What's New at the Library

By Leslie Colin Tribble

It's time for another installment of What's New at the Library. I ran over to our Children's Library and grabbed a few new books off the shelves. I hope you find some great reads here, and maybe even a Christmas present or two to a lucky little person. Enjoy!

 

Me and You and the Red Canoe - Jean E Pendziwol, illustrator Phil (no last name)
This is one of those quiet picture books that a wonderful editor took a chance on and brought to the world. Thank goodness! If you have someone in your family that loves fishing, this is a beautiful book. I love the pictures - they are detailed and realistic, but look old, thanks to the talents of Phil. The text is poetic and flowing. Here's the description of reeling in a trout:

                                            "Then silver leapt from
                                             water to sky,
                                             soared from sky to water . . . "

You only see the backs of the two who are fishing and there is no reference to gender. They look a bit like boys, an older and younger brother, but they could just as well be girls, making this book appropriate for anyone who loves to fish.

Pup and Bear - Kate Banks; illustrator Naoko Stoop
This book is about the circle of life and how we can be kind and caring to those who are not like us. Wolf pup gets separated from his pack and is found by a polar bear. Polar bears generally eat wolf pups, 'but not this one.' Bear tells the pup that he is not the pup's mother, but he can teach him to fish and keep him safe and warm. Pup eventually grows up and finds a wolf pack of his own, but then he comes across a lost polar bear cub. There are many lessons to be learned from this book with its simple, yet engaging illustrations. This sweet book is bound to be a favorite with children of all ages.

Shelter - Celine Claire; illustrator Qin Leng
Shelter is another book about kindness to strangers. The animals of the forest are preparing for a winter storm when two strangers arrive in the neighborhood seeking shelter and food. They knock at each forest family's door but are turned away, but little Fox provides them with a lantern. The strangers end up building their own warm shelter in a snow bank, but at the home of the Fox family disaster strikes. The Foxes are taken in by the strangers though, proving that generosity and kindness are better than fear. This would be a good book to spark a discussion about how our actions impact others and how even small acts of kindness are important.

Tea with Oliver - Mika Song
I really enjoyed this book, partly because I thought Oliver the cat was really cute but also because he just wants someone, anyone to have tea with him. For me, a tea party is the best kind of party, so I could really relate to Oliver. Although Oliver doesn't know it, there is someone who wants to have tea with him - it's Philbert the mouse who lives under the couch. Philbert, who is shy, tries several different ways to tell Oliver he'd love to have tea, but each attempt fails. Finally Philbert finds his voice and the two new friends enjoy a wonderful tea party, complete with cookies. I love how Philbert finds courage and strength to go after what he wants - a good lesson for each of us. Mika's illustrations are simple but with just enough detail to keep children entertained. Let's all go have a tea party!

Read the Book, Lemmings! - Ame Dyckman; illustrator Zachariah OHora
Foxy and Captain PB are aboard the S.S. Cliff when Foxy decides to finally read his book about lemmings. Reading aloud, Foxy is surprised to discover lemmings don't usually jump off cliffs, but the lemming crew misunderstand and off they go, overboard. The story goes on with the lemmings continually jumping overboard and having to be rescued by Foxy and Captain PB. this is all because the lemmings haven't read the book. This is a fun book by the same duo that brought us Wolfie, the Bunny. Kids will love this book - the lemmings are adorable and so full of life you just want to join them in their misadventures. Reading, it turns out, is really important, even to lemmings!