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.