Archive for April, 2009
April 30, 2009 at 10:11 am
· Filed under Reviews ·Tagged ages 4-8, friendship, Katherine Tillotson, Lion, Megan McDonald, Rabbit, When the Library Lights Went Out
When the Library Lights Went Out, by Megan McDonald and Katherine Tillotson, ages 4-8
This is the story of the antics of the library puppets after the library closes for the day. Rabbit and Lion are on the hunt for their friend Hermit Crab, who’s nowhere to be found. They find a map, and use it to make their way through the library, using their imaginations all the way. They identify a potted plant as a giant beanstalk and a blue area rug as a giant’s bathtubbut are willing to brave these hazards to find their friend. The illustrations are very appealing, as are the characters themselves.
When the Library Lights Go Out, by Megan McDonald & Katherine Tillotson, Aladdin Books, $6.99
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April 26, 2009 at 11:13 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged board book, Children's bookstore, French, Hooray for Books, kids books
Caméléon Apprend à Nager by Laura Hambleton
This book about how Chameleon learns to swim is written in both French and English; with the French at the top of the page and English at the bottom. Chameleon is taught by his friend Salamander to kick his legs, splash, swim forwards, and swim backwards. Then, he knows how to swim!
Caméléon Apprend à Nager by Laura Hambleton $8.95
Don’t miss our Sunday morning French storytimes, as well! For all ages at 11:30!
-Best Wishes and Happy Reading
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April 25, 2009 at 11:47 am
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews ·Tagged children's picture book, sports, ages 3-6, Sergio Saves the Game, Edel Rodriguez, soccer
Sergio Saves the Game! by Edel Rodriquez (ages 3-6)
Sergio loves soccer and is very good at playing it–in his dreams. In reality, when he plays, he trips, falls, slips and slides. Sergio feels down about his lack of coordination, until his father suggest that he try out for the goalie position. Sergio does, and with some encouragement from his teamates and the coach, becomes a pretty good player! With the big game against the seagulls fast approching, will Sergio’s hard work help his team win the game?
This is an excellent book with illustrations that bring back memories of picture books of yesteryear. The illustrations have clear lines and are colored with orange, navy, white and aqua. The message of finding a postion that is natural for you and working hard to get better at it is good one for young sportsters!
Sergio Saves the Game! by Edel Rodriquez; 2009; $15.99; Ages 3-6
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April 25, 2009 at 5:36 am
· Filed under Reviews ·Tagged Ish, North Star, Peter Reynolds, rat race, So Few of Me, The Dot
So Few of Me, by Peter H. Reynolds (All ages)
So Few of Me is a warm and whimsical story for readers of all ages who find themselves too busy to daydream. Reynolds is also the creator of The Dot, Ish, and his latest offering, The North Star. This book is ideal for families who are overscheduled and find themselves multi-tasking all day with not a moment to spare. The message is delivered with humor and terrific artwork. To all of our friends – take a break today and daydream!
So Few of Me, by Peter Reynolds, Candlewick Press, $14.00.
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April 24, 2009 at 9:55 am
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews, Store ·Tagged children's picture book, ages 3-6, The Missing Chick, Valeri Gorbachev, chickens, barnyard animals
The Missing Chick, by Valeri Gorbachev, Ages 3-6
Mother Hen has seven chicks, but she can only find six! What could have become of that one little chick? Frantically, the distraught mother chicken tears through the house and yard looking for her little downy child! The neighborhood goat, sheep, pig, and duck join in on the search, with no luck! As the entire community comes to Mother Hen’s aid, the little chick is discovered in the most obvious of places! As the barnyard animals leave to go home, the newly found little chick promises never to get lost again.
Valeri Gorbachev’s use of various well-known animals is sure to draw in your little readers, and his watercolor illustrations are delightfully classic and colorful! Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a hide-and-seek storytime with your child!
The Missing Chick, Valeri Gorbachev, $15.99, pub. April 2009, Candlewick Press
Dive into a book today!
–Miss Megan
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April 21, 2009 at 2:34 pm
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews ·Tagged Barbara Joosse, bears, brave child, Jan Jutte, night-time fears, Roawr!
Roawr! by Barbara Joosse, ill. by Jan Jutte, ages 3-6
This book is dedicated “To all the brave kids in the world,” and is the story of Liam, a very small, very brave boy. Liam’s father is away, and his mother seems to be completely oblivious to the dangers lurking outside. It’s up to Liam to keep his mother safe! Just moments after Mama drifted off to sleep, Liam heard ROAWR!
“Liam rushed to Mama, called her name, but she was snore asleep. Oh no! Mama was delicious to forest things, and he was just a boy (thump thump). What could Liam do?”
Of course Liam comes up with a brave and clever plan to foil the bear and save his mother, but not until he’s gone through some tough situations. The language of this book is playful and inventive, and the illustrations complement the text beautifully. A good choice for someone who’s having bedtime fears.
Roawr! by Barbara Joosse, Philomel, $16.99, ages 3-6
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April 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews ·Tagged Alex Milway, children's book, Kids' Next, Mousehunter
I can’t believe I’ve forgotten to tell you all about this fabulous book for kids (especially girls) ages 9 to 12 (and parents) who love exciting stories! This wild tale, filled with dramatic twists and turns, takes place in a world populated by thousands of species of mice (trust me, they’re not yucky but are prized as clever pets and useful companions – with some even being rare collectibles worth national fortunes.) Our heroine, 12-year-old Emiline, aspires to become a famous mousehunter, traveling the world in search of new and unusual species. But almost immediately, she finds herself on an ocean-going adventure as daring, treacherous, and suspenseful as Treasure Island. It’s a great read-aloud and would be a good book club selection.
The Mousehunter, by Alex Milway, Little, Brown Young Readers, $15.99.
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April 18, 2009 at 12:29 pm
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews ·Tagged ages 3-6, Grand Old Tree, Mary Newell DePalma, life cycle of a tree
A Grand Old Tree, by Mary Newell DePalma (Ages 3-6)
With simple sentences and colorful illustrations, we learn the life cycle of a tree in picture book format. The grand old tree buries her roots in the ground and lifts her limbs up high to the sky. As the seasons come and go she grows leaves, provides shelter and homes for animals, bears fruit and has many additional tree children far and wide. As time marches on, the end of the tree’s life comes. Her branches crack and she eventually falls to the ground, but she still is able to provide shelter for animals before returning completely to the earth.
A Grand Old Tree, by Mary Newell DePalma, Arthur A. Levine Books, $16.99
Ms. DePalma provides an excellent introduction to how a tree lives for budding young arbornists. The book is excellent for its simple, yet descriptive text which is informational or can just be used as another cute story.
A Grand Old Tree, 2005; $16.99, Ages 3-6
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April 17, 2009 at 9:05 am
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews, Store ·Tagged ages 3-7, Alison Jay, children's picture book, conservation, Earth Day, Linda Heller, Rosh Hashanah, Today Is the Birthday of the World
Today Is the Birthday of the World, by Linda Heller, illus. by Alison Jay, Ages 3-7
On the birthday of the world, God calls together all his creatures. As the giraffe, the elephant, the beaver, the fish, the bee, the cow, and the child pass before their Maker, they are asked if they have been the best they could be. Each one, after contemplating the way he has treated the earth, is able to answer with a resounding “yes!” Satisfied with how his creations have treated their home, God declares that “there is no better birthday present.”
Linda Heller’s story is sweet and gentle, with an inspiring message perfect for a celebration of Earth Day. Alison Jay’s illustrations, as usual, tie the book together with their colorful, muralistic style. Don’t miss this lovely springtime tale to share with your little reader!
Today Is the Birthday of the World, by Linda Heller, illus. by Alison Jay, Dutton Books, pub. April 2009
Enjoy reading!
–Miss Megan
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April 15, 2009 at 10:39 am
· Filed under Independent Bookstores, Reviews ·Tagged ages 2 and up, bedtime, Karen Katz, princess, Princess Baby Night Night
Princess Baby, Night-Night, Karen Katz; Schwartz & Wade, 2009, $14.99
It’s 
time for Princess Baby to go night-night! Her mommy and daddy ask her to pick up her toys, put her pajamas on, brush her teeth, wash her face, and pick out a bedtime story. But Princess Baby isn’t sleepy! She dawdles, putting off the inevitable. Princess Baby works so hard not getting herself ready for bed that she becomes very, very tired! When Mommy and Daddy come to tuck their little princess in, they have a surprise waiting for them: Princess Baby, already off in dreamland!
From Karen Katz, author of such delightful toddler classics as Where Is Baby’s Bellybutton? and Mommy Kisses comes a sweet bedtime story to share with your little angel. With simple text and adorable, brightly colored illustrations, Princess Baby Night-Night is the perfect tale to share with your own lovable princess baby!
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