|
|
"Easy does it, that's the way. Then my friends will let me play." ~ from Bruce Hale's Clark the Shark
|
|
New and Recently Released!
|
|
| Mogie: The Heart of the House by Kathi Appelt; illustrated by Marc RosenthalMogie the labradoodle is a "ball-chasing, tail-wagging, moon-howling pup." He's full of energy, but he doesn't have what it takes to be a show dog, a service dog, or a search-and-rescue dog. Mogie doesn't find his true calling until he visits a special house for sick children and meets Gage, a little boy who's lost his "mojo." With Mogie's support, Gage gets better and goes home, but Mogie stays to share his loving encouragement with other kids. Light, cheery illustrations and cozy rhymes create a feeling of comfort in this "gently told and optimistic tale" (Booklist), which was inspired by a true story. |
|
| My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.) by Peter BrownBobby and his teacher, Ms. Kirby, don't get along -- after all, Ms. Kirby is a mean, green, sharp-toothed monster! True, Bobby's behavior isn't perfect, but are a few paper airplanes really a good reason for Ms. Kirby to stomp and roar and take away recess? Bobby doesn't think so. A chance encounter at the park, however, leads teacher and student to see each other differently. As they discover that paper airplanes are more fun outside the classroom, Ms. Kirby starts to look a lot less green and toothy. Fans of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild will welcome the return of Peter Brown's blocky, expressive art and pitch-perfect humor. |
|
| The Midnight Library by Kazuno KoharaThe librarian at the Midnight Library (evening hours only) might be a little girl in pigtails, but she knows just what each animal in the library needs. She's got an activity room for the noisy band of squirrels, comforting words for a sad wolf, a library card for a slow-reading tortoise, and even a goodnight story for her drowsy owl assistants. Contrasting the cool blues and blacks of nighttime with a deep, warm yellow, The Midnight Library's illustrations are whimsical, inviting, and perfect for bedtime. For another minimally colored nocturnal tale, pick up The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson.
|
|
| I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison; illustrated by Frank MorrisonIt's a sunny day in the city, and as one little girl walks to the park with her mom, she feels rhythm all around her…and she's not afraid to let it show: "I shook a rhythm with my hips. SHAKE SHAKE. I felt the rhythm with my knees. KNOCK KNOCK." Her exuberance is infectious, and soon the park is transformed into an impromptu dance party, complete with marching band. Joy radiates from the vivid, exaggerated illustrations, while the rousing words (just right for reading aloud) encourage kids to do some stomping, bopping, and hopping of their own.
|
|
| Hooray for Hat! by Brian WonIn this playful, upbeat debut, friendship (and some jaunty accessories) offer the cure for a common complaint: grumpiness. After Elephant wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, he opens his door to discover a gift box containing a stack of crazy, colorful hats. Donning the entire pile makes his bad mood vanish, so Elephant eagerly distributes the funky headgear to Zebra, Turtle, and various other grouchy friends. With each visit, a grumbled "go away! I'm grumpy!" quickly turns to a gleeful cheer of "hooray for hat!" Young readers will want to cheer right along.
|
|
| Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and Other Things Not to Do) by Judi Barrett; illustrated by John NickleLike Abbot and Costello, the text and illustrations of this seriously absurd book of advice are a perfect comedy duo. Plainspoken text sets up the joke on one page -- "Never go shopping for shoes with a centipede," for instance -- and the scrupulously detailed picture on the opposite page brings home the laugh. Kids who loved the similar humor of Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing (also by Judi Barrett) will be highly amused, even if they already know that they should "never take goats to the library." |
|
| Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton; illustrated by Tom LichtenheldJust before the title page of this hilarious book, two boys are shown scrambling in a toy box for their favorite playthings. One pulls out a shark, the other chooses a train, and the contest is on: which of the two toys will win in a head-to-head competition? Of course, the answer depends on the type of competition (Shark aces the high-dive, but Train has the upper hand...er, smokestack...in roasting marshmallows) and the terrain on which it's held (Train doesn't function so well in the ocean). Bubbling over with bravado and wacky, over-the-top scenarios, Shark vs. Train will delight fans of funny, action-packed reads such as Mini Grey's Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog or Lisa Wheeler's Dino-Hockey. |
|
| Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale; illustrated by Guy FrancisAs a shark, Clark is the biggest fish at school, with an attitude to match. He means well, but Clark is so rambunctious -- he plays roughly, eats other students' lunches, and forgets to use his inside voice -- that he scares away his friends. His teacher advises him to "stay cool," and though it takes lots of hard work and some handy rhymes ("only munch your own lunch"), Clark is able to chill out and make amends. Kids who enjoy lively, bright-hued art and identify with Clark's excessive enthusiasm may also appreciate Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen's Tyrannosaurus Wrecks! |
|
| The Shark King by R. Kikuo JohnsonWith a winning combination of sharks, magic, and superpowers, this graphic novel version of a traditional Hawaiian folktale is sure to hook beginning readers. The story focuses on Nanaue, son of the shape-shifting shark god Kamohoalii. Raised by his human mother and marked with a shark's mouth growing out of his back, Nanaue has an endless appetite for both food and mischief. But he can't stop wondering where he belongs: on the land, or in the sea? Bold, energetic artwork and a vivid Hawaiian setting bring this engaging tale to life. Complex enough for strong beginning readers, The Shark King may also tempt hesitant readers who want to try something new. |
|
| I'm a Shark by Bob SheaNothing can scare Shark! Faced with squid, scary movies, getting shots at the doctor, or even the dark ("The dark is afraid of me! Dark heard I was coming and ran!") his courage is unwavering. "Aren't I awesome?" he boasts. But his friends, Fish and Crab, are skeptical. Everyone is afraid of something…right? Bob Shea's distinctively clever dialogue and sketchy, giggle-inducing illustrations ensure that readers are clued in to Shark's secret fear long before his friends are. Looking for another undersea tale of comic overconfidence? Check out I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|