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CHILDREN'S CORNERSchool-themed tales include 'The Junkyard Wonders'

BY KAREN MACPHERSON

BY KAREN MACPHERSON

Scripps Howard News Service

As kids head back to school, it's a perfect time to check out these new school-themed books:

* Author/illustrator Patricia Polacco has been plumbing her family history for years, creating a remarkable set of picture books for older readers. In her newest book, "The Junkyard Wonders" (Philomel, $17.99), Polacco focuses on her childhood trials as a late academic bloomer who, in this case, was put in a class of seeming misfits that other students called "the junkyard." As in her earlier book, "Thank You, Mr. Falker," Polacco details how an inspired teacher named Mrs. Peterson celebrated her students' unique gifts, calling them geniuses and "junkyard wonders." Under Mrs. Peterson's direction, the students created "tribes" within the classroom and learned to see -- and tap -- their potential. Young readers will be riveted by the story, as well as Polacco's trademark illustrations, filled with color and energy. (Ages 5-10.)

* A young pirate fan takes readers through an unusual school day filled with swashbuckling buccaneers in "A Pirate's Guide to First Grade" (Feiwel and Friends, $16.99). Written entirely in pirate lingo by James Preller, this book will have young readers shouting "Arrrr!" and "Shiver me timbers!" in no time. But it's the illustrations by Greg Ruth that really put a spotlight on the protagonist's active imagination; Ruth shows the boy surrounded by pirates -- drawn in brown -- wherever he goes. Kids will love the contrast between the antics of the imaginary pirates and the regular school-day routine. (Ages 4-8.)

* Author/illustrator Hanoch Piven has won acclaim from critics and readers for his illustrations, which show people created through various objects, including pencils, balloons and marbles. In his newest book, "My Best Friend Is As Sharp As a Pencil" (Schwartz & Wade/Random House, $17.99), Piven offers a set of classroom portraits and, in the process, gives readers an entertaining lesson in similes. For example, the book's protagonist describes her art teacher "as artistic as a paint palette" and Piven then crafts the art teacher's face from a paint palette. Piven includes a note at the end urging young readers to try creating their own "object art" illustrations. (Ages 5-8.)

* One autumn day, a young dog named Rocket is awoken from his daily nap by a yellow bird who is thrilled to have her first student. Confused, Rocket says he's nothing of the sort, but the bird insists and begins her first lesson, focusing on "the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet ... where it all begins." In "How Rocket Learned to Read" (Schwartz & Wade/Random House, $17.99), author/illustrator Tad Hills celebrates the joy of learning, as well as the power of a good teacher to change lives. (Ages 3-6.)

* Anna is worried about going to kindergarten, but it turns out to be a wonderful experience as author/illustrator Antoinette Portis shows in "Kindergarten Diary" (Harper, $12.99). Young readers will relate to Anna's anxiety as well as her happiness at making friends and learning new skills. (Ages 3-6.)