Kid's Music Fridays: "Stompy the Bear" by Caspar Babypants

The imaginative and always entertaining Caspar Babypants brings his mojo to the knitting world in this delightful video of his song "Stompy the Bear." Click on the images below to reserve a copy an album.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

You can also read his board book, illustrated by Kate Endle.

Staff Review: "Getting To Know The World's Greatest Artists"

St. Louis County Library's children's collection includes a new biography series that introduces young readers to famous artists with just the right mix of information, humor and beautiful art. Each volume of Mike Venezia's "Getting To Know The World's Greatest Artists" presents the life and art of a selected artist -- Da Vinci, Whistler, Hopper, Cassatt, Homer and Pippin, to name a few. This series makes art accessible, approachable, and fun for readers of all ages. Sprinkled with his own original comics, Mike Venezia's well-crafted and sincere biographies teach and introduce art history, the artists and their techniques in a clever and enjoyable manner. Once you read one of the biographies in this new series, you'll find yourself glancing back at the photographs, smiling again at the comics, and then reaching for another volume. I hope that you'll read and share Mike Venezia's "Getting To Know The World's Greatest Artists" biographies sometime soon.

--Teresa R., Sachs

   

Staff Review: "What to do if an Elephant Stands on Your Foot" by Michelle Robinson

There are books with funny illustrations.  There are books with funny stories. There are books with both funny illustrations and stories. And then there's the books with funny illustrations and stories that are so much fun that you want to read them over and over again. Such is the case with "What to Do if an Elephant Stands On Your Foot," written by Michelle Robinson and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.

If you want to know exactly what not to do when you're on a safari, you can learn from the mistakes of the little girl in this story. As the narrator guides her through various and sundry dangers on what I can only assume to be the Serengeti Plain (with a tiger visiting from the jungle), you and your child will giggle, gasp, and wonder what silly sorts of trouble she'll get into next. Once safely guided through the terror on all sides, we are left with very wise advice: ". . .before you return to your nice, safe home. . . remember your manners! Thank the monkeys for rescuing you, and don't forget to apologize to the elephant." Sage advice in any situation, really. 

Click on the image above to reserve your copy today.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Staff Review: Noisy Books

I love books which prompt the readers (usually parents, teachers or librarians) to make funny 

noises as they read the books to kids. We adults take ourselves too seriously and that becomes hard when you are going “vroom vroom” or “Jingle-Jangle, clang-bang, Clatter!” So I hope you put aside your inhibitions and enjoy reading "Bang! Boom! Roar! A Busy Crew of Dinosaurs" by Nate Evans and Stephanie Gwyn Brown.  Not only does this title include preschool favorites like dinosaurs and trucks, it is written as an ABC book using alliteration. ‘Jackhammers, rattle, jolt, and shatter. Jingle-jangle, clang-bang. Clatter! Jelly bellies jump and jiggle. Jumbo blubber in a wiggle!’ The illustrations by Christopher Santoro are filled with action and humor. Kids will need time to explore each and every picture. Be sure to look at the list on the back of the book of cool hidden objects to look for in the pictures. 

Another noisy book is "Toot Toot Beep Beep" by Emma Garcia. Large easy to read print which is good for either a group setting or for reading one on one. The art work also done by Garcia makes identifying the individual vehicles easy for even young children. Each vehicle has their own personality ‘Toot Toot goes the big blue van, Toot Toot and off she trundles’.

Robbin O., Headquarters

Avast Me Hearties!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is Wednesday, September 19. St. Louis County library will be celebrating all month long with great programs. While you are practicing walking the plank, take a look at these awesome pirate books.

"Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC" by June Sobel. Having decided that R is not enough for them, a bumbling band of pirates sets sail on a quest to capture the rest of the alphabet.
 

"Bubble Bath Pirates!" by Jarrett Krosoczka. When pirate mommy announces bath time, it is yo ho ho and to the bath we go for her little pirates.

 

"Pirates Don't Change Diapers" by Melinda Long. Braid Beard and his pirate crew return to retrieve the treasure they buried in Jeremy Jacob's backyard, but first they must help calm his baby sister, Bonney Anne, whom they awoke from her nap.

 

"Piratepedia" by Alisha Niehaus and Alan Hecker. Designed as a hip time-travel journal into the pirate past, this compendium of the sea scoundrel's world includes all the detail of classic DK reference as well as excerpts from favorite piratical fiction-making Piratepedia a swashbuckling volume kids won't want to walk the plank without!

 

"Backbeard : Pirate for Hire" by Matthew McElligott. When the Pirate Council tells Backbeard that he must stop wearing colorful clothing and look more fearsome, he decides to quit being a pirate and get a job on shore, if only he can find work that matches his particular skills.

                               

Kid's Music Fridays:"Dad Upside Down" by Hullabaloo

Enjoy a little musical wordplay with Hullabaloo! This is the song "Dad Upside Down," and if you like it, click on an album below to reserve a Hullabaloo album today.

--Andrea W., H.Q.   

 

 

Kid's Music You Should Hear

Starting tomorrow, we will begin a new feature called "Kid's Music Fridays."  We will highlight music CDs we have in our library branches, music videos and other news related to kid's music. Posts will appear on random Fridays so check back often!

While you are waiting, check out our kid's music on CD or grab one of these books to get you in the mood.

"Shape Song Swingalong" by SteveSongs. Describes, through a song, how a collection of shapes can be used to draw a city of skyscrapers, a beach-side water slide, and even a dance party in a park.

 

"One Love" by Cedella Marley. In this illustrated version of Bob Marley's song, a young girl enlists her friends, family, and community to transform their neighborhood for the better.
 

"Dinosaur Pet" by Marc Sedaka. Provides new lyrics to the tune of Sedaka's song, Calendar Girl, in which a dinosaur hatches in January, then grows bigger every month of the year. Accompanying CD has a performance of the title song as well as two original songs.
 

Careers

Can you guess what job goes with the clothes hanging on the clothesline? How about straw hat, overalls, plaid shirt and bandanna, did you guess farmer?  Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook have written a book that challenges preschoolers.  Andy Robert Davies’ illustrations wonderfully complement the writing. The authors did a good job with mixing genders of the occupations described i.e. female carpenter or astronaut and male artist or chef.  "Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do" is a great choice for story time or learning about careers for the preschool set.

  

Get ready for giggles and moans while reading this entertaining book about "Working Mummies" by Joan Horton with illustration by Drazen Kozjan. The mummy’s jobs include manicurist, doctor, waitress, author, teacher, realtor and librarian. “This mummy’s a librarian. She has a great selection of rare and wiggly book worms in her specimen collection.” This book is a humorous choice for story time, career day or Halloween.  

--Robbin O., Headquarters

For Me, For You, For Later

It is never too early to start talking with kids about money. Financial literacy should start early and involve the whole family. This is why St. Louis County Library is pleased to be working with PNC on their PNC Grow Up Great initiative For Me, for You, for Later.

For Me, for You, for Later offers resources to parents and caregivers that get preschoolers started learning about money and saving. St. Louis County Library will be offering Storytime: For Me, For You, For Later at our branches during September and October. The program is a fun, interactive way for kids to start learning about money. Every child that attends will take home a free book and activity kit.

By the way, there is a free mobile app called "Achieve it with Sesame Street" available from ITunes and Android. Search either "PNC" or "Sesame Street" to get it.

International Talk Like a Pirate Day Turns 10

Ahoy Mates! Did you know that International Talk Like a Pirate Day is celebrating its 10th anniversary on September 19? St. Louis County Library is celebrating all month long with great pirate-themed programs. Stop by your local branch to pick up a brochure or see our Events page for more information.