Celebrate National Poetry Month 2012

Check out some of our great new Poetry Books!



Ahlberg, Allan. Everybody Was a Baby Once: And Other Poems. [J 821 A]

Archer, Peggy. Name that Dog!: Puppy Poems from A to Z. [J 811 A]

Blackaby, Susan. Nest, Nook & Cranny: Poems. (A variety of poetic forms that explore the many kinds of homes animals make for themselves) [J 811 B]

Cooling, Wendy, ed. All the Wild Wonders: Poems of our Earth. (Over thirty poems celebrating the Earth) [J 808.81 A]

Florian, Douglas. Poetrees. (Poems about trees, in Florian’s inimitable style) [J 811 F]

Franco, Betsy. A Dazzling Display of Dogs. (A collection of concrete poems about dogs) [J 811 F]

George, Kristine O'Connell. Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems. [J 811 G]

Gottfried, Maya. Our Farm: By the Animals of Farm Sanctuary. (A collection of poems written from the perspective of past and present animal residents of Farm Sanctuary) [J 811 G]

Greenfield, Eloise. The Great Migration: Journey to the North. (Illuminates the experiences of families who moved up North, in search of better lives) [J 811 G]

Hines, Anna Grossnickle. Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts about Peace. [J 811 H]

Holbrook, Sara. Zombies!: Evacuate the School! (41 poems about school in addition to poetry facts, definitions and suggestions for young poets) [J 811 H]

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed. Amazing Faces. (Poems presenting universal emotions as expressed by poets from diverse backgrounds) [J 811.008 A]

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed. Dizzy Dinosaurs: Silly Dino Poems. [J EASY READER]

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed. Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems. (A collection of 48 poems, 12 for each season) [J 811.008 S]

Kinerk, Robert. Oh, How Sylvester can Pester! : And Other Poems More or Less About Manners. [J 811 K]

Myers, Walter Dean. We are America: A Tribute from the Heart. (Examines events and people that have shaped America, described in free-verse text) [J 811 M]

Prelutsky,. Jack. The Carnival of the Animals: New Verses Inspired by Saint-Saens “The Carnival of the Animals,” ( Poems accompanied by an orchestral recording of the music) [J 811 P]

Prelutsky, Jack, ed. There’s No Place Like School. (A collection of illustrated classroom poems selected by our Poet Laureate) [J 811.008 T]

Rascka, Bob. Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys. [J 811 R]

Rosen, Michael J. The Hound Dog’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Dog Lovers. [J 811 R]

Salas, Laura Purdie. Bookspeak!: Poems about Books. [J 811 S]

Shannon, George. Chicken Scratches: Grade A Poultry Poetry and Rooster Rhymes. (Celebrates the eccentric behavior of chickens) [J 811 S]

Shore, Diane ZuHone. This is the Game. (Poems about baseball) [J 811 S]

Sidman, Joyce. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. [J 811 S]

Sidman, Joyce. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. [J PICTURE BOOK]

Sidman, Joyce. Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors. (Poems and factual information about some special animals) [J 811 S]

Singer, Marilyn. A Full Moon is Rising: Poems. [J 811 S]

Singer, Marilyn. Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. (A fascinating collection of short poems which, when reversed, offer new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature) [J 811 S]

Swinburne, Stephen R. Ocean Soup: Tide Pool Poems. [J 811 S]

Switching On the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems. (Sixty poems appropriate for bedtime) [J 811.08 S]

Taylor, Jane. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. (A new version, lavishly illustrated by Jerry Pinkney) [J PICTURE BOOK Pinkney]

Trapani, Iza. Rufus and Friends: School Days. (A collection of traditional rhymes, adapted to a school setting, with hidden objects for the reader to find) [J 811 T]

Weinstock, Robert. Can You Dig It?: And Other Poems. (Poems about dinosaurs) [J 811 W]

Yolen, Jane. An Egret’s Day. (Each poem is accompanied by a fact inspired by a photograph) [J 811 Y]

Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn. Cousins of Clouds: Elephant Poems. [J 811 Z] 4/12

Boston Globe-Hornbook Awards

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Boston-Globe Horn Book Awards at Simmons College.  Since 1967, the prestigious Boston-Globe-Horn Book Awards have been granted to authors and illustrators whose work has been extraordinary. Winners are selected in three categories: Picture Book, Fiction and Poetry, and Nonfiction. Two Honor Books are often named in each category. The winning titles must be published in the United States but they may be written or illustrated by citizens of any country.


This year’s Honor Books were:

Fiction: Chime, by Franny Billingsley

Anna Hibiscus, by Atinuke

Nonfiction: Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea,

And Air, by Stewart Ross; ill. By Stephen Biesty.

Can We Save the Tiger, by Martin Jenkins; ill. By Vicky White.

Picture Books: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, by Joyce Sidman; ill. by

Rick Allen.

Pecan Pie Baby, by Jacqueline Woodson; ill. by Sophie Blackall.

The 2011 Boston Globe Horn Book Winners were:

Fiction: Blink & Caution, by Tim Wynne-Jones.

Nonfiction: The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism &

Treachery, by Steve Sheinkin.

Picture Book: Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes, by Salley Mayor.

As a librarian for many years, it was exciting to see so many young people passionate about children's literature and sharing it with children (and adults!).

LEGOs @ your library!

Our first two LEGO meetings happened this month (November 2011).  45 people enjoyed the experience of building vehicles from the many LEGO donations we received.  Several people worked collaboratively!  Take a look at some of the creations!  Pick up one of our calendars OR look at our online calendar for future LEGO news!

Read-Alikes, What's Next, Books in a Series - Read all about them!

The Delton District Library System has posted some great links for great readers!http://www.deltonlib.org/books.php

Massachusetts Book Awards
http://www.salemstate.edu/ACA_sohs/2010_2011_Master_List_and_Grade_Level_Guide.pdf

Guardians of Ga'hoole - Are the books better than the movie???

If you liked the  Guardians of Ga'hoole series, you're probably planning to see the film if you haven't already! Legend of the Guardians, the computer animated movie based on the first three books of the series, The Capture; the Journey; and The Rescue, opened on September 24.

Here is a plot synopsis adapted from the one on Movie Insider as featured on the blog, Teen Frequency @ Hauppauge Public Library:
The film follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones. While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father's favor from Soren. But Kludd's jealousy has terrible consequences--causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones. Now it is up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave young owls.

To date, there are 15 books in the series.  To see what Needham owns, click on: http://library.minlib.net/search/?searchtype=X&SORT=D&searcharg=lasky+guardians+&searchscope=29

You can watch the movie trailer by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_lMihSKkgA

To see a film review from the Boston Globe, click on: http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/09/24/owls_in_combat_soar_in_3_d_legend_of_the_guardians/

To do some activities based on the book, click on: http://www.scholastic.com/gahoole/printable/

Books about Apples @ your library!

J Picture Book

Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple. While on a school field trip to an orchard to make cider, a young immigrant named Farah gains self-confidence when the green apple she picks perfectly complements the other students' red apples. [J ADVANCED PICTURE BOOK]

Gibbons, Gail. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree. As the seasons pass, Arnold enjoys a variety of activities as a result of his apple tree. Includes a recipe for apple pie and a description of how an apple cider press works

Hall, Zoe. The Apple Pie Tree. Describes an apple tree as it grows leaves and flowers and then produces its fruit, while in its branches robins make a nest, lay eggs, and raise a family. Includes a recipe for apple pie.

Hutchins, Pat. Ten Red Apples. In rhyming verses, one animal after another neighs, moos, oinks, quacks and makes other appropriate sounds as each eats an apple from the farmer's tree.

Kleven, Elisa. The Apple Doll. Lizzy is scared to start school, so she makes a doll out of an apple from her favorite tree to take with her on the first day. Includes instructions for making an apple doll.

Lipson, Eden Ross. Applesauce Season. In an urban setting, the story of how a family gets
together to cook apples for applesauce. Includes a recipe for applesauce, to help you create your own traditions.


McDonald, Rae A. A Fishing Surprise. A sister and brother go fishing, but come home with a net full of apples instead.

Miller, Virginia. Ten Red Apples. Bartholomew and George, two bears, and Little Black Kitten enjoy the apple tree in the garden and count its shiny red apples.

Priceman, Marjorie. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. Since the market is closed, the reader is led around the world to gather the ingredients for making an apple pie.

Purmell, Ann. Apple Cider Making Days. Alex and Abigail join the whole family in processing and selling apples and apple cider at their grandfather's farm.

Ray, Jane. The Apple-Pip-Princess. In a land that has stood barren, parched by drought and ravaged by frosts since the Queen's death, the King wants his three daughters to make the kingdom bloom again, and discovers that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.

Rockwell, Anne. Apples and Pumpkins. In preparation for Halloween night, a family visits Mr. Comstock's farm to pick apples and pumpkins.

Rosenberry, Vera. The Growing Up Tree. The life of an apple tree, planted by Alfred's mother when he was a baby, parallels Alfred's life as he and his children and grandchildren grow older together.

Schertle, Alice. Down the Road. Hetty is very careful with the eggs she has bought on her very first trip to the store, but she runs into trouble when she stops to pick apples.

Shapiro, Jody F. It’s Apple Picking Time. Myles and his family go to his grandparents' apple ranch, where they have a wonderful time picking and selling apples together.

Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth. Apples, Apples, Apples. Members of the Rabbit family visit an apple orchard, where they have fun picking apples and discovering their many uses. Includes a recipe for applesauce, directions for a craft activity, and sayings about apples

Wellington, Monica. Apple Farmer Annie. Annie the apple farmer saves her most beautiful apples to sell fresh at the farmers' market.

Winget, Susan. Tucker’s Apple-Dandy Day. Tucker the rabbit goes on a class trip to Farmer Sam's apple orchard.

J Easy Reader

Driscoll, Laura. Apples and How They Grow. Simply describes how apple trees are cultivated and grow to produce particular kinds of apples.

Ruelle, Karen Gray. Easy as Apple Pie. Emily says "Yuck" whenever apples are mentioned, but when she and her older brother, Harry, sleep over at their grandparents' house, they all pick apples and make them into delicious pies.

J Nonfiction

Powell, Consie. Amazing Apples. Simple poems in acrostic form describe an apple orchard through the seasons, as well as the activities of the family that tends the orchard. Includes a page of notes about apples [j811 P]



Most nonfiction books about apples have the call number 634 or 634.11

"All the rules of table manners are made to avoid ugliness."

Emily Post has been the authority on table manners since her 1922 book, Etiquette.  Her descendants have now published a modern edition for kids.

Post, Peggy (2009).  Emily Post's Table Manners for Kids (Gr. 2-8)

Why should you wash up before a meal?  When are you allowed to finally put that delicious hamburger in your mouth?  How much bread should you take from the basket on the table?  Where should you put that cherry pit after eating a fruit salad?  Who should you talk to at a large table?

Table manners can seem confusing, but they're all in place to do just what Emily Post recommended: "avoid ugliness."  No one wants to see chewed-up food, and no one wants to sit at a table with someone who hogs the dinner rolls and shovels food into his or her mouth.  Table manners are not very difficult to learn, and this book will clear up many of the questions about both familiar and unusual eating situations for kids.

It's fun, it's quick, and it's painless.  Pick this book up today!

A nomadic life in Mongolia

Baasansuren, Bolormaa (2009).  My Little Round House. (Gr. K-2)

Baby Jilu is born into a a Mongolian family that travels from pasture to pasture as the seasons change.  From his family's round tent to the circular pattern of the seasons, Jilu sees the shape of his world and the love of his family all around him.  The end of the story marks his first birthday, when Jilu's family returns to the summer pastures.

The illustrations show Mongolian life and are best shared in a small group so that everyone can see.  A great way to learn about a new culture!

One blue cake, coming right up!

August 18th is Percy Jackson's birthday, and there will be a fantastic birthday party for him at the library on Thursday, August 19th.  Who knows--you might even find some blue food!

In preparation for this party, it could be fun to re-read your favorite Percy Jackson book.  If you've read those more times than you can count, there's a sneak peek of Rick Riordan's next book!  You'll recognize a few characters in the second chapter.  Go to http://camphalfblood.com/ and enter the password "newhero" (without the quotation marks), which will show you the cover of The Lost Hero as well as the first two chapters.  I have some theories brewing about the possible plot!

After that, make sure you've read The Red Pyramid.  What do you think would happen if Percy Jackson and Carter Kane met?  Would they get along?  Or would the Greek gods and the Egyptian gods fight too much?



P.S. -- Put a hold on a copy of The Lost Hero! The link is up above :-)

Science Songs

Salas, Laura Purdie (2009).  Are You Living? A Song about Living and Nonliving Things. (PreS-K)

Sung to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?", this book talks about the ways to tell if something is living.  Does it move? Grow? Eat? Have feelings?  Each verse introduces one or two ways to identify a living thing: "Is it moving? / Is it moving? / Can it fly? / Gallop by? / Living things need dinner, / Or they get much thinner, / So they need / To drink and feed."

If you read this book aloud, be sure to practice the song first--the rhythm changes in a few places to fit the syllables.  Also be prepared to discuss some of the more advanced vocabulary ("People have emotions, / Thoughts and clever notions".)  The colorful illustrations are directly tied to each verse, making this a fun book to start a science lesson for young children.

Dad always said not to eat apple seeds ...

King, Stephen Michael (2009). Leaf (Ages 4+)

A little boy with shaggy hair gets the surprise of his life when a seed is dropped onto his head.  The seed sprouts into a little plant, which the boy and his dog lovingly care for.  Nightmarish visions of giant caterpillars, cannibalistic plants, and wayward hedge trimmers plague the poor boy at night.  But what will happen when the boy's mother insists on cutting his hair?

This wordless picture book is sweet, funny, a little rebellious, and filled with great sound effects.

Treasure, Survival, Spelunking

 Wilson, N.D. (2007). Leepike Ridge (Gr. 4-8)

Tom Hammond lives in a strange house that is chained to the side of a mountain.  His father died three years ago, and now some lousy guy wants to marry his mom.  Perhaps unwisely, Tom takes a nighttime float down the nearby creek on a large piece of packing foam that came with a new refrigerator.  When the river dumps him into partly flooded caves, Tom has no idea what terrifying and thrilling adventures are in store for him.  Above ground, treasure hunts, search parties, and shady characters abound in Tom's absence.

You'll have to decide for yourself if you think that the treasure is worth the effort!

Adam, Paul (2010). Max Cassidy: Escape From Shadow Island (Gr. 5-9)

Max Cassidy goes to school like other 14-year-olds, but that's the only normal part of his life.  Like Houdini, Max has devoted most of his life to being an escape artist, learning the skills from his equally talented father.  When his father disappeared from a Central American country while traveling two years ago, the corrupt courts there declared him dead and viciously convicted Max's mother of murdering her husband.  With the help of his guardian, Conseula, Max is determined to travel to the scene of the crime and bring his family back together.  His journey to Shadow Island, however, is more dangerous than any escape he's ever attempted on stage.

This thriller has suspense, adventure, mystery, and a backstage peek at how escape artists work.

Teddy Bears

Ormondroyd, Edward (2009). Theodore: The Adventures of a Smudgy Bear (PreS)

Theodore is a smudgy, dirty, well loved teddy bear.  He's owned by Lucy, who might be careless but loves him just the way he is.  When Theodore accidentally ends up in the family's laundry basket, he takes a wild ride through the washer and dryer--and he's so clean that Lucy doesn't recognize her poor lost bear!  Theodore's messy journey home is both funny and sweet.  This is a must-read for anyone with a beloved toy.

While you're waiting for The Red Pyramid ...

If, like so many people, you're waiting and waiting for a copy of Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid, here's another book to read in the meantime!

Voelkel, Jon (2007). Middleworld (Gr. 5-9)

(The Jaguar Stones, book 1)  Max Murphy was looking forward to a family vacation in Italy, but his parents--famous archaeologists--leave for a sudden excavation among Mayan ruins instead, leaving Max home with their strange housekeeper.  What a waste of a summer ... until Max is rushed along to Central America, too.  Smugglers, theives, murderous bandits, and the ancient Mayan gods all play a role in this thrilling mystery.

Go Green at Your Library!

The summer reading program has official opened!  Here's the scoop:

1. The program is for anyone from age three through sixth grade.
2. There are two categories: "Independent Reader" and "Read To Me", and the rules are the same for both groups.
3. You measure the amount of time that you spend reading.
• The reading logs measure time in 20-minute blocks.
• There's a new prize every time you read a total of 3 hours.

You can sign up with a paper log at the library, or you can sign up online at http://www.readsinma.org/needham --the rules are the same no matter how you register for the program!  If you sign up online, don't forget to come to the library to pick up your official summer reading bookmark.

Need some help finding a great book?  Just ask the librarians!  We have tons of ideas to get you started.

Do you despise broccoli? It might not like you, either.

Weinstock, Robert (2009). Food Hates You, Too (Gr. 2-5)

"If everyone hates different food,
Then couldn't it be true
That creamed chipped beef dislikes Gertrude,
And liver gags on Lou?"

This collection of poems will tickle your funny bone--and maybe your stomach, too.  There are poems devoted to ice cream for cats, a limerick about toast, a brief poem about a praying mantis's recent meal, and even a few lines in praise of circus fare.  We have food on the land, food underwater, and even some food in the sky.

These poems are funny when read to yourself, and funnier still when read aloud.  Be sure to look closely at the illustrations!

The Shape of Letters

Werner, Sharon (2009). Alphabeasties (Gr. K-4)

Not all typefaces look the same.  You can have this, or this, or this, or this, or thousands of other options!  An A can be sharp and pointy, or an a can be small and round.  What does the shape of a letter say to you?  In this book, letters become animals, plants, and people.  A becomes an alligator with deadly teeth, and Z becomes a zebra with bold stripes.  There are fish and giraffes, elephants and newts, and different letter shapes have very different personalities: just look at the spooky bat, the trembling rabbit, or the newly sheared sheep.

This is a book that has fun with letters, shapes, and great big ideas.  Read it once, twice, and then again.  You'll see something new each time!

Monday is a Holiday

Monday is a very important day.  Public schools won't have any classes, the Post Office will be closed, and even the librarians will be taking a break. 

What could possibly keep the wonderful teachers, postal workers, librarians, and other adults away from their jobs? 

Memorial Day!

Memorial Day can trace its roots all the way back to 1866, right after the American Civil War ended.  In the beginning, people called it Decoration Day.  "Memorial Day" didn't become a popular name until many years later.  It was a day to remember the soldiers who had died in the Civil War, and enough people continued to observe the day that the government finally made it federal holiday in 1971.   People celebrated the day for more than one hundred years before it became an official holiday!

In the past, Memorial Day was held on May 30, but workers and students really like having a three-day weekend.  Today, Memorial Day is always held on the last Monday in May, and it's a day to remember soldiers who have died in many wars.  Needham will have services and a parade this year, so you can celebrate, too!

Big Al: a lonely fish

Clements, Andrew (1988). Big Al (Gr. PreS-2)

Al is a big, scary-looking fish.  None of the little fish will get close enough to find out that Al is also the nicest fish you'll ever find in the ocean.  Poor, lonely Al tries everything to disguise himself: he wraps himself in seaweed, he buries himself in sand, and he even tries to change his color.  Still, everyone is frightened by his scary teeth and enormous mouth.  When danger comes along, Big Al finally gets to prove his kindness and bravery.

Big Al's gentle, funny story reminds us that actions speak louder than words--and that looks don't tell us everything about the people around us.