"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm."
~ Willa Cather (1873-1947), American author, The Song of the Lark |
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MatarikiMatariki - the Māori New Year - takes place on Pipiri 28 June. There will be Matariki storytimes and activities at our libraries throughout June.
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New and Recently Released!
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| Gravityby Jason ChinThrough bold, attention-grabbing illustrations and easy-to-understand language, this book introduces the concept of gravity by showing what life would be like without it. A boy watches as his toy astronaut floats off into space -- and then the boy grabs onto a rock as he, too, begins to float away! Though the boy doesn't get his toy back, kids will relish the intriguing visual details and clever conclusion of this fascinating read. |
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The mermaid and the shoe
by K. G. Campbell
Appearing to possess no talent except for that of asking questions, little Minnow, one of King Neptune's 50 mermaid daughters, follows her questions to a wondrous place for answers about herself and her life's purpose.
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Chocolate porridgeby Margaret MahyTimothy's sisters think that boys are all rubbish at cooking so Timothy sets out to prove them wrong - by making the most delicious chocolate porridge ever. The only trouble is...who is going to eat it?
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Oi frog!by Kes GrayFrom the award-winning Kes Gray and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field, comes an hilarious rhyming tale about a frog who discovers that all animals have their special places to sit! Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gofers sit on sofas, but Frog does not want to sit on a log! Jam-packed with animals and silliness, this original rhyming story will have young children in fits of laughter.
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| Following Papa's Songby Gianna MarinoLittle Blue the humpback whale has a million questions for his Papa about their first migration together. What will they see? How will they know where to go? And -- scariest of all -- what will happen if Little Blue gets lost? Papa reassures Little Blue that all he needs to do is listen for Papa's song, and he'll never lose his way. Vibrant washes of aquatic colors illuminate the mixed-media illustrations, which depict not only the vast depths of the ocean, but also the fathomless love between father and child. For another comforting parent-child whale tale, check out Breathe by Scott Magoon. |
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| Rules of Summerby Shaun TanOlder picture book readers who appreciate the strange and surreal tone of Chris Van Allsburg's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick will be spellbound by this unusual story from the author of The Arrival. In Rules of Summer, an older brother teaches his younger brother the rules of survival as they navigate a beautifully bizarre version of suburbia filled with baseball-playing robots, giant rabbits, glowing gardens, and more. Shaun Tan's "evocative, enthralling and absolutely astounding artwork" (Kirkus Reviews) inspires wonder, invites repeat readings, and offers a tantalizing jumping-off point for kids to make imaginative leaps of their own. |
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| Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Jonathan BeanGloomy skies mirror the miserable mood of a little boy as his family prepares to move to a new town. A farewell wave to the neighbors feels more like "bad bye" than good bye. But both the weather and the boy's spirits brighten as the family reaches their new home, and the boy sees the potential of a "new town, new park, new street, new bark" -- not to mention a new friend who warrants a "good bye" at the end of the day. Realistically portraying the emotional challenges of moving, this expressive book in verse may soothe the worries of children facing a big change.
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| Found by Salina YoonWhen Bear discovers a lost toy bunny in the forest, he falls in love at first sight. Though Bear longs to keep the bunny all to himself, he thoughtfully posts "found" posters in an effort to find the bunny's owner. At first, no one responds, but then Moose recognizes his dear, lost bunny, Floppy. Bear has found Floppy's owner…but can he let the beloved bunny go? Without becoming preachy or sentimental, Bear's honest, childlike reactions drive home the importance of doing the right thing. This gentle tone, combined with the simple text and bright, uncluttered illustrations, makes Found a perfect pick for preschoolers.
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| Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall; illustrated by Matt PhelanWhen Mom orders Flora and her pesky little brother Crispin outside on a blustery day, Flora half hopes that Crispin will blow away in the strong wind. But when does just that, Flora reluctantly kicks off her heavy-duty red boots to sail away after him. While brother and sister are airborne, denizens of the air (a bird, a cloud, a rainbow, and more) offer to take Crispin off Flora's hands...but she decides, after all, to keep him, and the wind blows them both back home. Swooping artwork illustrates this magical yet not-too-sweet story that splendidly blends the everyday with the fantastic and rings "emotionally true from cover to cover" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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Kite day : a Bear and Mole story
by Will Hillenbrand
Bear and Mole build a kite and take it out on a windy day, but when the weather suddenly turns stormy there are unexpected consequences for some birds
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| Thunderstorm by Arthur GeisertAs this nearly-wordless book opens, storm clouds gather over a farm community, and people scramble to bring in the hay and get to safety. The meticulously etched illustrations (which include cutaway views of buildings and underground burrows) draw readers into the growing tension as the storm builds and finally bursts, bringing with it sheets of rain, a destructive funnel cloud, and a debris-choked flash flood. It's thrilling, dramatic, and a bit scary, but eventually the storm clears, and everyone pitches in to repair the damage. Kids who are transfixed by the absorbing, hyper-detailed artwork in Thunderstorm should also pick up David Wiesner's Hurricane and Peter Spier's Rain.
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| Tsunami! by Kimiko Kajikawa; illustrated by Ed YoungWealthy, wise Ojiisan is an old rice farmer who lives high on a mountain above a seaside Japanese village. When his family goes to celebrate the rice harvest with the rest of the villagers, Ojiisan, who feels that something isn't right, stays behind. An earthquake strikes, and from his vantage point far above the beach, the old man sees the sea "running away from the land." Knowing that he must act quickly to save his people from the coming tsunami, Ojiisan sets his own rice fields ablaze in order to draw the villagers away from the beach. Tsunami's mixed-media collage illustrations are "visually powerful and dramatic" (Kirkus Reviews), and its story delivers an equally powerful message. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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