When a wave leaves, where does it go?

The play area looks a little different today. The wave has moved on for new adventures, and the children's librarians are excited about the puppet theater that is being built for the room as we speak.  A painter is putting the final touches on the library walls, and the play area should be open in another day or two.  Be sure to stop in to see the progress!

Today's book review honors the wave's depature:

Lee, Suzy (2008).  Wave (All Ages).

A girl meets the ocean in this remarkable wordless picture book.  She eyes the approaching water, then scares it away with a fearsome roar.  She stomps in puddles, digs in the sand, and watches the water with a flock of seagulls.  Each wave has a personality, bringing new thoughts and sometimes a surprise.  Whether we've been to the beach or not, we as readers take delight in the water, the horizon, and the girl's marvelous imagination.

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When a wave leaves, where does it go? 

Write a poem, tell a story, or draw a picture, then share it here on the children's room's blog!  You can leave a comment or click the link under "Reviews by Kids" to the right to send your work to a children's librarian.

Readers' Report: songbooks for young children

Today's book recommendations came from a small group of professors and staff members at Wellesley College who wanted share their favorite songbooks for young children.  Needham owns some of the books, and other Minuteman libraries own the rest.  You can request a copy from another library to have it sent to Needham.

Seeger, Ruth Crawford (1980). American Folk Songs for Children (Ages 4-8)

Mike and Peggy Seeger have recorded many of the songs in both of Ruth Crawford Seeger's books on a number of CDs.

Seeger, Ruth Crawford (1950). Animal Folk Songs for Children (Ages 4-8)

Raffi (1997). Baby Beluga (Ages 3-8)

Almost everyone knows some Raffi songs, but "Baby Beluga" has its very own picture book to go along with the music.

Blood, Peter (1988). Rise Up Singing (All Ages)

The reader reports that this book has "cradle songs, ballads, funny songs, songs of love, songs from many nations ... train songs, cowboy songs, travel, etc." for children, adults, and everyone in between.

Fox, Dan (1987). Go in and out the Window (All Ages)

Art and music, all in one book!  Each song is paired with artwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hall, Nancy Abraham and Jill Syverson-Stork (1994). Los Pollitos Dicen: The Baby Chicks Sing (Ages 4-8)

This playful book is in both Spanish and English and looks at playtime and traditions in Spanish-speaking countries.

Wells, Rosemary (2002). Getting to Know You! (Ages 2-8)

Rogers and Hammerstein come to life with Rosemary Well's characters.  Broadway classics meet picture-book favorites!

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Do you want some more songbooks?  Look in the non-fiction section, starting with 780.

Not Your Average Fairy

Anderson, R.J. (2009) Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter (Grades 5-7)

In a mighty oak tree, a dying colony of faeries struggles with a mysterious disease that slowly drains the life out of each faery.  These, however, are not typical faeries: they have no magic--it disappeared at about the same time that the disease began to claim the faery lives--and they have become selfish, fearful, and ignorant.  Knife, an orphan and the youngest faery in the colony, becomes the group's designated hunter and, during her trips into the wild, meets a young man.  Her forbidden friendship with this human reveals a startling secret about the faery colony, Knife's mother, and the source of the disease that is slowly destroying the faeries.

Adventure, mystery, and a twisting plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Knife's courage and determination unravel her colony's dark history.

The Holiday Display Is Ready!

The weather might not feel wintry, but winter holidays are just around the corner!  Stop by the children's room to see the new display of books about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the winter solstice.  You can take home picture books, easy readers, novels, craft books, and more about these four important holidays.

Is our display missing your holiday?  Leave a comment to let the children's librarians know.  If we have books about the holiday, we'll display them, too.