Kids Music Friday: "The Church Usher's Dance" by Uncle Devin

Here's a fun story/song about a kid who dances to his own beat. Check it out, and give "The Church Usher's Dance" by Washington D.C. children's artist Uncle Devin a try!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Design a Skyscraper" by Hilary Koll

There's a fun new math series on the shelves! Yes, I said fun and math. It's called You Do the Math, and they are filled with trivia, math problems, and pictures. Designed in a graphic novel format, your young mathematician will have fun learning about different math topics. This volume, "Design a Skyscraper," walks the reader through the design and building of a skyscraper, using math the entire way. Click the link above to reserve a copy today. For middle school on up.

Dewey Number: 510.76


--Andrea W., Headquarters

Sensational Sisters! Picture Books for Young Ladies and Their Little Sisters

Sisters are a wonderful things! Sometimes they can take getting used to, and that's why we have picture books to help ease the transition. For the big sister in your life, check out these new books.

"Little Miss, Big Sis" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the queen of all things adorable, tells the story of a big sis and her new baby sister. It's a quick story with spot-on minimalist text. Peter Reynolds illustratrates the story with perfect, simple images. Full of humor and heart, this picture book will warm the hearts of all sisters, starting with three-year-olds.

"A Guide to Sisters" by Paula Metcalf

For a slightly older sister we have a handy guide to baby sisters. It includes such topics as cuteness, tickling, clothes, and sharing, and Suzanne Barton's illustrations bring extra humor to the already humorous text. "Even though big sisters have to wait until their seventh birthday before they're allowed to wear high heels, little sisters only have to wait until their big sister's seventh birthday before they're allowed to wear high heels." Isn't that the truth!




Click on the links above to request a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

“Beautiful Birds” by J. Roussen & E. Walker

An extraordinary new take on an alphabet book, “Beautiful Birds” takes readers from A to Z with vivid illustrations of the world’s most stunning birds. From cockatoos to kakapos and owls to woodpeckers, Walker’s striking illustrations are coupled with Roussen’s playful poem. Perfect for early readers just learning the alphabet or children who want to explore the incredible diversity of the bird kingdom. Regardless of age, young readers will truly enjoy getting lost in the colors and feathers of this picture book.  

--Alison R., Headquarters

“Viva Frida” by Yuyi Morales

In Yuyi Morales’ “Viva Frida” one of the world’s most famous female artists is brilliantly captured in action. Each page contains two or three bilingual sentences in addition to vividly captivating as well as unique mixed media illustrations. This biography is especially accessible for beginning readers. This book is a celebration of art, animals, love, dreams, culture, and ultimately life. A recipient of the 2015 Caldecott Honor Book Award as well as the 2015 Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award this picture book is definitely one to be checked out and enjoyed by readers of any age. 

--Alison R., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Bile Them Cabbage" by Red Yarn

Here's a bit of toe-tapping fun for you! Grab your favorite puppet and friend and get dancing to the classic folk tune "Bile Them Cabbage" performed by Portland folk-rock puppeteers Red Yarn.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Celebrating African American Children's Literature: R. Gregory Christie

Have you ever dreamed of traveling back in time? R. Gregory Christie’s illustrations of “Sugar Hill” transport readers back to the Harlem Renaissance. Written by Carole Boston Weatherford, “Sugar Hill” takes readers to a place where life is sweet and the streets are filled with famous artists, novelists, and musicians.

“Jazz Baby”, written by Lisa Wheeler, is a wonderful read aloud with “snazzy jazzy” lyrics and verse - oh, yeah! Christie’s illustrations are “rompin, stompin” fun and fill the page with movement and expression. Share a jazz cd and children will “snap, snap, snap” and “clap, clap, clap” right along with “Jazz Baby”.

“Mousetropolis”, written and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, is a modern retelling of the classic country mouse, city mouse tale. Recently published, this book has perfect design, clever illustrations, and suspense. Watch out for the owl and cat!

-- Teresa, Sachs

Reading for the Record

On Thursday, October 22, 2015, St. Louis County Library locations will be participating in Jumpstart's Read for the Record.  Read for the Record is a global campaign that generates public support for high-quality early learning and highlights the importance of building children’s vocabulary and love for reading. Children and adults all over the world will participate in the world’s largest shared reading experience.

On that day, we will read "Not Norman: A Goldfish Story," written by Kelly Bennett and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, a humorous tale about a child who finds a new friend in an unexpected place.

Visit your local branch and help us break the world reading record for the most people reading the same book on the same day! Check with your local branch for the participation time.

--Desiree S., Headquarters

"Fuzzy Mud" by Louis Sachar

 In "Fuzzy Mud" we meet  fifth grader Tamaya who is trying to cope with her parents divorce and her friends' changing attitudes. She walks home from school with Marshall who is dealing with his own problems...mainly a bully named Chad. When Marshall chooses to walk them through the woods behind their school to avoid Chad, their world turns upside down. Chad finds them in the woods and Tamaya throws 'fuzzy mud' at Chad to save Marshall. When Tamaya wakes up the next morning she has blisters on her hand. What must Chad look like?

This book talks about a lot of issues--divorce, fitting in, bullying, ecology--but it does so in a pretty gentle manner. School Library Journal recommends grades 3-5. I have no problem giving this to a confident third grader but I would really recommend it for grades 4-6.

Louis Sachar doesn't publish a book often so it is a treat to get a new book.


--Desiree S., Headquarters

P.S.

Kids often ask me "What is your favorite book?" and I can't say that I truly have a favorite. I like different stories for different reasons. However, if I could only chose one book to take on a deserted island to read forever and ever, that book would be "Holes" by Louis Sachar. If you haven't read "Holes" go find it now! Maybe that will become your island book as well.

Sequel Alert! Can You Still Find Walrus?

When Walrus snuck out of the zoo and cleverly evaded his zoo keeper using all kinds of disguises in "Where's Walrus," he must have had a blast, because Walrus is back, and he's brought his friend penguin with him in "Where's Walrus? And Penguin." Author and illustrator Stephen Savage has created another engaging and wordless picture book that all pre-readers will enjoy. The images are simple and bright, and walrus and penguin are hilarious in their efforts to evade the zoo keeper. My favorite is when they join the opera. I'd like to see a walrus singing Wagner! They go through a rough patch when they join a baseball game, but in the end, walrus finds that maybe he has a good reason to stay at the zoo. I recommend this seek-and-find book for young ones from preschool to first grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Siete Elefantes" by Mister G

Count the animals along with Mister G in his delightful new video, "Siete Elefantes." If you like what you hear, check out one of his albums.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Volunteer: A Review of “Can We Help?” by George Ancona

Childhood is a time of great exploration and learning. What better time to introduce volunteerism? And what better way, besides doing it yourself, than by reading a book and seeing other kids helping out? “Can We Help? Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities” by George Ancona is a delightful way to begin a conversation with kids about volunteering.

Each page spread has a short, easy to read paragraph describing different ways that kids volunteer. From knitting hats and scarves, working in a community garden or food pantry, to picking up litter and helping to distribute meals, there’s a multitude of wonderful ideas that kids can latch onto, and that we can do right here in St. Louis!. The best part of the book, however, are the beautiful photographs that show all kinds of kids doing all kinds of things all over the country to help out.

Check out “Can We Help” for the kid in your life, but be prepared for an inspired kid who wants to get out there and help! Great for kindergarteners through fourth grade.

--Andrea W., Headquarters