Books Shared at Templeton & Deer Creek Elementary

This week I had the privilege to visit students at Templeton Elementary and Deer Creek Elementary schools.  During my visits I told the kids about the 2016 summer reading program and all of the events we will be hosting at the library while school is out.  At some of the classes, I was able to tell some of the students about some new or recently new books, many of which are based on our sports and fitness reading theme. Check out this photo of the books I shared:

Does your Kindergarten through fifth grader recognize any of those book covers in this photo?  If so, we've got all those books here at the library!  (The books are not organized by reading level, but by size so I could fit them all in my snapshot!)  Here's an explanation of what sorts of books they are:

Picture Books
Are We There Yet? By Dan Santat
H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers

Early Readers

Dance Dance Underpants (Ballet Cat Series) by Bob Shea

Don’t Throw it to Mo! by David Adler 

Juvenile Biography

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

Transitional Chapter Books

Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman

A Mysterious Egg (The Dino Files Series, Book 1) by Stacy McAnulty

Juvenile Fiction

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Booked by Kwame Alexander 

Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Juvenile Graphic Novels

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks 

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson 

Red’s Planet by Eddie Pittman

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm

Food-Infused Juvenile Fiction

In honor of our Annual Food for Fines Week, how about chewing on some food-infused books while helping those who are less fortunate and lowering your library fines?  We've got plenty of kiddie cook books located in the juvenile non-fiction section under the call number J 741.5....and I've got to admit, a lot of these are really fun!  And while you're waiting for those cookies or cake to bake, here's some new tasty fiction morsels for elementary school readers:

 Bake Sale by Sara Varon 
(Juvenile Graphic Novel)
Cupcake runs a successful bakery with his best friend, Eggplant, but dreams of going abroad to meet his idol, Turkish Delight, who is the most famous pastry chef in the world.  Includes some fun recipes, and while this isn't a brand-spanking new book (published in 2011), is however, one of my favorite children's graphic novels!








Cupcake Cousins by Kate Hannigan 
(Juvenile Fiction)
During a family vacation at Lake Michigan, nine-year-old cousins Willow and Delia, desperate to avoid being flower girls in their aunt's wedding, try to demonstrate that they would do better as chefs for the reception.










Fizzy's Lunch Lab: Super Supper Throwdown 
(Juvenile Fiction)
Nutrition champ Professor Fizzy introduces young children to the science of healthy foods while competing against Fast Food Freddy, in a challenge to prepare the most delicious meal.  The story is complemented by recipes, healthy shopping advice, and cooking tips.

Phoebe G. Green: A Passport to Pastries! by Veera Hiranandani 
(Juvenile Fiction)
When third-grader Phoebe and her family are invited to visit Paris and her new friend Camille's family, she is thrilled.  But when she is put off by snails on the menu, Phoebe starts to wonder if she is really as adventurous as she thought she was.








Rutabaga the Adventure Chef: Book 1 by Eric Colossal 
(Juvenile Graphic Novel)
In this brand-new graphic novel series, Rutabaga and his magic cooking pot, Pot, join young adventurers Winnifred, Manny, and Beef on a quest to defeat a dragon, discover new ingredients, find monsters to have for and/or to dinner, and to save the day through cooking.

Saturday Cooking Club: Kitchen Chaos by Deborah A. Levine 
(Juvenile Fiction)
When Liza suggests they all take a cooking class with the chef from her favorite cooking show for the project, the girls are on board, but they need an adult to take the class with them.  It seems like the perfect opportunity to snag some quality time with their over-scheduled and over-stressed mothers, if they can convince them to sign up!






The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh 
(Juvenile Fiction)
When twelve-year-old GiGi and her big sister DiDi move to Long Island from South Carolina for GiGi to attend a fancy new private school, GiGi has a new recipe for success and makes new friends, but then discovers a family secret that turns her life upside-down.  Just looking at the cover of this book is enough to make one drool!

I Like Frogs

Miss Holly really likes frogs.  In honor of her love of these little amphibians, there's been some books published books within the last few years about frogs that you are sure to enjoy.  Included here are picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels.

PICTURE BOOKS

999 Frogs Wake Up by Ken Kirmura
It's spring and 999 frogs wake up, they decide to awaken a still sleeping turtle, lizard, ladybugs, and a big snake.











Ah Ha! by Jeff Mac
With simple repeated text the story follows the ups and downs of a frog's day.  A perfect book for showing and explaining expressions.

The Croaky Pokey by Ethan Long
Frogs sing and do their own version of the Hokey Pokey.

Frog and Fly: Six Slurpy Stories by Jeff Mack
Through a series of easy-to-read scenes, Frog always gets the better of Fly but in the end, Fly has the last word.











The Frog Who Lost His Underpants by Juliette MacIver
A frog lost his underpants and he looks all over the jungle to locate them,

I Don't Want to be a Frog by Dev Pett
A frog who yearns to be any animal that's cute and warm discovers that being wet, slimy, and full of bugs has its advantages.  This also makes a good read for youngsters to learn about self acceptance.

The Night Riders by Matt Furie
A frog and a rat go on a bicycle ride through the forest at night, encountering a dragon and other creatures along the way.

Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan
Frog and Bunny are the best of friends, even though sometimes they get into fights.

JUVENILE FICTION

An Army of Frogs by Trevor Pryce
While the Kulipari, the Amphibilands elite fighting group of poisonous frogs, is away, young Darel hopefully assembles a motley crew of friends to fend off an attack by the spell caster called the Spider Queen, and Lord Marmoo, leader of the scorpions.

Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout by Megan McDonald
Stink has been in the Polliwog swim class for what seems like frog-ever, and still can't bear to put his face in the water. Then, one day, Stink has a close encounter with a freaky mutant frog. All of a sudden, his froggy senses are tingling!  (This is book #8 of the Stink Series)

Stop That Frog! by Henry Winkler
When the principal has to be away from school at a conference, Hank's class agrees to take care of the principal's special pet frog, and Hank is chosen to take the frog home for the weekend. (This is book #3 of the Here's Hank series)

JUVENILE GRAPHIC NOVELS

Anna and Froga: Thrills, Spills and Gooseberries  by Anouk Ricard
Join Anna, Froga, Ron, Bubu, and Christopher as they get stuck in the haunted house at the county fair with a truly terrifying ticket-taker; as Froga combats a scourge of snails in her garden; and as Bubu has ill-fated dreams of being a great painter.  (Part of the Anna and Froga series)

Pete Bogg: King of the Frogs by Scott Sonneborn
Pete Bogg is a twelve-year-old half-human, half-frog who has lived in the swamp with his frog father his whole life, but because of his human half he does not really fit in with the other frogs in school--so he sets out to experience the human world and find out if he can manage to live in both








Stinky Cecil in Pond Rescue by Paige Braddock
Cecil learns that the new highway will be coming right through his pond.  Cecil gets the attention of all his neighbors and friends to stop the construction.  Note: This book is currently on order and is unavailable to place on hold at this time.  We will place a link to the catalog once it is available.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Hooray for Unicorns!

Kids today are so incredibly lucky that so many wonderful books have been published within recent years that cover a multitude of topics.  I remember growing up thinking that Unicorns were special creatures containing a lot of magic and mystery.  Unfortunately there were no books available on the subject of unicorns (that I was aware of) that shared this same sense of wonder.  But now, I am pleased to share some fun and AWESOME unicorn books that do just that!  Check these out today!  (You'll be glad you did!)

  Unicorn Thinks He Is Pretty Great (Picture Book)
by Bob Shea
If you've got a youngster at home who loves unicorns and rainbow colors AND sparkles, this is the perfect book! At first, Goat envies Unicorn because he goes around acting like a show-off.  But then Goat Admires Unicorn and eventually the two become friends.

Uni The Unicorn (Picture Book)
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Uni the Unicorn believes that little girls are real, despite her unicorn friends and family insisting that don't exist.  Fun retro style illustrations mimic that of vintage Golden Books while giving Uni beautiful grace.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle (Juvenile Graphic Novel)
by Dana Simpson
Phoebe has no choice, but to believe in unicorns in this brand new and adventurous graphic novel. Lots of reviewers are comparing this friendship to that of Calvin and Hobbs.  I couldn't agree more!







Lily The Unicorn (Picture Book)
by Dallas Clayton

Lily the unicorn teaches her new pal, Roger the penguin, that it's fun to try new things.  Dive right in to experience a lot of fun!

El Deafo: A New Young Superhero

Stuck with meningitis as a four year old, Cece Bell was left without her hearing.  Growing up, she dealt with annoying hearing aids and feeling different from all the other kids around her.  Now an award winning writer and illustrator (and not to mention, Tom Angleberger's wife!), Cece takes her personal story and turns it into triumph through her new-found superpowers in El Deafo.  Here she transforms people of her past into rabbit characters to tell her childhood memoir in this delightfully illustrated, touching and empowering graphic novel for kids.  Even kids who do not have disabilities will make a positive connection with the characters in this book.

Children's Book Week May 12-18, 2014

This year marks the 95th Anniversary of Children's Book Week! Children's Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading!  Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, commemorative events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes -- wherever young readers and books connect! We will have a special display in the children's room here at the library showcasing favorite children's books of youth services staff.  Come see and check out what some of their favorites are.  Perhaps you may discover a new favorite for yourself!