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"Find the courage to try it again, again, and again until by luck, grace, and determination, you are riding a bicycle!" ~ from Chris Raschka's Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle
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New and Recently Released!
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| Zoom! Zoom! Sounds of Things That Go in the City by Robert Burleigh; illustrated by Tad CarpenterAs morning dawns in a busy city, the citizens begin to stir and the day's hubbub begins. Bold, blocky illustrations depict a wide variety of people and vehicles -- including joggers, dancers, skaters, garbage trucks, and subway cars -- as they speed through the city, creating a cheerful clamor that doesn't let up until the sleepy late-night party-goers walk home. Bursting with energetic onomatopoeia, Zoom! Zoom! has enough whooshes, clanks, and vrooms to satisfy even the most demanding noisy book devotees. Add to the raucous fun by pairing Zoom! Zoom! with its companion book, Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep! Listen to the City, also by Robert Burleigh. |
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| Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by Anne Isaacs; illustrated by Kevin HawkesThe latest tall tale from veteran storyteller Anne Isaacs takes place in Texas, where "all exaggeration must be restricted to the first twenty-four hours past sunrise." After inheriting millions of dollars and a great big ranch, plucky widow Tulip Jones (along with her lady ranch hands and pet tortoises) moves from England to By-Golly Gully. Ranch life suits Widow Jones just fine and dandy…until a stinky, stubbly, greedy crowd of cowboys turns up hoping to marry her and make off with her fortune! Young readers will relish the comically detailed illustrations and clever conclusion in this rip-roaring yarn. |
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| Say Hello Like This! by Mary MurphyCombining the toddler-friendly concepts of animal sounds and saying hello, this sweet and playful read describes the different ways in which animals greet each other. Each thick-lined, perky illustration shows a pair of animal friends, and flaps on each page reveal their preferred style of salutation. From the "loud and licky" bow-wow of dogs to the "flappy and clucky" peeps of chickens and even the "tiny and tappy" introductions of beetles, fans of Maria Torres Cimarusti's classic Peek-a-Moo! will delight in exploring this charming interactive book -- and will gleefully follow the advice on the final page by offering their own enthusiastic "Hello!" |
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| Hi, Koo! A Year of Seasons by Jon J. MuthThrough quiet, delicate illustrations and evocative haiku, young readers are invited to explore the changing seasons through the wondering eyes of young panda Koo. The simple yet descriptive form of haiku allows each short poem to capture the beauty of a moment: the delicious warmth of soup after dancing through chilly rain, the joy of a surprising snowfall, or the gentle stillness of reading in the spring woods. Even kids who don't normally like poetry may find themselves enchanted by this "magical" (Kirkus Reviews) read. For another taste of stylized seasonal poetry, try Joyce Sidman's Red Sings from Treetops.
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| Monday, Wednesday, and Every Other Weekend by Karen StantonThere are pancakes every Saturday morning at Mama's apartment and spaghetti every Saturday night at Papa's house, and Henry looks forward to both mealtime traditions. He and his dog Pomegranate divide their days between each parent's home, and while they sometimes miss the house where the whole family used to live together, Henry always finds something to enjoy at both new places, like playing piano with his dad or dancing with his mom. Henry is refreshingly matter-of-fact about his family; readers looking for a more humorous (but still reassuring) take on traveling between homes should check out Fred Stays With Me, by Nancy Coffelt. |
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Focus on: Bicycles and Biking
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| Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best; illustrated by Christine DavenierSince the moment the training wheels came off her cherished yard-sale bicycle, Flash, Sally Jean has reigned as the (self-proclaimed) Bicycle Queen. She may have to surrender her crown, however, because she's outgrown Flash and can't afford a new bike. Sally picks up some odd jobs in the hopes of earning enough for a new ride, but the real solution doesn't hit her until she meets a friendly junk collector. With some neighborly help, old bike parts, and plenty of DIY determination, Sally Jean is queen once more. This "rousing tale of resourcefulness" (Kirkus Reviews) makes an engaging, high-energy read-aloud. |
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| Ben Rides On by Matt DaviesAfter finally getting the bicycle of his dreams, Ben decides to take the long way to school. He cycles through tunnels, leaps over buses, and hops over shark-infested waters. Dangerous? Maybe. But taking the long route delays Ben's inevitable confrontation with mean Adrian Underbite, "the world's largest third-grader." When Ben arrives at school, Adrian promptly steals his bike -- and rides it straight into trouble! Will Ben rescue Adrian, or will he let the bully get his comeuppance? Wildly exaggerated illustrations lend a zany flair to this laugh-out-loud funny tale about doing the right thing. |
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| The Best Bike Ride Ever by James Proimos; illustrated by Johanna WrightBonnie O'Boy has been asking for a bicycle for what seems like forever, and when her parents give her one, she's so excited that she takes off riding "willy-nilly." Although she's really only riding through her backyard, the illustrations show an elated Bonnie pedaling over bridges, up mountains, through a giraffe's legs, and past such landmarks as the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. But, as Bonnie realizes partway through her epic ride, she can't stop! With no calamitous consequences (and a wiser-at-journey's-end Bonnie donning a helmet at its conclusion), this book is pure, breathtaking fun. |
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| Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris RaschkaCaldecott Medalist Chris Raschka turns his optimistic tone and loose, lively style of art toward one of the daunting challenges of childhood: learning to ride a bike. Accompanied by a caring adult, a small, scrappy girl in a great big blue helmet gathers the courage to try out her perfect new bike. It's scary at first, but after training wheels, LOTS of practice, and even a few tumbles, she wobbles along triumphantly on two wheels. Adults and kids alike can relate to this gentle and encouraging ode to a commonplace skill that's tough to master, but impossible to forget.
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| Along a Long Road by Frank VivaIn this simple yet intriguing picture book, a lone cyclist follows an enticing stretch of road as it takes him from the country to the city and back again. With just a few words per page, the text echoes the steady rhythm of cycling, and the unusual, elongated artwork pops in burnished hues of black, red, blue, and gold. Along a Long Road is designed as a continuous piece of art -- you can track the cyclist's route throughout the book and across the covers -- which gives it an exhilarating sense of momentum that might just inspire you to put on your helmet and ride the open road. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Round Rock Public Library at
512-218-5400, 221 E. Main Street Round Rock, Texas 78664
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