BOOKS FOR KEIKI
Musubi Man returns for an entertaining sequel

"THE MUSUBI MAN'S NEW FRIEND" by Sandi Takayama, illustrated by Pat Hall; Bess Press, ages 4 and up, $9.95

By Jolie Jean Cotton
Special to The Advertiser

The Musubi Man is back, in a charming new adventure that's sure to become a local classic. In author Takayama's Musubi Man sequel, the tasty ball of rice masters the art of surfing. From the littlest fish to the great whales, 'ono-looking Musubi Man taunts the ocean critters, "Swim, swim, fast as you can! You no can catch me. I'm one musubi man!"

With his surfboard, Musubi Man out-races all the hungry sea creatures. When he tires of the game, a surfing buddy decides to cheer Musubi up by making for him a new friend:

"He gave her limu hair and a little nori outfit, two takuan eyes, an ebi nose, and a smiling mouth of red ginger. But when he reached into the ume jar, he could not find an umeboshi in the shape of a heart. He searched jar after jar of umeboshi."

The surfer's auntie helps solve the problem of the missing heart, which triggers a surprising new twist to the familiar tale.

Pat Hall's cheery illustrations add to the satisfying story, which actually made me laugh out loud. Rare to find a sequel that's as good as the original, but here you have it.

Sandi Takayama's first picture book, "The Musubi Man: Hawai'i's Gingerbread Man," sold 25,000 copies. Earlier this year, Takayama's original Gingerbread Man retelling was adapted for a

Honolulu Theatre for Youth production that successfully played to Island preschools and McCoy Pavilion audiences.

Teachers choose 'bests'

Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine recently announced its first "Teacher's Picks: Best of 2002" awards for books, toys, videos and technology products. These items were chosen for their "educational value and kid appeal" by a panel of teachers, education experts and the editor of "Children's Software Review." Some winners and comments from the panel:

Here are the picks for best books.

• "The House that Jack Built." Caldecott award-winning author Simms Taback has comic images and rhymes collide to create a wonderful collage of a story. Penguin Putnam, $15.99, ages 3 to 8.
• "Clifford the Big Red Dog Deluxe Anniversary Edition" by Norman Bridwell. New colorful collectible edition shares classic stories about Emily Elizabeth's life and friendship with Clifford. Cartwheel Books, $14.95, ages 3 to 6.
• "When Marian Sang" by Pam Munoz Ryan is an exquisitely illustrated tribute to Marian Anderson, the black woman who made history by singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. Scholastic, $16.96, ages 5 to 10.

Here are the picks in toys.

• Dr. Seuss Toys. Silly Hats: A zany kit packed with pinwheels, pipe cleaners, feathers and more. Creativity for Kids, $16.95, ages 4 to 8. Cat in the Hat Stacking Toy: Made of wood pieces, a collectable stacking toy that challenges a child to find the best way to build the cat's hat. Jack Rabbit Creations, $28.95, ages 1 to 3.
• Activity Cart, a magnetic alphabet, chalkboard, counting beads, sewing cards and shape and peg spaces surround the sides of this compact, all-in-one activity cart. Lights Camera Interaction, $69.95, ages 2 to 6.

Here are the picks for videos.

• "Kermit's Swamp Years." Kermit tells the tale of his earliest attempt to get out of the swamp. Jim Henson Home Entertainment, $16.99, ages 4 and up.
• "Where the Wild Things Are (and other Maurice Sendak Stories)." The artful animation and rhythmic melodies of these wonderful stories is brought to life. Scholastic, $9.95, ages 2-8.

Here are the picks in technology products.

• I SPY Challenger Nintendo GameBoy Advance. A valid, brain-twisting educational experience. Scholastic Consumer Software, $29.95, ages 5 and up.
• LeapPad Phonics Program. Ten storybooks and four activity books, a favorite of parents for early reading instruction. LeapPad, $15 per book, ages 4-7.
• Kodak EasyShare LS443. Kodak's new flagship digital camera takes large, crystal-clear photos. Although pricey, this is a tech toy the whole family can enjoy. Eastman Kodak Company, Windows/Mac; $500, ages 5 and up.