Saturday, December 31, 2011

Learn to Draw Princesses


Learn to Draw Princesses by Catherine McCafferty J 743.44 MCCIf you like to draw Disney princesses then this step by step book is for you.  It offers tools, tricks and practice techniques from artists in the Disney studios.  Drawing fun for all ages.

Friday, December 30, 2011

The Candymakers


The Candymakers by Wendy Mass J MAS—Logan is the candymaker’s son and he, along with three others, are entering the candymaker’s competition to create a new type of candy.  The book is told in alternating points of view between Logan, Daisy, Miles and Phillip, the contestants.  It was a fascinating way to tell a story and I quickly grew very fond of the characters.  But this book is not only about making candy, but about secrets and friendship.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Close to Famous


Close to Famous by Joan Bauer J BAU —As always, Bauer’s books are wonderful.  Close to Famous is no different.  She deals with real life with all its joys and sorrows.  Foster and her mom have moved to Culpepper, a small, small town, in order to escape from her mom’s scuzzy ex-boyfriend.  Foster immediately finds her way into the hearts of the town with her scrumptious cupcakes.  She is a very talented baker.  But she is hiding a terrible secret—she can’t read.  But with her new friends, perhaps she can overcome her fears and learn how to be happy.  

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Knuffle Bunny Free


Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems E WIL—Follow Trixie as she travels with her parents to Holland (which is very far away) to visit her grandparents in this final book of the Knuffle Bunny series. There is a very unexpected ending to this cute story and a touching note to Trixie at the end from her father.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Hibernation Station


Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows E MEA—It’s that time of year where all of our forest friends have to snuggle down for a cold winter’s nap and hibernate. Going to sleep for these chipmunks, frogs, bears, hedgehogs and raccoons is not as easy as it should be aboard the Hibernation Express, but their troubles will have you giggling along the way. So climb aboard this cuddly train and get ready for a long cozy ride into spring!

Monday, December 26, 2011

The Composer is Dead


The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket E SNI—A murder has occurred in the orchestra hall! Follow the Inspector as he questions each of the instruments, and then be prepared for a punny, surprise ending. Listen to the CD that’s included for an awesome musical rendition of the story.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Kringle


Kringle by Tony Abbott J ABB—No one ever thinks of Santa being a boy, but long, long ago there was a young orphan boy named Kringle who fought for good at a time when things seemed to be at their darkest. Fantasy lovers and Narnia fans will eat this up as Kringle encounters elves, pirates, goblins and flying reindeer.

Friday, December 23, 2011

It’s Christmas David!


It’s Christmas David! By David Shannon E SHA – My favorite character, David, is back, this time for Christmas! Follow his adventures as he learns what not to do during the holidays.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Binky the Space Cat


Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires J GN SPI—Binky’s blast-off into outer space (actually, outside) to fight the aliens (actually, bugs) is delayed when he realizes he’s left something behind.  And it’s not his anti-gravity litter.  A perfect story for children moving from easy readers to beginning chapter books.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Go Dog Go!


Go Dog Go! By P.D. Eastman ER EAS –This classic book filled with lots of sight words never goes out of style.  You will find big dogs, little dogs, red, blue, green dogs. Dogs of every size, shape and color are on the go!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty


Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel J BRU—Another hysterical adventure of Bad Kitty! Join in the fun as Strange Kitty, Stinky Kitty and all the rest of the neighborhood pals get ready to party!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Frog Went A Courtin’


Frog Went A Courtin’ by John Langstaff E LAN—You can’t help but smile when you read this book and think of Uncle Pecos from Tom and Jerry singing his version of this folk song turned book. Amazingly enough, this classic story came straight out of Scotland more than 400 years ago and tells the unlikely love story between a frog and a mouse.Read this to your kids to show them what books looked like when their grandparents were younger, and then show them the Tom and Jerry Uncle Pecos clip on YouTube to get a laugh & show them how cartoons were when you were a kid. This book won a Caldecott Medal in 1956 for best illustration. 

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Chickens to the Rescue


Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman E HIM—Farmer Greenstalk and his family are having a rough week. Thankfully, their chickens are there to help them! But when Sunday rolls around and Emily spills her cereal all over the floor, the chickens are nowhere to be found. Where can they be?

Friday, December 16, 2011

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late


Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by Mo Willems E WIL—The Pigeon wants to stay up late and it is our job to tell it no. The Pigeon comes up with many different reasons why we should let it stay up late. This very funny book makes for an excellent bedtime read, even if you are not tired!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Bark, George


Bark, George by Jules Feiffer E FEI—A mother dog tries to teach her pup how to bark, and when he’s unable to produce the right sounds, a visit to the vet is made ending with a surprising result.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth


The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull J B FAR—A young genius sets out to invent something that will change the world.   Philo Farnsworth was born in a time before refrigerators, cars, phones, or even indoor bathrooms, but his curiosity about how things worked, leads him to invent something we could not live without, the TV.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Atlantis


Atlantis by Troy Michels J 001.94 MIC—If you like to read about the unexplained, this non-fiction book explores the story of Atlantis. Was it real or not?

Monday, December 12, 2011

Crossing the Wire


Crossing the Wire by will Hobbs JP HOB—Victor Flores is only 15 when falling crop prices threaten his family with starvation. He heads north to attempt to “cross the wire” from Mexico into the United States so he can find work and send money home.  In Victor’s journey he must face danger, freezing cold, scorching heat, hunger and dead ends.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Dream Jar


The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson E JOH—This is the perfect book to get your littlest friend to dream some wonderful dreams. Who doesn’t want to dream a “dreamy dream” every night? Sometimes you need a dream jar to fill up with happy thoughts to help you have magical dreams and not worry about sea monsters. This book offers beautiful, wistful illustrations that put you on a sweet path to dreamland. You may even want to make your own dream jar, just like the book.

Friday, December 9, 2011

After Ever After


After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick J PLAYAWAY F SON—(The follow-up to Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie.) Eight years after his diagnosis, Jeff Alper is now cancer-free, and he and his best friend Tad, a fellow eighth-grader and cancer survivor, push each other to be better people. Despite dealing with memory issues and a limp, and not having his older brother Steven around for support, Jeff shows his incredible strength as he faces difficult new challenges and loss head-on.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cirque Du Freak


Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan J SHA—Darren Shan has always been fascinated by spiders so when he and his friend Steve “Leopard” win tickets to the Cirque du Freak and see the very deadly spider Madame Octa performing, he decides he must have her. After a great catastrophe, Darren makes a deal with Madame Octa’s owner in order to save someone’s life. The only problem is he made a deal to become a vampire’s assistant!

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing


Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume JP BLU—If you’ve ever had a younger brother or sister, you will enjoy this story of Peter and his demanding two-year-old brother, Fudge, and the ever increasing trouble he makes and becomes for his brother.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock


Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric A. Kimmel E 398.2 KIM—Anansi the Spider uses a strange moss-covered rock to trick all the other forest animals into giving him whatever he wants until the day Bush Deer decides to teach him a lesson.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Amazing Life of Birds: (the Twenty-day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech)


The Amazing Life of Birds: (the Twenty-day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) by Gary Paulsen J PAU— In this journal Duane Homer Leech describes his observations of a newly hatched bird, nesting in his windowsill while interweaving his own story and challenges he faces while confronting puberty.

Monday, December 5, 2011

You Are Weird


You Are Weird by Diane Swanson J 612 SWA—Discover some weird and wacky facts about your body’s parts, including your eyes, teeth, skin and tailbone. Find out interesting but sometimes icky information, such as “earwax was highly valued by artists years ago. To get rid of bubbles, they mixed it with whipped egg whites in colored glazes.” Ew.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

How To Be A Good Dog


How To Be A Good Dog by Gail Page E PAG—Dogs don’t want to be bad, but sometimes being good is really hard. Homework is delicious, barking is amusing and muddy paw prints just happen. Sometimes in the dog house is where you land when you’re being bad. What dog needs to teach him how to be good is cat. Sometimes you just need a cat to teach an old dog new tricks and show a dog how to be good.

Diary of a Worm


Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin—E CRO
Read about the secret life of worms, told from the point of view of a young worm - in diary format.

Olivia


Olivia by Ian Falconer E FAL—Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.  And she proves that time after time, from getting ready for the day to playing on the beach to going to bed.  Just ask her mom!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Anything But Typical


Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin J BAS—Jason Blake has autism and the story is told through a first person narrative about how he sees the world.  It is not a story with tons of adventure, but rather a story of exploration in which we learn how Jason views the world around him.  He is brilliant and funny and a wonderful writer.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice


Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose J B COL—Based on extensive interviews with Claudette Colvin and many others, Phillip Hoose presents the first in-depth account of an important yet largely unknown civil rights figure, skillfully weaving her dramatic story into the fabric of the historic Montgomery bus boycott and court case that would change the course of American history.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Secret Zoo

The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick JP CHI—Noah and Megan live next to a zoo and have their own club called Adventure Scouts.  When Megan mysteriously disappears, Noah and fellow scouts Ella and Richie set out to rescue Megan.  They eventually find themselves in a world below the Clarksville Zoo called the City of Species where animals have special talents and can understand what the kids are saying.  This is a great read aloud and if you enjoy this book you must read the second and third books in the series, Secrets and Shadows and Riddles and Danger.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tollins: Explosive Tales For Children


Tollins: Explosive Tales For Children by Conn Iggulden J IGG—Tollins, not fairies because they are not fragile, but with wings and the ability to fly, can do many other things as well.  This book has three stories in one where Tollins in the village of Charleywood find themselves learning human science in order to save their world.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Porcupine Named Fluffy

 A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester E LES –Meet two unlikely, but likeable friends.  A porcupine named Fluffy and a rhinoceros named . . . What??  After Fluffy found his friend with the equally unusual name, Fluffy didn’t mind being called Fluffy, even though he wasn’t.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious Creatures that May or May Not Exist


Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious Creatures that May or May Not Exist by Kelly Milner Halls J 001.944 HAL—Do Nessie, Big Foot and the Jersey Devil  really exist? Learn about the scientific monster study known as cryptozoology, uncover new monsters like the Yowie and see if you believe that these creatures really do exist. Fans of cryptids will make this their new favorite book.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda


The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger J ANG—Tommy and his fellow sixth-grade friends keep a log of stories dealing with their odd classmate Dwight and the paper origami Yoda finger puppet he wears, which seems able to give somewhat useful advice and predict the future. While some students seem to believe Yoda’s talents, Tommy’s friend Harvey doesn’t buy into the future-predicting Yoda stuff, referring to Dwight’s finger puppet as no more than a “paper wad.” Funny fiction suitable for fans of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Great and Only Barnum


The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming  J B BARIn this biography of P.T. Barnum, showman and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus,  readers can visit Barnum's American Museum, meet Tom Thumb, the miniature man , and experience the thrill Barnum must have felt when, at age 60, he joined the circus!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

The Captain Contest


The Captain Contest by Matt Christopher J CHR—This is the first book in the soccer cats series and a good choice for a reader beginning to embark on chapter books.  Dewey London finds himself in a predicament when he signs up for a new soccer league that is offering a contest to come up with the team name and t-shirt logo.  The winner gets to be the captain of the team.  Here’s the problem, while Dewey can draw, he has a hard time making decisions and is terrified to be the captain.  What should he do?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A Children’s Zoo


A Children’s Zoo by Tana Hoban E HOB—This book has wonderful pictures of animals at the zoo.  Little ones will love the descriptive words about each animal.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Leo the Snow Leopard: The True Story of an Amazing Adventure


Leo the Snow Leopard: The True Story of an Amazing Adventure by Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff and Craig Hatkoff J 599.7555 HAT –An interesting true story of an endangered snow leopard and his journey to the Bronx Zoo.  Cutest pictures ever!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Jade Green: A Ghost Story


Jade Green: A Ghost Story by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor JP NAY—Newly orphaned Judith barely settles into her uncle’s eerie house when she begins hearing rumors about the mysterious death of a young girl, Jade Green, who had died there. Could disobeying her uncle’s strange request not to bring anything green into the house be the reason why frightening things keep happening to her? Who was Jade Green?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Monsters Eat Whiny Children


Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Kaplan E KAP—Henry and Eve can’t stop arguing – even when their dad warns them threateningly that “monsters eat whiny children.” When they’re kidnapped by monsters, the two realize that maybe Dad was on to something, but it doesn’t keep them from bickering! Soon the monsters start arguing over the best way to prepare the kids for a meal – will Henry and Eve be able to put their whining aside in order to escape?

Friday, November 18, 2011

Red Blazer Girls: the Ring of Rocamadour


Red Blazer Girls: the Ring of Rocamadour by Michael Beil  J M BEI—Catholic-schooled seventh-graders Sophie, Margaret, Rebecca, and Leigh Ann help an elderly neighbor solve a puzzle her father left for her estranged daughter twenty years ago.  The reader is provided with clues and puzzles along the way that they can attempt to solve too!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Spooky America: Four Real Ghost Stories


Spooky America: Four Real Ghost Stories by Lori Haskins E 133.1 HAS—Give your younger reader a book of four ghost stories, fact-based tales of hauntings, such as a white ghost horse seen by sailors off the coast of Cape Cod, and a mysterious picture of “Aunt Pratt” that emits a tapping sound whenever it is moved from her favorite place in the old house on the Shirley Plantation in Virginia. SPOOKY!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Ramona Quimby, Age 8


Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary JP CLE—Ramona finds herself miserable when her father leaves his job in a grocery store to go to college to become a teacher.  Everything in her family changes and it’s her job in this family to “get along.”  She finds this job difficult with a teacher who calls her a nuisance, little Willa Jean who always wants to play with her, and an attempt at cracking a hard boiled egg on her forehead leaves a goopy egg mess on her head.  Things do turn around for Ramona and there is a happy ending in sight.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Family Reading Night Pajama Party

Grab your parents & your pajamas for a night
of family fun with stations full of activities
 to help you share the joy of reading together.

Thursday, November 17th
6:30-7:30 p.m.
For all Ages!
In the Meeting Room

Call 815-485-2605 to Register

Where’s my Teddy


Where’s my Teddy by Jez Alborough E ALB—Eddie’s teddy is lost and he sets out to find him in the woods.  When he finally finds his teddy, Eddie is surprised to discover that his teddy bear has grown and is too big to huddle and cuddle!  Find out what happens when Eddie comes across a real bear with a similar problem!

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Sister’s Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives


The Sister’s Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley JM BUC (2012 BLUESTEM NOMINEE) -Two sisters go to live with an old woman claiming to be their grandmother and discover they live in a world where fairy tales are all based on real events.  After a bit of a rocky start, it is up to the girls to save Everafter and their grandmother.  Friends are not always so and enemies are sometimes allies in the first book in this series.  A great book and I definitely plan to read the rest in the series.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath


Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel J BRU—Bad Kitty needs a bath.  And she’s not getting in the tub without a fight.  A very funny chapter book with lots of illustrations.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fashion Kitty


Fashion Kitty by Charise Mericle Harper J GN HARAfter a stack of fashion magazines falls on Kiki Kitty's head while she is blowing out the candles on her birthday cake, Kiki turns into Fashion Kitty, a feline superhero who saves other kitties from fashion disaster.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Mr. Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo


Mr. Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo by Kevin Waldron E WAL—Uh oh! Mr. Peek has popped a button on his coat; is he gaining weight? Feeling sorry for himself, he heads off to his job at the zoo. When the animals overhear his mutterings, they think he’s talking about them! Is the hippo getting fat? Are the elephants really too wrinkly? Doesn’t anyone like the giraffes? Can Mr. Peek’s son turn his mood around? And will the animals start feeling better about themselves, too?