat message about empathy as the child (we're encouraged to deduce) has been scolded for not taking better care of his toys, so we readers can figure out the parents' anger, the child's shame, and the dolls' trauma. ?áBut because the humans are never shown, the emotional power of the book is muted, and so not too intense for a sensitive reader.

While not quite as delightful as Everywhere The Cow Says Moo, this concept book about animals noises in many languages makes up for in sophistication what it lacks in delightful structure. Each animal noise is given a specific poetically described place within its home country ("In Ireland, in County Longford on the road to Drumlish"), and each page includes a new language, teaching the adults along with the children that turkeys in Israel says "Holderolderol," ravens in the Yukon says show more "Klawk!" and wildebeests in Tanzania say "Blart!" Some of the artwork, done in oil, can be a little dark and complex, but the chance to repeat phrases will keep the listeners engaged. show less

This is no "Little House" book. It's a haunting book, you keep thinking about it for a long time after you finish it. It did leave me with many un-answered questions, though. Is that a good thing? Would I care about un-answered questions if I didn't care about the characteres? It also made me question myself. How would I stand up to similar tragedies? I hope I would have the love and fortitude of Clara.