This is an idea that I'd seen floating around library listservs for the past several years and finally decided to give it a shot at our library. The idea behind it is simple: host a party counting down to noon on New Year's Eve for all the little ones who can't (or shouldn't) stay up until midnight. It's a fun way to have a celebration for those too young to participate in a late-night party.
Our expectations were exceeded. We planned on 40 children attending; we had over 120 people total. We received so many compliments on the program that we are definitely planning on hosting a party again next year - but this time we'll be more prepared! Here are the activities we shared with patrons.
Noisemakers: what's a New Year's party without a noisemaker? We made very simple shakers out of plastic cups and anything that would rattle inside of it - beads, beans, and bells. We used clear cups so you could see the pretty colors of the noisemakers inside. You could tell this was a popular station as the noise level in the room grew and grew.
Party hats: again, you can't have a real celebration without a festive hat. We bought plain solid-colored party hats and set out as many different stickers as we could find to decorate them with. As I said, we planned on 40 kids, though we bought supplies for slightly more, but we still ran out of hats. One of our volunteers improvised by making hats out of solid colored plastic cups, a hole punch, and yarn. They were pretty cute.
Coloring sheets and interview: coloring sheets are always a way to fill up a preschool program and they always get used. I also found a printable New Year's interview, which I thought was cute. It asked things like the child's age and favorites and what they hoped for the coming year. I wish I had gotten to see some of the responses! The coloring sheet was a very simple "Happy New Year!"
Balloon drop: of course, the main event of the program was our countdown to noon and balloon drop. Before the program, we made a very simple balloon drop out of two paper tablecloths and some yarn. We laced the two cloths together with the yarn, then taped the whole contraption to the ceiling and filled it with balloons. When the time came, we found a fun clip on Youtube that showed New Year's celebrations around the world while counting down. We started the video with one minute to go, but didn't start counting aloud until 10. When the countdown finished, I yanked the yarn, the cloths ripped apart, and our young patrons were showered in glorious balloons. They absolutely loved this part of the program and their excitement was definitely infectious.
A toast and a fortune: after the balloon drop and as patrons gathered their belongings, we treated them to a cup of sparkling juice and a fortune cookie to get their new year started.
As I said, this program was a huge success with tons of compliments and I'm looking forward to repeating it next year!
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Fall Program Recap: Carol Sing-Along
Last year during our storytime break, I held a preschool dance party. This year, I wanted to do something just a bit different. I love singing carols and I knew there were probably patrons who did as well, so why not host a sing-along at the library? That's exactly what I did!
I'd say the program was a success and it was a lot of fun and easy to run. I greeted everyone at the door with a printout of the lyrics (because even if you think you know the words, you might forget them - trust me!) and I played "Wonderful Christmastime" as families entered and got settled. Then we got started. Here's my playlist!
"Frosty the Snowman" - Laurie Berkner
"Jingle Bells" (with handbells!) - Laurie Berkner
"Jingle Bell Rock" (with handbells!) - Bobby Helms
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - Donald Duck and Goofy
"12 Days of Christmas" (with stick puppets) - The Muppets and John Denver
"Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" (with a miniature Christmas tree to dance around) - Brenda Lee
"Let it Snow" (with some corresponding actions) - Donald and Daisy Duck
"Deck the Halls" (with scarves) - The Muppets and John Denver
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Susie Tallman
- A Few Notes: they love, love, LOVED shaking the bells along with the music and probably would have been happy to do it for the entire program. However, I assure you: two songs with bells is QUITE ENOUGH.
- I initially wanted to do "12 Days of Christmas" with actual puppets but after using the stick puppets, boy howdy, am I glad I didn't! I didn't think the song really moved that quickly, but once you get into it, it definitely does. I tried to show all the puppets every time they were mentioned, but I had to give up around the sixth day.
- next time, I would not do both scarves and bells. It's too much of a hassle to hand out and then collect two different kinds of props, especially if you have any kind of crowd. Thankfully, I had a manageable number (and no children who refused to give up their props), but it still dragged the momentum a little bit.
- I opted to use the most family friendly versions of songs I could find. I liked using the Disney characters and the Muppets because they were voices the kids were likely to recognize and definitely stayed family friendly. I had early qualms about using "Let it Snow" in the program, but I decided to make it into a cuddle song - caregivers "held [them] tight" and gave kisses goodnight, and we used out hands to make it snow.
To finish up, I played "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" on repeat as we did our simple craft: reindeer headbands. I just had long strips of brown paper and lighter brown handprints for them to attach as antlers. I also provided stickers for extra decoration. They loved it, it was really simple, and they looked adorable wearing them.
Overall, I think it was a successful program. I had a lot of fun with it and I got a lot of compliments from parents in attendance. I'd love to repeat the program in the future!
I'd say the program was a success and it was a lot of fun and easy to run. I greeted everyone at the door with a printout of the lyrics (because even if you think you know the words, you might forget them - trust me!) and I played "Wonderful Christmastime" as families entered and got settled. Then we got started. Here's my playlist!
"Frosty the Snowman" - Laurie Berkner
"Jingle Bells" (with handbells!) - Laurie Berkner
"Jingle Bell Rock" (with handbells!) - Bobby Helms
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - Donald Duck and Goofy
"12 Days of Christmas" (with stick puppets) - The Muppets and John Denver
"Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" (with a miniature Christmas tree to dance around) - Brenda Lee
"Let it Snow" (with some corresponding actions) - Donald and Daisy Duck
"Deck the Halls" (with scarves) - The Muppets and John Denver
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Susie Tallman
- A Few Notes: they love, love, LOVED shaking the bells along with the music and probably would have been happy to do it for the entire program. However, I assure you: two songs with bells is QUITE ENOUGH.
- I initially wanted to do "12 Days of Christmas" with actual puppets but after using the stick puppets, boy howdy, am I glad I didn't! I didn't think the song really moved that quickly, but once you get into it, it definitely does. I tried to show all the puppets every time they were mentioned, but I had to give up around the sixth day.
- next time, I would not do both scarves and bells. It's too much of a hassle to hand out and then collect two different kinds of props, especially if you have any kind of crowd. Thankfully, I had a manageable number (and no children who refused to give up their props), but it still dragged the momentum a little bit.
- I opted to use the most family friendly versions of songs I could find. I liked using the Disney characters and the Muppets because they were voices the kids were likely to recognize and definitely stayed family friendly. I had early qualms about using "Let it Snow" in the program, but I decided to make it into a cuddle song - caregivers "held [them] tight" and gave kisses goodnight, and we used out hands to make it snow.
To finish up, I played "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" on repeat as we did our simple craft: reindeer headbands. I just had long strips of brown paper and lighter brown handprints for them to attach as antlers. I also provided stickers for extra decoration. They loved it, it was really simple, and they looked adorable wearing them.
Overall, I think it was a successful program. I had a lot of fun with it and I got a lot of compliments from parents in attendance. I'd love to repeat the program in the future!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Picture Book Saturday
Penguin and Pumpkin
By Salina Yoon
Published 2014 by Walker Childrens
Oh, I love the Penguin books! They are some of my favorites for storytime because they are fun, charming, and feature bold, eye-catching illustrations. Yoon also smartly has crafted each penguin book around a common storytime theme - I can't say this is her overt intention, but it's worked out that way. So, for a fall storytime, you could choose this Penguin title. Penguin's little brother is too young to join the search for fall, so Penguin brings a surprise home for him. I didn't love this as much as the others, but it's still pretty adorable.
I Feel Five!By Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Published 2014 by Candlewick Press
I've quite enjoyed Murguia's previous books, so I was excited to see a new title from her this past summer. In this one, a young boy is extremely excited to turn five. But when the day comes, he doesn't feel any different than he did the day before. Where is the big change he expected? I both liked and didn't like this book. I think what it does well is perhaps temper the overwhelming excitement young ones can feel approaching their birthday. However, the moment when the boy begins to feel five just strikes a bit of a sour note for me. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but this is not my favorite of Murguia's books.
Milo Is Not a Dog TodayBy Kerstin Schoene and Nina Gunetsreiner
Published 2014 by Albert Whitman & Company
Look at that face! That face is the reason I love dogs! Milo likes to play pretend and today he is pretending that he is not a dog. Unfortunately, the other animals are not interested in playing with Milo. Will he find a friend who likes to pretend as much as he does? It's a fun and simple book, good for storytime. The pictures are a nice balance of realistic and cartoony, which I think has great kid appeal. That being said, it's a very basic story, but pretty cute. And, I can't resist that face!
The MonsteratorBy Keith Graves
Published 2014 by Roaring Brook Press
I'm always on the lookout for new Halloween and monster books because it's one of my favorite times of year. With this title, we are introduced to young Edgar, who finds typical Halloween costumes boring. When he stumbles upon a dusty old machine called a "Monsterator," how can he resist? Of course, there is a little twist, but everything works out in the end. The final pages of this book feature a simple version of the Monsterator, where readers can flip the pieces to create numerous monstrous combinations. Cute idea; unfortunately, it likely won't hold up in the library. But a fun story, with a great possibility for extension activities.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Program: American Girl Club
In our final meeting of American Girl Club for the spring, we laissez les bon temps rouler and celebrated Mardi Gras with Marie-Grace and Cecile! Here's what we did!
We started out with a short presentation as always. At the end of this presentation, though, we practiced our French! We taught the girls very simple French phrases, which they were expected to use throughout the rest of the program (responding "oui" or "non" when asked a question, saying "merci," etc.). Their pronunciations were not exactly spot on, but they mostly did okay.
We talked about Mardi Gras and why it was celebrated, then we put on some New Orleans jazz and decorated our own Mardi Gras masks! They had a blast with this, as expected, because we let them go crazy with the craft supplies - markers, jewels, feathers, the works! At the end, we all put our masks on and shouted joyously for our American Girl celebration!
And, it wouldn't be an American Girl Club meeting without treats. I bet you can guess what I made...actually, I spoiled the girls and made two treats this month! We had beignets (though mine were not deep fried, so not exactly traditional) as well as pralines. Most girls had one of each and loved both, which always pleases me. Plus, there were plenty of leftovers for my coworkers, which they definitely appreciated.
We briefly polled the girls about which dolls they'd like to see featured next year and then we finished up another rousingly successful year of American Girl Club!
We started out with a short presentation as always. At the end of this presentation, though, we practiced our French! We taught the girls very simple French phrases, which they were expected to use throughout the rest of the program (responding "oui" or "non" when asked a question, saying "merci," etc.). Their pronunciations were not exactly spot on, but they mostly did okay.
We talked about Mardi Gras and why it was celebrated, then we put on some New Orleans jazz and decorated our own Mardi Gras masks! They had a blast with this, as expected, because we let them go crazy with the craft supplies - markers, jewels, feathers, the works! At the end, we all put our masks on and shouted joyously for our American Girl celebration!
And, it wouldn't be an American Girl Club meeting without treats. I bet you can guess what I made...actually, I spoiled the girls and made two treats this month! We had beignets (though mine were not deep fried, so not exactly traditional) as well as pralines. Most girls had one of each and loved both, which always pleases me. Plus, there were plenty of leftovers for my coworkers, which they definitely appreciated.
We briefly polled the girls about which dolls they'd like to see featured next year and then we finished up another rousingly successful year of American Girl Club!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Program: Program Recap Bonanza - Again!
It's time again for a roundup of program recaps from this spring!
Valentine's Tea Party: so, last year for Valentine's Day, we hosted a Fancy Nancy tea party and it was insane - we had way more people than we anticipated and it got a little hectic. This year, we decided to try to tone it down a bit by just making it a general Valentine's Day thing and also holding it on a weekday instead of a Saturday. Nice try - it was only slightly less crazy than last year. This year, we mostly focused on making different kinds of valentines to give away. We made butterflies with lollipops for bodies, general cards with a variety of hearts and shapes and doilies, and hugs. The hugs were my favorite but also the most complicated - it required tracing each child's hand and measuring their arm span with string. Then, you attached the string to the handprints and voila! Long-distance hug (I actually received this from my niece and nephew and knew we had to use it for a craft project at work). The parents really loved the idea of this, but, as I said, it required the most work, so it got pretty hectic. We set up our red carpet for tea (pink lemonade) and cookies, as a way to take a break from the crafting chaos. Our final activity was a little photo op that I had seen on Pinterest (gotta love it!). I used a big piece of white paper and wrote "I love you because..." across the top in shades of pink and purple. Then we set a dry erase board, markers, and a bandanna (for erasing) next to it and encouraged kids to write why they loved their dad or mom on it. Parents were then invited to take pictures (nearly everyone had a smartphone) to turn into nearly instant valentines. They really liked this and it was hilarious to see the reasons kids wrote down (our favorite, of course, was "you read us books")!
Nursery Rhyme Olympics: I hinted at this one in my last program recap bonanza. This is a program that I'd seen quite some time ago on a listserv and thought sounded too awesome to pass up. So, with the Winter Olympics this year, the timing was perfect. The stations I used were Three Little Kittens (matching colored pairs of paper mittens), Jack Be Nimble (jumping over three "candlesticks" of varying heights), Humpty Dumpty (a puzzle of the egg-man that had to be put together), Ring Around the Rosy (a ring toss decorated to look like rose bushes), Jack and Jill (walking up a plank to fetch a cup of "water" - blue pompoms), and Mother Goose Waddle (holding a small ball between their knees and walking through a course). Each station had a sign with the nursery rhyme written on it and all participants got a scorecard when they arrived listing the various "events." Once they completed each, they received a stamp. When they finished them all, I gave out gold medals (made from foam and ribbon). The parents really loved this program and I think the kids had a lot of fun, too. They struggled with the Mother Goose Waddle - the ball we had was too big for their tiny knees, so I tried to just encourage them to walk like a duck, with varying degrees of success. Overall, this was a relatively easy and inexpensive program that came off impressive and a lot of fun.
Adventure Club: this is a program we've been running for two school years now, alternating it with American Girl Club. We've struggled with this one - we have a much harder time choosing a theme for each program and attendance is very hit or miss with this one. This spring, we had two Adventure Club programs, Captain Underpants and Big Nate. Considering the popularity of both of these book series, we expected successful programs. We were disappointed with both. For Captain Underpants, we had a toilet toss (tossing Tootsie Rolls into a fake toilet), underpants fling (exactly what it sounds like - we competed for distance), underpants decorating (we made giant underpants for the kids to decorate), draw Captain Underpants, and discover your underpants name. Attendance was extremely low for this program, a huge disappointment to us. A couple months later, we hosted a Big Nate version. For that program, we had creating your own comics, making fortune cookies (out of paper), an obstacle course (where they had to avoid the cats and collect the trophy), and a cheese doodle chopstick race (how many could they pick up with chopsticks in one minute). Once again, for a book series so popular, our attendance was very low. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be continuing this program next school year.
Valentine's Tea Party: so, last year for Valentine's Day, we hosted a Fancy Nancy tea party and it was insane - we had way more people than we anticipated and it got a little hectic. This year, we decided to try to tone it down a bit by just making it a general Valentine's Day thing and also holding it on a weekday instead of a Saturday. Nice try - it was only slightly less crazy than last year. This year, we mostly focused on making different kinds of valentines to give away. We made butterflies with lollipops for bodies, general cards with a variety of hearts and shapes and doilies, and hugs. The hugs were my favorite but also the most complicated - it required tracing each child's hand and measuring their arm span with string. Then, you attached the string to the handprints and voila! Long-distance hug (I actually received this from my niece and nephew and knew we had to use it for a craft project at work). The parents really loved the idea of this, but, as I said, it required the most work, so it got pretty hectic. We set up our red carpet for tea (pink lemonade) and cookies, as a way to take a break from the crafting chaos. Our final activity was a little photo op that I had seen on Pinterest (gotta love it!). I used a big piece of white paper and wrote "I love you because..." across the top in shades of pink and purple. Then we set a dry erase board, markers, and a bandanna (for erasing) next to it and encouraged kids to write why they loved their dad or mom on it. Parents were then invited to take pictures (nearly everyone had a smartphone) to turn into nearly instant valentines. They really liked this and it was hilarious to see the reasons kids wrote down (our favorite, of course, was "you read us books")!
Nursery Rhyme Olympics: I hinted at this one in my last program recap bonanza. This is a program that I'd seen quite some time ago on a listserv and thought sounded too awesome to pass up. So, with the Winter Olympics this year, the timing was perfect. The stations I used were Three Little Kittens (matching colored pairs of paper mittens), Jack Be Nimble (jumping over three "candlesticks" of varying heights), Humpty Dumpty (a puzzle of the egg-man that had to be put together), Ring Around the Rosy (a ring toss decorated to look like rose bushes), Jack and Jill (walking up a plank to fetch a cup of "water" - blue pompoms), and Mother Goose Waddle (holding a small ball between their knees and walking through a course). Each station had a sign with the nursery rhyme written on it and all participants got a scorecard when they arrived listing the various "events." Once they completed each, they received a stamp. When they finished them all, I gave out gold medals (made from foam and ribbon). The parents really loved this program and I think the kids had a lot of fun, too. They struggled with the Mother Goose Waddle - the ball we had was too big for their tiny knees, so I tried to just encourage them to walk like a duck, with varying degrees of success. Overall, this was a relatively easy and inexpensive program that came off impressive and a lot of fun.
Adventure Club: this is a program we've been running for two school years now, alternating it with American Girl Club. We've struggled with this one - we have a much harder time choosing a theme for each program and attendance is very hit or miss with this one. This spring, we had two Adventure Club programs, Captain Underpants and Big Nate. Considering the popularity of both of these book series, we expected successful programs. We were disappointed with both. For Captain Underpants, we had a toilet toss (tossing Tootsie Rolls into a fake toilet), underpants fling (exactly what it sounds like - we competed for distance), underpants decorating (we made giant underpants for the kids to decorate), draw Captain Underpants, and discover your underpants name. Attendance was extremely low for this program, a huge disappointment to us. A couple months later, we hosted a Big Nate version. For that program, we had creating your own comics, making fortune cookies (out of paper), an obstacle course (where they had to avoid the cats and collect the trophy), and a cheese doodle chopstick race (how many could they pick up with chopsticks in one minute). Once again, for a book series so popular, our attendance was very low. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be continuing this program next school year.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Picture Book Saturday
Here Comes the Easter Cat
By Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Published 2014 by Dial Books for Young Readers
This book is awesome. I mean, I know that's kind of a cop-out review, but it's also true. I loved this book and I think kids are going to love it, too. It's so much fun and also adorable and it's about a cat, so really, what's not to love? I love that the illustrations in this book are so expressive that you almost don't need the words to understand the story. I love how hard Cat tries to be fun and lovable - but he is a cat, after all. I love that there is going to be another one! Just love this book!
Sparky!By Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans
Published 2014 by Schwartz & Wade
Okay, sloths are a pretty big deal right now, so this book only makes sense. I mean, who doesn't want a sloth for a pet? They are adorable and they live in a tree and they make the cutest noises ever. This book is really cute, and is great to teach kids that sometimes a pet isn't exactly the way you want it to be. But sometimes a pet can also be a surprise. Obviously, we can't encourage children to want sloths for pets, but it may make them interested in learning about the wide variety of animals out there. Plus, I mean, SLOTHS. Just so stinking cute.
Lost for WordsBy Natalie Russell
Published 2014 by Peachtree Publishers
This is a cute story that shows we all have different strengths. Tapir is excited about his brand new notebook and can't wait to fill it with words - but the words are lost! So, he asks his friends for help and soon discovers that maybe he should be filling his notebook with things other than words. A sweet story and I appreciate that Tapir is the main character (quick - name another book about a tapir!). This would be a good one for early elementary readers learning about different kinds of writing and artistic expression.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Picture Book Saturday
Never Too Little to Love
By Jeanne Willis and Jan Fearnley
Published 2005 by Walker & Company
We got this adorable little book right before Valentine's Day, so you can see how I'm still wretchedly behind on my reviews. The tiny little mouse protagonist of this story is in love. Unfortunately, he is indeed tiny and his love is not. Will he ever find a way to get to his love? This is a very cute cumulative little story and a sweet read for Valentine's Day. The illustrations are charming as well.
Penguin in LoveBy Salina Yoon
Published 2013 by Walker Childrens
Okay, I am in love. With Penguin. He is just too adorable! In this installment, Penguin becomes sweet on someone and they help others along the way. These stories are just so cute and kids really like them, so that's a bonus. I love the illustration style and the simplicity of the stories. I've seen some people say they were confused by the story in this one, but I think it works well. I can't wait for more adventures with Penguin.
By Amy Gibson, illustrated by Maria van Lieshout
Published 2013 by Feiwel & Friends
Can you tell that we got a bunch of love-themed picture books at the same time? Yes, we were indeed gearing up for Valentine's Day when I read through the new picture books at work. Many of them work any time of year in a love-centric storytime, though. This lovely story takes readers across the country, discovering the many ways kisses are shared. The language is quite beautiful, and I really appreciate the choices that Gibson made, some of them challenging for young readers, but I appreciate that. I really love the illustrations as well. The style is very interesting and appealing. Just a lovely book.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Program: Pumpkin Decorating
This was one of the simplest and most successful programs I had this fall. Last year, I had done a similar program with less than stellar results, likely because I didn't promote the pumpkin decorating aspect. I chose not to last year because I was worried I wouldn't have enough pumpkins for attendees. This year, I decided to buy 15 pumpkins and hope it was enough, even with promotion of pumpkins being available.
I had no pumpkins left over! I decorated one as an example - this year, I chose to make Babymouse. I wanted to encourage the kids to decorate their pumpkin as a favorite book character, which is why I chose the lovely graphic novel star. Some of the kids embraced this idea, but most just decorated their pumpkin as they wanted to.
Last year, I played a spooky audio book for the kids to listen to as they decorated. This year, I decided to show a favorite Halloween movie. And here is where I failed. I did not rewatch my chosen movie before screening it to the kids. Why would I? After all, it airs every year on ABC Family, so surely it would be appropriate for my tween audience. Well, maybe, but there were definitely some parts that made me uncomfortable as I watched it with the kids. The movie in question? Hocus Pocus. You see, I forgot all the talk about being a virgin and how Max is interested in Allison's bazooms. I think most of the stuff that raised my eyebrows went over the kids' heads.
Aside from that, the kids really liked having a movie to watch while they decorated and many were sad that their parents made them leave before the end (despite showing a movie, I only scheduled the program for an hour, mostly because I hadn't been sure that I would show a movie). I provided the pumpkins and all the supplies they could want to decorate with, and they all left happily with their pumpkins. I will definitely plan on doing this program again next year.
I had no pumpkins left over! I decorated one as an example - this year, I chose to make Babymouse. I wanted to encourage the kids to decorate their pumpkin as a favorite book character, which is why I chose the lovely graphic novel star. Some of the kids embraced this idea, but most just decorated their pumpkin as they wanted to.
Last year, I played a spooky audio book for the kids to listen to as they decorated. This year, I decided to show a favorite Halloween movie. And here is where I failed. I did not rewatch my chosen movie before screening it to the kids. Why would I? After all, it airs every year on ABC Family, so surely it would be appropriate for my tween audience. Well, maybe, but there were definitely some parts that made me uncomfortable as I watched it with the kids. The movie in question? Hocus Pocus. You see, I forgot all the talk about being a virgin and how Max is interested in Allison's bazooms. I think most of the stuff that raised my eyebrows went over the kids' heads.
Aside from that, the kids really liked having a movie to watch while they decorated and many were sad that their parents made them leave before the end (despite showing a movie, I only scheduled the program for an hour, mostly because I hadn't been sure that I would show a movie). I provided the pumpkins and all the supplies they could want to decorate with, and they all left happily with their pumpkins. I will definitely plan on doing this program again next year.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Picture Book Saturday
The Spooky Box
By Mark Gonyea
Published 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.
Kind of a silly little book, but I enjoyed the creativity of it. I can see using this in a spooky storytime for younger kids, and it's great for interactive, dialogic reading. I really like the look of this one, simple and bold, which I think works really well for the simplicity of the book itself. A fun one.
About a BearBy Holly Surplice
Published 2012 by Tiger Tales
This is a great bear book for the younger crowd, featuring very simple sentences paired with lovely and expressive illustrations. Mainly, we follow the bear as he explores his world and discovers emotions. Great for helping little ones see the range of emotions and the bright colors make it visually appealing for a young age group.
ScoutBy Gordon McMillan
Published 2012 by Sleeping Bear Press
Another simple story for young readers, this one about a small terrier who loves his red ball and must search for it when it goes missing. He might find more than he anticipates along the way. Interesting art style - I wonder how this style appeals to children. While I often find myself drawn to retro-style illustrations, I wonder if kids find them appealing as well. A basic story that feels just a little overdone.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
The Year in Review, Part One
It's that time! Time for me to present you with the surely highly-anticipated lists of my favorite books of the year! As before, I'm going to break the list down into three parts: picture books, middle grade, and young adult. Also, most of the books on these lists will be 2012 releases, though older titles may sneak in. Links will go to my reviews where applicable. And, of course, if you find a title you haven't read it, get your butt in gear and pick it up!
Without further ado, Librarian of Snark's Best Picture Books of 2012!
I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black - this is, by far, the best book written about a potato, not just of this year but of any year. A simple but extremely fun story, I can't wait to test this one out in storytime. The illustrations are fantastic and this book will have you laughing out loud.
Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer - Olivia is a pig after my own heart. After not enjoying the last couple Olivia adventures as much as her first, this newest title is a return to her former glory, showcasing the truly unique Olivia doing what she does best.
My First Ghost by Maggie Miller - I love the old school vibe of the text and the illustrations in this one and its blend of spooky and fun. I feel like this is a book made for me.
Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett - really, this is probably my favorite picture book of the year, despite my intentions to not rank them. I absolutely love everything about this book - I think it's fun and vibrant and able to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Please more, Mac and Adam?
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger - yes, it's a book about a color. Not all colors, just one. But it is more than that - it's inventive and striking and I love the attention to detail. This is another book that I think has appeal across all age ranges.
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff - another book about colors, but this one introduces the whole rainbow. I love the presentation of this and the illustrations are just gorgeous. I hope to see more and more of the incredibly striking concept books we've seen this year.
There Goes Ted Williams by Matt Tavares - it's not secret I'm a sucker for a baseball book, and how could I resist one about the greatest hitter of all time? This book made me teary-eyed, thinking about what a truly wonderful player Williams was. Definitely a must for fans of the game.
Here Come the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey - another thing near and dear to my heart is scouting, even though it's been a decade since I was actively involved. This picture book biography of the Girl Scouts' founder hits all the right notes and warmed my heart.
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet - here's one published at the tail end of 2011 that made its way onto my list. The more I read and see by Sweet, the more I become convinced that the woman can do anything. This is a beautiful biography of the man behind the Macy's Parade that could not fail to inspire all its readers to dream big and create.
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood - there is just something so magical and beautiful about this book. It perfectly captures the holiday season (at least for me) and manages to sneak in some jokes for the observant reader as well. I completely love the quietness of this book.
Of course, this is only a small sampling of the picture books I've read and enjoyed through the year. Looking through my Goodreads account (which is not always as up-to-date as it should be), I've read approximately 245 picture books this year. To see some of the other titles I've enjoyed, look for my Picture Book Saturday posts. Do any of my top titles make your list, too?
Without further ado, Librarian of Snark's Best Picture Books of 2012!
I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black - this is, by far, the best book written about a potato, not just of this year but of any year. A simple but extremely fun story, I can't wait to test this one out in storytime. The illustrations are fantastic and this book will have you laughing out loud.
Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer - Olivia is a pig after my own heart. After not enjoying the last couple Olivia adventures as much as her first, this newest title is a return to her former glory, showcasing the truly unique Olivia doing what she does best.
My First Ghost by Maggie Miller - I love the old school vibe of the text and the illustrations in this one and its blend of spooky and fun. I feel like this is a book made for me.
Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett - really, this is probably my favorite picture book of the year, despite my intentions to not rank them. I absolutely love everything about this book - I think it's fun and vibrant and able to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Please more, Mac and Adam?
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger - yes, it's a book about a color. Not all colors, just one. But it is more than that - it's inventive and striking and I love the attention to detail. This is another book that I think has appeal across all age ranges.
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff - another book about colors, but this one introduces the whole rainbow. I love the presentation of this and the illustrations are just gorgeous. I hope to see more and more of the incredibly striking concept books we've seen this year.
There Goes Ted Williams by Matt Tavares - it's not secret I'm a sucker for a baseball book, and how could I resist one about the greatest hitter of all time? This book made me teary-eyed, thinking about what a truly wonderful player Williams was. Definitely a must for fans of the game.
Here Come the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey - another thing near and dear to my heart is scouting, even though it's been a decade since I was actively involved. This picture book biography of the Girl Scouts' founder hits all the right notes and warmed my heart.
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet - here's one published at the tail end of 2011 that made its way onto my list. The more I read and see by Sweet, the more I become convinced that the woman can do anything. This is a beautiful biography of the man behind the Macy's Parade that could not fail to inspire all its readers to dream big and create.
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood - there is just something so magical and beautiful about this book. It perfectly captures the holiday season (at least for me) and manages to sneak in some jokes for the observant reader as well. I completely love the quietness of this book.
Of course, this is only a small sampling of the picture books I've read and enjoyed through the year. Looking through my Goodreads account (which is not always as up-to-date as it should be), I've read approximately 245 picture books this year. To see some of the other titles I've enjoyed, look for my Picture Book Saturday posts. Do any of my top titles make your list, too?
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Picture Book Saturday (46)
More holiday books for you to enjoy!
Sad SantaBy Tad Carpenter
Published 2012 by Sterling Children's Books
The day after Christmas is the worst day of the year for Santa. This year, he's taking it especially poorly, sinking into a funk that no one, not even Mrs. Claus, can get him out of. Will Santa ever get his Christmas spirit back? For me, the best thing about this book is the style of the illustrations - muted colors with a retro feel. It's very striking, especially next to the other Christmas books. I get the message of this book, but I think it could have been conveyed better.
Just Right for ChristmasBy Birdie Black, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Published 2012 by Nosy Crow
I'm continually impressed by the books I've seen from Nosy Crow and this Christmas story is no exception. It's a familiar story: a king buys red cloth to make a special Christmas present for his daughter, never knowing that the leftover cloth will go on to make many more special presents for many more families. It's a simple story, but it's lovely. I love how genuinely excited each new family seems - the finder of the scrap to make something "just right" for their loved one and the loved ones at receiving these just right gifts. The illustrations perfectly reflect the quiet and sweet nature of the story. A lovely addition to holiday reading.
By Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by David Biedrzycki
Published 2006 by Scholastic
Well, this may not be a new book, but it just made its way to our library. This is a cute story that is sure to appeal to young fantasy lovers. The task of Christmas for the whole world is too much for just Santa, so he seeks out help. Will he get assistance from the dragons? Or maybe the mermaids can help? Kids will enjoy seeing all the fantastical creatures Santa consults before finding the perfect fit for his workshop. The illustrations are vibrant and bold, each reflecting perfectly the environment of the different creatures.
By Bob Shea
Published 2012 by Hyperion
Yes, Dinosaur is back - and this time, he's getting ready for Santa's arrival. Of course, Christmastime is not without its own challenges, but Dinosaur is no stranger to battles and he will face them all, stomping and roaring along the way. If you've seen the previous Dinosaur books, you pretty much know how this one goes - but it's still as charming and fun as the others. I love the simplicity of the story and the illustrations - this is a book that all kids can enjoy, from the youngest to the oldest. A fun new book to share at Christmas.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Picture Book Saturday (45)
With the holidays upon us, I figured I'd feature some new holiday books. These are all Christmas books. That doesn't mean there aren't holiday books celebrating all the other winter holidays; it just means that we only had Christmas books show up on our new book cart recently.
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas: A Safety Guide for Scaredies
By Melanie Watt
Published 2012 by Kids Can Press
I'm a big fan of Scaredy Squirrel - actually I'm a big fan of all of Melanie Watt's books. I really like her style and her sense of humor is spot on. Kids are always asking for the Scaredy Squirrel books. So I was thrilled to see this new holiday book arrive. This is actually significantly longer than previous Scaredy Squirrel titles - it's divided into chapters, outlining everything a person (or squirrel) needs to know to prepare for the holidays. That trademark humor is once again present and the exact perfect amount of holiday cheer graces the pages.
Christmas Parade
By Sandra Boynton
Published 2012 by Little Simon
I was a bit of a latecomer to the Sandra Boynton party but now I think every new book of hers is a cause for celebration. This arrives just in time for the holidays and showcases a raucous and delightful Christmas parade. I love her illustrations - they suit the sense of humor of the books so well. I also enjoy that her books show you don't always need a story line to have a fun book that will appeal to kids.
The Christmas Quiet Book
Santa from Cincinnati
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas: A Safety Guide for ScarediesBy Melanie Watt
Published 2012 by Kids Can Press
I'm a big fan of Scaredy Squirrel - actually I'm a big fan of all of Melanie Watt's books. I really like her style and her sense of humor is spot on. Kids are always asking for the Scaredy Squirrel books. So I was thrilled to see this new holiday book arrive. This is actually significantly longer than previous Scaredy Squirrel titles - it's divided into chapters, outlining everything a person (or squirrel) needs to know to prepare for the holidays. That trademark humor is once again present and the exact perfect amount of holiday cheer graces the pages.
Christmas ParadeBy Sandra Boynton
Published 2012 by Little Simon
I was a bit of a latecomer to the Sandra Boynton party but now I think every new book of hers is a cause for celebration. This arrives just in time for the holidays and showcases a raucous and delightful Christmas parade. I love her illustrations - they suit the sense of humor of the books so well. I also enjoy that her books show you don't always need a story line to have a fun book that will appeal to kids.
By Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Renata Liwska
Published 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
I very much enjoyed Underwood and Liwska's earlier collaborations, The Loud Book and The Quiet Book. To celebrate the holidays, the two have united again for this title, which celebrates the kinds of quiet one can only find around the holidays. There is the "knocking with mittens quiet" and "hoping for a snow day quiet." I think I might even like this one better than the other two titles - there is something so beautiful and magical about the quiet holiday moments highlighted here. Completely charming and gives you a warm feeling inside.
Santa from Cincinnati
By Judi Barrett, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Published 2012 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Here is everything you wanted to know about the boy who grew up to be Santa - told through photos and memories from his family and friends. This is a fun imaging of Santa's growing up - could he have played in a rock band? Were his first words really "ho ho ho"? Young readers will enjoy debating what parts of this biography they think are true and what parts they find too silly. Vibrant illustrations evoke the biographic feel of the story.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Program: Day of the Dead
Since I've been running my tween programs on Wednesday afternoons and Halloween just happened to fall on a Wednesday this year, I knew I definitely wanted to do some sort of program. I didn't want to do a Halloween-themed program since it would be a little late for that, so I had done that program a few weeks before. I thought it would be cool to do a program that focused on another culture's fall celebration - Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos).
All in all, this was a really simple program to run since I did all the prep work ahead of time. I had a small turnout - I'm thinking I might need to change which day of the week I have my programs on because I'm not getting as many kids on Wednesday afternoons as I had been. I don't really have much to say about the program. We decorated sugar skulls - traditional decorations to celebrate the holiday. I made the sugar skulls ahead of time, using a mold I had purchased from a website. The skulls needed to harden for at least 8 hours before the program, so I just made them a couple days ahead and left them out to harden. I provided 4 different colors of royal icing, feathers, ribbon, gemstones and glitter for the kids to use as decoration (the skulls are edible, as is the icing, but not very tasty, and of course inedible once you put anything inedible on it). The icing was the biggest pain for me. The directions I had noted that the colors (gel colors that I had ordered from the same site as the mold) would stain, so I should use disposable equipment for mixing them up. Royal icing is much thicker and more difficult to stir than regular icing, and all I had for disposable containers were plastic drinking cups. They were not nearly large enough to properly mix the icing with the coloring for even distribution. I didn't want to buy disposable pastry bags either, so I put the icing into plastic storage bags and cut off the corners for piping. This worked okay, but the kids couldn't do any fine detail work this way, which was kind of a bummer. I also printed out some sugar skull coloring sheets for them to color if they finished with their skulls, as well as an information sheet about Day of the Dead that I created.
The kids who came had a lot of fun decorating their skulls - trying to make them look like people they knew, giving them mustaches, etc. They were disappointed that the icing came out in such thick streams, but they found ways to make it work. All of them had to leave early, so the coloring sheets didn't really get used, but they took those and the information sheets home for later. I'd like to do this program again next year because it was so easy, but I'd definitely need to figure out a better process for the icing. A coworker borrowed my mold and decorated some with her granddaughters, painting them with acrylic paint instead and had success, so maybe I'd just do that.
What would you do? Have you done a Day of the Dead program?
All in all, this was a really simple program to run since I did all the prep work ahead of time. I had a small turnout - I'm thinking I might need to change which day of the week I have my programs on because I'm not getting as many kids on Wednesday afternoons as I had been. I don't really have much to say about the program. We decorated sugar skulls - traditional decorations to celebrate the holiday. I made the sugar skulls ahead of time, using a mold I had purchased from a website. The skulls needed to harden for at least 8 hours before the program, so I just made them a couple days ahead and left them out to harden. I provided 4 different colors of royal icing, feathers, ribbon, gemstones and glitter for the kids to use as decoration (the skulls are edible, as is the icing, but not very tasty, and of course inedible once you put anything inedible on it). The icing was the biggest pain for me. The directions I had noted that the colors (gel colors that I had ordered from the same site as the mold) would stain, so I should use disposable equipment for mixing them up. Royal icing is much thicker and more difficult to stir than regular icing, and all I had for disposable containers were plastic drinking cups. They were not nearly large enough to properly mix the icing with the coloring for even distribution. I didn't want to buy disposable pastry bags either, so I put the icing into plastic storage bags and cut off the corners for piping. This worked okay, but the kids couldn't do any fine detail work this way, which was kind of a bummer. I also printed out some sugar skull coloring sheets for them to color if they finished with their skulls, as well as an information sheet about Day of the Dead that I created.
The kids who came had a lot of fun decorating their skulls - trying to make them look like people they knew, giving them mustaches, etc. They were disappointed that the icing came out in such thick streams, but they found ways to make it work. All of them had to leave early, so the coloring sheets didn't really get used, but they took those and the information sheets home for later. I'd like to do this program again next year because it was so easy, but I'd definitely need to figure out a better process for the icing. A coworker borrowed my mold and decorated some with her granddaughters, painting them with acrylic paint instead and had success, so maybe I'd just do that.
What would you do? Have you done a Day of the Dead program?
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Program: Something Spooky
Even though Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year (my normal tween programming day) and I planned on having a program that day, I wanted my Halloween-themed program to fall a little earlier in the month so that the kids could take whatever we made that day and use it during the holiday. This program was a case of too many choices incapacitating my ability to decide what to do. I left the title and description purposely vague because I wasn't 100% sure what activities I wanted to include before we had to start publicizing the program. This may have contributed to my slightly smaller attendance number as kids didn't really know what to expect from the program. However, the kids who did come seemed to have a lot of fun. Here's what I ended up doing.
I really wanted to decorate pumpkins. I've seen (on Pinterest and generally around the interwebs) the amazing book character/book report pumpkins that kids have decorated and I thought it was a brilliant idea and something the kids would really enjoy doing. However, I had a hard time fully committing to the idea because of the costs. We generally don't run a lot of programs where we ask attendees to bring something and because I hadn't completely decided to go with this idea, I had no way of asking the kids to bring their own pumpkins. This left me with the job of providing pumpkins. They are expensive and, though I knew I wouldn't have huge attendance numbers, I also don't have a very big budget. I contacted a local nursery about getting a donation, but I submitted the paperwork too late (it had to be in 3-4 weeks prior to the program), so I missed the boat there. Finally, I just decided to go ahead and buy the pumpkins. I found the most goregously shaped little pumpkins for less than a dollar apiece. I only bought 20, knowing I'd probably have less than that number of tweens attending. Thankfully, I was right (I really didn't want to run out of pumpkins for participants). I bought my pumpkins the day before the program so that they would last longer.
So, for the program itself - it was pretty straightforward. I wanted the kids to hear a scary story while they were there, but I didn't want them to have to just sit there listening to a story (they've tended to get antsy during presentations before). I'm a big fan of audiobooks, so I decided that was my best option. When the kids arrived, I had them sit at the two tables I'd set up for decorating. I gave them a brief rundown of what we'd be doing and told them a little about the book we'd be listening to - Coraline by Neil Gaiman. They all seemed excited about the spooky possibilities of the title from my booktalk so, once I turned it on, they listened as they decorated. I had put pictures of some of my favorite book character pumpkins on the tables if they needed inspiration, but they basically just set right to work. We had Mary Ann from the Babysitter's Club, Piper from The Lost Hero, Iron Man, a clown, and two characters from a cartoon (whose name has slipped my mind). The program flew by as the kids worked diligently on their pumpkins and munched on the cookies and pretzels I'd provided as snacks. I had also decided I wanted to make the adorable monster page-corner bookmarks I'd found on Pinterest, just in case anyone didn't want to decorate a pumpkin or finished early. I needn't have worried. The kids devoted the entire hour to pumpkin decorating but all of them thought the bookmarks were too cool to not make one, so in the last five minutes, we scrambled to make our monsters. I provided scary bookmarks and pencils, as well as a horror booklist, for the kids to take home at the end of the program. I noticed that the copy of Coraline I had set on the display table also was gone after the program, so I assume one kid had liked the audio enough to finish the story. Overall, I think the kids had fun and the time flew by for me. (I made a Cheshire Cat pumpkin - of course.)
Next year, I'd like to do the program again, but I'd definitely want to get the pumpkins donated. I'd also advertise the program specifically as pumpkin decorating and I'd like to do it in two parts - first, have a program to decorate the pumpkins and then display them and have a contest for the patron favorite. I think we'd get a larger attendance this way, plus everyone would get a chance to see the creations the kids came up with. Have you done something like this at your library? How did it go?
I really wanted to decorate pumpkins. I've seen (on Pinterest and generally around the interwebs) the amazing book character/book report pumpkins that kids have decorated and I thought it was a brilliant idea and something the kids would really enjoy doing. However, I had a hard time fully committing to the idea because of the costs. We generally don't run a lot of programs where we ask attendees to bring something and because I hadn't completely decided to go with this idea, I had no way of asking the kids to bring their own pumpkins. This left me with the job of providing pumpkins. They are expensive and, though I knew I wouldn't have huge attendance numbers, I also don't have a very big budget. I contacted a local nursery about getting a donation, but I submitted the paperwork too late (it had to be in 3-4 weeks prior to the program), so I missed the boat there. Finally, I just decided to go ahead and buy the pumpkins. I found the most goregously shaped little pumpkins for less than a dollar apiece. I only bought 20, knowing I'd probably have less than that number of tweens attending. Thankfully, I was right (I really didn't want to run out of pumpkins for participants). I bought my pumpkins the day before the program so that they would last longer.
So, for the program itself - it was pretty straightforward. I wanted the kids to hear a scary story while they were there, but I didn't want them to have to just sit there listening to a story (they've tended to get antsy during presentations before). I'm a big fan of audiobooks, so I decided that was my best option. When the kids arrived, I had them sit at the two tables I'd set up for decorating. I gave them a brief rundown of what we'd be doing and told them a little about the book we'd be listening to - Coraline by Neil Gaiman. They all seemed excited about the spooky possibilities of the title from my booktalk so, once I turned it on, they listened as they decorated. I had put pictures of some of my favorite book character pumpkins on the tables if they needed inspiration, but they basically just set right to work. We had Mary Ann from the Babysitter's Club, Piper from The Lost Hero, Iron Man, a clown, and two characters from a cartoon (whose name has slipped my mind). The program flew by as the kids worked diligently on their pumpkins and munched on the cookies and pretzels I'd provided as snacks. I had also decided I wanted to make the adorable monster page-corner bookmarks I'd found on Pinterest, just in case anyone didn't want to decorate a pumpkin or finished early. I needn't have worried. The kids devoted the entire hour to pumpkin decorating but all of them thought the bookmarks were too cool to not make one, so in the last five minutes, we scrambled to make our monsters. I provided scary bookmarks and pencils, as well as a horror booklist, for the kids to take home at the end of the program. I noticed that the copy of Coraline I had set on the display table also was gone after the program, so I assume one kid had liked the audio enough to finish the story. Overall, I think the kids had fun and the time flew by for me. (I made a Cheshire Cat pumpkin - of course.)
Next year, I'd like to do the program again, but I'd definitely want to get the pumpkins donated. I'd also advertise the program specifically as pumpkin decorating and I'd like to do it in two parts - first, have a program to decorate the pumpkins and then display them and have a contest for the patron favorite. I think we'd get a larger attendance this way, plus everyone would get a chance to see the creations the kids came up with. Have you done something like this at your library? How did it go?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Picture Book Saturday (39)
By Leo Timmers
Published 2012 by Gecko Press
This was a sweet little book about Mr. Renny, a painter who uncovers a magical gift. But Mr. Renny will soon learn about what's truly important in life. I love the illustrations in this one - they are vibrant and eye-catching and will definitely appeal to kids. I think the book has a good message and is very reminiscent of some traditional folk tales.
Cat Tale
By Michael Hall
Published 2012 by Greenwillow Books
I really loved My Heart is a Zoo so I was excited to see this new book from Hall. Personally, I didn't love it quite as much, though I think it's a great book. The illustrations are beautiful - I love Hall's style. And this is a fantastic book for language development with its target audience - highlighting homophones and homonyms in a fun and interesting story. But this book didn't make me go all cross-eyed with cute and cuddly like My Heart is a Zoo did. However, I think this would be a wonderful book to share one on one with a child as they learn about language.
Olivia and the Fairy Princesses
By Ian Falconer
Published 2012 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Everyone's favorite darling porcine heroine is back and she is having a bit of a crisis. It seems everyone wants to be a pink princess, but Olivia knows better. Maybe she still wants to be a princess, but there are many kinds out there. Just which one is right for her? I absolutely loved the first Olivia book (like many people, I think) and have always looked forward to the next installment of her adventures. I think this may be my new favorite. I just love everything about it - the illustrations are brilliant and intricate as always, the humor is spot-on (even for adults reading with their kids) and the message is great. Truly a wonderful new title.
I'm Bored
By Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Published 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
I like Michael Ian Black - I think he's funny (though my boyfriend would disagree) and he's produced some quality picture books. But I did not await this with the fervor my former supervisor did. In hindsight, maybe I should have. This is a delightful book that had me laughing out loud on nearly every page as a young girl tries to persuade a potato (yes, a potato) that being a kid is anything but boring. I think this would be a fabulous storytime book - the kids would love seeing the extremes to which the little girl goes to prove her point. And the illustrations are phenomenal - tons of white space (focusing almost exclusively on the characters) and a clear but subtle distinction between what is real and what is imaginary. I'll definitely be looking forward to the next Black book now.
Halloween Forest
By Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by John Shelley
Published 2012 by Holiday House
I will pick up just about any book about Halloween because I love scary things and monsters and it's my favorite holiday. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't that great. I'm writing this review a couple weeks after having read it and I can't recall all that much about it. It was just sort of a blah read. I feel like it was slightly more creepy than many Halloween picture books but not really creepy enough to satisfy my belief that children need to be exposed to scary things.
By Leo Landry
Published 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Oliver the ghost waits all year for Halloween but this year he's in for a surprise. One of his invitations lands in the hands of two boys from down the street. Will they be scared away by Oliver's supernatural friends? This book is pretty much exactly what I was talking about - a completely non-scary Halloween tale for kids. It's a cute story about making friends with people who are very different than us and will definitely get children in the mood for the holiday. But it wasn't an outstanding book and left me wanting something scary.
Just Say Boo!
By Susan Hood, illustrated by Jed Henry
Published 2012 by HarperCollins
This was probably my favorite of the three Halloween books I read at the same time. It teaches a little bit of etiquette while also practicing Halloween vocabulary and getting kids excited for the fun of the holiday. Though it is another of the not-scary Halloween books for kids, it's so darn cute that I don't mind. The illustrations are sweet and this is sure to have kids shouting along. Very cute.
By Maryann Cusimano Love, illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa
Published 2005 by Philomel
I was not expecting to like this book. I expected it to be cheesy and eyeroll-inducing. I was wrong. This is a perfectly sweet little book about the love of a parent and child around Christmastime. I like that the author highlights different holiday activities to explain what the child means to their parent. It's very effective at showcasing the special relationship as well as evoking the holiday. This would make a lovely present for new parents.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Picture Book Saturday (37)
By Maggie Miller and Michael Leviton, illustrated by Stephanie Buscema
Published 2012 by Hyperion
Okay, I completely love this book! It comes with a ghost, and is the right blend of spooky, funny, and sweet. It reads like a vintage educational video and the illustrations evoke that feeling very nicely. I don't know what else to say - I just love everything about this book. I can definitely see it being popular with kids, especially those who like monsters and Halloween and scary stuff (not that this is a Halloween book, necessarily). I just completely adored this and will definitely be buying copies to share.
By Eduardo Bustos, illustrated by Lucho Rodriguez
Published 2012 by Tundra Books
With so many different species of ape in the world, what kid couldn't use a short introduction to some of the most interesting and unusual? Short text and lovely, compelling and simple illustrations make this a definite winner for early non-fiction. I think this book is incredibly effective in introducing young readers to the variety of apes and would be a wonderful addition to storytimes.
Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole!
By Stan and Jan Berenstain, illustrated by Mike Berenstain
Published 2012 by Harper
A bored little penguin bemoans the fact that the South Pole is so tragically boring. He goes off in search of excitement and adventure and finds...? You'll have to read it to find out! I was pleasantly surprised to discover this book on our New Books cart - I didn't actually know that the Berenstains did anything other than bears! I think kids would really appreciate this book, and it would work well in a winter storytime. Very cute.
Ballerina RosieBy Sarah Ferguson, illustrated by Diane Goode
Published 2012 by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Rosie loves to dance, more than anything. And she absolutely wants to be a prima ballerina. But when she enrolls in dance school, she can't seem to dance as wonderfully as she does at home. Will Rosie figure out a way to be the ballerina she knows she is at heart? This is an incredibly charming book, sure to be very popular with little girls who love ballerinas and dancing. The illustrations are my favorite part - they are sweet and lovely and beautifully represent the joy and art of dancing. There is also a great message about perseverance. I was completely charmed by this book.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Picture Book Saturday (27)
By Nick Sharratt
Published 2011 by Candlewick
A Halloween-themed lift the flap book, this is a very innovative use of the flaps. Each flap is engineered to be lifted in two opposite direction and, in the case of this book, one side will show you a trick and the other will show you a treat. Kids are sure to be amazed by the technology at work here (I know I was) and will also have fun giggling over some of the tricks found in the witch's kitchen. A delightful book.
By David MacPhail
Published 2012 by Henry Holt and Co.
This is a sweet story of a tree that grows alongside a family and the boy who comes along late in the tree's life to save it. A beautiful blend of the personal and the global, this is a lovely tale to introduce young readers to a simple version of environmentalism. This could be shared during a nature storytime as well. A very touching and lovely story.
By Robert Neubecker
Published 2012 by Balzer + Bray
In this updated version of the classic rhyme, Neubecker delights in making readers aware of all the things little boys are made of. He provides an excellent mix of what we'd expect but also shows the softer and sweeter side of little boys. A perfect gift for mothers of little boys.
By Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
Published 2011 by Random House Children's Books
This is a cute ghost story set in New Orleans with illustrations in a style that I think is likely to draw kids in. It tells the story of Fred the Ghost, who is not scary enough to prevent a man and his daughter from moving into his house and opening a restaurant. So, Fred does his best to try to scare them away. It's a happy ending for all when Fred and the living occupants find a way to exist together peacefully. I don't imagine lots of kids seeking out this kind of book, but it could be a nice surprise for the kid who stumbles on it.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Picture Book Saturday (17)
13 Nights of Halloween
By Guy Vasilovich
Published 2011 by HarperCollins
I love this one! This is essentially the “12 Days of Christmas” for Halloween but with an extra unlucky night thrown in. The gifts are suitably creepy and icky and the illustrations are a great balance between macabre and adorable. I think this would work really well in a Halloween/spooky storytime. Really enjoyed this!
Little Apple Goat
By Caroline Jayne Church
Published 2007 by Eerdman's Books for Young Readers
Go look at the goat on the cover of this book and tell me you don’t want to read it. Go on; I’ll wait. Did you do it? ISN’T THAT THE CUTEST GOAT YOU’VE EVER SEEN?? Okay, now that’s done…little goat loves eating the fruit from the orchard and she spits the seeds over the fence along her walk home. When a storm destroys the orchard, what will happen next? This could be used in a gardening or farming storytime. It explains the cycle of life quite nicely and the illustrations are so sweet. LOOK AT THE GOAT – I mean, come on!
Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet
By Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Published 2012 by HarperCollins
I don’t usually really pay any special attention to the Fancy Nancy books – I’ve read the first few and I think they’re pretty much all the same general idea. For some reason, I felt compelled to flip through this one and I think it’s a great addition to the series. Fancy Nancy and Bree are very excited about their next dance show – a mermaid ballet! They both want to be mermaids very much, but when the parts are distributed, neither is cast. Can Nancy overcome this setback? And what happens when disaster strikes one of the mermaids? This is a fun picture book in a well-loved series that teaches an important lesson as well. As always, I love the vocabulary this book provides, as well as the illustrations. Don’t miss this one!
Bailey Goes Camping
By Kevin Henkes
Published 1997 by Greenwillow Books
Bailey just wants to be like his big brother and sister and go on a scout camping trip with them but everyone tells him he’s too young. Never fear, mom and dad are here to show Bailey what fun he can have, even without going camping. Very sweet story with Henkes’ classic illustrations – another author I’ll probably never get sick of.
First Peas to the Table: How Thomas Jefferson Inspired a School Garden
By Susan Grigsby, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
Published 2012 by Albert Whitman & Company
This is a nicely written story about gardening for an older elementary audience. My favorite thing about this book is the historical aspect of the story – it’s woven in quite nicely with the main story and I think kids will even learn a few things from reading this book. I also really like the element of friendly competition throughout the story – it’s never mean or overdone and I don’t think it hurts for kids to learn how competition can be friendly. The illustrations, for me, are nothing special but overall this is a really cool picture book.
Time for a Hug
By Phillis Gershator and Mim Green, illustrated by David Walker
Published 2012 by Sterling Children’s Books
I feel like I must only read picture books that either look completely adorable or are non-fiction because it seems like those are the only two things I say about them here. This one falls clearly in the adorable category but this is also like a stealth concept book. We go through a typical day with our main character, finding out when it’s time for a hug. But, we’re also learning a bit about time while we do this. It’s pretty subtle, but I think this is a great book to introduce the concept of time to young children. Adorable illustrations and a sweet little book.
Maudie and Bear
By Jan Ormerod and Freya Blackwood
Published 2012 by Putnam Publishing Group
There seems to be a spate of recent picture books that are actually short story collections about a set of characters (like Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator!) and here is another one. We meet Maudie, who is not altogether likable but I think very realistic and Bear, who is kind and takes care of her. Through a series of five stories, we see them ride bikes, have a picnic, dance, and other fun activities. Surprisingly, the Goodreads reviews mostly seem to decry this book for teaching a bad lesson: that it’s okay to be rude and whiny and unappreciative. I did not get that message at all when I read through this book. Now, looking back on it, I can see how people could see it that way, but I really don’t think that’s the point of this story and I think it’s even more unlikely that this is the message children who read this are going to come away with. I think the illustrations here and beautiful and I think those reviewers are making a fuss over nothing.
Mooshka: A Quilt Story
By Julie Paschkis
Published 2012 by Peachtree Publishers
Mooshka is Karla’s very special quilt – it talks to her. Whenever she touches one of its squares, Mooshka will tell her stories about its life when that square belonged to another piece of fabric. Soon, baby sister Hannah moves into Karla’s room and Mooshka falls strangely silent when Karla needs it more than ever. This is a really interesting story. I think kids will like the idea of learning little pieces of history through fabric. I’m not sure there is a huge audience for quilting picture books but I think they will love this one. The illustrations are quite beautiful and ultimately, this is a really sweet story about family.
By Guy Vasilovich
Published 2011 by HarperCollins
I love this one! This is essentially the “12 Days of Christmas” for Halloween but with an extra unlucky night thrown in. The gifts are suitably creepy and icky and the illustrations are a great balance between macabre and adorable. I think this would work really well in a Halloween/spooky storytime. Really enjoyed this!
Little Apple Goat
By Caroline Jayne Church
Published 2007 by Eerdman's Books for Young Readers
Go look at the goat on the cover of this book and tell me you don’t want to read it. Go on; I’ll wait. Did you do it? ISN’T THAT THE CUTEST GOAT YOU’VE EVER SEEN?? Okay, now that’s done…little goat loves eating the fruit from the orchard and she spits the seeds over the fence along her walk home. When a storm destroys the orchard, what will happen next? This could be used in a gardening or farming storytime. It explains the cycle of life quite nicely and the illustrations are so sweet. LOOK AT THE GOAT – I mean, come on!
Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet
By Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Published 2012 by HarperCollins
I don’t usually really pay any special attention to the Fancy Nancy books – I’ve read the first few and I think they’re pretty much all the same general idea. For some reason, I felt compelled to flip through this one and I think it’s a great addition to the series. Fancy Nancy and Bree are very excited about their next dance show – a mermaid ballet! They both want to be mermaids very much, but when the parts are distributed, neither is cast. Can Nancy overcome this setback? And what happens when disaster strikes one of the mermaids? This is a fun picture book in a well-loved series that teaches an important lesson as well. As always, I love the vocabulary this book provides, as well as the illustrations. Don’t miss this one!
Bailey Goes Camping
By Kevin Henkes
Published 1997 by Greenwillow Books
Bailey just wants to be like his big brother and sister and go on a scout camping trip with them but everyone tells him he’s too young. Never fear, mom and dad are here to show Bailey what fun he can have, even without going camping. Very sweet story with Henkes’ classic illustrations – another author I’ll probably never get sick of.
First Peas to the Table: How Thomas Jefferson Inspired a School Garden
By Susan Grigsby, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
Published 2012 by Albert Whitman & Company
This is a nicely written story about gardening for an older elementary audience. My favorite thing about this book is the historical aspect of the story – it’s woven in quite nicely with the main story and I think kids will even learn a few things from reading this book. I also really like the element of friendly competition throughout the story – it’s never mean or overdone and I don’t think it hurts for kids to learn how competition can be friendly. The illustrations, for me, are nothing special but overall this is a really cool picture book.
Time for a Hug
By Phillis Gershator and Mim Green, illustrated by David Walker
Published 2012 by Sterling Children’s Books
I feel like I must only read picture books that either look completely adorable or are non-fiction because it seems like those are the only two things I say about them here. This one falls clearly in the adorable category but this is also like a stealth concept book. We go through a typical day with our main character, finding out when it’s time for a hug. But, we’re also learning a bit about time while we do this. It’s pretty subtle, but I think this is a great book to introduce the concept of time to young children. Adorable illustrations and a sweet little book.
Maudie and Bear
By Jan Ormerod and Freya Blackwood
Published 2012 by Putnam Publishing Group
There seems to be a spate of recent picture books that are actually short story collections about a set of characters (like Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator!) and here is another one. We meet Maudie, who is not altogether likable but I think very realistic and Bear, who is kind and takes care of her. Through a series of five stories, we see them ride bikes, have a picnic, dance, and other fun activities. Surprisingly, the Goodreads reviews mostly seem to decry this book for teaching a bad lesson: that it’s okay to be rude and whiny and unappreciative. I did not get that message at all when I read through this book. Now, looking back on it, I can see how people could see it that way, but I really don’t think that’s the point of this story and I think it’s even more unlikely that this is the message children who read this are going to come away with. I think the illustrations here and beautiful and I think those reviewers are making a fuss over nothing.
Mooshka: A Quilt Story
By Julie Paschkis
Published 2012 by Peachtree Publishers
Mooshka is Karla’s very special quilt – it talks to her. Whenever she touches one of its squares, Mooshka will tell her stories about its life when that square belonged to another piece of fabric. Soon, baby sister Hannah moves into Karla’s room and Mooshka falls strangely silent when Karla needs it more than ever. This is a really interesting story. I think kids will like the idea of learning little pieces of history through fabric. I’m not sure there is a huge audience for quilting picture books but I think they will love this one. The illustrations are quite beautiful and ultimately, this is a really sweet story about family.
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