Encouraging the doodling in your pre-writer

Do you have an older sibling who can read and write along with a younger sibling who wishes they could read and write like the older one?  Here's the perfect picture book about a younger sibling who wished he would write words  and a story just like his older sibling.  In A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsen and Mike Lowery (Kids Can Press, 2016), the little brother doesn't know how to spell, create words, or write a story.  BUT his older sister encourages him with how EASY it is by just writing one letter and a bunch of scribbles and doodles.  She then walks him through the process of a story arc, with the beginning, middle, and end.  While brother doesn't fill out an entire sheet of paper full of words, it is OK, because he "wrote" it in such a way that he could tell the story and it makes sense to him.  He then goes on to share his story at school during show-and-tell.  This picture book is spot-on to encourage writing and creativity in emergent writers and to help teach what words, writing, and print is.  And Watch the book trailer on youtube to get a sneak peek of what's inside!

November is Picture Book Month!

November is Picture Book Month! Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November each year. To celebrate, please stop by the children's room at the library and check out our display of recommended picture books from the Youth Services Staff.  So take a peek and see what your favorite librarian's favorite picture books are!  Please feel free to grab any of the books from the display, check them out, and read them to your youngster!  Share the love of a picture book today!

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

New Books for Arbor Day 2016

It feels like every year I do a post on Arbor Day books.  I can't help myself.  I'm an Oregonian Tree Hugger and I'm not ashamed of it either!  I am so pleased to share even more books about trees...books that are brand new.  So place your holds now so you can be a book lover and a tree hugger (just like me!) this Arbor Day, April 29, 2016!

Secret Tree Fort by Brianne Farley
I LOVE trees and I LOVED building forts when I was a kid.  Here's the story about a tree that is ideal for reading quietly under, plus being the foundation for the most magnificent tree fort.   It also makes for the perfect setting for about squabbling sisters.  So any way you look at it, trees are perfect for any sort of childhood situation.






The Cow Who Climbed a Tree by Gemma Merino
Now this is the silliest tree story that I've ever read!  Who knew that cows could climb trees?  Well, Tina the Cow certainly can!  And when she does, she meets new friends up in the branches.  Her sister thinks her experience is "Impossible! Ridiculous!" and full of "Nonsense!"  Just wait until you read this one.  Readers will be in for a surprise!

From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
There's an apple festival underway at the farm and lots of work to do to make the cider. This visit finishes with a cider doughnut and a cup of freshly pressed cider. It's DELICIOUS! Told in crisp, action-driven rhymes from a young child's point of view, here's a realistic account of how apple cider is pressed, flavored with the charm and vigor of a harvest celebration.

Little Tree by Loren Long
Little Tree is very happy in the forest, where he is surrounded by other little trees and his leaves keep him cool in the heat of summer, but when autumn comes and the other trees drop their leaves, Little Tree cannot be persuaded to let his go, even after they wither and turn brown.
The Little Tree That Would Not Share by Nicoletta Costa

The Tree in the Courtyard by Jeff Gottesfeld
A horse chestnut tree lived outside of Anne Frank's window.  The tree watched her play, laugh, and write in her diary.  When strangers invaded the city and warplanes roared overhead, the tree watched the Anne peek out of the curtained window of the annex. It watched as she and her family were taken away and when her father returned after the war, alone.  Sadly, the tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned 81, but its seeds and saplings have been planted around the world as a symbol of peace. Its story, and Anne's story, are beautifully told and illustrated in this powerful picture book illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators, Peter McCarty.

Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
A peek-through hole on the cover of the book continues on each page to the very end in this book where children can view the seasonal changes of a tree..  I really love the bold and vibrant color illustrations.  Plus, this book will be a lot of fun especially for toddlers!

The 52-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths (Juvenile Fiction)
This series started off with a 13-story treehouse, now it has evolved into 52-stories.  Now Andy and Terry must try to solve the mystery of: What happened to Mr. Big Nose? Because it's hard to turn in your next book when your publisher has vanished! 

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air!  Some of my perennials are starting to bloom and so are new spring books!  Here's a list of some titles I've recently read that will prove to be wonderful reading experiences with your child as you celebrate the new season.

The Night Gardener by Terry Fan
Everyone on Grimloch Lane enjoys the trees and shrubs clipped into animal masterpieces after dark by the Night Gardener, but William, a lonely boy, spots the artist, follows him, and helps with his special work.  This is just a tremendous imaginative piece of artwork within the pages of a book.  Every bit of detail is given to ever single leaf on each tree...which absolutely amazes me!  Each turn of the page reveals a new topiary surprise!

No, No Gnome! by Ashlyn Anstee
Gnome cannot wait to help his friends harvest the school garden! But his eagerness and excitement get him into trouble, leaving them all saying 'No, no, Gnome!".  Who knew that Garden Gnomes actually did some work?  It may not be the best work, but I think he learns his lesson.

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes
Animals and children alike watch as the world transforms from the dark and dead of winter to a full and blooming spring.  Just look at those darling spring kittens!  Henkes really has a way with drawing the sweetest of creatures.  That's why I love his illustrations so much.

Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching by Laura Gehl
Peep can't wait for Egg to hatch. They will have so much fun together! But Egg isn't quite ready...yet.  With simple illustrations and a message teaching the lesson that it's OK to let go of old ways and try new things, it makes for a perfect book for toddlers.

Bloom

I am absolutely bursting to tell you about Bloom, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by David Small!!!

With mud in her hair, dirt in her teeth, and heavy footsteps that leave cracks everywhere she steps, Bloom is not your typical fairy. She makes such a mess that the citizens of the glass kingdom are relieved when she moves into the forest. But as the years go by, the glass slowly crumbles and the king just does not know what to do. He remembers that magical creature from many years ago and seeks her out in the forest. When he finds her to ask her advice for how to repair the crumbling kingdom, she sets a bucket of mud at his feet. Because the only explanation for that behavior is that she must be intimidated by his royal highness, he sends the queen, who may be more approachable. But again, Bloom leaves a bucket of mud at her feet. Finally, the king and queen send an "ordinary" girl, Genevieve, to ask Bloom for her ideas of saving the kingdom.

So what is "ordinary," anyway? Is there even a such thing? Will just an "ordinary" girl be able to solve the kingdom's problem with help from a strange little fairy?

Like lovely little Bloom herself, this lovely little (or, actually, it's pretty big!) picture book is not your typical fairy tale. This charming, empowering story is my favorite that I've read in quite awhile!

Knitting Stories

In honor of our upcoming annual Mitten Tree and winter, it would be appropriate to share books about knitting, yarn, and keeping warm.  Here's a list of some fun and sweet stories to share with a little one you love this season:

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.  Also, check out the audio/kit version of the book too!

Knit Together by Angela Dominguez
A sweet story of a mother and daughter drawing and knitting together, ending with a collaborative creation.  Artsy moms and their kids will appreciate this ode to arts-and-crafts.

Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story by Deborah Hopkinson
When his father leaves to fight in World War I, Mikey joins the Central Park Knitting Bee to help knit clothing for soldiers overseas.

Knitty Kitty by David Elliott
Knitty Kitty is knitting a scarf, a hat, and some mittens for her kittens, but when night falls and the snow comes down, the kittens request a blanket to keep them warm Knitty Kitty has a better idea.

Made by Raffi by Craig Pomranz
As a shy boy, Raffi is a loner and teased at school until one day he discovers knitting and decides to make a scarf for his father and a cape for the prince in the school play.








The Mitten String by Jennifer Rosner
Ruthie Tober's family is known for the beautiful, warm mittens they knit so when she and her mother meet a deaf woman and her baby and give them shelter, Ruthie decides to design very special mittens for them.

Snowy Sunday by Phyllis Root
One very snowy Sunday, snowflakes as big as balls of wool are falling on Bonnie Bumble's farm. The cow, the duck, the hens, and even Spot the dog are all shivery and cold. Bonnie doesn't like seeing all of her farm animals freezing.  So she gets busy with needles and wool and knits and knits--hats and scarves, beak-warmers and tail-warmers.

Amber's Favorite Seek and Find Picture Books

To celebrate the end of Picture Book Month, I wanted to share some of my favorite picture books that have a seek-and-find element to them. You've probably seen the I Spy books. But have you seen In the Town, All Year 'Round? For every season, there are characters to spot and story lines to follow. Turning the pages brings you through each part of town, from the country to the town center. You can watch the kindergarten building being constructed, the pond at the park ice over for skating, and friendly relationships forming over time.

When I was a kid, there was nothing more absorbing than a thorough read of Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo. Nobody knows environmental print better than Mercer Mayer, who inserts biplanes creating "brush your teeth" skywriting and flashy signs advertising one way tours the edge of nowhere at every brushstroke.

And if lovely artwork is what you need to make it through another search for a hidden object, check out Britta Teckentrup's spotting books. They are packed with cute animals and soft, rich colors. Happy hunting!

Kari's Favorite Picture Books!

Slugs by David Greenberg was an all-time childhood favorite of mine. It is a perfect mix of delightfully gross and disgustingly hilarious. In rhyming verse, Greenberg imagines more and more creative and horrible things people can do to the slimy slug while Victoria Chess's illustrations make you want to laugh and cringe at the same time. My favorite part of the book however, comes when the slugs take their revenge!

The basis for the 2007 film Meet the Robinsons, A Day With WilburRobinson by William Joyce was another childhood favorite of mine. A search for Wilbur's grandfather's false teeth leads the reader through the strange and fantastical world of the Robinson family. What I really enjoyed about the book as a young reader was that most of the action and humor took place in the illustrations. For example, the text merely mentions Cousin Pete walking the cats, but the accompanying illustration enlightens careful readers to the fact that the cats in question are in fact tigers. These delightful and often humorous details kept me coming back to re-read the story again and again to look for details I might have missed! 

My Favorite Picture Books

Remember this book? We librarians tend to avoid recommending books that are tied into other media, but this was a favorite when I was a kid and it still holds up today. When Grover notices the title, he becomes profoundly anxious about the monster at the end and proceeds to devise strategies that will prevent the reader from moving forward in the book. The reader turns a page, and Grover nails the next page down. When, in spite of Grover's efforts, the reader easily turns that page, Grover builds a brick wall. When the next page is turned, Grover asks the reader, "Did you know that your are very strong?" Grover's anxiety and antics intensify as each page is turned, until finally the big reveal at the end of the book.

This is the first book I can remember reading that spoke directly to me, that prompted me to interact with the characters. Now I read it to my kids and, just as with Hervé Tulet's Press Here, they are delighted with it's interactive elements. And I get to act melodramatic while I'm reading it, so, win-win.

Graeme Base's Animalia is another favorite for it's interactive elements. In fact, all of Base's books contain some sort of visual mystery to solve or hidden pictures. Animalia is an alphabet book with pages packed with items and creatures that suit each letter. This is a great one to build vocabulary long after the alphabet is learned, and it's super for kids who can't get enough I Spy and Where's Waldo books. The illustrations are stunning, the text is poetic, and the allusions are clever. You Whovians out there may be sharp enough to spot a little "easter egg" hidden on the dragon page above.

If, like me, you love books that share secrets with attentive readers, you may also enjoy the works of Jan Brett and Janell Cannon. Both authors garnish the pages of their beautifully illustrated books with tiny pictures depicting behind-the-scenes story lines. Awesome.

And Now...MY Favorite Picture Books

So many pictures books, so little space. Here are just a few of my favorites off the top of my head.

The Book with No Pictures, by B. J. Novak
Exclamation Mark, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Family Book, by Todd Parr
Bark, George, by Jules Feiffer
Press Here, by Herve Tullet
Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell
Moo!, by David LaRochelle

My Favorite Picture Books

In celebration of November Picture Book Month, some of the Youth Services staff will write posts regarding their favorite picture books.  They may share one, two, or even more!  It all depends upon what tickles their fancy, as we all have many faves. I have many picture favorites.  Here's some that reign at the top of my list:

My favorite picture book growing up was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. As a child, I had a paperback copy and it was well loved.  I just adored the short pages with the little holes bitten through each page, and as the caterpillar ate more, the quantity of food increased and more holes in the pages were made.  By the time he got to the big green leaf, he felt so much better...and so did I!  I just couldn't get enough of that book!  Now I own a hard back and it gets well used too!

As an adult, one of my favorite picture books to read at story time is Duck on a Bike by David Shannon.  I love how duck goes around to each animal on the farm and asks them if they want to ride a bike.  All the animals think he's foolish and such a show-off.  Its not until all the animals realize they can ride bikes too.  The art work in this animal fantasy makes the barn yard menagerie so realistic.

Another favorite I have as an adult is Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown.  This is another book I love reading out loud to preschoolers.  I just LOVE how reality is turned around by an animal wanting a child as a pet.  And how the mama bear tells her bear child that they want a pet, they must take care of it all the time.  A hard lesson is learned, but its just so humorous!

November is Picture Book Month

Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.  In this digital age where people are predicting the coming death of print books, picture books (the print kind) need love. And the world needs picture books. There’s nothing like the physical page turn of a beautifully crafted picture book. 

Stop by the Children's Room at the library during the month and take a look at our display of Librarian's favorite Picture Books.  All of the books on display are available for check out.  Also take a peek at our cube display case outside of the Puett Room.

NPR's Storybook Project

Through an NPR project, a group of more than 25 authors, actors, politicians, philanthropists, scientists and musicians each shared five stories that they absolutely love reading to their children. The Storybook Project, created by Jessica Deahl from NPR’s All Things Considered, launched earlier this month at http://nprstorybook.tumblr.com/with recommended titles from author Edwige Danticat; comedian/actor/producer couple Adam and Naomi Scott (known for Parks & Rec, Hot Tub Time Machine, Step Brothers); writer/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji, Polar Express, etc.); chef/cookbook author/food education advocate Jamie Oliver; and Yale law professor/author Amy Chua.

In addition, everyone is welcome to submit storybook picks at the Tumblr page - http://nprstorybook.tumblr.com/ask.   In the coming weeks, NPR will share more storybook lists contributed by:

· Bill de Blasio & Chirlane McCray - Mayor and First Lady of New York City

· Carson Ellis & Colin Meloy - writer / illustrator (Wildwood Chronicles series); Colin is a musician, part of the band The Decembrists

· Diablo Cody - screenwriter/film director (Juno, United States of Tara)

· Gail Simmons - chef, cookbook author and Top Chef judge

· Jack Johnson - musician

· Jewel - musician

· Laura Bush - former First Lady of the United States

· Maz Jobrani - comedian and panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!

· Melinda Gates - co-founder of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

· Samantha Power - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

· Tamera Mowry - actress (Sister Sister), model and host of talk show The Real

· Wendy Kopp - founder of Teach for America

· And many others!

Bad Words

*@?#%!

While teaching children vocabulary is very important to their literacy development, there may be some words that you as a parent don't want your child to know.  Are you having a tough time teaching your little ones the importance of using proper words?  Ones that are useful and positive rather than those that are inappropriate and demeaning?  Well, I've got the perfect book for you!  Little Bird's Bad Word by Jacob Grant is a perfect example where a young bird learns a new word...which isn't exactly a very good one either.  He loves this new word so much that he shares it with everyone he meets.  But those who hear the word think it is hurtful and mean.  Little Bird doesn't realize that what he is saying and doing has any impact on those around him.  In the end, he learns a very valuable lesson, while adding a little bit of humor to the plot along the way.

Back to School Blues?

School is starts a week from today.  I can't believe summer is coming to an end.  Wow, time sure does fly!  Do you have some kiddos at home dreading going back to school in September?  Well, here's some fun picture books that just might help them get back into their regular school routine and make them excited to go back to class!



Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt
A young child imagines going off to Kindergarten as a journey to another planet

Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School by Adam Auerbach
Edda, the littlest Valkyrie, leaves the magical land of Asgard to attend school in hopes of making a friend her own age, but feels like an outcast until she finds her courage and learns that being different makes her special.

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by Deborah Diesen
Mr. Fish recalls how, on his very first day of school, he anxiously went to one classroom after another watching students do things he could not, until Miss Hewitt showed him to the room that was right for beginners.

A Big Day for Migs! by Jo Hodgkinson
Migs' first day of school gets off to a rough start, but he overcomes his shyness to ask for help from his new classmates and makes the day special for everyone.








Dog Days of School by Kelly DiPucchio
Tired of school, Charlie envies his dog and wishes he could be a dog, too, but when his wish comes true he discovers that his life was not all bad.









Ninja Boy Goes to School by N.D. Wilson
A little boy explains what it's like to go to school--when you're a ninja.










My Teacher is a Monster (No. I Am Not) by Peter Brown
Bobby thinks his teacher, Ms. Kirby, is horrible, but when he sees her outside of school and they spend a day in the park together, he discovers she might not be so bad after all.








On My Way to School by Sarah Maizes
Livi imagines herself as an elephant, a Sherpa leading an expedition up Mount Everest, and a movie star signing autographs as she tries to avoid going to school.

Little Lola by Julie Saab
After climbing aboard a school bus, a curious cat spends an enjoyable day at school.

It's Scarecrow Season

It's summer time and do you know what that means?  Gardens are in full bloom waiting for the veggies to ripen, and trying to scare off all those birds so they don't eat our homegrown produce!  That only leaves one thing...the friendly garden scarecrow.  Even if you don't have a garden and a scarecrow of your own, check out some of these picture books and enter a world from the scarecrow's point of view!



Otis and the Scarecrow by Loren Long
When the farmer places a scarecrow in the cornfield, Otis the tractor and the farm animals try to make friends, but the scarecrow remains silent with a sour look on his face throughout the summer and fall.

Scarecrow's Wedding by Julia Donaldson
Told in rhyming text, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, two lovable scarecrows, plan their wedding, enlisting the help of the animals around the farm.

The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston
A lonely scarecrow with a scary face has trouble making friends with the animals who surround him, until a heavy snowfall transforms him into a jolly snowman.

The Scarecrow's Dance by Jane Yolen
A scarecrow happily dances away from his post one windy night, until a child's prayer teaches him how important he is to the farm.










Will You Be My Friend? by Bernadette Watts
When Little Jack Rabbit and his family visit the cabbage patch, his aunts and uncles tell him to stay away from the scarecrow.  But Jack thinks the scarecrow has kind eyes.  And when winter moves in, the scarecrow proves to be a good friend to all animals.