Love Books Just in Time For Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner!  Check out one of these new books and share them with someone you love.



"Did You Know That I Love You?" by Christa Pierce
Two friends, a bird and a fox, explain how they share their love.  You can feel it in a hug and drink it from a mug.  Few words on each page and simple pictures make it a quick read with a big message.



"Superlove" by Charise Mericle Harper
One day, I young girl wakes up and announces that she is Superlove!  She's going to make sure everyone falls in love.  The day will end in a beautiful wedding for her cat, Pinky, and a happily every after.  The decorations are beautiful and Superlove is the best flower girl ever. Too bad Pinky is just not going for the wedding.  How will this day of super love be saved?






"You Are My Heart" by Marianne Richmond
This is a sweet read to share with an older child.  It's a love letter from a parent to a child.  It would also make a great gift for a baby shower.

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Maker Monday: "Fun Things to do With Milk Jugs" by Marne Ventura

You have them in your recycle bin every week.  Why not give them a new life?  "Fun Things to do with Milk Jugs" has lots of ideas to jazz up those plastic bottles. There are toys, games, decorations and gifts just waiting to be made.  Most of these can be done with things you already have around the house or they can be bought at a dollar store.  So save that gallon or half-gallon jug this week and try something new!
Also in this series:

 --Angie RH, Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "When I Look Into the Night Sky" by Lori Henriques

Explore the wonder of the universe in this lovely cut-paper video by Lori Henriques called, "When I look Into the Night Sky." To hear another Lori Henriques song, check out the album "Science Fair." If you'd like to look at the night sky, check out a telescope (only on an adult card!) from Headquarters, Tesson Ferry, Lewis and Clark, Florissant Valley, and Daniel Boone.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Glass Sentence" by S.E. Grove

Are you tired of reading cookie-cutter fantasies with the same plucky adventurers? Do you want to get lost in a unique world with complex characters, exotic settings, and fascinating inventions? Join Sophia from "The Glass Sentence" by S.E. Grove as she travels through the complex world after the Great Disruption, when the ages of the world got jumbled and lost. Part steam-punk, part science fiction, part fantasy and all adventure, it's an engrossing page-turner. 

In a world of warring and unexplored Ages, Sophia Tims lives with her famous cartologer uncle, Shadrack Elli, in Boston, New Occident. After teaching Sophia the basics of map reading on glass, metal, and fabric, Shadrack is kidnapped by Nihilismians, an end-of-times-cult. With the help of Theo, an escapee from a circus who's trying to get home, Sophia takes a clue that her uncle left and sets out for the Baldlands to try to get Shadrack back. Caught up in a race to find the Carta Mayor, a living water map that shows all of time, Sophia and Theo meet up with pirates, a man who makes chocolate dinnerware, and a dangerous princess with thorns growing out of her arms. Can Sophia put all of the maps together in time to save the Baldlands from being swallowed up by an arctic age? "The Glass Sentence" is so engrossing that you'll be chomping at the bit for the next installment in the "Mapmakers" series. Great for fifth grade and up.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Animals That Make Me Say Ouch!" by Dawn Cusick

Animals have some crazy defenses and adaptations, and some of them are painful! In "Animals That Make Me Say Ouch!," author Dawn Cusick highlights some of those strange and painful things with simple and interesting text. Each page has a handful of facts and several brightly detailed photos to complement each fact. Along the way there are fun little scavenger hunts that readers can go on to learn more. Best for grades 3-5

Dewey Number: 591.47

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "Boys of Blur" by N.D. Wilson

Sugarcane, football, zombie-like creatures and an evil swamp monster all collide in the heart-pounding and lyrically written "Boys of Blur" by N.D. Wilson. Watch the trailer, request a copy and enjoy! Appropriate for grades 5-7.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Crew Cut" by Randy Kaplan

Do you need ideas for a new hair style? Or are you mourning the loss of your hair? Then watch this humorous video "Crew Cut" from Randy Kaplan.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

New Books Just for Winter!

When it's cold outside and the snow is falling, what's more fun than coming inside after a fun day of playing in the snow, warming up with your favorite hot drink, and curling up with a good book? Here's four delightful new snowy books for you and your child to enjoy together. Click on the links to reserve a copy today!

"Winter Bees" by Joyce Sidman

We are an ancient tribe,
a hardy scrum.
Born with eyelash legs
and tinsel wings,
we are nothing on our own.
Together, we are One.

Joyce Sidman offers an evocative collection of poems about the natural world in winter, paired with an accompanying scientific paragraph explaining the facts behind each poem. Illustrated by Rick Allen's delicately colored linoleum prints, each component of this book works together as a pleasing and beautiful whole that the whole family can enjoy.

"Blizzard" by John Rocco

No one does picture book memoirs better than John Rocco, and this new book is further proof. Through approchable text and bright and entertaining illustrations, Rocco recalls when his family was snowed in for several days after a blizzard. As time passes, his family tragically runs out of milk for their hot cocoa,  so young John braves the frozen wasteland on tennis rackets and makes it to the corner store for provisions. It's comedy, it's adventure, and your whole family will love it. It might make you wish for a blizzard of your own!

"Outside" by Deirdre Gill

If you don't want to actually play outside in the snow, this book is the next best thing. In this homage to imaginative snow play, Gill uses sparse words and vibrantly engaging illustrations to tell the story of a little boy on an adventure in the snow with a dragon and a snow man. In the end, he invites his little brother to join in. After reading about this wonderful adventure, you'll want to grab your favorite mittens, pull on your snow pants, lace up your boots and head outside to experience the magic yourself!

"Fox's Garden" by Princesse Camcam

Through the dimensional beauty of photographed cut paper illustrations, Princesse Camcam wordlessly tells the story of a fox mama looking for a place to have her babies on a snowy night. After being chased away by the adults in a house, a little boy peeks out the window to watch as mama makes her way into the greenhouse out back. When he takes her a gift, the fox shows thanks in an almost magical way. This story is perfect for the young animal lover in your house.


--Andrea W., Headquarters

All New American Girl Book Discussion Group

Starting in January, six St. Louis County Library branches and the American Girl store in Chesterfield Mall will host a monthly book group featuring American Girl books.  Each month, we will read a book about one girl, get together to talk about it, and have an activity.  Featured girls might be historical or present day.  Participants will get a special voucher for the American Girl store and receive a punch card to keep track of their meetings.  Attend book discussions at any library branch or the American Girl store and be invited to exclusive Book Club events!

Find the schedule of meetings at www.slcl.org/events.

The store has generously donated new books to be made into book discussion kits available for check out by staff and the public.  Each kit contains 20 copies of each book with ideas for discussion activities.

--Angie RH, Headquarters