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"Putting the right book in the right kid's hands is kind of like giving that kid superpowers." ~ Cecil Castelucci, American author
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New and Recently Released!
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| Whose Shoe? by Eve Bunting; illustrated by Sergio RuzzierReprising the catchy rhyming style and gentle watercolor art of Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?, Eve Bunting and Sergio Ruzzier have created another determined animal on a quest. This time, conscientious Mouse is trying to reunite a lost blue saddle shoe with its owner. Since the shoe is much too big for Mouse, he makes polite inquiries of his friends. Yet the shoe doesn't belong to Spider (too large), to Tiger (too small), or to Elephant (too flat -- Elephant only wears high heels). When Mouse finally finds the shoe's owner, the surprising result is sure to delight young readers. |
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| By Mouse & Frog by Deborah FreedmanFrog and Mouse are best friends who love to write stories…and that's where their similarities end. As Mouse begins writing a cozy tale about tea, Frog can’t resist bursting in with splashy details: How about a king? And a dragon? And "elevendy-seven" flavors of ice cream?! With both characters drawing the action as it unfolds, the look and pace of the story becomes increasingly frantic as Mouse's patience is pushed nearly to its limit. Can these mismatched pals find a way to use their talents together? Pick up this inventive work of metafiction to find out. For another friendship challenged by creative differences, try David Wiesner's Art & Max.
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| Have You Seen My Monster? by Steve LightA little girl has lost her monster at the county fair, and she needs your help to find him! Can you see the monster riding the ferris wheel? Is he playing in the funhouse? Or maybe that's him in the marching band… Locating the friendly-looking monster against each spread of black-and-white illustrations presents a satisfying challenge for young readers, as does identifying the brightly colored shapes hidden on each page. Kids who like the busy artwork and math-based interactivity of Have You Seen My Monster? will also enjoy author/illustrator Steve Light's previous book, Have You Seen My Dragon?
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| 3, 2, 1, Go! by Emily Arnold McCullyAfter elephant buddies Ann and Bess refuse to play with younger Min, they draw a line around their play area. "You may not step over it," declares Ann to Min. In response, resourceful Min gathers some materials (such as a rock, a rope, and a tube) and starts building something that will allow her to cross the line without taking a single step. Even though 3, 2, 1, Go! is geared toward beginning readers, kids of all ages will recognize the common social problem it depicts, and relish Min's unorthodox solution. Looking for another smart read about an ambitious DIY project? Check out Jon Agee's It's Only Stanley.
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| Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred) by Josh SchneiderIt's an inescapable fact of life that we all need to sleep, but Fred is the exception that proves the rule. In comically earnest rhyming verse, Fred's imaginative bedtime to-do list is described: "In the jungle, toucans snooze. Also sloths and cockatoos… But not Fred. Fred had important jumping to do." Fred also has to break the world shouting record, play his tuba, and generally make enough racket to wake up the various dozy animals he encounters. With gleefully absurd sight gags (such as monkey in tutus) and an ending that's sure to prompt shouts of "again!", this witty send-up of bedtime books will amuse kids and adults alike. |
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| The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon; illustrated by Jake ParkerWhich caped crusader is brave enough to clash with a giant Slimebot, powerful enough to shoot positronic rays from his eyes, and strong enough to fight Mutant Jell-O from Beyond the Stars? It's Awesome Man, of course! But when he's not hanging out with Moskowitz the Awesome Dog or battling his arch-nemesis the Flaming Eyeball, who is Awesome Man's secret alter ego? Observant kids may guess even before the funny reveal at the end. Retro-stylish art and tons of "hyperkinetic, hypercolored comic-book action" (School Library Journal) make this high-flying picture book a great choice for the smallest superhero fans.
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| Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi MoralesKids who enjoy humorous, high-energy stories will immediately root for tiny luchador Niño. Clad in sneakers, underpants, and a bright red lucha libre mask, Niño takes on "out-of-this-world contenders" like the Guanajuato Mummy and La Llorona, triumphing each time not with strength, but with clever strategies. Triumphing, that is, until his baby sisters wake up from their nap -- Las Hermanitas may be the only opponents Niño can't defeat! Super-saturated colors and comic book-style sound effects add to the spectacle in this exuberant, bilingual tale. For another rambunctious little guy ready to take on all comers, check out Bob Shea's Dinosaur vs. Bedtime. |
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| Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolen; illustrated by Kadir NelsonOne stormy night, Thunder Rose came into the world with "the power of thunder and lightning coursing through her veins." From this auspicious beginning, the diminutive African-American cowgirl goes on to perform many amazing feats, from constructing thunder bolts and creating lightning balls to capturing cattle rustlers and transforming a pair of tornadoes into rain clouds. This rousing tall tale is expertly illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winner Kadir Nelson, resulting in a story "as rough and vivid as the wide West" (School Library Journal). |
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| Super Hair-o and the Barber of Doom by John RoccoA giant cloud of curls gives young Rocco the superpowers he needs to perform astounding acts on his skateboard, his bike, and the tire swing. But that all changes after Rocco is "captured" (by his parents) and taken to a "villain's lair" (the barbershop) to have his hair neatly cut. Without his magnificent mane, Rocco is powerless, and his world (as shown in the book's dynamic artwork) looks dull and gray. What will it take for Rocco to feel heroic again? Find out in this wonderfully silly story with an upbeat ending (and an author photo that explains the book's inspiration). |
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| Send for a Superhero! by Michael Rosen; illustrated by Katharine McEwenWhen it's time for Emily and Elmer's bedtime story, Dad picks up an exciting superhero tale. Following along with Emily and Elmer, readers experience the story of Townton, which is being attacked by monsters Filth and Vacuum. Steel Man swoops in to save the day, but he is quickly bested by the baddies. After Super-Flying-Through-the-Air-Very-Fast Man and Incredibly-Big-Strong-Green Man fail as well, it's time to call in Extremely Boring Man, who has the power to put everyone to sleep -- except for Emily and Elmer. This adventure-within-a-bedtime-story features the stereotypical characters and old-fashioned look of newspaper comic strips, but with a tongue-in-cheek twist. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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