2013 Missouri Building Block Nominees

Today is the last day of the book awards postings and today we are looking a little closer to home. 

Every year the Missouri Library Association gives out the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri's public libraries. The 2013 nominees were announced recently. Here at St. Louis CountyLibrary we will be reading these books during story times in the fall. However, you are welcome to start choosing your favorite. Read early, read often!

“I’m Bored” by Michael Ian Black. When a bored girl meets a potato who finds children tedious, she tries to prove him wrong by demonstrating all of the things they can do, from turning cartwheels to using their imaginations.

“Cat Secrets” by Jef Czekaj. Important secrets about how best to live a cat's life will be revealed only to those who can prove that they are genuine cats.   

“Who’s Who” by Ken Geist.  Illustrations and simple rhyming text introduce six pairs of animal twins that moo, hop, swing, swim, flap, and hoot their way through the day.

“Oh No, George!” by Chris Haughton.  George finds it hard to be a good dog when there are cats to chase, flowers to dig up, and a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table.

“It's a Tiger!” by David LaRochelle.  A child imagines that he is in a story where he encounters a tiger at every turn.

“Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons” by Eric Litwin.  Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.

“One Special Day” by Lola M. Schaefer  An energetic and imaginative boy becomes a big brother.

“Find a Cow Now!” by Janet Stevens.  Tired of hearing Dog yipping at chairs and trying to round up rugs, Bird tells him to go to the country to find a cow, but this is one cattle dog who does not know a cow when he sees one.

“Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy” by Jan Thomas.  Brave Cowboy tries to sing his young calf pals to sleep on a dark, dark night, with humorous results.

“Duckling Gets a Cookie?!” by Mo Willems.  Pigeon is very angry when the duckling gets a cookie just by asking politely

More Award Winners

The Youth Media Awards were announced on Monday. Here is a look at more award winners.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:

“Back to Front and Upside Down!” written and illustrated by Claire Alexander wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.

While the rest of the class makes birthday cards for the principal, Stanley struggles with his words and letters.

“A Dog Called Homeless” written by Sarah Lean is the winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13) award.

Fifth-grader Cally Louise Fisher stops talking, partly because her father and brother never speak of her mother who died a year earlier, but visions of her mother, friendships with a homeless man and a disabled boy, and a huge dog ensure that she still communicates.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The 2013 winner is Katherine Paterson. You may recognize her from her Newbery winner “Bridge to Terabithia.”






Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.

“Martin de Porres: the Rose in the Desert” illustrated by David Diaz, written by Gary D. Schmidt.  The story of Saint Martin de Porres, an endearing tale of perseverance, faith, and triumph over racial and economic prejudice.







Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book. We have the HONOR books at the library:

“Let’s Go for a Drive!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems.  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.

“Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” by Eric Litwin, created and illustrated by James Dean  Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.

“Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover,” written and illustrated by Cece Bell. Rabbit is excited about the sleepover he has carefully planned for his friend Robot, but Robot has some different ideas about how things should go.

More Award Books: Coretta Scott King

We are continuing our look at the Youth Media Awards that were announced on Monday. Today we take a look at the Coretta Scott King Awards.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.  The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.  

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.

AUTHOR AWARD WINNER:  “Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America” written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

This book presents the stories of ten African-American men from different eras in American history, organized chronologically to provide a scope from slavery to the modern day.

AUTHOR AWARD HONOR BOOKS:

“Each Kindness” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis.  When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been wrong in making fun of new student Maya's shabby clothes and refusing to play with her.

 “No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie .  In this work of historical fiction, Nelson tells the story of a man with a passion for knowledge and of a bookstore whose influence has become legendary. (teen fiction)

ILLUSTRATOR AWARD WINNER: “I, Too, Am America,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Langston Hughes.  

Presents the popular poem by one of the central figures in the Harlem Renaissance, highlighting the courage and dignity of the African American Pullman porters in the early twentieth century.

ILLUSTRATOR AWARD HONOR BOOKS:

“H. O. R. S. E.,” illustrated and written by Christopher Myers . Two friends try to outdo each other on the basketball court in an out-of-this-world game of H.O.R.S.E

“Ellen’s Broom,” illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons.  Ellen has always known that the broom hanging on her family's cabin wall is a special symbol of her parents' wedding during slave days, so she proudly carries it to the courthouse when the marriage becomes legal.

“I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr.” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Martin Luther King, Jr. Presents illustrations and the text of the speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, in which he described his visionary dream of equality and brotherhood for humankind.

More awards tomorrow!

--Desiree S. HQ

Award Book Week

Today was a huge day for authors, illustrators, librarians and book lovers! The annual Youth Media Awards were announced. We will link you to the winners and honor books over the next few days. Take a look and see if you agree with the choices.

First, the Newbery!

The Newbery Medal honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

WINNER: “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate

When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.

HONOR BOOKS:

“Splendors and Glooms” by Laura Amy Schlitz . When Clara vanishes after the puppeteer Grisini and two orphaned assistants were at her twelfth birthday party, suspicion of kidnapping chases the trio away from London and soon the two orphans are caught in a trap set by Grisini's ancient rival, a witch with a deadly inheritance to shed before it is too late.

“Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon” by Steve Sheinkin.  Recounts the scientific discoveries that enabled atom splitting, the military intelligence operations that occurred in rival countries, and the work of brilliant scientists hidden at Los Alamos.

“Three Times Lucky” by Sheila Turnage.  Washed ashore as a baby in tiny Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Mo LoBeau, now eleven, and her best friend Dale turn detective when the amnesiac Colonel, owner of a café and co-parent of Mo with his cook, Miss Lana, seems implicated in a murder.

And now, the Caldecott!

The Randolph Caldecott Medal honors the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

WINNER: “This is Not My Hat” by Jon Klassen .  

A tiny minnow wearing a pale blue bowler hat has a thing or two up his fins in this underwater light-on-dark chase scene.

HONOR BOOKS:

“Creepy Carrots” pictures by Peter Brown, words by Aaron Reynolds. The carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field are the fattest and crispiest around and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist pulling some to eat each time he passes by, until he begins hearing and seeing creepy carrots wherever he goes.

“Extra Yarn” pictures by Jon Klassen, words by Mac Barnett . With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.

“Green”  words and pictures by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.  Illustrations and simple, rhyming text explore the many shades of the color green.

“One Cool Friend” pictures by David Small, words by Toni Buzzeo. Elliot, a very proper young man, feels a kinship with the penguins at the aquarium and wants to take one home with him.

“Sleep Like a Tiger” pictures by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue.  At bedtime a young girl asks "Does everything in the world go to sleep?"

Check in with us tomorrow for more awards.

--Desiree S., HQ 

Can You Canoe?-The Okee Dokee Brothers

Last year, kindie music artists Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing, known as The Okee Dokee Brothers, set off on an epic journey. Their goal--to canoe from the Twin Cities in Minnesota all the way to St. Louis, writing songs all the while. The result is the Grammy-nominated album and documentary Can You Canoe? Full of homey and witty folk tunes, Can You Canoe? is a treasure to be enjoyed by the whole family and everyone who's ever had the itch to hop in a boat and go on an adventure.

I will freely admit to being completely biased, being a lover of folk music, canoeing, and the Mississippi River, but this is the most delightful kids album that I've heard in awhile. The music is fully folk, but diverse in its expression--from blues to bluegrass. The simple and well-produced instrumentation puts me in mind of nights spent singing around a campfire. And while people (erroneously) think "boring" and "inane" when it comes to kids music, the Okee Dokee Brothers have crafted a witty and interesting album of songs that keep me chuckling no matter how many times I listen. It's hard for me to pick out favorite tracks, but a few more notable songs are "Mr. & Mrs. Sippy"--a delightful wordplay story, the  wistful train song "Memphis Town," and the sweet journeying love song "Along for the Ride."

So if you're into adventure, if you believe that wonder matters, and if you love the Big Muddy, give Can You Canoe? a listen. Your kids will love it, and you might too! Just a warning--it might make you pack up your wetbag and tent and buy a paddle and canoe for a summer voyage. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today, and check out the music videos.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Dewey Discoveries: "Cute! A guide to all things adorable" by Bart King

You didn't realize that it was missing, but now that it's here, you can't live without it. "What exactly can't I live without?" you may ask. A compendium of all thing cute, of course! Sometimes the nonfiction stacks produce something so spectacular that I cannot hold it inside. And so I present you with "Cute! A guide to all things adorable" by Bart King." Chock full of adorable illustrations and fascinating facts about cuteness through the centuries and all over the world, this fascinating little book is a fun read for all ages (although it will be funniest to fourth graders on up). King has done a skillful job of covering an eye-rolling topic in an entertaining and informative way. With chapter titles like, "Things That Make You Say, 'Awwww!'," "Shiny Stuff" and "Cute Things That May Not Be Cute," there's something interesting for everyone. Head to the stacks and check it out!

Dewey Number: J 111.85 King Bart

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Read a Book, Make a Craft

Winter is the perfect time to cuddle up with a good book. To create a more interactive experience with your child, try pairing a craft with your favorite book.

“The Snow Globe Family” by Jane O'Connor is the perfect winter day read. The little family
that lives in the snow globe on the mantle wonders why it never snows anymore. It isn’t until a curious baby happens upon the snow globe that they get their wish.

Try this easy craft at home and make your own snow globe:



Snow Globe Craft

Materials needed:

Jar with lid
Small toy
Glue
Glitter
Glycerin (optional)
Water

1. Glue a small toy to the inside of the jar lid and let dry

2. Fill the jar with water, add glitter and a few drops of glycerin (optional) to
make the glitter float

3. Apply glue to jar’s seal and close it tight on the jar

4. Turn over the jar and enjoy!

--Hannah K., JB

Dewey Discoveries: "I Love You, ZooBorns!"

If you can't get enough of "Zooborns," you're going to love the new Zooborns easy reader books, "I Love You, ZooBorns!" and "Welcome to the World, Zooborns!." Chock full of adorable pictures of zoo babies and animal facts written in simple prose, it's sure to please the early reader in your house. They are both Level One Ready-To-Read books.

Dewey Number: J 591.39 Bleiman Andrew, J 591.392 Bleiman Andrew

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Story Time Favorites

I try to keep my story times as fresh as possible by keeping an eye out for new books. However, I have to admit to having a few titles that I keep on hand just because I love them so much. Take a look at some of my favorites and then browse your local branch to find a few of your own.

"The Pigeon Wants a Puppy" and "Listen to My Trumpet" by Mo Willems. I admit to being a pushover for a Mo Willems book and who can blame me? These two are my hands down favorites. In the first book, Pigeon wants a puppy but is a little hazy on how to actually take care of one. The second book brings back best friends Elephant and Piggie. Piggie has a brand new trumpet and she wants to share its beautiful sound with Gerald. 

"The Perfect Nest" by Catherine Friend. Any book that allows me to do silly voices gets my vote. Jack the Cat builds the perfect nest to attract the perfect chicken to lay the perfect egg to make the perfect omelet. Things do not go as planned.

"Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons" by Eric Litwin. This one has a great rhythm to it and you can even go online to the publisher's website to hear the story. Pete the Cat is one laid back feline. When his buttons pop off his shirt, does he cry? Goodness no.

"Dooby Dooby Moo" by Doreen Cronin. This one gives me a chance to sing traditional songs with a twist. Farmer Brown keeps an eye on Duck and Duck keeps an eye on Farmer Brown. Those animals are up to something and it involves a trampoline.

"Children Make Terrible Pets" by Peter Brown. Nice clean illustrations make this story that turns the tables on "Look what followed me home, Mom!" Lucy Bear finds a child in the woods and brings him home to be her pet. Turns out children are a lot of trouble to take care of.

"Shark in the Park" by Nick Sharratt. This book is out of print but, if you ever find one at a used bookstore, snap it up. Timothy Pope sees lots of things with his telescope at the park, including what he is positive must be a shark!







-- Desiree S., HQ

"Violet" by Jeremy Messersmith

I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for a snowy winter! So let's get this party started with Jeremy Messersmith's "Violet." Bring on a snow day!

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Dewey Discoveries: "The Wing Wing Brothers: Math Spectacular!"

Some folks love math.  Other people not so much. Clearly, author Ethan Long loves him some math, because he has given us an extravaganza of addition and subtraction in "The Wing Wing Brothers: Math Spectacular!" Illustrated with bright comic-like artwork, Long introduces us to the all-around circus performers, the Wing Wing Brothers. As the brothers juggle, balance plates, perform magic, and compete against one another they demonstrate important math concepts like comparing amounts, addition, and subtraction. I ask you, what better way to learn subtraction than by throwing pies? Appropriate for the kindergarten set. Click on the link above to reserve a copy.

Dewey Number: J 513.2 Long Ethan

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Dewey Discoveries:"Do You Know Dewey?"

What better book to highlight on Dewey Discoveries than a book about the Dewey system? While helpful and informative, the Dewey system is arguably not an exciting topic. Or at least it wasn't until Brian P. Cleary wrote this simple rhyming guide, and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff illustrated it so charmingly. "Do You Know Dewey?: Exploring the Dewey Decimal System" is a quick and enjoyable way to teach your child how to navigate the non-fiction stacks at your library. Appropriate for any school-aged child.

Dewey number J 025.431 Cleary, Brian

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Winter Reading Club Winners Announced

Our Winter Reading Club was a great success! Thanks to all who participated in our first year. Don't worry, we are sure to do it again next year. In the meantime, don't forget to join the Summer Reading Club also. There will be prizes for all who participate. 

Here are the winners of the Winter Reading Club Kid's Prize Pack:


Bridgeton Trails Viktoria C.
Cliff Cave         Michael B.
Daniel Boone        Jackie G.
Eureka Hills     Sarah G.
Florissant Valley Jessi H.
Grand Glaize   Rory C.
Headquarters   Brandon B.
Indian Trails     Nate C.
Jamestown Bluffs Miranda M.
Lewis & Clark Chase B.
Mid County      Ezra K.
Meramec Valley Brayden B.
Natural Bridge DeAsia G.
Oak Bend        Caleb B.
Prairie Commons Sam H.
Rock Road      Abbie C.
Sachs              Amanda B.
Tesson Ferry   Caleb H.
Thornhill           Sasha S.
Weber Road   Xavier A.

Congratulations to all the winners!