Encyclopedia Horrifica

Encyclopedia Horrifica by Joshua Gee J 001.9 GEE—Uncover the terrifying truth about all creatures horrible and ghoulish. Lovers of all things monster, alien and ghostly will delight in this lavishly illustrated book that is not for the easily spooked, but perfect for those who like to be creeped out! Turn back now while you still can!

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe’s Journey

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe’s Journey by James Rumford J 599.638 RUM—Based on a true story, this giraffe’s journey began 80 years before Columbus set sail for the New World.  The Chinese were sending ships to explore the world, and finding many marvelous things along the way, including the giraffe, or the chee-lin.  Born in Africa, Tweega the giraffe is kidnapped from his mother, and brought, over the course of his life, on the Chinese “treasure ships” to Arabia, India, and finally to China.  The reader will travel with him and meet many people along the way.

I Spy: A School Bus

I Spy: A School Bus by Jean Marzollo ER MAR—Just like traditional “I Spy” books but scaled down and simplified for younger children.  This series offers a combination of words and pictures a new reader will find manageable plus a picture page in which they can “spy” items.

Midnight for Charlie Bone

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo JP NIM—If you like Harry Potter, this is a great read alike.  Charlie Bone discovers he has a magical power that allows him to talk to people in paintings.  He is sent to a special school where there are good magic users and bad magic users.  Slowly, he uncovers information about his past.  A bit easier than Harry, this is a great fantasy series.

I’m a Truck Driver

I’m a Truck Driver by Jonathan London E LON—This colorful book shows different kinds of trucks and what they do, such as, a power shovel scooping up sand or a garbage truck gobbling up garbage. Children will love looking for the little girl or little boy who sit in the drivers’ seat of each truck as they listen to the rhyming text.

Wild River

Wild River by P.J. Petersen J PET –Twelve-year old Ryan is not very athletic and would rather play video games then play sports.  He reluctantly agrees to go on a camping trip with his older brother, never dreaming that it would turn into the most frightening day of his life.

Poodlena

Poodlena by E.B. McHenry E MCH—Poodlena is puffy, pink, prissy perfection. She visits the dog park every day and watches the other dogs play and get dirty, but she remains perfect and clean. Then one day after a giant rainstorm, Poodlena accidently gets bumped straight into a giant icky, messy mud puddle—and gets dirty! What ever will she do?

Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix

Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio J B HEN—From blazing colors to mixed media illustrations, this book is a bright look into the childhood of Jimi Hendrix, who longed to use his guitar to paint the colors of music.

Babymouse: Queen of the World

Babymouse:  Queen of the World by Jennifer and Matthew Holm  J GN HOL V. 1—The first in a graphic novel series about a girl mouse whose imagination leads her on adventures that often end in trouble, but always result in important life lessons.  In this story, she does everything she can to get invited to Felicia Furrypaws’ party but then discovers that she misses her best friend who didn’t get invited.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Gnomeo and Juliet J DVD GNO—A movie for the whole family, Gnomeo and Juliet has the kind of humor  that the older viewers enjoyed in the Shrek movies, as well as music by Elton John.  A good story with lots of action, the children, as well as their parents, will enjoy this one!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick J SEL—The illustrations in this 500+ page book do more than tell a story, they captivate the imagination and bring to life the boy that is Hugo Cabret. Recently orphaned Hugo works as the clock keeper, a skill he learned while living with his uncle, in a Paris train station.  It is there that he meets a toy maker and Hugo’s life changes forever.

Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower

Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff J GRA—Bernetta loses her private school scholarship after she is implicated in a cheating and blackmail scam by her “best friend.”  Bernie spends the summer conning people to get the $9,000 in tuition money she needs and to get revenge.

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems E WIL—Leonardo is terrible, and I mean terrible, at being a monster.  He is unable to do all the things monsters can do, but in the end discovers that maybe that isn’t such a bad thing. 

Hurricane: A Novel

Hurricane: A Novel by Terry Trueman J TRU—A fictional account of one of the worst storms to hit the Caribbean in 200 years—Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Jose is 13 when the hurricane hits his small village and he must become the man of his family when his father and older brother go missing in the storm.

Peaceful Piggy Meditation

Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee MacLean E MACL—Sometimes in life when everything is going 100 mph in a million different directions you need to just take time to slow down. Peaceful piggies need to take a break every once and a while and just breathe, breathe, breathe. Follow the little piggies through beautiful watercolor illustrations as they learn how to find their happy place and share kindness with others.

How They Croaked

How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg J 920 BRA—Ever wonder how some famous people, like Julius Caesar and George Washington, really met their ends and what happened to them afterwards? Well, wonder no more! Full of disgusting and interesting information, from the mistreatment of King Tut’s mummy thousands of years after his death, to the fate of Albert Einstein’s stolen brain and eyes, this book is great for readers who like quirky and unusual history, but it’s *definitely not for the squeamish.*

Egg Drop

Egg Drop by Mini Grey  E GRE—In this zany tale, a mother hen tells her chicks the story of the egg that wanted to fly. With disastrous but amusing results.

Too Many Turkeys

Too Many Turkeys by Linda White E WHI— Children will meet Buford, the pet turkey on Farmer Fred’s farm, meet the neighbors, see swarms of turkeys overrunning the farm, learn the secret behind the beautiful gardens and the swarms of turkeys, all in this picture book which is sure to entertain the children and grown-ups alike!

Hog and Dog

Hog and Dog by Diane Wright Landolf ER LAN—Another winner for the new reader! This easy reader uses rhyming words together with the characters Hog and Dog.  Follow them both on a series of adventures.

101 Crazy Jokes for Kids

101 Crazy Jokes for Kids J CD KIDZ OCJ—Who doesn’t love to hear little ones tell jokes?  The jokes on this cd are so funny!

Bear Snores On

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson E WIL—The animals keep coming in to the cave where Bear is sleeping getting ready for something, but Bear keeps sleeping.  When he finally wakes up, the reader will find out whether he is a friendly bear or a grumpy bear.  A very cute book with great illustrations. 

Angel’s Grace

Angel’s Grace by Tracey Baptiste J BAP—Grace is 13 and would rather not be spending the summer at her grandmother’s house in Trinidad.  Her trip becomes much more interesting when she meers Raj, the boy next door, and when she discovers an intriguing photograph in a family album.  Who is that stranger with the exact same birthmark as hers?  If you like books about exotic islands and family secrets, this one is for you.

Uncle Bigfoot

Uncle Bigfoot by George O’Connor E OCO—When long lost Uncle Bernie comes to the door he’s a larger than life kind of guy. Really large-like ten feet tall, covered in hair-BIG FOOT kind of large. But, that doesn’t make him a Bigfoot does it?

Hippo Goes Bananas!

Hippo Goes Bananas! by Marjorie Dennis Murray E MUR—Poor Hippo has a bad toothache, and he doesn’t know how to deal with the pain. When Cuckoo Bird sees him flailing around, knocking over trees, she flies off to tell Monkey that “Hippo’s gone bananas!” The animals don’t know what’s really wrong with Hippo, but will they be able to help him anyway?

And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon

And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon by Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens Crummel E STE—What will happen to the nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle Diddle” when the dish and the spoon run away and don’t come back?  The authors include plays on words and twist the traditional nursery rhyme on its head.

Charlie the Ranch Dog

Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond E DRU -  Life as a ranch dog is certainly hard work…..or is it?  Charlie thinks so.   Charlie, the Basset Hound with the dangly ears and floppy skin, tells his story himself.  This picture book will have you laughing at Charlie’s version of hard work.  Children will compare Charlie with Suzie, the energetic “other ranch dog”, and also find a cute little chipmunk that sneaks into almost every picture.