Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs: the book before the movie

Barrett, Judi (1978). Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

Chewandswallow is a tiny town where it rains orange juice, snows potatoes and peas, and blows in gusts of hamburgers. The weather brings in all kinds of treats, three times a day, and the townspeople look forward to each meal. Trouble begins, however, when the food is too big to eat and starts to destroy the town. Imagine a flood of spaghetti and giant pancakes that cover the school! The townspeople have to find a way to live and eat in peace.

This classic tall-tale brings weather and food together in an imaginative adventure that will leave you laughing, wondering, and maybe a little hungry.



** Did you see the movie? Send your review to the Children's Library and have it published on this blog!

Short stories by Judy Blume for Beginning Readers

Blume, Judy. Soupy Saturdays with the Pain & the Great One. 108 pages. Grades 1-3.


In seven short stories for beginning readers, Blume expands on her earlier book The Pain and the Great One. The chapters alternate between Abigail (the Great One) and Jacob's (the Pain) side of the story. Each one is filled with humor and depicts the insights of sibling relationships. In addition to the funny stories, readers will enjoy the great illustrations by James Stevenson, another picture book author/illustrator. This is a great book to read aloud with the whole family!

Everyone must do their part, no matter how small!

Okimoto, Jean Davies (2007). Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming. Grades 1-3.


Winston, the polar bear, has noticed that the ice is melting, which means that every year there is less time to hunt for food. What can the polar bears to solve this serious problem? Winston comes up with a plan that will make the tourists aware of this issue. By staging a protest with signs that say "Make less garbage, recycle" and "Save trees" or "Solar Power", the polar bears make it clear that everyone has a part to play in the battle against global warming. This is a great book to introduce children to the real dangers of global warming.

Other books about global warming:

• Cherry, Lynne. How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate. Grades 4-8.
• David, Laurie. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Grades 4-6.
• Rockwell, Anne. Why are the Ice Caps Melting? Grades 2-4.

"The John Hancock Club"

Borden, Louise (2007). The John Hancock Club. Grades 1-3.

When Sean and his third grade classmates find out that they will learn how to write in cursive, they can't wait! Their teacher, Mrs. Tovani, will let each student join the John Hancock Club once they can write in cursive. The students all want to know, who was John Hancock? But, Sean, doesn't know if he'll ever make it into the club, because he is having trouble with his cursive. Learn about John Hancock and find out if Sean makes it into this special club. Colorful illustrations and examples of cursive writing make this a fun book to read together!

King-Smith, Dick. The Nine Lives of Aristotle. 77 pages. (Gr. 1-3)

This is a great story for an independent reader or a read aloud about an adventurous kitten named Aristotle. His owner, Bella Donna, is a very kind witch and always rescues him when he gets into trouble. It is said that cats have nine lives and poor Aristotle goes through eight of them in this one book! Subtle illustrations accompany the text and make it easier for a younger child to read and enjoy. Do you have a more advanced reader? Try King-Smith's other chapter books about animals, such as Ace, the Very Important Pig or Harriet's Hare.

Landry, Leo. Fat Bat and Swoop. 64 pages. (Gr. 1-3)

In this early chapter book, two friends Fat Bat and Swoop, like to fly around and get into trouble. Sometimes they fly through the clothesline and scare their friend Emily because they look like ghosts! Find out if Emily thinks its funny or not.

Ludwig, Trudy. Just Kidding. 1 v. (Gr. 1-4)

This is a useful picture book for older kids and parents who want to know how to stop bullying or teasing. D.J. has a friend named Vince, who likes to tease him and then says "Just kidding." How can D.J. let him know that what he's doing is not funny and is hurting his feelings? There is a list of recommended readings for adults and children about bullying, as well as some websites and organization names.

For Young Mystery Lovers!

Pearson, Susan. The 123 Zoo Mystery. 88 p. Gr.1-3
Classroom 123 has sixteen pets, including Mrs. Lettuce, the rabbit who will soon have baby rabbits. One morning Ernie’s class arrives and finds that someone has let all the pets out of their cages, but who? It is up to “Eagle-Eye” Ernie and the Martian club to solve the mystery.


Napoli, Donna Jo. Sly the Sleuth and the Pet Mysteries. 92 p. Gr.2-4
Join Sylvia, also known as “Sly the Sleuth,” in solving three mysteries about the pets in her neighborhood. Black and white illustrations portray the characters and pets in the story.

Sharmat, Marjorie. The Sly Spy. 44 p. Gr.K-2
From the same author as “Nate the Great” comes Olivia Sharp, Agent for Secrets. Olivia Sharp solves secret problems, but this time Olivia has a problem. Another agent is covering up her ads and impeding on Olivia’s business. In addition, Olivia is hiding a feathery birthday present in her apartment. Read the book to find out what it is!

Stefanec-Ogren, Cathy. Sly, P.I.: The Case of the Missing Shoes.
48 p. Gr. K-2
Help Sly, P.I. solve the mystery of the missing ballet shoes. On opening night, Miss Lotta Oink’s ballet slippers mysteriously disappear and it is up to Sly P.I. to solve the case.