Jennifer Ward, children's author   Ward is a former educator with several children's books under her belt, including "Somewhere in the Ocean" and "The Seed and the Giant Saguaro."   Carol Evans, associate education professor at the University of Arizona with a background in bilingual education and children's literature   In terms of children's literature, Evans is particularly interested in helping teachers include in their repertoire books that reflect the culture and identity of Mexican-American children.   Gerry Pionessa, librarian and tech coach at Los Niños Elementary School   Pionessa has worked at Los Niños for 12 years. She likes to call picture books "everybody books" because she has discovered over the years that everyone from children to adults likes reading them.   Ruth Grant, library supervisor for the Joel D. Valdez Main Library's children section   Grant was happy to offer some of her favorites for this project. Her longtime exposure to children's literature has provided her with an eye for good books.     Michael Fenlason, operations manager at Borders Books, Music and Cafe at Park Place   Fenlason's job as operations manager of a bookstore may not fully qualify him as a kids' lit expert, but he does have one advantage: a 9-year-old daughter he reads to regularly.

Parents, if you've been looking for a reason to pry those PlayStation 2 controllers out of your young ones' hands, here is your opportunity. Monday marked the beginning of the 85th annual Children's Book Week - a national event that celebrates the joys of reading and encourages kids to turn off the TV and open their minds to some good books. Of course, there's been a surge of popular novels for young readers in recent years: the Harry Potter and the Lemony Snicket series among them. But you know about those books. What's out there that you haven't heard of? To tell us, the Star gathered five members of the Tucson community - a librarian, an elementary school tech coach, a professor, a bookstore manager and a children's author - to give us some alternatives to these mega hits. Their submissions were plentiful, but we've managed to pare the recommendations down to 10. Next time you are at the library with your children, feel free to give these books a spin. The Royal Diaries Series

 

Author: various Publisher: Scholastic Inc. The Royal Diaries slip between fiction and historical context as the young-adult readers series - written by several different authors - covers princesses and queens from Elizabeth I (1544) to Nzingha, warrior queen of Matamba (1595.) "It's primarily a series for girls, but boys enjoy them as well," Fenlason said. "They are stories essentially created for that intermediate age. Kids pick up some history. They pick up some culture." Have You Seen My Duckling?

 

Author: Nancy Tafuri Publisher: Greenwillow Books Original publication year: 1984 An oldie but a goodie for young children, "Have You Seen My Duckling?" is short on words but heavy on full-page art that traces a mama duck's search for her lost child. "The book offers simple patterned language and entertaining illustrations that hold the answer to mother duck's question on every page," Ward said. Wolf!

 

Author: Becky Bloom Publisher: Orchard Books Original publication year: 1999 Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Apparently, not the duck, the pig or the cow, according to this children's picture book. Choosing to read rather than live in terror of their unfriendly neighborhood predator, the animals manage to persuade the wolf to try to impress them rather than eat them. "This is a story of how even a dangerous wolf can change his image and find friends," said Gerry Pionessa from Los Niños Elementary. The Golden Compass

 

Author: Philip Pullman Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Original publication year: 1995 At first glance, "The Golden Compass" - just shy of 400 pages in its paperback form - may seem more like an adult read. In fact, Borders carries it in its regular Science Fiction/Fantasy section. But after recommendations for this book from two of our panelists, we thought it was a good book to include. The first in Pullman's His Dark Materials series, the Potteresque novel follows Lyra, a student at the mystical Jordan College, as she deals with the arrival of her uncle, the seemingly evil Lord Asriel. "It's a fantastically readable series," said Borders' Michael Fenlason. "Really fine writing, and kids enjoy it immensely." The Thief Lord

 

Author: Cornelia Funke Publisher: Scholastic Inc. Original publication year: 2000 It's Oliver Twist with a twist when two orphans escape the custody of their cruel aunt and uncle and run into the Thief Lord and his merry band of young mischief-makers in the streets of Venice. The two find themselves in the thick of things when the Thief Lord involves them in the search for a secret magical carousel horse. This novel - written by German author Cornelia Funke - is second in popularity only to the Harry Potter series in Europe, according to Grant. "My daughter couldn't put it down," Grant said. Our Local Experts pick 'Little works' worth checking out

 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Author: C.S. Lewis Publisher: HarperCollins Original publication year: 1950 Considered by some to be author C.S. Lewis' masterwork, this first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series follows four children through a magical wardrobe door into the land of Narnia - a fantasy world full of mythical beasts, mysterious landscapes and an ongoing struggle between the White Witch and the majestic Great Lion. "Most children who read this first book will be begging to read all seven in the series," said librarian Ruth Grant. Hatchet Author: Gary Paulsen Publisher: Simon Pulse Paperbacks Original publication year: 1996 A son of divorced parents en route to visit his father, 13-year-old Brian Robeson finds himself in a struggle for survival when the single-engine plane he's flying in crashes in the Canadian wilderness. Alone in the forest, Robeson is forced to muster the courage to face the obstacles of the wild as well as his own inner demons in this Newbery Honor-winning young-adult read. "He is constantly reconsidering his life, his capabilities and his identity," said associate education professor Carol Evans. Piggie Pie!

 

Author: Margie Palatini Publisher: Clarion Books Original publication year: 1995 In another children's tale dealing with barnyard animals, a hungry witch has a hankering for pork but is stunned when she visits the local farm to find the pigs are mysteriously absent. Little does she know, the oinkers have disguised themselves as everything from hens to the farmer. Pionessa chose this book for its humor and charm. Esperanza Rising

 

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan Publisher: Scholastic Inc. Original publication year: 2000 Recipient of the outstanding Latino/Latina Pura Belpré Award, "Esperanza Rising" addresses the adversity a young girl deals with when tragedy strikes her Mexico home and she is forced to flee to California with her mother. "Esperanza shows courage, character and intelligence in adapting to difficult and sometimes demeaning circumstances," Evans said. How I Became a Pirate

 

Author: Melinda Long Publisher: Harcourt Inc. Original publication year: 2003 One of our more colorful selections, "How I Became a Pirate" is a visually pleasing children's book that tells the story of Jeremy Jacob as he finds out what pirates do and don't do on the high seas. The most enjoyable parts of the book, however, are the brightly colored and detailed illustrations by David Shannon. "It's the perfect book if you're looking for adventure and giggles," said author Jennifer Ward. Jennifer Ward, children's author Ward is a former educator with several children's books under her belt, including "Somewhere in the Ocean" and "The Seed and the Giant Saguaro." Carol Evans, associate education professor at the University of Arizona with a background in bilingual education and children's literature In terms of children's literature, Evans is particularly interested in helping teachers include in their repertoire books that reflect the culture and identity of Mexican-American children. Gerry Pionessa, librarian and tech coach at Los Niños Elementary School Pionessa has worked at Los Niños for 12 years. She likes to call picture books "everybody books" because she has discovered over the years that everyone from children to adults likes reading them. Ruth Grant, library supervisor for the Joel D. Valdez Main Library's children section Grant was happy to offer some of her favorites for this project. Her longtime exposure to children's literature has provided her with an eye for good books. Michael Fenlason, operations manager at Borders Books, Music and Cafe at Park Place Fenlason's job as operations manager of a bookstore may not fully qualify him as a kids' lit expert, but he does have one advantage: a 9-year-old daughter he reads to regularly.