Penguin's Hidden Talent

Penguin's Hidden Talent by Alex Latimer

Summary: Penguin helps organize the annual talent show because he cannot identify his own gift, but when the show is over and the performers throw a party to show how much they appreciate Penguin's work, his aptitude becomes clear.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this story!  I like seeing a character realize his true talent and worth!  Penguin thinks he doesn't have a talent, so he just organized the annual talent show.  But as the story unfolds the reader can easily see that Penguin's talent is organizing a fantastic talent show!  Young readers will hopefully be able to see their own talents more clearly after reading or hearing this story.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs As Retold by Mo Willems

Summary: This is a fracture of the classic story The Three Little Bears, told with three dinosaurs and little Goldilocks, who looks very similar to Trixie in Willems hit Knuffle Bunny.

My Thoughts: This is a fun story that will appeal to readers of many ages, from the young reader who knows the story The Three Little Bears to the adult who will get the subtle humor in the story and the illustrations.  Goldilocks stumbles upon the home of the three dinosuars, one of which is visiting from Norway.  The dinosaurs have been expecting her and are eager to enjoy some chocolate-filled-little-girl-bonbons!

I Need My Own Country!

I Need My Own Country! by Rick Walton

Summary: Instructs the reader in how to form one's own country when the time comes, from finding a location, a name, and a flag, to handling the inevitable civil unrest and invasions.

My Thoughts: This is a fun little instruction manual that children who have younger siblings will be able to relate to.  Annoying little brothers are referenced many times!  It can also be used a way to teach writing an instruction manual or how to piece.  The characters are drawn with very expresive faces that add to the humor of the story, with lots of details added too! 

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Bear in the Book

The Bear in the Book by Kate Banks

Summary: At the end fo the day a little boy falls asleep as his mama reads about a bear hibernating.

My Thoughts: Such a sweet and unique story about bedtime reading with a little boy and his mama!  The bedtime routine will be familiar to young children, as the little boy and his mama settle in to read a book about a bear that is getting ready to hibernate for the winter.  The focus is the interaction between the readers and the book and even the bear.  Beautiful paintings bring the story to life!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Christmastime

Christmastime by Alison Jay

Summary: Illustrations and single words present different aspects of Christmas, and the pictures hide links to Christmas songs and carols.

My Thoughts: I am a fan of Alison Jay's work.  The illustrations have an old fashioned feel to them and are distinctive with a crackle finish.  Each page has one or two Christmas related words on it and a detailed painting for the ilustration. Look carefully at each picture and you will see clues as to what the next picture will be and you will see the subject of the previous painting too!  This adds a bit of "I-spy" to the book.  A fun and very visual book to share with a young one!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Birds of Bethlehem

The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola

Summary: On the morning of the first Christmas, the colorful birds of Bethlehem gather to talk about the exciting events they have witnessed, from the long line of people approaching the town to the stable where a newborn baby lies.

My Thoughts: This is a short Christmas story that shows the events of the Christmas story from the point of view of the birds that live in and around Bethlehem.  They each have witnessed a part of the Christmas story and relate it to each other to tell the reader the whole story.  It was different and interesting to see this traditional tale from a unique point of view. 

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Santa from Cincinnati

Santa from Cincinnati by Judi Barrett

Summary: A baby in Cincinnati whose first words are "ho ho ho" grows up to become Santa Claus.

My Thoughts:  I loved this Christmas title and can't wait to share it with my little guy at home!  This is the story of the little boy who grew up to become Santa Claus.  We see him first in the nursery at the hospital with a jolly smile all swaddled in red and white!  The pictures have little clues and annotations to explain how all of the traits and characteristics of the Santa we knew came to be.  A fun title to share with children young or old during the holiday season!

*Summary take from CIP data.

Let's Go for a Drive!

Let's Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems

Summary: Elephant Gerald and Piggie want to go for a drive, but as Gerald thinks of one thing after another that they will have to take along, they come to realize that they lack the most important thing of all.

My Thoughts: This is another winner in the Piggie and Elephant series by Mo Willems!  This will be especially appreciate by lovers of cars and making plans!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Squish Super Amoeba

Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Summary - Squish, a meek amoeba who loves the comic book exploits of his favorite hero, "Super Amoeba," tries to emulate him when his best friend is threatened by a bully.

My Thoughts - The Squish series is another winner from the brother/sister author pair that brought us Babymouse! There are lots of great scientific facts about amoeba's thrown into Squish's story. At the end there is a little 'how to' lesson for those interested in drawing Squish on their own! The next book in the series is called "Squish: Brave New Pond".

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Babymouse Mad Scientist

Babymouse: Mad Scientist by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Summary - Babymouse discovers Squish, a new species of amoeba, while working on a school science fair project.

My Thoughts - This is Babymouse at her best and with a new color added to Babymouse pink --- lime green! While working on a science fair project Babymouse meets Squish a new character that the Holms have given his own series, called Squish of course!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Laughs for a Living

Laughs for a Living: Jokes about Doctors, Teachers, Firefighters, and Other People Who Work by Michael Dahl

Summary - Color illustrations and simple text accompany this collection of jokes and riddles about doctors, teachers, firefighters and other people who work.

My Thoughts - This is part of a series of joke books by Michael Dahl that are great fun! I've told many kids a joke or two as they come to the library to check out a book and they have all been well received. The reading level is easy so that these books can be enjoyed by a wide range of kids. Enjoy a laugh!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco

Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco by Jarrett Krosoczka

Summary - Lunch Lady, a secret crime fighter, accompanies the Breakfast Bunch on a class trip to an art museum, but when Dee, Hector, and Terrence begin to thinkg there is something strange afoot, she suspects nothing.

My Thoughts - Lunch Lady is a graphic novel series that is just as much fun as Babymouse! Lunch Lady is a great crime fighter, who always saves the day, with lots of Pows! Hi-Yahs! and Whoomps!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Roscoe Riley Rules #1

Roscoe Riley Rules #1: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs by Katherine Applegate

Summary - Roscoe Riley, upset with the notion that his teacher could get in trouble, comes up with a plan to keep the bee antennae on the first grader's heads, and help the drummers stay in their seats for the open house play.

My Thoughts - Roscoe Riley is a wonderful example of a first grade boy who thinks things through and solves problems with first grade boy logic! That means things are sure to be hilarious! Especially when Roscoe grabs that bottle of Super-Mega-Gonzo-Glue also known as "don't-you-dare-glue"!

*Summary taken from CIP data.