Review: "Scooby-Doo Monster Jokes" by Michael Dahl

Monsters can be scary, but did you know that they can be funny too? You are sure to have many laughs while reading "Scooby-Doo! Monster Jokes" by Michael Dahl, starring Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Fred, Daphne and many more. There are jokes about Frankenstein, witches, werewolves, aliens, creepy crawlies, and of course bloosthirsty monsters. If you have dreams of becoming a comedian, this book teaches you how to tell jokes and also includes a joke dictionary in the back of the book. Perfect for readers in second and third grade. To request a copy, click on the link.

--Jocelyn H., Jamestown Bluffs

"Scooby-Doo! Food Jokes!" by Michael Dahl

"Scooby-Doo! Animal Jokes!" by Michael Dahl

"Scooby-Doo! On the Go Jokes!" by Michael Dahl

Dewey Discoveries: "Monster Science: Could Monsters Survive and Thrive in the Real World? by Helaine Becker and Phil McAndrew

My science-minded, highly analytical teenager is only scared of one thing: zombies.  His reasoning is "they could actually happen."  So when I saw this book, I had to find out the scientific evidence of monsters in the real world.

Each chapter focuses on a specific creature: zombie, vampire, werewolf, etc.  It's broken down into short sections with jokes, facts, pictures, and tables.  It explains the science behind the monster along with the history and evolution. The verdict on zombies?  I'm not scared of the undead coming to eat my brains any time soon.

This would be a great book for a reluctant reader ages 8 and up.

--Angie R-H, Cliff Cave

Kids Music Friday: "Mister Cloud" by Caspar Babypants

Have you been missing songs about weather in your life? I thought so. Caspar Babypants is here to fill that void with this video for his song "Mister Cloud." Check out the video, then go find some cloud shapes of your own. If you like the song, click the link above to request some Caspar Babypants.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Serafina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty

Set in the Biltmore Estate in 1899, "Seraphina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty tells the story of Serafina and her father, the maintenance man, who secretly live in the basement.  Serafina takes her job as the C.R.C. (Chief Rat Catcher) very seriously, and her unusual attributes - extra toes, gold eyes, and an ability to see in the dark - make her well-suited for prowling in the dark.  Her pa’s told her to keep herself scarce and not to tell anyone her name. Despite her curiosity about the Biltmore’s wealthy guests and the dangerous forest he’s forbidden her to enter, Serafina has become an expert at staying invisible.  That is, until one night she witnesses a mysterious man in a black cloak attack a young girl, making her disappear into thin air.  As more children are stolen, Serafina comes out of the shadows and joins forces with Braden Vanderbilt, the nephew of Biltmore’s owners, to discover the identity and motives of the Man in the Black Cloak. In the process, she experiences true friendship for the first time and learns more about her bizarre origins.  If you’re looking for an intriguing mystery with a creepy, atmospheric feel, this is one to check out. School Library Journal recommends this book for readers in grades five to seven. Click on the link above to reserve a copy today.

--Lindsay B., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: What do you want to be when you grow up?

If you're interested in talking to your child about vocation, we have lots of books at the library to help out. Here are two delightful new books for pre-school to first grade readers that will give you plenty to talk about. Click on the links to reserve a copy today.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

"Grow! Raise! Catch!" by Shelley Rotner

Where does our food come from? Shelley Rotner comprehensively answers this question in this delightful, full-color book starring the people who work in agriculture to bring food to our tables. Each page features a diverse cast with short quotations from the farmers and fishers that describe what they do. And with lots of pictures of children enjoying the produce, it's a great way to talk about nutrition, too!

"What Do Grown-Ups Do All Day?" by Virginie Morgand

In this colorful and retro-style illustrated picture book, Virginie Morgand takes the reader to fourteen different workplaces to see what the adults do. There are many figures on each page spread, each telling the reader what they do in a short sentence. With diverse characters and over a hundred jobs represented, there should be plenty of ideas to get you and your young reader thinking.





Dewey Numbers: 641.3 and 331.7

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