What's New at the Library?

By Leslie Colin Tribble

It's been awhile since I've talked about some new books we've received at the library where I work. There have been a lot of great books come in, and just as quickly go right back out in the hands of eager children. Our library was closed from mid-March until June when we reopened to the public, but during that time we were super busy providing materials to library patrons of all ages through our curbside delivery program. Every day there were lots of tall stacks of picture books waiting to be picked up by eager families.

Now that we're open again, I had a hard time getting new picture books to bring home so I could write about them. Kids and adults came in and stripped the shelves bare of all the new books they hadn't gotten to read for nearly three months.

Here are a few books I grabbed one morning before we opened so I could have something to talk about.

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones - Susan Lendroth and Bob Kolar. Set to the tune of "here we go round the mulberry bush" this simple picture book brings the world of paleontology to young children. Four scientists take off in their jeep on a warm and sunny morning to look for dinosaur bones. The song part of the text is featured in larger font across the double page spreads, while a small paragraph of factual information sits on the lower right corner. The process of discovery, excavation, sifting, and transporting fossils continues until we finally see a picture of the dinosaur in all its terrifying glory. The book finishes with three short pages of back matter and some activities readers can do to go along with the actions of the story. I really appreciated the simple, clean illustrations and the hidden animals which you might actually see at a fossil site in Montana where the book is based. I'm always searching for fossils on my walks in Wyoming so I really enjoyed this book.

Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures - Tricia Springstubb and Elaheh Taherian.
Khalil and his family live in the upstairs of a house, while Mr. Hagerty lives downstairs. They both enjoy spending time in the yard and each helps the other with words - words that Khalil can't pronounce while he's reading, and words that Mr. Hagerty can't remember when he's talking. Both characters have the same idea about finding backyard treasures and discover a new word, Friend. I liked the juxtaposition of young and old yet the commonality of both needing help with words. The illustrations are eye catching and the story is just lovely. At one point Khalil and Mr. Hagerty share slices of chocolate cake and milk - what's not to love about that?

My Friend Earth - Patricia MacLachlan and Francesca Sanna. This is a beautiful book of dynamic illustrations in muted tones of blues, greens and browns with lots of cutouts for peeking onto the next page. The story is about the flow of seasons and how Earth creates homes for her creatures. I loved the Earth child interacting with, and caring for, her family. There's a lot to discuss while reading this book including weather events and things like floods, drought and the cycle of life on our planet.

Free for You and Me - Christy Mihaly and Manu Montoya. I found the Grog's very own Christy Mihaly on our new shelves with her book on the First Amendment. Written in verse, Christy does a beautiful job explaining our First Amendment and what that means to ordinary citizens. Everyone should read this book and get a refresher course on this bedrock law of our country. I like how each section of the amendment is further explained through talk bubbles, showing in a concrete way what that particular Freedom means. Christy finishes off the book with four pages of backmatter to round out the discussion. Thanks Christy and Manu for creating such an important book.

My last selection is a YA nonfiction book. I've never featured a YA book before, but when this one came across my desk this week I knew I had to share.

Dancing at the Pity Party: a dead mom graphic memoir - Tyler Feder. This book deals with the very important, yet almost taboo, subject of a parent dying. Tyler Feder's mother died when she was a college freshman and she created this graphic novel ten years later. The book frankly deals with all the emotions, the hardships, and life upheavals a child (of any age) experiences with the death of a parent. I feel the graphic novel format makes it very accessible to young people - it's not like trying to read an adult book on grief which oftentimes isn't much more than a lot of words that don't have any meaning. As a graphic novel it's easy to read, easy to understand the emotions, and if the reader has experienced a similar loss, easy to feel like someone gets you. My own children lost their father at 12 and 7 years and I wish I'd had this book to help them identify and be able to discuss their own struggles. Although the story is sad, it also beautifully displays the deep relationship between a daughter and her mother. And the story ends on a simple, but hopeful note of continuance.

So there's my latest roundup. Libraries are opening back up to their patrons so get out to your local branch and check out some of these great books.

What's New at the Library?

By Leslie Colin Tribble

It's time once again, for the latest review of new books in the Children's Library of the Park County Library in Cody, Wyoming. I don't know what winter has been like in your neck of the woods, but out here in the sagebrush, it's been downright polar, despite what the calendar says. So grab a steamy cup of tea and gather around for a look at a few new picture books.

Quiet by Tomie dePaola

Quiet is a wonderful book about a grandfather and his grandchildren taking a moment to be still and quiet. Tomie carefully sets the tone of a busy world as the group watches birds, dragonflies, the family dog and a frog engage in their busy animal lives. It's grandfather who suggests the group sit down on a bench for a rest and to be quiet. The final page states, "To be quiet and still is a special thing." This is a wonderful book to address the need for a break from the frantic pace of modern life. Adults and children need moments to retreat from everything that makes our lives busy - technology, calendars, cars, and even work. We need to remember it's when we are quiet that we can see and truly think. That's a lasting gift we can give children.

Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda

I enjoyed this book, because yes, it has a cute bunny, but also because it the interactive nature of the text. I'm not a real fan of books that ask the reader to do something, but in this title it made a lot of sense and seemed fun. Bunny is hungry but can't quite reach the apples so he asks the reader to shake, blow, and tilt the book to help him get the apples and take them home. There's a bright red ribbon in the book that is also a prop to help the bunny reach the apples and cross a chasm. Ingenious! The illustrations are simple and in shades of gold, brown and black with some red for a splash of color. Young children will enjoy interacting with Hungry Bunny.

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Jonathan Bean

Following on the apple theme is this engaging book with its cumulative text. The book starts with an apple pie baked by Papa (I appreciate that Mama didn't have to bake this pie), and works backwards from the roots, rain, clouds, sky and sun that make the pie possible. This cumulative text quietly reinforces the inter-relatedness of the natural world. With another nod to Hungry Bunny, this book is also in shades of brown, black and gold with only the apples providing color. The illustrations are deceptively complex, so there's plenty to look for on each page. There are also three wordless spreads which work to move to story along. Hungry Bunny and The Apple Pie that Papa Baked would be fun books to read together.

Where is My Balloon? by Ariel Bernstein; illustrated by Scott Magoon

Owl and Monkey are very happy. Owl has a wonderful red balloon and Monkey has a sock with a perfectly shaped hole. What happens when Owl asks Monkey to hold his balloon is hysterical. I adored the expressions on the faces of these characters who are oh so human. Every child can relate to both Owl and Monkey when it comes to breaking someone else's toy. The text is very simple, but overflowing with great adjectives. The illustrations contain little background putting Owl and Monkey right in the center of the action. This keeps the reader focused on the interaction between our two characters. What a fun read, with a bonus that everyone can tell their own Owl and Monkey story afterward.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer; illustrated by Adam Schaefer

From a tiny acorn comes a wonderful forest. This is another cumulative text, starting with because of an acorn, a tree grows. The story pulls in other facets of the forest from flowers, to seeds, to chipmunks, to hawks, and back to acorns emphasizing the web of life within the forest. There is backmatter about ecosystems and a small section on what can you do to help forests. I think this book would make a great first look at conservation for very young children. Start them young!

What's New at the Library? by Leslie Colin Tribble

More new books are flying off the shelves in our Children’s Library. Here’s a quick round up of some recent favorites.

The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez

I’m breaking away from my usual reviews of animal-related books with this one, but it’s so good. Of course, it’s from noted author Jacqueline Woodson, so you know you’re going to love it. The Day You Begin is overflowing with hope and wonder, and yet packed with those hurts that children experience when they feel they don’t belong.  But words, beautiful lyrical, flowing words and meaningful, simple illustrations combine to create a welcoming book that tells children that even when there are others who don’t look or sound or eat like you, that maybe, just maybe, when you begin you can fit into the world.

I Walk with Vanessa – Kerascoet

This is a wordless book about bullying. The illustrations are so simple, yet I loved the expressions the children exhibit - you know exactly what they’re feeling.  Despite the lack of words, you could engage in a lot of discussion with the child or children you’re reading this to. All kids know how hard it feels when you’re singled out but also how good it is when someone comes alongside as a friend and helper. This would be a great book to use with older kids too, when talking about bullying.

Run Wild – David Covell

I like this book for the sentiment and the abstract, but eye-catching illustrations. This book is all about the wonders of running wild through the mud and grass and sand and shore. It’s about the freedom and exhilaration of just being out exploring and even getting bumps and bruises.  As an environmental educator, I appreciate that message because I feel children aren’t allowed to be outside as much as they should be. Read this book to a child and then find a place where you can be outside, together, experiencing nature. It’ll be good for both of you.

Good Rosie – Kate DiCamillo and Harry Bliss

This is a dog book, so of course I picked it up. It’s about Rosie who wants a friend, but isn’t sure how to make one. What I find interesting about this book is its length – it reads a bit like a chapter book because it’s divided into nine parts.  It has 36 pages of text and illustration, so it’s definitely longer than the average picture book. The story is cute and useful for talking about friendship, loneliness and how to be a friend. The pictures of the dogs are engaging – you might just want to find a Rosie of your own.

My Pet Wants a Pet

This is a great book about wanting a pet, because really, doesn’t everyone want a pet? Personally, I lobbied long and hard for a baby musk ox, but my parents were unreasonably against that idea. The illustrations and pet/owner pairs makes you want to keep turning the page to find out how this cascade of animals will end.

Weather Girls - Aki

Weather Girls is a sweet rhyming book about young ladies ready to get outdoors in any weather, in all seasons. The illustrations of the girls are adorable and they make exploring the world around them look so much fun - and it is! This is a powerful book to share with the girls in your life, especially ones that might be timid about experiencing life outside.

There have been so many wonderful books flowing through our cataloging department into eager hands in the children's library. My list is a lot longer this these top choices, but you'll have to wait until my next post to learn about more great picture books.

What's New at the Library

by Leslie Colin Tribble

We recently got a big order for two of our children's libraries so I'm going to share a few titles with you. There were so many to choose from I had a hard time narrowing the selections. I still haven't had time to read all the new picture books yet  - oh, what a problem to have!

 

The Rabbit Listened - Cori Doerrfeld
This tender title will be just the right book to reach for when a little person in your life has something unpleasant happen to them. Taylor, our main character, worked hard to build something amazing but it got knocked down. Various animals come along trying to help Taylor deal with his feelings - the chicken wants to talk and cluck about it, the bear wants Taylor to growl and get angry, the elephant wants to remember and the kangaroo just wants to clean it all up, but Taylor just wants to be left alone. Finally the rabbit gently and quietly hops to Taylor's side to sit and wait. Taylor finally begins to open up and talk, and then he growls, and remembers and instead of cleaning up he decides to build something even more amazing.

The sparse text and sharp illustrations really help keep the book moving right along. The back cover states, "Sometimes hugs say more than words."

I'm a Duck - Eve Bunting and Will Hillenbrand
If you've been around the kid lit world awhile, you've likely read one of Eve Bunting's books. This prolific author (250 titles) has come out with a brand new book about a little duck and it's a keeper. As an egg, Baby Duck rolled into the pond and nearly didn't make it to the pages of his story. After hatching, Baby Duck was completely afraid to swim because something terrible might happen. Baby Duck's pond friends are encouraging so Baby Duck practices swimming in a puddle. Finally he confesses to Frog that he's really, really, really, really scared to swim. But with help and love, he overcomes his fear.

This is a great book for helping children work on conquering their own fears - like swimming. The rhyming text is smooth and the illustrations by Will Hillenbrand have us rooting for Baby Duck from the first page.

Vincent Comes Home - Jessixa Bagley and Aaron Bagley
Vincent, a fluffy orange cat, lives on a cargo ship. His paws have never touched land. He overhears the crew talking about a magical place called "home," so when the ship docks in its home port, Vincent sets off to find it. After seeking and searching, Vincent finally realizes home isn't a place, "It's where the people who love you are." Vincent suddenly feels he doesn't have one of these magical places. But soon he realizes he's mistaken and he definitely does have a home.

There's just enough text to keep the reader engaged, and the illustrations are lovely with lots of nice details. This book could spark a discussion that home means different things to different people and not all homes look the same. A useful book for building empathy and beginning to understand diversity.

Bird Builds a Nest - Martin Jenkins and Richard Jones
This title is part of Candlewick's A First Science Storybook series. There is a little blurb in the front about how you can use the science concepts in this book, as well as some science related questions in the back.

The book follows Mother Bird as she builds her nest. The size and weight of the sticks is important because some sticks are so big and heavy Mother Bird can't carry them. But smaller sticks are just right and she can even carry more than one very small stick. Mother Bird carefully pushes and pulls the sticks to form the nest itself and then she gathers very light and fluffy items to line it.

The illustrations are colorful, but in subdued earthy tones to match the theme of the book. They are done in a collage-like manner so it would be easy to talk about the distinct parts of the illustrations such as the tree leaves or the bird's feathers. The science concepts include light/heavy, push/pull and even gravity.

Warbler Wave - April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre
I always save my favorite book for last and this is it. Being a 'bird nerd' I fell in love with this book. Warbler Wave is written in verse and teaches readers about bird migration. The text is lyrical and the photographs luscious. I love how the text draws the readers in makes them feel like a bird, using words like flit, preen, flap and drop. "They call in the night. Keep in touch while in flight. Surfing rivers of wind way up high . . . Calling zeep, zeep, zeep in the sky."

Even if your child doesn't particularly love birds, they will love this book. The photographs bring these tiny flying flowers up close and little ones will be drawn to their beauty. Warbler Wave would make a great introduction to the living world for all ages.

The other distinction Warbler Wave has is four full pages (two spreads) of very detailed backmatter. The backmatter is much, much longer than the text itself which adds so much to this book. The text pulls us in to the lives of these tiny migrants, but the backmatter answers many questions about the birds themselves and migration as a concept. This book would make a wonderful gift for a science teacher or anyone interested in birds.

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!