"Right now, all around you, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things..." ~ from Steve Voakes'
Insect Detective
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New and Recently Released!
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Ready for reading When a child turns four years old, they can come into any Christchurch City Library and pick up a free Ready for Reading pack. The pack contains a special bilingual, purpose written book Storytime Te Wā Kōrero, stickers and a magnet.
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Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music
by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Rafael López
In 1930s Cuba, a young girl is bursting with rhythm. She plays conga drums, bongó drums, and "big, round, silvery, moon-bright timbales." Despite her talent, the girl is banned from performing by her father, who says drums are only for boys. Yet she keeps practicing (and keeps dreaming) until she finally gets the chance she longs for. Based on the life of Chinese-African-Cuban drummer Millo Castro Zaldarriaga,
Drum Dream Girl's lively, poetic text is layered over surreal illustrations that practically glow with tropical color.
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Stick and Stone
by
Beth Ferry; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
This charming read-aloud begins on a note of relatable melancholy: "Stick. Stone. Lonely. Alone." Once our isolated characters finally meet, however, the mood lightens as they quickly become BFFs, making giggle-worthy puns (Stone marvels to upright Stick, "Gee, you stuck up for me!") and rescuing one another from scary storms and bullying pinecones. Just as skinny Stick and round Stone together form "a perfect 10," this combination of easy-to-read rhymes and endearingly expressive illustrations results in "off-the-charts adorability" (Booklist). Children who enjoy this minimal yet irresistible friendship fable may also like Doreen Cronin's Smick!
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Over the Hills and Far Away: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes
by
Elizabeth Hammill, editor
Even by the numbers, Over the Hills and Far Away is impressive: it boasts 150 nursery rhymes from 23 cultures around the world, illustrated by 76 different artists, including big names such as Eric Carle, Jon Klassen, Jerry Pinkney, Lucy Cousins, and Mo Willems. Not only is this collection inclusive and attractive, it's also cleverly arranged, so that complementary rhymes (such as Peter Piper and Betty Botter) are paired and different versions of similar rhymes (four variations on Little Miss Muffet, for instance) are grouped together. Just like nursery rhymes themselves, this lavish and versatile volume has broad, enduring appeal.
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Marilyn's Monster by Michelle Knudsen; illustrated by Matt PhelanYou're supposed to let your monster come to you, but Marilyn is getting tired of waiting. All the other kids she knows have already been chosen by their monster buddies (a cute but motley crew of creatures equipped with wings, fuzz, antennae, or tentacles) -- when will it be Marilyn's turn? As her disappointment turns to frustration, Marilyn decides to take matters into her own hands. Winsome watercolour illustrations add to the sweetness and depth of this whimsical story about friendship and determination. Check out Dan Santat's Beekle (winner of the 2015 Caldecott Award) for a similar story from the perspective of an imaginary friend.
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A poem in your pocket by Margaret McNamaraMargaret McNamara sets her playful, child-friendly story in the classroom and poetry - rom metaphors to acrostics to haiku - is the name of the game. The focus here is on Elinor, whose confidence falters as she tries to write something "perfect" for Poem in Your Pocket Day and impress a visiting poet.
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My Pen
by
Christopher Myers
Like many children, the fedora-wearing hero of this book sometimes feels small. "But then," he says, "I remember I have my pen." In beautifully detailed black-and-white drawings, the child demonstrates the power of his pen to conjure up anything he can imagine: he can ride a T-Rex, sail in a newspaper boat, tap-dance in the sky, and express both his worry and his love. Unusual, inventive, and enchanting, My Pen invites young readers to "let those worlds inside your pen out!" Pair My Pen with any of Ed Emberley's classic drawing books and watch the creativity flow!
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Little Bird takes a bath by Marisabina RussoSearching for a "just right" puddle that is not too big, small or occupied, a little bird in a big city park endures numerous disappointments before finding a perfect puddle to call his own. By the creator of A Very Big Bunny.
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The bear ate your sandwich by Julia Sarcone-RoachA guilty dog relates how a bear wandered out of the forest, became lost in the city and consumed an unattended sandwich before returning home, in a whimsical tall tale by the award-winning author of Subway Story.
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How do dinosaurs stay safe?
by
Jane Yolen
A young dinosaur takes precautions in order to stay safe throughout the day, both at home and at play, in the latest addition to the How Do Dinosaurs...? series by the award-winning creative team.
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Big Bug by Henry ColeHow big is a big bug? It's all a matter of perspective. The ladybug at the beginning of this book looks absolutely HUGE…until our view pulls back to reveal the same ladybug, now looking tiny as it rests on a big leaf! And guess what happens when our view of the leaf is altered? Shifting points of view keep this concept book feeling fresh, and the eye-catching illustrations (which range from crisp close-ups to bright landscapes) reward close reading, making Big Bug a great choice for sharing and discussion. To play with perspective even further, pick up Istvan Banyai's Zoom or Anna Kang's You Are (Not) Small.
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Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi; illustrated by Brendan WenzelBug-obsessed kids are encouraged to explore their own backyards in this "marvellous encyclopedic look" (Publishers Weekly) at critters that creep, crawl, and fly. Each insect and arachnid is shown up close and described by its distinctive action: "Some bugs STING. Some bugs BITE. Some bugs STINK. And some bugs FIGHT!" Jaunty rhyming text keeps the pages turning right up to the surprise ending, which challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions. Combining fascinating facts with busy collage art, Some Bugs is sure to be a hit with fans of Steve Jenkins' many animal books.
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Bug on a bike
by
Chris Monroe
"The bug on a bike is riding somewhere, but no one quite knows the destination. But that doesn't stop all the other animals from following along"
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Tiny Little Fly
by
Michael Rosen; illustrated by Kevin Waldron
One itty-bitty fly creates a whole lot of drama in this rhyming tale that's sure to "captivate beginning listeners and beginning readers alike" (Horn Book Magazine). As Tiny Little Fly buzzes around Great Big Elephant, the pachyderm's temper is increasingly provoked. Just as the elephant gives a mighty "TRAMP! CRUSH! TRAMP!" and lunges after the noisy pest, Tiny Little Fly zips away. The fly's next victims, Hippo and Tiger, are also too slow, but when all three large animals join forces…we won't spoil the ending, except to say that it takes a four-page foldout to capture all of the muddy mayhem!
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Bugs Galore
by
Peter Stein; illustrated by Bob Staake
Combining playful rhymes (like "Bugs and MORE bugs! Can't ignore bugs. Don't-inhale-them-while-you-snore bugs!") and cartoon artwork that's jam-packed with insects of every shape, size, and color imaginable, Bugs Galore is a bouncy ode to all that creeps and crawls. For a similarly rhythmic (and buggy) read-aloud with vibrant illustrations, check out Denise Fleming's Beetle Bop; or, if you're looking for a sillier story with a bug hero, try Chris Monroe's Bug on a Bike.
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Insect Detective
by
Steve Voake; illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Budding entomologists will be eager to try the techniques in this introduction to insects. Covering an array of commonly-found bugs such as ants, caterpillars, beetles, dragonflies, earwigs, and bees, author Steve Voakes presents intriguing facts about each (such as how ants communicate via antennae) and advice on how to observe them (such as burying a jar in the ground and later checking it for beetles). Throw in the large, attention-grabbing illustrations, and you've got one enticing read! Oh, and don't worry -- young scientists are cautioned to observe carefully, and to let all insects go after studying them.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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