Toot & Puddle: Charming Opal by Holly Hobbie

Toot & Puddle: Charming Opal by Holly Hobbie E HOB—Puddle’s cousin Opal comes to visit Woodcock Pocket. When she arrives, Toot and Puddle notice that she has a loose tooth! Find out what happens to Opal on her visit to Woodcock Pocket!

Robot Zot

Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka E SCI—Arriving in a suburban kitchen, tiny but brave Robot Zot and his mechanical sidekick, Bot, battle fearsome kitchen applicances.  And Robot Zot finds his one true love, the most amazing Earth person…a play telephone.

Vincent van Gogh and the Colors of the Wind

Vincent van Gogh and the Colors of the Wind by Chiara Lossani J B VAN—This beautiful book captures with words and art the painful and short life of the great Vincent van Gogh. Using van Gogh’s own art to tell the story, page after colorful page is filled with vibrant pictures and a story that captures the essence of this amazing artist. As a young boy, Losssani describes “Vincent gestures wildly, like a windmill.” The ending captures the pain and suffering Vincent endured as he took his own life.

The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories From the Second Grade

The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories From the Second Grade by Jane Schoenberg J SCH— This funny chapter book includes four stories about Stuey, a second grader who worries way too much. He fakes a stomachache, hoping he won’t have to go to school because he isn’t the best reader. He puts off signing up for soccer because he’s afraid he won’t play as well as his older brother, and he even thinks about skipping the last day of school because he doesn’t want the year to end. He gets through all of these situations with the help of his best friend Will, his teacher, and even the class know-it-all Lilly.

The Real Spy’s Guide To Becoming a Spy

The Real Spy’s Guide To Becoming a Spy by Peter Earnest J 327.12 EAR—This super spy handbook, written by the founding director of the International Spy Museum offers anything and everything you could ever want to know about the world of spies. Have you ever wondered what a spy really does? Did you know spies have been around since ancient times? Take a spy quiz and see if you’ve got what it takes to be a real spy. 

Private Peaceful

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo AUDIO CD JF MOR and J MOR—After his older brother Charlie has been forced into service in WWI, fourteen-year-old Tommo decides to join, as well. As if daily life in the trenches of war isn’t horrific enough, Tommo fears for the next morning, when his life will change forever: Charlie has been court marshaled and will face his fate at daybreak. An author’s note at book’s end explains court marshals and the use of firing squads during WWI. This is a moving account of both the bond of brotherhood and the extreme horrors of war.

Swan

Swan by Kyoko Ariyoshi J GN KYO—Masumi attends a small ballet school in Japan and dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. She receives an opportunity to study at a famous school. However, with this opportunity comes many challenges. Will Masumi be able to achieve her dream?

The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum

The Road to Oz: Twists, Turns, Bumps, and Triumphs in the Life of L. Frank Baum by Kathleen Krull J B BAU—In this picture book biography, Krull traces the life of L. Frank Baum.  Born into a life of advantage, Baum experienced a number of failures, from acting to raising chicken to being a shop clerk, until he finally ended up doing exactly what he always enjoyed doing – telling stories. 

Let’s Say Hi to Friends Who Fly

Let’s Say Hi to Friends Who Fly by Mo Willems ER WIL—Another great book choice for the new reader. Cat the Cat asks, “Can you fly?” See who can and how they do it.

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Brian Dennis J 636.7 DEN—This is a true story about an Iraqi dog named “Nubs,” because his ears looked like little nubs, and the friend he found in Major Brian Dennis. Nubs was very friendly and loved Brian to rub his tummy! Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets when he walked 70 miles across a desert to find his friend after the Marines had relocated him. That was when Brian decided that Nubs had to go to America where he could wait for Brian to come home from Iraq. An incredible story!

Rio: Music from the Motion Picture

Rio: Music from the Motion Picture J CD SOUNDTRACK RIO—This upbeat, soundtrack has been in my head for the last month. If you are looking for something fun to listen to with the kids and want something to make you feel like you’re dancing in the streets of Brazil while stuck in the house on a rainy day, then grab this CD. You can’t help but smile and shake your hips while going on a road trip, even if it is just to the grocery store.

Night of the Veggie Monster

Night of the Veggie Monster by George McClements E MCC—A young, vegetable-hating boy surprises even himself as he overcomes his fear of peas during dinner one Tuesday night.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty J DVD SLE—The king and queen have a baby, Aurora, and the evil Maleficent puts a curse on her. She is cursed to prick her finger on a spinning wheel by the age of 16 and will fall asleep until her true love kisses her to awaken. The fairies take Aurora away from the kingdom and raise her in the woods until her 16^th birthday when she will return to her parents. Maleficent tricks her and Aurora pricks her finger. Will the handsome Prince Philip be able to awaken Aurora?

Please Bury Me in the Library

Please Bury Me in the Library by Patrick Lewis J 811.54 LEW—This is a collection of poems about books and reading that range from sweet and silly to laugh-out-loud funny. If you enjoy reading and poetry, this is a perfect book for you!

The Land of Lost Things

The Land of Lost Things by Dina Bursztyn  SPANISH E BUR— In this bi-lingual book, readers will be transported to the Land of Lost Things: the place where socks and mittens turn up with other lost treasures.

Lost: A Dog Called Bear

Lost: A Dog Called Bear by Wendy Orr J ORR—Logan is moving to the city.  Along the way, his dog Bear gets lost.  Hannah lives in the city and wants a dog more than anything else in the world. Bear ends up in Hannah’s dad’s pickup truck.  Does Hannah get to keep Bear?  Will Logan be reunited with Bear?

Go Away Big Green Monster

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley E EMB—Kids can turn the pages of this die-cut book and watch the Big Green Monster grow. Then, when they're ready to show him who's in charge, they'll turn the remaining pages and watch him disappear!

Knock, Knock Who’s There?

Knock, Knock Who’s There? by Tad Hills ER HIL—A “First Book of Knock-Knock Jokes.” Great and very funny jokes for everyone to enjoy! In this easy to read book, you must pull back the flaps to find each hilarious punch line. Have fun telling these to your friends.

Everything You Need To Know About the World

Everything You Need To Know About the World by Simon Eliot J 031.02 ELI—From intestinal stuff to the inventor of underpants and the hamburger, this hilarious book will have the middle-school aged crowd laughing out loud. It may not be that “educational,” but this book will fill kids’ brains up with zany facts, and delight, yet gross out fans of the Captain Underpants and Wimpy Kid series.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by W.R. Philbrick  -- audio book AUDIO CD JF PHI and J PHI—When Homer’s older brother Harold is forced to fight in the Civil War as an underage soldier, Homer sets off on a quest to find him and keep him safe. But he soon finds himself on some crazy adventures, eventually landing in the Battle of Gettysburg. Homer’s journey isn’t all fun and games, and this story of brotherly loyalty and fighting for what you believe in is made enjoyable by Homer’s witty narration.