Trailer Fun: "Be a Friend" by Salina Yoon

Salina Yoon has created yet another big-hearted and beautiful picture book, "Be a Friend." What does it mean to be a friend? Find out in the trailer below.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Superstats Amazing Body" by Moira Butterfield

Did you know that babies don't grow kneecaps until they're six months old? Or that every minute, 96 million cells in your body die? Don't worry--you make roughly the same amount! Find out these and other interesting facts about our amazing bodies in "Superstats Amazing Body" by Moira Butterfield. Full of interesting facts, diagrams, and pictures, you are sure to learn some fascinating new information about the body you live in. Perfect for any grade schooler.

Dewey Number: 612


--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

Dewey Discoveries: "The 50 States" by Gabrielle Balkan and Sol Linero

Explorers and state researchers take note--there's a new guidebook in town. Full of interesting facts and wonderful illustrations, Gabrielle Balkan's "The 50 States" will not only help you out on your fourth grade state report, but entertain you as well. You might just decided to hop in you car and go on a road trip to see some of these wonderful places for yourself. Each page spread features a state with important dates, people, and information. Recommended for third grade on up.

Dewey Number: 973


--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Omnicorn" by They Might Be Giants

Here's another fantastically silly song and video from They Might Be Giants. "Omnicorn" is a new song that may or may not end up on their upcoming album. Grab some silly string, watch the video, and sing along!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Logan Price Makes a Mess

Logan Price and his family work a farm in Maple Ridge, Illinois in 1892.  Times are tough and his Pa has to take a job in town to make ends meet.  Logan really wants to help his family, but of course, things don't go smoothly.  Even though he means well, Logan messes up.  He's creative and resourceful, and he's sure that one day something he creates will make money for his family!

This is a great early chapter book for beginning readers with illustrations with almost every page and easy-to-read text.  I recommend it for makers and fans of Little House on the Prairie who are not quite ready to read them yet.


Some other books in the Tales From Maple Ridge series:

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Why?" by Crispin Boyer

"Why do I need to eat?"
"What causes mirages in the desert?" 
"Why  does my $20 bill have a tiny 20 on the bottom right corner?"

Is there a young person in your life with insatiable curiosity? Do they frequently ask questions that you can't answer? The book "Why?" by Crispin Boyer is perfect for an inquisitive child. Filled with questions and answers to questions like the ones above, any child from first grade to middle school will find something fascinating inside. And, as it is published by National Geographic, there are fantastic images to accompany all queries. 

Dewey Number 031.02

--Andrea W., Headquarters