Staff Review: "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

"I am Ivan. I am a gorilla. It's not as easy as it looks."

So begins the tale of a silverback gorilla that has lived in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for 9,867 days. After being taken from the jungle as a baby, Ivan is raised almost as a human baby by Mack, his owner, until he is too big for a house. From his enclosure at the mall, Ivan is befriended by Stella the elephant, Bob the homeless dog, and Julia, the ten-year-old daughter of the maintenance man. He spends his days watching TV and drawing, while trying to forget his early life in the jungle. Until the day that Ruby shows up, and everything begins to change.

In The One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate brings us the fictionalized account of a real life gorilla that is wise, sensitive, and a little bit funny. The stark simplicity of the text beautifully highlights the depth of character in Ivan and his handful of friends. Ivan's oberver eyes will have you laughing and cringing by turns as he assesses human character. For those of you who have been waiting for a story that moves you as much as Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, you may have to wait no longer. Just a warning--you may need tissues.

This story is appropriate for all ages, but best for third grade and up as a read alone.




-Andrea W., Headquarters

Bunny Love

I decided to write a blog about this book since I could identify with the main character and keep laughing at her antics. Welcome to the funny and delightful world of “Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake” by Michael Kaplan. According to Betty’s parents she is a “handful” and according to Betty being a handful must be “very, very good” since her parents love her. After her first bite of chocolate cake she declares she is going to marry chocolate cake. Her older siblings in typical style try to set her straight but Betty will have none of that. Chocolate cake becomes her obsession.

"Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake” is a great book to learn about patience. The writing has many funny and realistic moments built into it. Stephane Jorisch’s illustrations are bright and busy but have enough white space that they are not crowded. The author and illustrator team up for another Betty story titled “Betty Bunny Wants Everything” to be published in early February 2012.

--Robbin O., Headquarters

"The Lorax"

"The Lorax", originally published in 1971 was Dr. Seuss'  commentary on the environment and is still relevant today. The newest cinematic version of "The Lorax" will be in theaters March 2, 2012. Take a look at the book and the original television feature before heading to the theater.

Staff Review: "Here Come the Girl Scouts!"

Here Come the Girl Scouts! 
By Shana Corey Illustrated by Hadley Hooper

I’m guessing that many people will be saying "Here Come the Girl Scouts" for the next few weeks as young ladies take orders for cookies. If you've wondered how this group started, this book has the answer.

It began with a woman named Daisy and her “gumption”. Daisy traveled all over the world and had marvelous adventures. Then she saw a group in England called Boy Scouts and a female group called Girl Guides. She thought how much girls in America would like to have an organization like that! She took a Girl Guide handbook with her to use as a starting point, headed back to the United States, and started the first troop. Daisy wanted to reach girls from all areas, so she started troops in private schools, religious organizations and even orphanages. Soon her idea had spread to girls all over the country, and it’s still just as popular today. I especially enjoyed the last page which featured famous women who are former Girl Scouts. On March 19, the Girl Scouts will celebrate their 100th year!

I was in Girl Scouts until middle school and I loved it. I made lasting friendships that I still have today. Camping was my favorite, but I learned so much from weekly meetings: sewing, cooking, survival skills and most importantly, cooperating with other girls.

--Angie R., Headquarters

"Plant a Kiss" by Amy Krouse Rosethal

Amy Krouse Rosenthal sure knows how to bring a smile to your face. Her whimsical books always generate excitement here at St. Louis County Library whenever a new one hits the shelves. 

Her newest "Plant a Kiss" is no exception. One small act of love blooms into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could have ever imagined.
 





Check out some of our favorites.

"Duck! Rabbit!" A clever take on the age-old optical illusion: Is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature humor here, there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. A smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit! makes it easy to agree on one thing, reading it again!                                             

"Little Hoot" Little Hoot wants to go to bed early, like all of his friends do, and he is hopping mad when Mama and Papa Owl insist that he stay up late and play.
 

"Chopsticks" When a pair of chopsticks get separated, after some traumatic moments the two friends eventually learn to stand on their own.

 

Staff Review: "Sparrow Road" by Sheila O'Connor

If it can't be warm and green outside, at least you can let your imagination wander to places that are balmy and fragrant. These long stretches in January when you don't want to go out are a great time to catch up on summer reads that you didn't get around to when you were busy! To that effect, I bring you a book full of joy and delightful characters.

Like a bittersweet glass of lemonade on a hot day, "Sparrow Road" by Sheila O'Connor is meant to be savored slowly. It's a tale of memories lost and found, of things hidden and revealed, of leaving and returning. But mostly it is about creating, forgiving, and grace.

Nothing is as it seems at Sparrow Road. When Raine's mother packs the two of them up suddenly and moves them from their apartment in Milwaukee with Grandpa Mac, she expects to hate the artist colony where her mother will work for the summer. Sparrow Road is an old mansion out in the country, haunted by the memory of orphans. At first Raine wants nothing to do with the silent and unplugged lives of the artists there--colorful Josie, boisterous Diego, uptight Eleanor, and frail Lillian. But she discovers that there are many mysteries surrounding Sparrow Road, even some involving her own family. The truth she encounters could change her life forever, and Raine has to decide if she wants to let that change come.

With all the discovery and wonder of a childhood summer adventure, Sparrow Road is a lovely and gentle story of the importance of family in any shape and size, as well as the power of art to heal and bring people together.

Andrea W., Headquarters

P.S. For another great summer adventure, give "Gone-Away Lake" by Elizabeth Enright a try!

2012-2013 Show Me Award Nominees

The Missouri Show Me Reader Awards have been announced.

"The Can Man" written by Laura Williams. To earn money, a young boy decides to collect and redeem empty soft drink cans, but ends up giving away his money to help a local homeless man.

"Sylvia Jean, Scout Supreme" written by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Sylvia Jean disguises herself in order to assist a neighbor who does not want her enthusiastic help, but she still might be the only one in her Pig Scout Troop who will not earn a Good Deed Badge.

"The Blue House Dog" written by Deborah Blumenthal. A boy without a dog-and a dog without an owner-find each other in this powerfully moving story of loneliness and redemption. Day after day, Cody watches Bones roam the streets. No one else thinks the old stray is special, but Cody does. He knows the dog is alone now. He watched them tear down the blue house where Bones used to live with an old man. Cody knows how it feels to lose someone, too. Slowly-cautiously-Cody opens his home and his heart to the scruffy dog with one blue eye and one brown. Readers will be deeply affected by Deborah Blumenthal's story of love and loss.

"Stand Straight, Ella Kate" written by Kate Klise. A fictionalized biography of Ella Kate Ewing, born in 1872, who was eight feet tall by the age of seventeen and who became financially independent by traveling the country for nearly twenty years appearing at museums, exhibitions, and in circus shows.

"Fly Free!" written by Rosanne Thong. When Mai feeds the caged birds at a Buddhist temple in Vietnam, her simple act of kindness starts a chain of thoughtful acts that ultimately comes back to her. Includes author's note explaining the Buddhist concepts of karma and samsara, or the wheel of life. 

"Memoirs of a Goldfish" written by Devin Scillian. A goldfish gives a personal account of his experiences while swimming around his bowl as it slowly fills with fish and other accessories, only to realize when he is relocated for a cleaning how much he misses them.

"Librarian on the Roof!: A True Story" written by M.G. King. The story of RoseAleta Laurell who arrived in Lockheart, Texas to be the head of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. The library was outdated so she spent a week on the library roof to raise money and interest in the library.

"Lucky Beans" written by Becky Birtha. During the Great Depression, Marshall, an African American boy, uses lessons learned in arithmetic class and guidance from his mother to figure out how many beans are in a jar in order to win her a new sewing machine in a contest. 

"Pierre the Penguin: A True Story" written by Jean Marzollo. When Pierre, a penguin living at the California Academy of Sciences, loses his feathers, he gets some help from his human friends. A true story of veterinary ingenuity.

"How Rocket Learned to Read" written by Tad Hills. A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read.