This week's program was selected by my coworker.
Flower Garden
Eve Bunting, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
ISBN: 0152287760
An adorable black girl works with her father to create a miniature garden in a flowerbox in their city brownstone apartment, as a birthday present for her mother.
Planting a Rainbow
Lois Ehlert
ISBN: 0152626093
A long-time classic. Ehlert's cut-out collages are bright and vibrant, and generally short and sweet. About halfway through the book, there is a section of gradated-width pages that feature different colored bands to show progressively more flowers of that color. Really well designed.
The Flower's Busy Day (Bamboo and Friends)
Felicia Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812814
Bamboo the panda and his diverse animal friends investigate the day cycle of a flower in this nonfiction-adjacent conceptual picture book. Lots of information packed into a pretty tight narrative. They are cleverly done, but the illustrations aren't quite my style: a little too loose and bright and overproduced. Vibrant and fun and true.
Showing posts with label nonfiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nonfiction. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Tuesday Storytime: Fun in the Snow
Christmas is over, the cold is finally kicking in, we are starting to see actual frost (and even the occasional snowflake or overnight icing!) and so it's time for the traditional Post-Christmas Snowy Storybook Extravaganza.
These books were selected by my coworker.
Slither, Slide, What's Outside?
Nora Hilb, illustrated by Simon and Sheryl Shapiro
ISBN: 9781554513871
An odd book, but a charmer. This is a four-seasons book, nonfiction, with both nature photographs (everything from worms to stars) and fun playful illustrations. The narrative is in rhyming quatrains, creating little mini-verses on each page with instructions that could be used for a movement section if the leader/reader wanted to go that route. Cute and different.
Mimi and Bear in the Snow
Janee Trasler
ISBN: 9780374349714
I've used this cutie before myself. Mimi is a sweet little bunny and she and her bear play (and get lost) in the snow. Short and sweet and charming.
100 Snowmen
Jen Arena, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
ISBN: 9781477847039
A most peculiar counting book. Snowmen cavort and play and make really bizarre facial expressions (some of them nearly terrifying) as the narrative counts up to 100 snowmen total throughout the whole book. Weird and wild.
These books were selected by my coworker.
Slither, Slide, What's Outside?
Nora Hilb, illustrated by Simon and Sheryl Shapiro
ISBN: 9781554513871
An odd book, but a charmer. This is a four-seasons book, nonfiction, with both nature photographs (everything from worms to stars) and fun playful illustrations. The narrative is in rhyming quatrains, creating little mini-verses on each page with instructions that could be used for a movement section if the leader/reader wanted to go that route. Cute and different.
Mimi and Bear in the Snow
Janee Trasler
ISBN: 9780374349714
I've used this cutie before myself. Mimi is a sweet little bunny and she and her bear play (and get lost) in the snow. Short and sweet and charming.
100 Snowmen
Jen Arena, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
ISBN: 9781477847039
A most peculiar counting book. Snowmen cavort and play and make really bizarre facial expressions (some of them nearly terrifying) as the narrative counts up to 100 snowmen total throughout the whole book. Weird and wild.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Tuesday Storytime: Snow Day
An impromptu storytime on demand with a leftover non-specifically-Christmas book from last year, and a couple of books liberated from upcoming planned storytimes.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
based on the song by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith
as sung by Peggy Lee
illustrated by Tim Hopgood
ISBN: 9781627793049
I actually sang this one, and I didn't notice too many winces from the grownups, so I think I did ok. A lovely slightly-overlarge picture book with full spreads of beautiful stylized colorful winter landscapes full of cheerful people and animals. The kids were mesmerized, at least partially by the oddity of singing the text of a picture book, and the families knew the song well enough to come in and sing with me on the repeated title line "walking in a winter wonderland." Very cute experiment, glad it worked!
In the Snow
Sharon Phillips Denslow, illustrated by Nancy Tafuri
ISBN: 9780060596835
A lovely nonfiction, naturalistic book, focused on the types of birds and small wild animals that come for seeds and nuts left in the snow for them by a caring child. It seems VERY short, but it feels much longer when it's being read - I'm not sure why.
Snow
Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer
ISBN: 9780152053031
I've done this one before a few times, and I love the lyricism and gentleness of this tender heart-of-winter story that uses snow as the lynch-pin. Our narrator tells us all about the different types of snow (all good, in this story) and the different lovely things that are done in and with and during the snow. It's sweet and peaceful and a little bit sad in a way that goes straight over little kids' heads, but hit the adults right in the feels. This is always a good one to end on.
Now I just have to find replacements for next week!
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
based on the song by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith
as sung by Peggy Lee
illustrated by Tim Hopgood
ISBN: 9781627793049
I actually sang this one, and I didn't notice too many winces from the grownups, so I think I did ok. A lovely slightly-overlarge picture book with full spreads of beautiful stylized colorful winter landscapes full of cheerful people and animals. The kids were mesmerized, at least partially by the oddity of singing the text of a picture book, and the families knew the song well enough to come in and sing with me on the repeated title line "walking in a winter wonderland." Very cute experiment, glad it worked!
In the Snow
Sharon Phillips Denslow, illustrated by Nancy Tafuri
ISBN: 9780060596835
A lovely nonfiction, naturalistic book, focused on the types of birds and small wild animals that come for seeds and nuts left in the snow for them by a caring child. It seems VERY short, but it feels much longer when it's being read - I'm not sure why.
Snow
Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer
ISBN: 9780152053031
I've done this one before a few times, and I love the lyricism and gentleness of this tender heart-of-winter story that uses snow as the lynch-pin. Our narrator tells us all about the different types of snow (all good, in this story) and the different lovely things that are done in and with and during the snow. It's sweet and peaceful and a little bit sad in a way that goes straight over little kids' heads, but hit the adults right in the feels. This is always a good one to end on.
Now I just have to find replacements for next week!
Monday, December 4, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: Fall Leaves
A last generic fall storytime before it's finally December and I feel obligated to move on to winter, despite whatever it's doing outside.
Fall Leaves: Colorful and Crunchy
Martha E. H. Rustad, illustrated by Amanda Enright
ISBN: 9780761385059
A really good junior nonfiction title with information about photosynthesis and plant growth and leaf formation. Illustrations are cartoony and clear and stylized in a slightly exaggerated manner. Interesting choice and a fun difference from the majority which use photographs. It has "chapters" of a few spreads each, which was a big hit for my little ones to be big enough to listen to a "chapter book."
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
Lois Ehlert
ISBN: 0152661972
This book always surprises me that it is so narrative-heavy. The (unseen) narrator tells us all about her sugar maple tree and how it was grown and developed and nursery'ed, and talks about the colors of the leaves and the different types of trees and resulting leaf colors.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
ISBN: 9780061134012
Fletcher the fox kit is experiencing his first fall, and so he's worried when his favorite tree starts turning brown and then (oh horrors) losing it's leaves! He tries very hard to save them, but it's a lost cause. There's a beautiful surprise on the last pages of the now-winterized tree (love when books have just a smidge of glitter or fun printing tricks to them!) Amazingly evocative and sweet, and more than a bit sad, despite the happy ending.
Fall Leaves: Colorful and Crunchy
Martha E. H. Rustad, illustrated by Amanda Enright
ISBN: 9780761385059
A really good junior nonfiction title with information about photosynthesis and plant growth and leaf formation. Illustrations are cartoony and clear and stylized in a slightly exaggerated manner. Interesting choice and a fun difference from the majority which use photographs. It has "chapters" of a few spreads each, which was a big hit for my little ones to be big enough to listen to a "chapter book."
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
Lois Ehlert
ISBN: 0152661972
This book always surprises me that it is so narrative-heavy. The (unseen) narrator tells us all about her sugar maple tree and how it was grown and developed and nursery'ed, and talks about the colors of the leaves and the different types of trees and resulting leaf colors.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
ISBN: 9780061134012
Fletcher the fox kit is experiencing his first fall, and so he's worried when his favorite tree starts turning brown and then (oh horrors) losing it's leaves! He tries very hard to save them, but it's a lost cause. There's a beautiful surprise on the last pages of the now-winterized tree (love when books have just a smidge of glitter or fun printing tricks to them!) Amazingly evocative and sweet, and more than a bit sad, despite the happy ending.
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: Autumn Thanks
Since we covered Thanksgiving pretty thoroughly last time around, I focused on a few of my newly-acquired fall books this time around.
Hocus Pocus, It's Fall!
Anne Sibley O'Brien, illustrated by Susan Gall
ISBN: 9781419721250
An entire book of fold-out flaps gives very short rhymes on different fall themes and situations, and then a "magic word" (a different one each time - there are SO MANY OF THEM!) to fold out the flap and show the "magic" change of seasons on the fold-out continuation of the spread.
Thanks for Thanksgiving
Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette
ISBN: 9780060510985
Short and as inoffensive as possible, this set of "thanks" are offered generally to no specified person or entity, and focus on the experiences of children - school and dress-up, play-dates and parents.
My Autumn Book
Wong Herbert Yee
ISBN: 9780805099225
Sweet but just a liiiiitle bit too long for my very young group this time around. A possibly-Asian girl notices lots of natural changes in the world as proof that autumn is approaching, and collects items to remember the season, building a book of memories to read in the winter.
Hocus Pocus, It's Fall!
Anne Sibley O'Brien, illustrated by Susan Gall
ISBN: 9781419721250
An entire book of fold-out flaps gives very short rhymes on different fall themes and situations, and then a "magic word" (a different one each time - there are SO MANY OF THEM!) to fold out the flap and show the "magic" change of seasons on the fold-out continuation of the spread.
Thanks for Thanksgiving
Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette
ISBN: 9780060510985
Short and as inoffensive as possible, this set of "thanks" are offered generally to no specified person or entity, and focus on the experiences of children - school and dress-up, play-dates and parents.
My Autumn Book
Wong Herbert Yee
ISBN: 9780805099225
Sweet but just a liiiiitle bit too long for my very young group this time around. A possibly-Asian girl notices lots of natural changes in the world as proof that autumn is approaching, and collects items to remember the season, building a book of memories to read in the winter.
Tuesday Storytime: Thanksgiving is Coming
My compatriot had lots of fun picking out Thanksgiving-themed books before she realized the rotation had her on the week before - but that's ok! We're not super tied to a schedule here, so there's no reason we can't have an anticipatory storytime a week ahead of time to remind kids what all the fuss is about.
She chose:
The Thanksgiving Play (a Herbster Reader)
by Cecilia Minden
Herbie and his school friends try hard to put on a fun and interesting Thanksgiving School Play, but everything keeps going wrong!
The Leaves on the Trees
by Thom Wiley
A beautiful nonfiction picture book focused on nature's glorious and varietal fall colors, to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus."
Bear Says Thanks
by Karma Wilson
Another of the really delightful Bear books - this time focusing on the importance of family and friends as a cause for celebration and happiness.
She chose:
The Thanksgiving Play (a Herbster Reader)
by Cecilia Minden
Herbie and his school friends try hard to put on a fun and interesting Thanksgiving School Play, but everything keeps going wrong!
The Leaves on the Trees
by Thom Wiley
A beautiful nonfiction picture book focused on nature's glorious and varietal fall colors, to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus."
Bear Says Thanks
by Karma Wilson
Another of the really delightful Bear books - this time focusing on the importance of family and friends as a cause for celebration and happiness.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: Fall is Here!
With Monster Month safely behind us for another year, it's time for the rotation to begin having a solid selection of "fall" themed books, and oh there are just so many good ones to choose from. This time around I went with two solid favorites, and a new discovery just recently published.
Wonderfall
Michael Hall
ISBN: 9780062382986
A tree narrates a set of short non-rhyming poems as the season progresses from the end of summer to the beginning of winter, hitting on the start of school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, along with blustery winds, animal migrations and foraging, and even composting! Really well done, and a delightful addition to our collection.
Mystery Vine
Cathryn Falwell
ISBN: 9780061771989
This one really needs to be done very early in the fall, so I wanted to go ahead and use it while summer is still fairly fresh in people's minds. A pair of kids follow a garden through the year in cute little rhyming couplets while a "mystery vine" grows along the fence until fall, when everything else in the garden is dead or dying - it's of course a pumpkin vine. There's a spread about trick-or-treating, but the focus is on the outdoors and the garden.
Moon Glowing
Elizabeth Partridge, illustrated by Joan Paley
ISBN: 0525468730
We follow a squirrel, bat, beaver, and bear through the developing fall into winter, as they prepare for the coming cold weather. Very sparse text, very short, not much content. Chosen to be a short final story for our typical fall crowd of very very young babies and toddlers, who are nearing (or well past) their attention spans by the last book of the day. Sweet and a bit solemn,
Wonderfall
Michael Hall
ISBN: 9780062382986
A tree narrates a set of short non-rhyming poems as the season progresses from the end of summer to the beginning of winter, hitting on the start of school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, along with blustery winds, animal migrations and foraging, and even composting! Really well done, and a delightful addition to our collection.
Mystery Vine
Cathryn Falwell
ISBN: 9780061771989
This one really needs to be done very early in the fall, so I wanted to go ahead and use it while summer is still fairly fresh in people's minds. A pair of kids follow a garden through the year in cute little rhyming couplets while a "mystery vine" grows along the fence until fall, when everything else in the garden is dead or dying - it's of course a pumpkin vine. There's a spread about trick-or-treating, but the focus is on the outdoors and the garden.
Moon Glowing
Elizabeth Partridge, illustrated by Joan Paley
ISBN: 0525468730
We follow a squirrel, bat, beaver, and bear through the developing fall into winter, as they prepare for the coming cold weather. Very sparse text, very short, not much content. Chosen to be a short final story for our typical fall crowd of very very young babies and toddlers, who are nearing (or well past) their attention spans by the last book of the day. Sweet and a bit solemn,
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: Airplanes!
Finally my turn again! When you're only doing storytime every other week, it's a long time when one gets cancelled. Last week we took a tour through some airplanes, as families look forward to holidays and visiting far-flung family or friends.
Airplanes Soaring! Turning! Diving!
Patricia Hubbell
Other than wanting to indict them for grave abuse of exclamation points on their title (seriously, people have to type that out) this is a seriously adorable and fact-filled early interest book about airplanes. Reads quick, a few fun vertically-oriented pages to mix things up a bit, and lots of weird faux-historical illustrations.
A B Cs on Wings
Ramon Olivera
Very well done. Super quick and easy to read, lay-out is STELLAR. Paper is crisp and weighty, colors are rich, designs are clear and stylized. Really truly super book.
Airport
Byron Barton
Another good "slice of life" by Barton. This time we focus on the process of getting TO the airplane: all the boring bits of arriving at the airport and processing through the waiting rooms and into the plane. It's VERY dated: the illustrations are quite 70s, and of course there's no security to be seen, but the gist is the same, and a kid isn't going to notice the finer details. Perfect for making air travel seem routine and calm, while still keeping the fun and excitement of airplanes themselves.
Airplanes Soaring! Turning! Diving!
Patricia Hubbell
Other than wanting to indict them for grave abuse of exclamation points on their title (seriously, people have to type that out) this is a seriously adorable and fact-filled early interest book about airplanes. Reads quick, a few fun vertically-oriented pages to mix things up a bit, and lots of weird faux-historical illustrations.
A B Cs on Wings
Ramon Olivera
Very well done. Super quick and easy to read, lay-out is STELLAR. Paper is crisp and weighty, colors are rich, designs are clear and stylized. Really truly super book.
Airport
Byron Barton
Another good "slice of life" by Barton. This time we focus on the process of getting TO the airplane: all the boring bits of arriving at the airport and processing through the waiting rooms and into the plane. It's VERY dated: the illustrations are quite 70s, and of course there's no security to be seen, but the gist is the same, and a kid isn't going to notice the finer details. Perfect for making air travel seem routine and calm, while still keeping the fun and excitement of airplanes themselves.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: Seeing Stars
A good set of books today, for a fairly large crowd.
Our Stars
Anne Rockwell
ISBN: 0152018689
Lovely factual and old-fashioned book examines stars, the sun, planetary and lunar orbits, comets, meteors (shooting stars), and constellations in clear illustrations and simple age-appropriate language, using the correct terms and explaining them straightforwardly.
The Sun is my Favorite Star
Frank Asch (Happy Birthday Moon)
ISBN: 0152021272
Skirt-wearing white child waxes lyrical about our own personal star: the sun. Beautiful fuzzy-edged and warm-toned imagery, and very short and sweet (and repetitive) sentences.
Fancy Nancy Sees Stars
Jane O'Connor, illustrated by Ted Enik (in the style of the original artist: Robin Preiss Glasser)
ISBN: 9780062572752
Fancy Nancy loves fancy words, and also loves stars. Her class is headed for a night trip to the planetarium when disaster strikes and the trip is cancelled, but her family makes the best of it (as they always do) and the class trip is saved (perhaps by a wish on a shooting star?)
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: SRP Space: Rockets Away!
First set of books bequeathed to my trainee: rocketry is cool and fun. I don't blame her at all for choosing these for her first round.
The Moon (a Bamboo and Friends book)
Felicia Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812822
Bamboo and friends admire the moon and then take an imaginary rocket journey up to see it.Very cute combo of nonfictional information and cute preschool thinking styles.
On the Launch Pad (a counting book about rockets)
Michael Dahl, illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shea
ISBN: 1404805818
Counting down the iconic 10, 9, 8 with really good pictures and informational text, and a fun horizontal spread at the end that requires you to turn the whole book sideways.
Roaring Rockets
Tony Mitton, illustrated by Ant Parker
ISBN: 061388857X
Trippy wordplay and anthropormorphic animals traveling up to the moon and back down into a splashdown in the ocean.
The Moon (a Bamboo and Friends book)
Felicia Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812822
Bamboo and friends admire the moon and then take an imaginary rocket journey up to see it.Very cute combo of nonfictional information and cute preschool thinking styles.
On the Launch Pad (a counting book about rockets)
Michael Dahl, illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shea
ISBN: 1404805818
Counting down the iconic 10, 9, 8 with really good pictures and informational text, and a fun horizontal spread at the end that requires you to turn the whole book sideways.
Roaring Rockets
Tony Mitton, illustrated by Ant Parker
ISBN: 061388857X
Trippy wordplay and anthropormorphic animals traveling up to the moon and back down into a splashdown in the ocean.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Tuesday Storytime: Summer Reading Program theme is SPACE! This week: Going to the Moon
Last week was CRAZY!
Still, storytime was fun and we did our first round of space books. I mixed things up a bit, because with a trainee storyteller on board, I feel obligated to give her the first choice of the summer-reading space-themed book sets so she can continue to feel as comfortable and engaged as possible while she's still on-boarding during this first summer. So that means she grabbed all the "good" sets I picked out and worked into coherent and easy fun themes. Ah well. I didn't have time this spring to plan things as far ahead as I would have liked, so it only seems right that I should suffer instead of my trainee.
What that means in practice is that all the "odd" sets or themes that are slightly too long or too advanced conceptually, those are on me this summer. I really wish there were more nonfiction books designed for very young readers and listeners. There's just so much for older elementary school kids, and just a drought for the little preschoolers, and especially for things like space and dinosaurs and sharks, they WANT good nonfiction: I just don't have access to it to give it to them.
Our first space adventure is going to the moon! I had only two books this time: I read the Kellog tome as both the first and last book, splitting it up right before the kid lands on the moon, and reading Barton's book in the middle as a bit of a break.
If You Decide To Go To The Moon
Faith McNulty, illustrated by Steven Kellog
ISBN: 9780590483599
Beautiful Kellogian spreads of space and lunar landscapes and a stirring and somewhat preachy return to earth.
I Want to be an Astronaut
Byron Barton
ISBN: 9780064432801
Barton's minimalism works really well for this aspirational declaration of all the things the potential (female?) astronaut wants to accomplish. Stark and powerful and colorful.
Still, storytime was fun and we did our first round of space books. I mixed things up a bit, because with a trainee storyteller on board, I feel obligated to give her the first choice of the summer-reading space-themed book sets so she can continue to feel as comfortable and engaged as possible while she's still on-boarding during this first summer. So that means she grabbed all the "good" sets I picked out and worked into coherent and easy fun themes. Ah well. I didn't have time this spring to plan things as far ahead as I would have liked, so it only seems right that I should suffer instead of my trainee.
What that means in practice is that all the "odd" sets or themes that are slightly too long or too advanced conceptually, those are on me this summer. I really wish there were more nonfiction books designed for very young readers and listeners. There's just so much for older elementary school kids, and just a drought for the little preschoolers, and especially for things like space and dinosaurs and sharks, they WANT good nonfiction: I just don't have access to it to give it to them.
Our first space adventure is going to the moon! I had only two books this time: I read the Kellog tome as both the first and last book, splitting it up right before the kid lands on the moon, and reading Barton's book in the middle as a bit of a break.
If You Decide To Go To The Moon
Faith McNulty, illustrated by Steven Kellog
ISBN: 9780590483599
Beautiful Kellogian spreads of space and lunar landscapes and a stirring and somewhat preachy return to earth.
I Want to be an Astronaut
Byron Barton
ISBN: 9780064432801
Barton's minimalism works really well for this aspirational declaration of all the things the potential (female?) astronaut wants to accomplish. Stark and powerful and colorful.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Tuesday Storytime. Excellent Eggs
This was supposed to be the storytime for the Tuesday after Easter, but we had a slight technical difficulty and so it got used today. Example #three-million-and-one for why I do slightly off-note storytimes when I can for holidays or themed days; I can re-use general egg storytimes, but Easter storytimes are a little harder to explain three weeks after the fact. :)
An Egg is Quiet
Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
ISBN: 9780811844284
Beautiful nonfiction picture book showcasing the diversity and beauty of eggs. Really lovely and lyrical and fantastic; while being absolutely grounded in reality and information. Perfect layout to choose what age-group or complexity-level to engage with, which makes it a great school pick.
Egg
Kevin Henkes
ISBN: 9780062408723
Almost wordless picture book with comic-book framing on several pages (it's like a gentle version of a Mo Willems Pigeon book) tell the story of four eggs and their slightly diverging paths through life. The "mystery" got a lot of traction from my audience, and there were several exlaims of shock and interest. Always a great thing to get from a storybook.
The Egg
M. P. Robertson
ISBN: 0803725469
While I appreciate the mystery of the egg-hatching as much as anyone (especially when it makes an impact like it did today on an appreciative audience) I have to say that this particular book for some reason is THE HARDEST to find when you don't remember the author's name! Librarian Problems. Anyway. George (first clue) finds a GIANT egg under his mom's favorite chicken (love that detail) and proceeds to play mommy for the fantastic find. A really sweet and funny and beautifully illustrated fairy tale ensues, and one that's actually short enough to read during storytime! One of my all-time favorite picture books, even if I do forget the author's name all the time.
An Egg is Quiet
Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
ISBN: 9780811844284
Beautiful nonfiction picture book showcasing the diversity and beauty of eggs. Really lovely and lyrical and fantastic; while being absolutely grounded in reality and information. Perfect layout to choose what age-group or complexity-level to engage with, which makes it a great school pick.
Egg
Kevin Henkes
ISBN: 9780062408723
Almost wordless picture book with comic-book framing on several pages (it's like a gentle version of a Mo Willems Pigeon book) tell the story of four eggs and their slightly diverging paths through life. The "mystery" got a lot of traction from my audience, and there were several exlaims of shock and interest. Always a great thing to get from a storybook.
The Egg
M. P. Robertson
ISBN: 0803725469
While I appreciate the mystery of the egg-hatching as much as anyone (especially when it makes an impact like it did today on an appreciative audience) I have to say that this particular book for some reason is THE HARDEST to find when you don't remember the author's name! Librarian Problems. Anyway. George (first clue) finds a GIANT egg under his mom's favorite chicken (love that detail) and proceeds to play mommy for the fantastic find. A really sweet and funny and beautifully illustrated fairy tale ensues, and one that's actually short enough to read during storytime! One of my all-time favorite picture books, even if I do forget the author's name all the time.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Nonfiction: The Harvey House Cookbook, George H. Foster, Peter C. Weiglin
The Harvey House Cookbook: Memories of Dining along the Santa Fe Railroad
George H. Foster & Peter C. Weiglin
ISBN: 1563520338
A combination capsule-history and cookbook, with facts and recipes from Harvey House rail stops.
Read Fall 2016
I think I would have enjoyed the book a bit more if it were simply a history of the Harvey Houses, but I do think people will be interested in the recipes. I would have rather seen more of the menus and the organizational documents (if any of them survive) but I know I'm a bit weird compared to most people.
The only thing that really bugged me about this book was the layout: each very short nonfiction section was sandwiched in between the larger chapters of recipes, and thus it was hard to create any sort of narrative momentum. It made the history sections seem disjointed and fragmentary, which, when dealing with a portion of history that has perhaps not been recorded as well as it might have been, isn't really the optimal impression to leave.
Other than that, the nonfiction information presented was clear, chronological, decently-organized, and topical. I think the recipes either seem painfully normal, or strangely dated, but as I don't cook, I have no basis for informing whether they're good or useful for modern cooks.
An interesting donation that showed up at random and fulfilled a passive sort of interest I've had for a while in the concept of the Harvey Girls, so I was very glad to see it.
George H. Foster & Peter C. Weiglin
ISBN: 1563520338
A combination capsule-history and cookbook, with facts and recipes from Harvey House rail stops.
Read Fall 2016
I think I would have enjoyed the book a bit more if it were simply a history of the Harvey Houses, but I do think people will be interested in the recipes. I would have rather seen more of the menus and the organizational documents (if any of them survive) but I know I'm a bit weird compared to most people.
The only thing that really bugged me about this book was the layout: each very short nonfiction section was sandwiched in between the larger chapters of recipes, and thus it was hard to create any sort of narrative momentum. It made the history sections seem disjointed and fragmentary, which, when dealing with a portion of history that has perhaps not been recorded as well as it might have been, isn't really the optimal impression to leave.
Other than that, the nonfiction information presented was clear, chronological, decently-organized, and topical. I think the recipes either seem painfully normal, or strangely dated, but as I don't cook, I have no basis for informing whether they're good or useful for modern cooks.
An interesting donation that showed up at random and fulfilled a passive sort of interest I've had for a while in the concept of the Harvey Girls, so I was very glad to see it.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Special Program Review: School Tour: Community Helpers
We had a school tour scheduled for this fall that asked at the last minute for a dedicated storytime with the theme of "Community Helpers" and I came up with a small program for them with some books we had on-hand. This is my regular reminder to be grateful for a library system that keeps the branch locations well-stocked with new and updated children's nonfiction and picture books that can be used (by patrons or staff) on a moment's notice.
All of these were EXCELLENT books, and I was so proud of our library selectors that I could just swoop in and grab them immediately when they were needed.
Officer Buckle and Gloria
Peggy Rathmann
ISBN: 9780399226168
Show Me Community Helpers: My First Picture Encyclopedia
Clint Edwards
ISBN: 9781620659182
Helpers in My Community
Bobbie Kalman
ISBN: 9780778794882
Whose Hands Are These? A Community Helper Guessing Book
Miranda Paul, illustrated by Luciana Powell
ISBN: 9781467752145
All of these were EXCELLENT books, and I was so proud of our library selectors that I could just swoop in and grab them immediately when they were needed.
Officer Buckle and Gloria
Peggy Rathmann
ISBN: 9780399226168
Show Me Community Helpers: My First Picture Encyclopedia
Clint Edwards
ISBN: 9781620659182
Helpers in My Community
Bobbie Kalman
ISBN: 9780778794882
Whose Hands Are These? A Community Helper Guessing Book
Miranda Paul, illustrated by Luciana Powell
ISBN: 9781467752145
Special Program Review: Agricultural Nonfiction
This fall, I teamed up with a local historic agricultural museum to work with their volunteers to create a STEAM*-based reading program for kids in K4-3rd grade, to introduce them to basic concepts in natural history, agricultural and farm life, and animal husbandry. We had three programs over the course of the fall, and focused on different topical themes each time.
*Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math
In October we covered harvest and orchards/farm-keeping with "Apples and Pumpkins."
In November we moved on to discussing farm chores and the water cycle with "Pumping Water."
In December we finished with a discussion of farm animals and winter changes "Chickens and Changes."
I'm not going to offer reviews of all of these, but I will specify whether I used them as display/take-home/reference materials (we made bookmarks with the titles listed for the kids to guide later check-outs at the library for further interest or research) or actually read them during the program. Like my storytime, I tried to present at least three books during each program, and managed to get four read each time, which was gratifying.
Apple Farmer Annie, by Monica Wellington
Strega Nona's Harvest, by Tomie dePaola
Pumpkin Cat, by Anne Mortimer
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie, by Jill Esbaum.
On display, in addition to those books, I had the following:
Picking Apples and Pumpkins, by Hutchings
Apples and Pumpkins, by Rockwell
The Apple Pie Tree, by Zoe Hall
Apple, by McClure
Pumpkins, by Jacqueline Farmer
While I'm not going to give specific reviews for all these (mainly because I'm still trying desperately to catch up from all the fall books I have to cover) I do want to give specific recommendations for a few of them:
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie is a delightful nonfiction that would be perfect for a storytime program. It's clear, beautifully photographed, and short enough for the youngest audiences. Please use more nonfiction in storytimes and programs: it's really good quality now, and it really begs to be used and brought to caregivers' attentions.
Tap the Magic Tree didn't make the cut as one of the books that I read, because we wanted to focus more on actual naturalist and reality-based representations of nature, but it's a really lovely interactive book in the same vein as the equally delightful but more abstract Press Here, by Herve Tullet. I really enjoy reading this type of book with a small audience or even one-on-one, and watching the child really feel like they're influencing the outcomes of the page-turns.
Pumpkin Jack is one of the best stories about the circle of death and life that I have ever found, and I will recommend it until I am dead myself. It's simple, it's sweet without being treacly or maudlin, and it's beautifully illustrated.
*Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math
In October we covered harvest and orchards/farm-keeping with "Apples and Pumpkins."
In November we moved on to discussing farm chores and the water cycle with "Pumping Water."
In December we finished with a discussion of farm animals and winter changes "Chickens and Changes."
I'm not going to offer reviews of all of these, but I will specify whether I used them as display/take-home/reference materials (we made bookmarks with the titles listed for the kids to guide later check-outs at the library for further interest or research) or actually read them during the program. Like my storytime, I tried to present at least three books during each program, and managed to get four read each time, which was gratifying.
Reading List and Program Books for "Apples and Pumpkins"
During the program, I read the following:Apple Farmer Annie, by Monica Wellington
Strega Nona's Harvest, by Tomie dePaola
Pumpkin Cat, by Anne Mortimer
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie, by Jill Esbaum.
On display, in addition to those books, I had the following:
Picking Apples and Pumpkins, by Hutchings
Apples and Pumpkins, by Rockwell
The Apple Pie Tree, by Zoe Hall
Apple, by McClure
Pumpkins, by Jacqueline Farmer
Reading List and Program Books for "Pumping Water"
During the program, I read the following:
It's Fall, by Linda Glaser
The Leaves on the Trees, Thom Wiley
Pilgrim Children Had Many Chores, Lem-Tardif
All the Water in the World, by George Ella Lyon
On display, in addition to those books, I had the following:
The Water Cycle, by Purslow
How Did That Get to My House? Water, by Masters
How Things Work in the Yard, by Ernst
Historic Communities: Tools and Gadgets, by Kalman
Awesome Autumn, by Bruce Goldstone
Farming, by Gail Gibbons
Tap the Magic Tree, by Matheson
Reading List and Program books for "Chickens and Changes"
Pumpkin Jack, by Will Hubbell
A Chicken Followed Me Home, by Robin Page
Big Red Barn, by Margaret Wise Brown
On the Farm, a book of poems, by David Elliot
On display, in addition to those books, I had the following:
Working Animals: Farming, by Martin
Hello, Harvest Moon, by Ralph Fletcher
A Chicken's Life, by Nancy Dickmann
Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert
Fall Leaves, by Loretta Holland
While I'm not going to give specific reviews for all these (mainly because I'm still trying desperately to catch up from all the fall books I have to cover) I do want to give specific recommendations for a few of them:
Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie is a delightful nonfiction that would be perfect for a storytime program. It's clear, beautifully photographed, and short enough for the youngest audiences. Please use more nonfiction in storytimes and programs: it's really good quality now, and it really begs to be used and brought to caregivers' attentions.
Tap the Magic Tree didn't make the cut as one of the books that I read, because we wanted to focus more on actual naturalist and reality-based representations of nature, but it's a really lovely interactive book in the same vein as the equally delightful but more abstract Press Here, by Herve Tullet. I really enjoy reading this type of book with a small audience or even one-on-one, and watching the child really feel like they're influencing the outcomes of the page-turns.
Pumpkin Jack is one of the best stories about the circle of death and life that I have ever found, and I will recommend it until I am dead myself. It's simple, it's sweet without being treacly or maudlin, and it's beautifully illustrated.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Nonfiction: The Trainable Cat, John Bradshaw & Sarah Ellis
The Trainable Cat
John Bradshaw & Sarah Ellis
ISBN: 9780465050901
Specific directions on using rewards-based training to accustom cats to household life requirements.
Very readable, with clear step-by-step instructions. The authors are based in England, which colors their attitudes towards cat ownership in small ways, but the advice is absolutely universal, and would be beneficial to every owned cat, as well as to their owners. The only difficulty is the time and patience required for the training to actually occur, to keep up with the training, and have it be effective.
Covers everything from tricks: "playing fetch" and "coming when called" to life skills like tolerating nail clippers and companion animals (info for cats, dogs, and smaller animals), to really crucial things like tolerating cat carriers and not freaking out during vet visits.
John Bradshaw & Sarah Ellis
ISBN: 9780465050901
Specific directions on using rewards-based training to accustom cats to household life requirements.
Very readable, with clear step-by-step instructions. The authors are based in England, which colors their attitudes towards cat ownership in small ways, but the advice is absolutely universal, and would be beneficial to every owned cat, as well as to their owners. The only difficulty is the time and patience required for the training to actually occur, to keep up with the training, and have it be effective.
Covers everything from tricks: "playing fetch" and "coming when called" to life skills like tolerating nail clippers and companion animals (info for cats, dogs, and smaller animals), to really crucial things like tolerating cat carriers and not freaking out during vet visits.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Tuesday Storytime: Teddies and Bears
I love that teddy bears exist. I especially love that we have picture books about actual wild bears, about "real" bears who act in anthropomorphic or unnatural ways, and even books about stuffed teddy bears! I picked a set today that focused on "real" bears, across a spectrum of natural to fantastical situations.
My Friend Bear
Jez Alborough
ISBN: 0763605832
This sequel to Where's My Teddy? showcases the joy of making a new friend.
Eddie (a little boy) and his teddy bear (named Freddie) are walking in the woods where they encountered the bear from Where's My Teddy? when they come across the giant teddy once more. This time tho, Eddie finds out that the bear is lonely and friendless too, and after a bit of a mix-up involving a talking teddy bear, the two spend a day becoming fast friends. Great rhyming cadence, lovely word-play, and cute lighthearted illustrations.
Bear is Not Tired
Ciara Gavin
ISBN: 9780385754767
Sequel to Room For Bear (super cute about chosen families) talks about the fear of missing out.
Winter is coming, and for most of the Duck family, that's no big deal. But not for Bear. He has to hibernate, and he is really unhappy about being asleep while everyone else is up, and missing all the fun and getting left out! This not-so-subtle comparison to early bedtimes and naps is actually handled really sweetly and with cute illustrations of Bear getting more and more tired, until "every sound was a lullaby" and "nothing made sense anymore." The solution that Mama Duck comes up with to welcome Bear back to the waking world in the spring is cute and sure to resonate with little ones who are SURE they've missed something.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
Jim Arnosky
ISBN: 0399225080
Oversized, fall-off-the-pages dark and visceral paintings are a bit scary, but the story is calm and measured.
Arnosky doesn't shy away from a scary picture, and there are a few here, not least of which is the cover. A VERY large, black, hairy-scary bear is so big that all you can see are clawed feet and the tip of a nose, and a BIG black furry shadow looming over the whole book. Inside is equally realistic. A sere fall-winter landscape is cold contrast to this looming black presence, with a bright red mouth and tongue, and sharp white teeth and claws. Despite the intense illustrations, the story is calm and matter of fact, with few words and not really any emotional resonance: the bear simply comes, notices things, does a few things, and finds a den to sleep away the winter in. It's a very interesting dichotomy, and I think the dark and powerful images made quite a few of the parents uncomfortable, but the kids loved it.
My Friend Bear
Jez Alborough
ISBN: 0763605832
This sequel to Where's My Teddy? showcases the joy of making a new friend.
Eddie (a little boy) and his teddy bear (named Freddie) are walking in the woods where they encountered the bear from Where's My Teddy? when they come across the giant teddy once more. This time tho, Eddie finds out that the bear is lonely and friendless too, and after a bit of a mix-up involving a talking teddy bear, the two spend a day becoming fast friends. Great rhyming cadence, lovely word-play, and cute lighthearted illustrations.
Bear is Not Tired
Ciara Gavin
ISBN: 9780385754767
Sequel to Room For Bear (super cute about chosen families) talks about the fear of missing out.
Winter is coming, and for most of the Duck family, that's no big deal. But not for Bear. He has to hibernate, and he is really unhappy about being asleep while everyone else is up, and missing all the fun and getting left out! This not-so-subtle comparison to early bedtimes and naps is actually handled really sweetly and with cute illustrations of Bear getting more and more tired, until "every sound was a lullaby" and "nothing made sense anymore." The solution that Mama Duck comes up with to welcome Bear back to the waking world in the spring is cute and sure to resonate with little ones who are SURE they've missed something.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
Jim Arnosky
ISBN: 0399225080
Oversized, fall-off-the-pages dark and visceral paintings are a bit scary, but the story is calm and measured.
Arnosky doesn't shy away from a scary picture, and there are a few here, not least of which is the cover. A VERY large, black, hairy-scary bear is so big that all you can see are clawed feet and the tip of a nose, and a BIG black furry shadow looming over the whole book. Inside is equally realistic. A sere fall-winter landscape is cold contrast to this looming black presence, with a bright red mouth and tongue, and sharp white teeth and claws. Despite the intense illustrations, the story is calm and matter of fact, with few words and not really any emotional resonance: the bear simply comes, notices things, does a few things, and finds a den to sleep away the winter in. It's a very interesting dichotomy, and I think the dark and powerful images made quite a few of the parents uncomfortable, but the kids loved it.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Nonfiction: Do Parents Matter? Robert and Sarah LeVine
Do Parents Matter? Why Japanese Babies Sleep Soundly, Mexican Siblings Don't Fight, and American Families Should Just Relax
Robert A. LeVine and Sarah LeVine
ISBN: 9781610397230
Read September 17, 2016
An interesting cross-cultural study of various parenting practices and the outcomes observed, but flawed and limited in a lot of ways. Really makes one wish that there were larger groups studying this sort of thing in earnest - I think there would be a great deal of knowledge acquired that way, but it might not be particularly flattering to the current medical/psychological concepts, so there's understandably little push for it.
The authors use personal anthropological/sociological observations and those collected by other groups to make comments about various parenting tactics and supposedly basic concepts, inferring from their observations that there is very little universal about how children are nurtured and raised, and that despite that vast gulf of differences, mainly the adults end up as well-adjusted adults in their respective societies.
I would have liked more citations or deeper explanations, as a lot of things are hand-waved or offhandedly explained without backing: I want to be clear that I don't think they're faking any of their information, or purposefully being misleading, I just wanted to have a clearer understanding of what they're basing that on (which would have made this a much thicker and more scholarly book, so I can completely understand why they chose not to).
Overall interesting, but it raises a lot more questions than it answers.
Robert A. LeVine and Sarah LeVine
ISBN: 9781610397230
Read September 17, 2016
An interesting cross-cultural study of various parenting practices and the outcomes observed, but flawed and limited in a lot of ways. Really makes one wish that there were larger groups studying this sort of thing in earnest - I think there would be a great deal of knowledge acquired that way, but it might not be particularly flattering to the current medical/psychological concepts, so there's understandably little push for it.
The authors use personal anthropological/sociological observations and those collected by other groups to make comments about various parenting tactics and supposedly basic concepts, inferring from their observations that there is very little universal about how children are nurtured and raised, and that despite that vast gulf of differences, mainly the adults end up as well-adjusted adults in their respective societies.
I would have liked more citations or deeper explanations, as a lot of things are hand-waved or offhandedly explained without backing: I want to be clear that I don't think they're faking any of their information, or purposefully being misleading, I just wanted to have a clearer understanding of what they're basing that on (which would have made this a much thicker and more scholarly book, so I can completely understand why they chose not to).
Overall interesting, but it raises a lot more questions than it answers.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Nonfiction: The Perfect Horse, Elizabeth Letts
The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis
Elizabeth Letts
ISBN: 9780345544803
Read September 2016
So the title is a bit misleading, because honestly the US didn't know (or didn't care) about European stallions during the course of the war, and even through the course of this book. They don't even appear in the narrative until half-way in, and that's just to track the beginnings and development of the characters for when they DO become important, which is at the last minute (insert "typical American" joke here).
So this is the real sub-title: How Devoted People from LOTS of Countries Saved Really Expensive Horses During the Last Days of the War.
So: Why is this important? Did you know that Hitler wanted to apply eugenics to horses, so he got the civilian manager of the German-hosted Olympics to start a horse-breeding program, which he did mostly by stealing the Arabian and Lipizzaner horses from neighbors as they were conquered. Horse-loving people in several places all worked furiously behind the scenes to keep the welfare of the horses in mind as the horrible war took place and people's minds were generally on more important global issues, until one week, right at the end of the war, when everything fell into place for the US to basically steal the stolen horses, and try to get any of them back to their proper owners and countries of origin (which we didn't do very well, but it was only partly because we were selfish and wanted them for ourselves).
Very well written, interesting cast of characters, and a really interesting read - right up until the end, when all the narrative drive just dies a slow whimpering death as people lost track of the horses which had been so important up until then, and leaves the story to end with only two of the now-American horses' fates actually known. How sad that was.
Elizabeth Letts
ISBN: 9780345544803
Read September 2016
So the title is a bit misleading, because honestly the US didn't know (or didn't care) about European stallions during the course of the war, and even through the course of this book. They don't even appear in the narrative until half-way in, and that's just to track the beginnings and development of the characters for when they DO become important, which is at the last minute (insert "typical American" joke here).
So this is the real sub-title: How Devoted People from LOTS of Countries Saved Really Expensive Horses During the Last Days of the War.
So: Why is this important? Did you know that Hitler wanted to apply eugenics to horses, so he got the civilian manager of the German-hosted Olympics to start a horse-breeding program, which he did mostly by stealing the Arabian and Lipizzaner horses from neighbors as they were conquered. Horse-loving people in several places all worked furiously behind the scenes to keep the welfare of the horses in mind as the horrible war took place and people's minds were generally on more important global issues, until one week, right at the end of the war, when everything fell into place for the US to basically steal the stolen horses, and try to get any of them back to their proper owners and countries of origin (which we didn't do very well, but it was only partly because we were selfish and wanted them for ourselves).
Very well written, interesting cast of characters, and a really interesting read - right up until the end, when all the narrative drive just dies a slow whimpering death as people lost track of the horses which had been so important up until then, and leaves the story to end with only two of the now-American horses' fates actually known. How sad that was.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Juv Nonfiction: A Smart Girl's Guide to Worry (American Girl) Judy Woodburn, Nancy Holyoke & Brenna Vaughan
A Smart Girl's Guide to Worry: how to feel less stressed and have more fun
American Girl nonfiction/advice books
Judy Woodburn and Nancy Holyoke, illustrated by Brenna Vaughan
ISBN: 9781609587451
Very specific and science-based (mostly CBT) techniques for conquering anxiety.
A very clear and straightforward advice book that focuses attention on the reality-warping aspects of worry and anxiety, and provides Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-based mental and physical techniques to counteract those negative impulses and move beyond fear-based thinking.
This isn't a match for a good therapist, but for your run-of-the-mill kiddo who is suddenly anxious about a particular subject or activity, or is growing awkward and walled-off as she grows older and feels less confident in herself, this is a great starting point, making it clear that everyone has to deal with worries, and while some people suffer more than others, there are techniques that will work over time to negate or quiet down those fearful or insecure thoughts.
Recommended.
American Girl nonfiction/advice books
Judy Woodburn and Nancy Holyoke, illustrated by Brenna Vaughan
ISBN: 9781609587451
Very specific and science-based (mostly CBT) techniques for conquering anxiety.
A very clear and straightforward advice book that focuses attention on the reality-warping aspects of worry and anxiety, and provides Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-based mental and physical techniques to counteract those negative impulses and move beyond fear-based thinking.
This isn't a match for a good therapist, but for your run-of-the-mill kiddo who is suddenly anxious about a particular subject or activity, or is growing awkward and walled-off as she grows older and feels less confident in herself, this is a great starting point, making it clear that everyone has to deal with worries, and while some people suffer more than others, there are techniques that will work over time to negate or quiet down those fearful or insecure thoughts.
Recommended.
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