Yolo County Library
|
|
"I love my dad but I don't want to be exactly like him. I love my dad but I want to be mostly myself." ~ from Sherman Alexie's Thunder Boy Jr.
|
|
| Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie; illustrated by Yuyi MoralesIn his picture book debut, celebrated author Sherman Alexie addresses the frustration of being a namesake. See, Thunder Boy Smith Jr. HATES his name. He looks up to his dad, but he wants a name that's unique. Brainstorming new names with his lively American Indian family yields some interesting suggestions -- maybe he should he be called "Mud in His Ears," or "Can't Run Fast While Laughing"? -- before dad finally picks the perfect name for his spirited son. Through mixed-media illustrations that crackle with color, award-winning illustrator Yuyi Morales skillfully underscores the connections between a child's dreams, his culture, and his loving family. |
|
| Rules of the House by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Matt MyersA cabin in the woods provides a traditional setting for terror in this tale of Ian and his family, who are vacationing in a cabin with curiously strict rules for visitors. Being tidy and obedient, Ian is horrified when his unruly sister Jenny systematically breaks each rule…though it's not until she opens the forbidden red door that things really get hairy, and Ian has to ask himself: is there a rule against abandoning your sister to be eaten by monsters? Share this book wherever silly, pseudo-scary reads are popular, and also be sure to pick up Aaron Reynolds' Creepy Carrots! and Elys Dolan's The Mystery of the Haunted Farm. |
|
| A Fire Truck Named Red by Randall De Sève; illustrated by Bob StaakeIt's his birthday, and Rowan does want to cry. Instead of the shiny, newfangled toy fire truck he'd been longing for, he's been given Red, his grandfather's rickety old toy fire truck. Before the tears can spill over, Papa begins fixing up the rusty old relic while regaling Rowan with tales of Red's bygone adventures. Depicted in nostalgic sepia tones and packed with cinematic derring-do, the stories leave Rowan excited to embark on some adventures of his own with the now-refurbished vehicle. Similar to Mike Austin's Fire Engine No. 9, this lively intergenerational picture book is sure to satisfy young truck aficionados.
|
|
| Can I Tell You a Secret? by Anna Kang; illustrated by Christopher Weyant"Psssst!" That's Monty the frog trying to get your attention. He's got a secret, and he can only tell it to YOU: he's afraid of water! So far, he's managed to avoid getting wet (even if it did involve using an umbrella), but someday he'll have to swim. It's a tough secret for a little frog. Should he tell his parents? If he does, you'll need to give him LOTS of encouragement. Cartoony and interactive, Can I Tell You a Secret? offers "chuckles, charm, and a handy-dandy life lesson" (Booklist). For another humorous look at an aquaphobic critter, try Andy Rash's Archie the Daredevil Penguin. |
|
| There Is a Tribe of Kids by Lane SmithWearing horns made out of twigs doesn't make you a goat…or so the leaf-clad hero of this picture book quickly discovers. As he journeys through the wilderness, he tries to join every group he meets -- a tribe of goats, a colony of penguins, an army of caterpillars, a crash of rhinos, and lots more – but despite his best efforts, he just doesn't fit in. What's a lonely human to do? Find out in this minimalist tale, in which finely detailed illustrations offer plenty of small twists and quirks to reward repeat readers. For another artful exploration of collective nouns, try Betsy Rosenthal's An Ambush of Tigers. |
|
| Chu's Day by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Adam RexRemember when that video of a sneezing baby panda swept the internet? This picture book (by superstar author Neil Gaiman) follows that idea to a delightfully absurd conclusion. A round little panda in an aviator helmet, Chu is hardly an imposing figure. But since "bad things happen" when he sneezes, Chu's every sniff is infused with suspense. Using a hyper-realistic style to depict a whimsical world, illustrator Adam Rex amps up both the humor and the eye-catching colors. Kids who fall in love with Chu won't want to miss his further exploits in Chu's First Day of School and Chu's Day at the Beach. |
|
| 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.
|
|
| Panda Kindergarten by Joanne Ryder; photos by Katherine FengAs if the cover image of a baby panda with its paws in the air weren't tempting enough, the contents of Panda Kindergarten are definitely irresistible: countless photos of the baby giant pandas, with their short furry legs and tiny pink tongues, who make up the "panda kindergarten" at China's Wolong Nature Reserve. While the book's text describes the basics of how pandas are cared for at the Reserve, it's the photo illustrations of the fuzzy, black-and-white cubs that steal the show (as well as young readers' hearts). Panda fanatics will want to check out Sandra Markle's How Many Baby Pandas? for more facts, but just as many "awwww"-inducing photos. |
|
| Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep by Barney SaltzbergChengdu's sad, wide-eyed stare tells his story at a glance: out of all the pandas in the bamboo forest, he's the only one who can't fall asleep. He just can't seem to get comfortable, no matter how he wiggles, twitches, or hangs upside-down. Yet Chengdu won't give up on his quest for the perfect spot -- not even if it wakes up his brother, Yuan. Playful formatting, such as extreme close-ups and fold-outs, allows for unexpected bursts of visual humor, while the simple text and three-color design create a serene, hushed atmosphere, making Chengdu a winning read for bedtime or any time. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
Yolo County Library
226 Buckeye St. Woodland, California 95695 530-666-8005
|
|
|
|