Humphrey Author Betty Birney to Visit SLCL

What a treat! "The World According to Humphrey" author Betty G. Birney will be visiting St. Louis County Library Headquarters on Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m.

Birney grew up in St. Louis. She writes children's books and this Emmy winner has also worked on many children's television shows.

Birney's Humphrey books are beloved by kids everywhere. Humphrey, the pet hamster at Longfellow School, learns to read, write and help his fellow students in Room 26 with their problems.

What's Humphrey all about? Check out the first book in the series and you will be hooked.

"The World According to Humphrey" You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That's what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy is it true There are always adventures in the classroom and each weekend he gets to sleep over with different students.

"Friendship According to Humphrey"When Humphrey the hamster returns to Mrs. Brisbane's class after the winter break, a new class pet and some other surprises give him an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of friendship.
 


Looking for something different?

"The Princess and the Peabodys" 

When a medieval princess appears out of a rusty box bought at a yard sale, fourteen-year-old tomboy Casey Peabody and her family are stuck with her royal snobbiness until the young wizard who had trapped her there figures out the spell to send her home. "Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" When Eben McAllister reads about the Seven Wonders of the World, he longs to escape the small farming community of Sassafras Springs and do some exploring of his own. All that changes when his pa, challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras Springs that can stand up to the real Seven Wonders of the World.

Join us for a great author event!

--Desiree S., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

Good news, everyone! Katherine Applegate, author of Newbery Award winning book "The One and Only Ivan," has a brand-new book coming out! "Crenshaw" will be out soon. In the meantime, watch the lovely trailer and put a hold on a copy today!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick

The masterful Brian Selznick has a new illustrated novel coming out, called "The Marvels." Following the trials and tribulations of a family of actors through the centuries, it looks to be as fascinating and stunningly beautiful as his previous works, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and "Wonderstruck." Be sure to check out his hand-designed and performed book trailer below.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Ice Cream" by Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band

Here's a sweet treat for a hot summer day! "Ice Cream" by Danny Weinkauf (the bassist for They Might Be Giants) and The Red Pants Band is sure to hit the spot. If you like the video, you can check out his work with They Might Be Giants.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Celebrating African American Children's Literature: Carole Boston Weatherford

Author and poet, Carole Boston Weatherford, has written many award winning picture books that share African American history with young readers. Each picture book informs and celebrates with both a story and accompanying historical notes.

Award winning “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom”, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, presents the courage and spirituality of Harriet Tubman, who led hundreds of slaves to freedom using the Underground Railroad. Carole Boston Weatherford creates a narrative for young readers that awes and inspires.

“Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America” celebrates the creative talents of Gordon Parks who earned the National Medal of the Arts in 1988. A self-taught photographer, Gordon Parks worked for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) and documented the poverty and segregation of the Great Depression.  Later, Gordon Parks became the first African American staff photographer at  "Life Magazine".

“Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins” presents the story of the Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins from a child’s perspective. Connie tells the story of segregation, Dr. King’s visit, the seven months of civil disobedience, and her family’s pride while sharing a meal at the Woolworth counter. At the end of the book we find an author’s note with additional historical information, including an interview with the Greensboro Four.

--Teresa, Sachs

Magic at the Circus: a review of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Micah Tuttle has been hearing about Circus Mirandus from his Grandpa Ephraim his whole life. The world's smartest elephant, the unique and mysterious ticket seller, and especially the magical Lightbender and his sensational show have all become legend to Micah. When Grandpa Ephraim falls ill and his unbelieving and grumpy sister Gertrudis moves in, Micah's last hope is for Grandpa Ephraim to finally redeem the miracle that the Lightbender gave him years ago. Only Micah has to escape from his Aunt Gertrudis and convince his friend Jenny to join him as he does everything in his power to make the miracle happen. But what if the miracle Grandpa Ephraim asks for is not the one that Micah longs for? Full enchantment, heart, and wonder, this story is a delight to read. For readers in grades 4-6. To request a copy, click on the link above.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon" by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

There's a new picture book from Jarrett Krosoczka, and it looks wonderful. Watch the trailer for "It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon" below and decide for yourself. If you like it,  put in a request.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Family Read Night Features R.L. Stine and Marc Brown

St. Louis County Library is a great place for families to gather and discover the joys of reading. We encourage reading in many ways but one of my favorites is our annual Family Read Night. This year's Family Read Night will be held on Friday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. at the Headquarters branch. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. 

This year we welcome two children's literature giants on the same stage! 

R.L. Stine is the king of scary stories with his Goosebumps series. Kids just can't get enough of them. Those books spawned a TV show in the 1990s and be on the lookout for a new movie starring Jack Black in theaters this fall.

Marc Brown is best known for the adored Arthur books which launched a kid's cartoon that is still going strong after almost twenty years. Brown also illustrates many picture books for other authors.

These two authors have teamed up for a not-so-cuddly picture book "The Little Shop of Monsters"where you don't choose the monsters, the monsters choose you.







--Desiree S., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over" by Hilary Grist

Here's a fun clay-and-paper video for Hilary Grist's beautiful lullaby, "Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over." If you like the beautiful song, watch the narrated story below.

Enjoy!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"In a Village By the Sea" by Muon Van

"In a fishing village by the sea
there is a small house.
In that house,
high above the waves,
is a kitchen."

So begins the story of life, family, and art "In a Village by the Sea," written by Muon Van. Taking us from the ocean to a kitchen where dinner is being served, then back out to sea, Van's gentle story weaves together the comfort of home, danger, and even a little fantasy. April Chu's beautifully saturated illustrations bring the story to life. This book is perfect for preschool up to second grade readers.

--Andrea W., Headquarters