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!

Where the Less Wild Things Are

Proimos, James (2009). Patricia von Pleasantsquirrel (Gr. K-2).

Patricia von Pleasantsquirrel knows that she is a princess, but her non-royal family disagrees.  Inspired by Max, from Where the Wild Things Are, she flies off in her little airplane to search for her own princessdom.  The Land of Hippos happily welcomes Patricia as their princess: they dance past midnight, eat cake all day long, and give her a great big crown to wear.  Unfortunately, Patricia's job comes with a very long, very tiring list of rules.  Suddenly, home seems a lot better than it did before.

This picture book is laugh-out-loud funny for both kids and the adults who read to them.  Comical side comments and literary references balance Patricia's saucy personality, making this an irreverent take on a familiar childhood wish.

Waiting for Mama

Lee Tae-Jun, illustrated by Kim Dong-Seong (2007).  Waiting for Mama (Gr. K-2).

(Bilingual: English and Korean) 
On a wintry, cold afternoon a small boy waits patiently at a streetcar station for his mama to come home.  Other passengers come and go, but there's no sign of the boy's mother.  As each streetcar arrives, the little boy asks the driver if his mama is there.  The little boy sits quietly despite his cold, red nose, and he continues to wait as snow begins to fall and the day gets darker. 

Although this story was originally written for a Korean newspaper in 1938, Kim Dong-Seong's new illustrations bring the Korean people, landscape, and culture to life.  Pay close attention to the pictures--the final drawing has two very important people in it.

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!

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.

Books to Read about Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights with children from Pre-school to Grade 8.

Johnson, Angela. Sweet Smell of Roses. PreS-Gr.1

Johnson portrays the crucial involvement of youth in the Civil Rights movement with a story about Minnie and her sister who join the march with Dr. King. The text of the story is interspersed with words from Dr. King’s speech. Illustrated with beautiful black & white pencil drawings and a hint of red throughout the book.

Patrick, Denise Lewis. A Lesson for Martin Luther King, Jr. 31 p. Gr.K-2
This story focuses on a specific incident from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s childhood, when his best friend's father said they could no longer play together because "colored and white can't mix!"

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Freedom on the Menu. Gr.1-4
In this picture book, Weatherford portrays the 1960 civil rights sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, through the eyes of a young Southern black girl.

Shore, Diane ZuHone. This is the Dream. Gr.2-5
Shore presents the events of the Civil Rights movement through
lyrical verses and distinguished illustrations. Archival photos, newspaper clippings, and paintings are used throughout the book.

Farris, Christine King. My Brother Martin. 35 p. Gr.2-4
Read about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life from his sister’s perspective. She recalls the conditions in the South during segregation and how her father’s sermons taught them to stand up for justice and equality. This is a good biography for introducing young children to the concept of segregation and Dr. King’s message.

Adler, David. A. A Picture Book of Rosa Parks. Gr. 2-4
Adler presents a visual biography of the woman who famously refused to give up her seat on a bus and helped establish the civil rights movement.

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. The Bus Ride that Changed History.
Gr. 2-4
Read about Rosa Parks, a crucial figure in the Civil Rights Movement, who refused to stand up so that a white passenger could sit in her seat.

Rappaport, Doreen. Martin’s Big Words. Gr 3-5
Rappaport sums up King’s life and work with short paragraphs, which are followed by King’s own words. His book includes great illustrations made with watercolor and collage art.

Haskins, James. John Lewis in the Lead. Gr.3-5
A biography of John Lewis, Georgia Congressman and one of the 'Big Six' civil rights leaders of the 1960s. Haskins focuses on his youth through the voter registration drives that sparked 'Bloody Sunday.'

Rappaport, Doreen. Nobody Gonna Turn Me ‘Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement. 63 p. Gr.4-8
Rappaport uses songs, poems, memories, letters, court testimony, and first-person accounts to provide a moving portrayal of the experiences of African Americans from the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Voting Rights Act in July 1965.