"oh, how you've grown" by Frances England

The challenge before this video is a year old, but the video and song are still good! Listen to the wistful, acoustic stylings of Frances England and remember the good times from 2012. Click on a picture below to reserve one of Frances' albums.

 --Andrea W., H.Q.

 

 

Book Trailer: "The Chicken Problem" by Jennifer Oxley

The Chicken Problem by Jennifer Oxley

Sassy new picture book alert! Adorable and math have previously never had anything to do with each other. . .until now, that is. Watch the trailer below, then click on the picture to reserve your copy today.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

New Captain Underpants!

Oh happy, happy day! We just found out there will be a brand new Captain Underpants book coming out in January. St. Louis County Library already has "Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers" on order. Get your name on the request list now. In the meantime, take a look at more Dav Pilkey books.

"The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen From the Future" The saga of two silly caveboys named Ook and Gluk, they have a pretty awesome life growing up together in Caveland, Ohio, in 500,001 BC. But their idyllic life takes a bad turn when an evil corporation from the future invades their quiet, prehistoric town. And Ook, Gluk, and their little dinosaur pal, Lily, are pulled through a time portal to the year 2222 AD, where they discover that the world of the future is even worse than the devastated one they came from. 

"Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot" series. Ricky Ricotta, a small mouse, saves a giant robot from his evil creator, Dr. Stinky, and in turn, the robot protects Ricky from the bullies at school and it saves the city from Dr. Stinky's plan to destroy it. 

"Dragon Tales" series. Meet Dragon. Dragon adopts an apple for a friend. He has a crazy day of frying his newspaper and reading his egg. Read along with Dragon as he adopts a stray cat and ends up scaring himself while carving his Halloween pumpkins.

"Dogzilla" A monstrous mutt terrorizes the residents of Mousopolis.

 

--Desiree S. HQ

Dewey Discoveries: "Extreme Survival"

For the young explorer in your life, SLCL has an exciting new survival book! "Extreme Survival" by Jim Brush  is an excellent introduction to all things survival. Covering a range of situations in different climates with short facts, stories and engaging photos, it's sure to please any young reader. There are also fantastic web links on most pages if you want to learn more on specific topics. Recommended for those who can read advanced easy readers or beginning chapter books (K-grade 2).

Dewey Number: J 613.69

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Staff Review: "Throw Your Tooth on the Roof" by Selby B. Beeler

I love books that discuss traditions from around the world so I was quite intrigued to find "Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World" by Selby B. Beeler.

Turns out not everyone has a tooth fairy...some teeth are taken away by rats, birds, rabbits or mice. And, not all kids put their teeth under a pillow. Some kids bury their teeth, throw them on the roof or have them turned into jewelry! One of my favorite customs comes from Turkey:

"If my parents want me to grow up to graduate from school, they might bury my tooth in the garden of the university. If they hope I will become a doctor, they bury it in the garden of a hospital, or they could bury it in a soccer field so I will be a good soccer player."


The illustrations are colorful and each custom is only a few lines long so it is not too much for the target audience. Great book for sharing.

--Desiree S. Headquarters

2013-2014 Mark Twain Award Nominees Announced

The 2013-2014 Mark Twain Award nominees have been announced. Students will be able to read these books and vote on their favorite. Take a look at these great books.

"Close to Famous" by Joan Bauer. Twelve-year-old Foster McFee and her mother escape from her mother's abusive boyfriend and end up in the small town of Culpepper, West Virginia, where they use their strengths and challenge themselves to build a new life, with the help of the friends they make there.

"Missing on Superstition Mountain" by Elise Broach. When brothers Simon, Henry, and Jack move with their parents to Arizona, they are irresistibly drawn to explore the aptly named Superstition Mountain, in spite of warnings that it is not safe.

"Will at the Battle of Gettysburg" by Laurie Calkhoven. In 1863, twelve-year-old Will, who longs to be a drummer in the Union army, is stuck in his sleepy hometown of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but when the Union and Confederate armies meet right there in his town, he and his family are caught up in the fight. Includes historical notes, glossary, and a timeline of events.                                            

 

"Barn Boot Blues" by Catherine Friend. Meet 12 year old Taylor McNamara.  She’s a city girl. But her parents have just moved her onto a sheep farm in the middle of nowhere. She’s trying to get into the spirit of farming, but things aren't going very well. Taylor struggles to adapt to her new life, but finds it hard to adjust to the farm’s daily surprises, especially those that prove to be embarrassing at school. With the help of her friend Megan, Taylor embarks on a nearly disastrous plan to move her family back to the city.

"Hidden" by Helen Frost. When fourteen-year-olds Wren and Darra meet at a Michigan summer camp, both are overwhelmed by memories from six years earlier when Darra's father stole a car, unaware that Wren was hiding in the back.

 

"The Underdogs" by Mike Lupica. Small but fast twelve-year-old Will Tyler, an avid football player in the down-and-out town of Forbes, Pennsylvania, takes matters into his own hands to try and finance the city's football team, giving the whole community hope in the process.       

"13 Gifts" by Wendy Mass. Shortly before her thirteenth birthday, shy and withdrawn Tara is sent to stay with her aunt, uncle, and cousin in her parents' hometown of Willow Falls, where she makes friends and becomes involved with an elderly buyer and seller of collectibles, who seems to be trying to give Tara some kind of mysterious message.

"In Front of God and Everybody" by K.D. McCrite. Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny—especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry.

"The Unwanteds" by Lisa McMann. In a society that purges thirteen-year-olds who are creative, identical twins Aaron and Alex are separated, one to attend University while the other, supposedly Eliminated, finds himself in a wondrous place where youths hone their abilities and learn magic.

 

"Sparrow Road" by Sheila O'Connor. Twelve-year-old Raine spends the summer at a mysterious artists colony and discovers a secret about her past.  

"Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick. Having lost his mother and his hearing in a short time, twelve-year-old Ben leaves his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he never knew in New York City, and meets there Rose, who is also longing for something missing from her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in pictures. 

"Pie" by Sarah Weeks. After the death of Polly Portman, whose award-winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1950s, her devoted niece Alice and Alice's friend Charlie investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly's secret pie crust recipe. Includes fourteen pie recipes.

 

 

                                

 

"Little Lap Dog Lullaby" by Laura Veirs

Here's a lovely video for a lovely song. So listen, watch, and relax. For more Laura Veirs, click on the album below to reserve a copy.

 --Andrea W., H.Q.

 

2013-2014 Show Me Award Nominees Announced!

Every year the Missouri Association of School Libraries nominates ten picture book titles that they feel make great reading for students from first through third grade. Kids read these books throughout the early part of the school year and then they get to vote for their favorite. The Show Me Award is chosen by kids. How awesome is that!

Here are the newest nominees. Start reading them today.

"Painter and Ugly" by Robert J. Blake. Painter and Ugly, two sled dogs who are inseparable best friends, are put on different teams for the Junior Iditarod, but they manage to find their way back to one another for the big race.

"Willow and the Snow Day Dance" by Denise Brennan-Nelson. When Willow's family moves to a new home, she makes friends with all of the neighbors, even unsmiling Mr. Larch, through her letters inviting each to be as generous as she is.

 

"Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches" by Lisa Broadie Cook. When his teacher is out sick for a week, Martin MacGregor has a difficult time with the homework assigned by the substitute teacher.

 

"The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town" by Mary Casanova.When outlaw Dirk Yeller arrives in Cowtown looking for something to take away his cat-scratch fever, young Sam, whose pa says he is "a world-a-trouble and curious as a tomcat," knows just what this dangerous and jittery criminal needs to calm him down 

"Princess Kim and Too Much Truth" by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Young Kim discovers that there is a difference between being honest and always speaking the truth.
 

"Charlie the Ranch Dog" by Ree Drummond. While Charlie, a sleepy basset hound, tells about the busy life of a ranch dog, his best friend Suzie, a Jack Russell terrier, is getting the work done.

"Grandpa's Tractor" by Michael Garland. Grandpa Joe brings his grandson, Timmy, back to the site of the family farm. The visit brings back many memories, which Grandpa Joe shares with Timmy. His fondest memory, however, is of his father's red tractor. 

"Three Hens and a Peacock" by Lester Laminack. When life on the Tucker farm is disrupted by the arrival of a peacock, whose shrieking and strutting bring many welcome visitors, the hens complain that they are doing all of the work until the hound suggests a trade. 

"A Book for Black-Eyed Susan" by Judy Young. While traveling along the Oregon Trail, ten-year-old Cora and her newborn baby sister suffer the loss of their mother and are separated, but Cora stitches a book to tell the dark-eyed baby of their journey and family.

"A Pet for Miss Wright" by Judy Young. A lonely writer searches for the perfect pet to keep her company in her solitary work.

 

                                             

 

New Holiday Dinosaur Books

Jane Yolen has two new books in her How Do Dinosaurs series.  It began with How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? in 2000.  Jane was asked to write a book for a boy who hated going to bed and loved dinosaurs.  More ideas kept coming to her, and she has written eighteen dinosaur books including these two:

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Like the other dinosaur book, the first half of the book describes what not to do.  Dinosaurs blow out all the candles on the menorah, snatch the dreidel, and eat all the chocolate gelt.  The second half of the book explains what a dinosaur (and child) should do instead.  These dinosaurs clean up the dishes after eating latkas, take turns with dreidel and give Chanukah wishes before going to sleep.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
This book has the same format.  Dinosaurs take the ornaments and angels off the tree, eat cookies left for Santa, and dump out the stockings.  But the good dinosaurs sing Christmas carols, help trim the tree and fall asleep before Santa arrives.
 

These books are recommended for ages 3-5.  Enjoy one of these titles with your family for the holidays!

--Angie R., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom" by Christopher Healy

"Prince Charming is afraid of old ladies. Didn't know that, did you?"

Sleeping Beauty was a selfish jerk. Cinderella’s Prince Charming was really good at ballroom dancing, but pretty much useless at everything else. Snow White was really awkward around other people. Wait, you don’t remember reading any fairy tale like that before? Well, that means that you haven’t yet read Christopher Healy’s rollicking book “The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.”

The story begins after the Princes Charming rescue Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White. For some reason, none of the bards in any of the kingdoms seem to remember that each prince actually has his own name, and they are all having a bit of trouble with their “true-love” princesses. So from four different kingdoms, the four princes—Duncan the loopy, Gustav the brute, Liam the hero, and Frederic the fop—set out to resolve their separate issues. Along the way they bump into each other and eventually decide to form the “League of Princes” and save their respective kingdoms from the evil witch Zaubera.

The princes blunder their way from danger to danger (like grumpy dwarfs and vegetarian trolls), but eventually come out on top with the help of a few princesses along the way. Filled with witty conversations, hilarious action scenes and engaging illustrations by Todd Harris, Healy has written a twisted fairy tale book that will appeal to both boys and girls ages 8-12, and would be an excellent read-aloud for the whole family. The adventure doesn’t have to finish at the end of the book, either, as “The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle” is due to be published next year.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. If you like fractured fairy tales and haven't yet read Sarah Beth Durst's "Into the Wild," then click the picture below to reserve a copy today!

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Every year here at SLCL we receive requests for gift recommendations for the special kids in people's lives. This year we are pleased to introduce you to the first annual SLCL Holiday Gift Guide! We have recently published book suggestions selected by our staff for your young ones divided into four categories: board books, picture books, early chapter books, and middle-grade chapter books. Click on the images to look at the books in our catalog.

BOARD BOOKS

Anna Dewdney's "Llama Llama" series is full of fun for little ones.

For engaging learning, look to the hello genius series.

"Tickle, Tickle, Peter!" is an adorable new take on an old classic.

PICTURE BOOKS

"Swirl by Swirl" by Joyce Sideman points out swirls in nature with beautiful illustrations.

"Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs" by Mo Willems is a silly twist on an old story for young grade-schoolers.

"You Are a Lion!" by Taeeun Yoo brings yoga poses to the little guys.

"Nighttime Ninja" by Barbara DaCosta is the perfect bedtime story for any busy ninja.

"One Cool Friend" by Tony Buzzeo tells of Elliot, his scientist dad, and learning to take care of a new friend.

EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS

Fans of the Fancy Nancy picture books can graduate to the girl detective in "Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth."

A new Magic Tree House book!

For the super hero in your life, there's "Captain Awesome To The Rescue!" by Stan Kirby

Hilarity ensues when Bad Kitty runs for president!

Precious is out to find who stole the piece of cake in this African mystery.

MIDDLE-GRADE CHAPTER BOOKS

"Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature's Undead" by Rebecca L. Johnson.  Need I say more?

Nika bonds with wolves and her guardian uncle in Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carlson-Voiles

"The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate tells of friendship between a gorilla and an elephant calf.

For a laugh-out-loud mixed-up fairy tale, pickup "The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom."

Fabulous stories of "Women Explorers" by Julie Cummins

A wild and imaginative adventure unlike any other.

I hope these ideas spark excellent gifts for the readers in your life! If you want further suggestions, stop by your local branch.

--Andrea W., H.Q.