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Picture BooksNovember 2014
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"The use of language is not confined to its being the medium through which we communicate our ideas to one another…not being merely its vehicle, but giving it wings for flight." ~ Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869), British lexicographer
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New and Recently Released!
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| Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Jon KlassenFollowing the success of their bestselling picture book Extra Yarn, author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen have teamed up again to create another charmingly understated story. Sam and Dave are determined to keep digging their hole until they find "something spectacular." Unfortunately for the dogged duo, only readers can see the illustrations that reveal the treasures buried just outside of Sam and Dave's reach. Once they're tired and thoroughly grungy, the boys stop for a rest, but their dog keeps digging -- resulting in an intriguing, open-ended conclusion that may prompt children to demand an immediate re-read. |
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| The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant; illustrated by Melissa SweetMost children have never heard of Peter Mark Roget and his thesaurus, but this irresistible illustrated biography might just change that. In The Right Word, readers learn about Roget's lifelong love of words and categories -- a passion that's reflected in the hand-lettered lists that appear throughout the book's bright, busy collages. Though readers of all ages will want to pore over the exuberant artwork, The Right Word will be best enjoyed by older kids who are just beginning to understand the power and pleasure of words. Looking for further fascinating biographies? Don't miss Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet's previous books, A Splash of Red and A River of Words. |
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| The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; illustrated by LeUyen PhamFans of princesses and superheroes can indulge both obsessions in one place with this clever beginning chapter book. Polite, pink-clad Princess Magnolia harbors a secret: when the monster alarm goes off, she transforms into the Princess in Black, a superhero who -- along with her trusty steed Blacky, aka Frimplepants the unicorn -- protects the kingdom from Monster Land. Battling monsters, however, is easy compared to the difficulty of hiding her alter ego from nosy Duchess Wigtower. Energetic, animation-style illustrations add even more verve to this action-packed series debut, making it just right for newly independent readers.
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| Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea; illustrated by Lane SmithMayhem rules in the frontier town of Drywater Gulch, where the lawless Toad Brothers are out to "steal your gold, kiss your cattle, and insult your chili." Yet when Sheriff Ryan comes riding into town (slowly, on a tortoise), he blames all of the Toads' troublemaking on…dinosaurs? With a supremely silly scenario and plenty of over-the-top cowboy slang that just begs to be read aloud, Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads is "a crowd-pleasin' knee-slapper that'll have 'em rolling in the aisles, yessirree" (Kirkus Reviews). For another tortoise-riding Wild West adventure, check out Anne Isaacs' Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch. |
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| Sebastian and the Balloon by Philip C. SteadWeary of his boring neighborhood, young Sebastian fashions a hot-air balloon out of scraps and sets off to "see something new for a change." As his voyage progresses, he meets (and shares his pickle sandwiches with) a motley group of friends, including a bear, a stork, and three elderly knitters. When they arrive at a broken-down roller coaster, Sebastian and his new companions use their creativity to repair the coaster and ride it until it's time to fly home. Similar to Aaron Becker's Journey, Sebastian and the Balloon is a whimsical, vibrantly illustrated celebration of curiosity and exploration.
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| You Are What You Eat and Other Mealtime Hazards by Serge BlochIn this playful and encouraging book, a picky eater has absurdly literal visions of common expressions about food. Devoted to his macaroni-only diet, the boy ignores his mom's claim that it "drives her bananas" to see him "eat like a bird," and he remains unconvinced by the arguments of his "couch potato" dad or his sister who "eats like a horse." Each expression is illustrated by colorful photos and lively black-and-white drawings, right up until the ending, when the offer of a tofu dog finally entices the boy not to "chicken out," but to try something new.
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| The Great Lollipop Caper by Dan KrallMr. Caper is "a tiny pickled sourpuss, who lives in a jar in your fridge and is never eaten by children." Wildly resentful of sweet Lollipop's popularity among kids, Mr. Caper spikes the vats in the lollipop factory with caper juice. But instead of making kids love capers, the odd green candy turns children into grouches just like Mr. Caper! Can good-natured Lollipop stop the catastrophe and convince Mr. Caper that it's okay to be an acquired taste? Find out in this fast-paced, comically melodramatic adventure which is sure to be savored by foodie families.
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| Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin; illustrated by Daniel SalmieriAs far as Raccoon is concerned, delicious, ooey-gooey pizza is the perfect food. If only broom-wielding humans weren't always chasing him away from it! With some help from the book's logic-impaired narrator, Raccoon embarks on a risky plot to get his paws on his favorite meal. Featuring zany artwork and delightfully droll humor, "this screwball of a story will leave readers hankering for a slice" (Kirkus Reviews). Kids who are hungry for more pizza stories may also enjoy Charlotte Voake's Pizza Kittens and Virgina Walter's "Hi, Pizza Man!" |
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| Eat Like a Bear by April Pulley Sayre; illustrated by Steve JenkinsDoesn't a snack of live ants sound delicious after a long nap? It does if you're a grizzly bear. Using rhythmic, descriptive language that's just right for a read-aloud, this engrossing picture book follows a single bear from spring to winter as she scratches, chomps, claws, and crunches all sorts of tasty plants and prey. The final pages offer additional facts for inquisitive readers, and the eye-catching torn-paper illustrations are a delight (especially the fuzzy-looking bears). Fans of this author/illustrator duo may also enjoy their previous book, Vulture View. |
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| Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji by F. Zia; illustrated by Ken MinAneel's grandparents have come from India to visit, and Aneel loves hearing his Dadi-ma's and Dada-ji's stories. When Dada-ji spins a tale about how eating roti (a traditional flatbread) gave him the power to wrestle buffalo and spin elephants by their tails, Aneel decides that they need a batch of the stuff -- right then. So what if no one else in the household will make it? Aneel will do it himself! Bright, angular illustrations add to the warmth and jubilation of this feel-good family story that works in some Hindi vocabulary and is "laced with great tastes, infectious sound effects and happy feelings" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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