Review: "How Do You Say? Como se dice?" by Angela Dominguez

After the lovely "Maria Had a Little Llama/Maria tenia una llamita", Angela Dominguez is back with another fun and fantastic bilingual picture book, "How Do You Say?/Como se dice?". It tells the tale of a blossoming friendship between two young giraffes, one speaking English and the other Spanish. Each page spread shows both giraffes doing the same thing, but speaking in their respective languages, "Food!/Comida!" or "Hello?/Hola?".  As their similar lives bring the two together, they discover that they have a lot in common, right down to the nap they take when they're all worn out from playing. With bold illustrations and simple text, this story is appropriate for readers age three on up. Click on the link above request a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Detective Gordon: The First Case" by Ulf Nilsson

The tradition of anthropomorphic animals is long and beloved in children’s literature: “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame, “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, “Frog and Toad” by Arnold Lobel, and so many more. It continues on today in many different forms, but only once in awhile does a book like “Detective Gordon: The First Case” come along with the timeless charm of the great ones.

In an atmospheric forest world, author Ulf Nilsson has created a community of animals that is wild, yet cozily domestic at the same time, not unlike the cast of characters in “The Wind in the Willows.” We meet Detective Gordon, an overweight and aging toad who solves crime as the chief of police. Living a solitary life in the police station with his official stamp and his tins of cakes, the Detective’s quiet winter is rudely interrupted by a crime.

Someone  has been stealing nuts from holes all over the forest, and squirrel is upset. Since Detective Gordon only loves to eat cakes and sit by his fire, he’s worried about cracking the case. Luckily, he finds some help along the way from a little mouse. Can they find the thieves before all the nuts are gone?

Illustrated with engaging, full-color illustrations by Gitte Spee and filled with delightful and well-developed characters. Nilsson’s gentle plot and delicate humor make this new beginning chapter book series not only a good read-alone for a first through third grader, but it would be the perfect read-aloud for a young family.  

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Amazing Animals: Chameleon" by Valerie Bodden

Chameleons are so cool! You don't need to look any further than "Amazing Animals: Chameleon" by Valerie Bodden to find out. With brilliant, larger-than-life photos on every page and a short paragraph describing something amazing about the vibrant lizard, any reader between kindergarten and third grade (or beyond!) will be entranced. If you like the book about chameleons, you can check on the other books in the series as well. Click on the links above to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters



Dewey Number: 597.956

Review: "Hippopotamister" by John Patrick Green.

"The old City Zoo was falling apart. No one was buying tickets. No one was managing the office. The habitats needed repair. The monkeys had no energy. The lion's mane wasn't very regal. The walrus's smile wasn't very bright. And at the center of it all, lived Red Panda and Hippopotamus."

In "Hippopotamister" by John Patrick Green, an animal can only take so much, and Red Panda couldn't take it anymore. So Red Panda waved farewell to his friend and neighbor, Hippopotamus, and left the zoo to live amongst the humans. He visited Hippo often, dressed each time in a different work uniform, and every time he'd visit he'd say the same thing . . ."Hey Hippo! Life outside the zoo is great! My job is awesome!" Finally, Hippo couldn't take it anymore! He didn't want to live in the shabby old zoo, he wanted to have adventures and work awesome jobs, too! He asked his friend, Red Panda, to help him find a job. Red Panda is happy to help, but it turns out working amongst the humans is not all it's cracked up to be. Will Hippo and Red Panda make it in the working world, or find themselves back at the zoo? To find out, pick up "Hippopotamister" by John Patrick Green. School Library Journal recommends this graphic novel for readers in grades one to four. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Kelly B., Prairie Commons

Review: "The Only Child" by Guojing

Illustrator Guojing was raised in China under the one-child rule. Her parents worked full-time, and Guojing was often left at home for hours by herself. One day, her father put Guojing on a bus to her grandmother's house. On the way, she fell asleep and missed her stop. Luckily, she was able to find a familiar road and walk to her grandmother's house, but that terrifying childhood experience inspired her to create "The Only Child," her award-winning (and wordless) graphic novel.

In this story, we meet a little girl who is left home alone after her mother leaves for work. She becomes bored after only a few hours, and decides to take the bus to her grandmother's house (leaving a note, of course). Unfortunately, she misses her stop and becomes lost. A stag in the woods finds her, and together they fly into the sky for a nighttime adventure in the clouds. The little girl meets other animals in the sky, but eventually misses her family. The stag returns to her home, where she reunites with her worried parents and grandmother.

This story takes place in rural China on a dark, snowy day. The imagery is striking, yet quiet--silly, yet full of powerful emotion. "The Only Child" will appeal to fans of Raymond Brigg's "The Snowman" or other wordless tales. School Library Journal recommends this for readers in grades one to four. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--MacKenzie S., Natural Bridge

Review: "The Story of Diva and Flea" by Mo Willems

"The Story of Diva and Flea" by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi is the story of unlikely friends, Diva and Flea. Diva is a gardienne's dog, and as such it is her job to guard the garden and yelp and run away from anything suspicious. Flea is a great flaneur who lives nowhere and everywhere at once. He ahs seen everything in Paris, but still looks for more as there is always more to discover. Can Flea teach Diva how to be a great flaneur? Can Diva teach Flea that it is fun to explore, but it is also nice to have a home to come back to after exploring? This book is appropriate for first to third grade readers. Click the link above to request a copy today.

--Heather N., Eureka Hills

Dewey Discoveries: "How Much Does a Ladybug Weigh?" by Alison Limentani

Learn how to count by weighing animals in "How Much Does a Ladybug Weigh?" by Alison Limantani. Did you know that ten ants weigh the same as one ladybug? Or that one swan weighs the same as 362, 880 ladybugs? This fascinating animal and math book is a great puzzle for older readers, who can do the math and figure out how many ladybugs each animal in the book weighs, and also for younger readers who can count the number of animals on each page. Click on the link above to request a copy today.

Dewey Number: 630.81

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Wildlife Oddities"

Here's a fun new book series! It's called "Wildlife Oddities," and it is full of strange facts and amazing full-color photos. Each book is sure to capture the attention of any reader in grades four to six. Click on the titles below to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Shocking Sea Creatures"

Dewey Number: 591.77

"Incredible Insects"

Dewey Number: 595.7

"Mystifying Mammals"

Dewey Number: 599

"Peculiar Plants"

Dewey Number: 580

"Mouse Scouts" by Sarah Dillard

Best friends and new Mouse Scouts Tigerlily and Violet have just moved up from Buttercups to Acorn Scouts, which is a big deal with a lot of responsibility.  Their first order of business with their super-serious new leader, Miss Poppy, is earning their Sow It and Grow It merit badge.  It proves harder than the scouts expected, but with the help of their fellow scouts Hyacinth and Junebug, they learn that work can have very rewarding results.

"Mouse Scouts"  by Sarah Dillard is a sweet story of friendship and determination.  The chapters each end with a page from the Mouse Scout Handbook, which may inspire young readers to take an interest in gardening or scouts.  

I recommend it for early chapter-book readers in grades 1-3.  A great read-alike for The Humphrey Series by Betty Birney, Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo, The Pee-Wee Scouts by Judy Delton or The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin.  

 

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Review: "Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible" by Ursula Vernon

Who do you get when you cross an evil witch, some royal rodents, and a cursed hamster wheel? "Harriet the Invincible," that's who! When Princess Harriet Hamsterbone realizes that a sinister curse has left her indestructible until her twelfth birthday, she decides to abandon her royal obligations and go on a hero's journey. Armed with her sword, her wits, and her trusty quail Mumfrey, Harriet sets out on a quest to slay dragons, ogrecats, and any other monster foolish enough to pick a fight. On Harriet's twelfth birthday, however, the curse backfires, and it is up to the rough-and-tough princess to save her family, her castle, and the entire royal court. Written by "Dragonbreath" author Ursula Vernon, the "Hamster Princess" series is sure to be a hit among royal readers young and old. Recommended for readers in grades three to five.

--MacKenzie S., Natural Bridge

Review: "Stormstruck!" by John Macfarlane

Adventure and survival story fans take note of "Stormstruck!" by John Macfarlane for a tale of danger after danger. When twelve-year-old Sam overhears his parents talking about putting down his aging dog, Pogo, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Sam loads Pogo into his family's sailboat, intent on hiding out on a nearby island. His plan goes awry when a series of storms catch him off guard and leave him stranded on the wreckage of a ship whith no supplies . . . and no sailboat. Will Sam and Pogo be rescued before it's too late? Read "Stormstruck!" to find out!

--Kelly B., Prairie Commons

"Hedgehugs" by Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper

Just in time for Valentine's Day we have a cute story of two best friends who just want to hug in "Hedgehugs" by Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper. "Horace and Hattie are the very best of friends" and do everything together--except hug. Unfortunately, their hedgehog spikes get in the way. So Horace and Hattie get creative, using all kinds of means to make hugging happen. From strawberries to hollow logs, nothing seems to work. Until, that is, they discover the perfect solution. Check out the book to see what happens to Horace and Hattie--and just maybe you'll find out where all of your missing socks disappear to as well! Perfect for the preschool set.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Mother Bruce" by Ryan T. Higgins

Move over Oscar, there's a new grouch in town! "Mother Bruce" by Ryan T. Higgins is full of grouchy laughs for everyone. 

Bruce is a grumpy bear who doesn't like anything--except cooking. One day he decides to make some goose eggs, but as he's out getting more wood for his fire, the eggs hatch.  At that point, Bruce becomes "the victim of mistaken identity" as the baby geese think that Bruce is their mother. Bruce does everything he can to get rid of the geese, from slingshots to remote control planes, but nothing seems to work. In the end, Bruce decides that if you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em. At the beach, of course! Recommended for Kindergartners to third graders.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

“Big Bear little chair” by Lizi Boyd

Calling all big bears and little bears to find your favorite chair and read book creator Lizi Boyd’s newest creation! In this modern and seemingly minimal picture book, readers are introduced to a variety of opposites centering on animals and things that are “big”, “little”, and “tiny”. Utilizing only the colors red, grey, black, and white, Boyd exposes young readers to a wide range of images from a big plant with a little cocoon on its branch to a big seal building a little castle with a tiny bucket. A wonderful introduction to the concept of opposites as well as a great vocabulary builder, "Big Bear little chair" is great for preschoolers and young school age children. Walk through a big meadow with a little salamander as you have a blast exploring all types of animal friends and opposite sizes!

--Alison R., Headquarters

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

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

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

"Chooky-Doodle-Doo" by Jan Whiten

Make way for an adorable new counting book from down under! "Chooky-Doodle-Doo" is a sweet and silly book written by Jan Whiten and illustrated by Sinead Hanley.

"One little chooky chick
pulling at a worm.
Clucky, cluck, worm's stuck.
What should chooky do?"

Ask her friends to join her, of course! These bright, chunky little chicks pull their hardest, and even enlist the help of a rooster, only to be surprised by the worm in the end. Young readers will love the silly words and rhyming, as well as the right collage illustrations. Adults will appreciate the silly joke. Click on the link to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Book Trailer: "Counting Crows" by Kathi Appelt

We are not talking about the nineties-tastic band when we talk about "Counting Crows." We're talking about a picture book by the always fantastic Kathi Appelt. If you like the trailer below, click on the link to reserve a copy today, and get counting!

--Andrea W., Headquarters