Dewey Discoveries: "Locomotive" by Brian Floca

All aboard for a beautiful journey through American history and tribute to all things steam engine in Brian Floca's "Locomotive." Brian Floca uses a blend of poetry and vibrant illustrations to take us on an exciting trip from Omaha to the West Coast on the Union Pacific Railroad some time after it was built in 1874. You and your young reader will be entranced by the intricate weaving of history, science, and storytelling in a seamless manner. Fair warning: you'll probably want to take a train trip after reading this book! For grades three to five.

Dewey Number: 385.36

--Andrea W., H.Q.

New poetry books just right for Halloween

Does your family share scary (or not so scary) stories this time of year?  These poems are just right for reading with a flashlight. 



"Trick-or-Treat: A Happy Haunter's Halloween" by Debbie Leppanen
This is a gentle collection of poems for Halloween.   It's rhyming text with bold illustrations of goofy monsters is just right for preschoolers.  There are minor thrills without being too scary.  All sort of recognizable monsters fill the pages with new ones mixed in. Recommended for ages 5-8. 




"Your Skeleton is Showing: Rhymes of Blunder From Six Feet Under" by Kurt Cyrus
These poems aren't really about Halloween, but they are about a cemetery.  A boy is exploring and learning about the grave yard's residents.  Many of them had untimely deaths.  For example, poor Wanda Gripp loved to hug, but met her end when she tried to embrace a boa constrictor; seems the constrictor hugged tighter.  The illustrations are cartoonish, and this book is just the right mix and scary and ridiculous.  Recommended for grades 4-6.



Check out one of these or one of the other Halloween poetry books available at your library.

--Angie R., HQ

Staff Review: "When I Feel Worried" by Cornelia Maude Spelman

When you are small, the world can be a big and scary place with many things to worry about. As caregivers, we do our very best to make children feel safe. But anxiety still makes it's way in somehow, and we need to equip kids with the understanding and skills they need to work through their fears. That's when bibliotherapy can be very helpful, like the book, "When I Feel Worried" by Cornelia Maude Spelman.

The main character of the story is an adorably chubby young guinea pig who tells us from the start, "Sometimes I feel worried." She talks about the things that make her worried, but in the middle of the book declares, "When I feel worried, I can tell someone I'm worried." Then she goes through all the things that she can do to help make the worry go away, like singing and playing outside and talking about good things. By the end of the book, your little reader will be able to say with the main character, "When I feel worried, I know what to do!" 

With helpful hints for parents in the front, sweet illustrations, and a comforting message, "When I Feel Worried" is the perfect read for you and your anxious tot. Great for preschool and kindergarten age children.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. Check out some of Spelman's other titles in the series "The Way I Feel."

When I Feel Jealous

When I Feel Sad

Sasquatch Sighting!

Bigfoot, sasquatch, yeti--we all know the giant, hairy, ape/man creature doesn't exist, right? Either that or they are extremely shy and masters of disguise. There is one exception--Bigfoot loves to hang out in picture books. Don't believe me? Check out the titles below and find out for yourself!

Let's start with the most creative take on Sasquatch, "Don't Squish the Sasquatch!" by Kent Redeker and Bob Staake. This Sasquatch is green and looks like he's dressed to go work in an office downtown in the big city. With all kinds of made-up animals, like Mr. Octo-Rhino and Miss Goat-Whale, and a plot that consists of an overcrowded bus and an explosive Sasquatch, any preschooler's funny bone will be tickled by this unconventional take on the legendary creature.

Perhaps the weirdest of the bunch would be "Socksqatch" by Frank W. Dormer. He lumbers through the pages of his book like a giant hairy zombie, hangs out with Frankenstein, mummies and damsels, and only speaks two words at a time. Did I tell you that he's obsessed with socks? Bet you didn't know that about Bigfoot, did you? It only makes sense. Who likes cold feet? This tale is another romp through the silly park.

For the latest installment in our collection we have the hairy twist on the old classic, "The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot" by Scott Magoon, published earlier this year. The only book on our list that's told from Bigfoot's point of view, we meet Ben, who likes to tell stories too much. He cries Bigfoot falsely so many times that no one believes him anymore. And then Bigfoot shows up to teach him a lesson! This is a great story for kids who tend to stretch the truth, but it's also a silly story for just about anyone. Plus! It uses the word tenacious. Twice!

And last but not least, my very favorite Sasquatch book of all, "Larf," by Ashley Spires. I was hooked right at the beginning, "Have you ever felt like nobody knows you even exist? That's exactly how Larf feels. And he likes it that way." Larf lives with his bunny, Eric, wears a dashing red scarf, and spends his days gardening and jogging. But one day in the newspaper, Larf sees that a Sasquatch is planning on making an appearance in the town of Hunderfitz. After packing and talking himself out of it over and over again, Larf straps Eric to his chest, glues on a fake beard, pulls on some skinny jeans and heads to the city. Worrying the entire trip that this Sasquatch won't want to meet him, Larf is disappointed by what he finds. Until. . .well, I don't want to spoil it for you. But it's literally a warm fuzzy ending.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. If your young reader wants to find out more about Bigfoot lore and study, check out "Finding Bigfoot: Everything You Need to Know" by Martha Brockenbro.

Maker Mondays: "We Love to Sew" by Annabel Wrigley

What is more fun than creating something fun and usable on your own? If DYI is your style, then grab "We Love to Sew" by Annabel Wrigley and get to work on some adorable projects from headbands to stuffed creatures to clothes. With fun pictures, easy to understand directions, and patterns in the back, this is a great book for those just starting to sew. For ages 8-12.

Dewey Number: 646.2




And if you have a preschooler who wants to learn how to sew, check out our Preschool Sewing program at select branches during November and December. Go to the Art@Your Library site for more information.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett Author Visit

There is a great author event coming to the St. Louis County Library! The authors of "Battle Bunny" are coming to the Headquarters branch on Wednesday, October 23.

Jon Scieszka ("The True Story of the Three Little Pigs", "Stinky Cheese Man," "Trucktown") is always a hoot when he speaks at events. I can't wait to see him together with Mac Barnett ("Extra Yarn," "Brixton Brothers," "Chloe and the Lion"). Imagine the mayhem!




Join us:
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Headquarters branch
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

Get a taste of what these authors serve up to tickle your funny bone!

"Battle Bunny" Alex has been given a saccharine, sappy, silly-sweet picture book about Birthday Bunny that his grandma found at a garage sale. Alex isn't interested--until he decides to make the book something he'd actually like to read. So he takes out his pencil, sharpens his creativity, and totally transforms the story! Birthday Bunny becomes Battle Bunny, and the rabbit's innocent journey through the forest morphs into a supersecret mission to unleash an evil plan--a plan that only Alex can stop.

"Spaceheadz" On his first day at Brooklyn's P.S. 858, fifth-grader Michael K. is teamed with two very strange students, and while he gradually comes to believe they are aliens who need his help, he has trouble convincing anyone else of the truth.
 

"Count the Monkeys" The reader is invited to count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages. 

--Desiree S. H.Q.

Staff Review: "Bang" by Leo Timmers

Come and see the happiest traffic pile-up in history! Leo Timmers' new book, "Bang", is, as it says on the back, "A big, happy accident" that will amuse your young reader and give them lots to talk about.

This single-word story involves a series of bright and comically-illustrated animals in their overloaded vehicles as they each proceed to ram into the back end of the car in front. Yet somehow, in the end, everyone is happy and comes away satisfied. With lots to spot on every page and mutiple things happening at one time, your pre-reader will have a blast working on their narrative skills. Great for preschool to first grade.

--Andrea W., H.Q.