Summer Reading Program: Sidekicks

It feels like summer has been going on forever, but this is my first actual program.  All of June was guest performers (thank God for guest performers) and last week was a holiday break.  It's a weird thrill to feel like you're halfway done before you even start out!

Sidekicks day continues with a repeat of Officer Buckle and Gloria, and the addition of two new titles, both of which are great fun.

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man (with Moskowitz the Awesome Dog)

Michael Chabon, illustrated by Jake Parker

ISBN: 9780061914621

This 50's pulp style book is sassy and vivid, with *bad* words and a super conceited hero who reminds me of Metro Man from Megamind.   Anyway, enough about other heroes.  Awesome Man is here to tell you all about his awesomeness, and his powers, and his fights against evil, and.. oh dear, Awesome Man is having trouble with his temper, and with his blood-sugar levels.  A quick self-care check, a quick snack, and he's back in form - but what we really want to know - did we really learn his super-duper-secret identity?  

Super Hair-O and the Barber of Doom

John Rocco

ISBN: 9781423121893

Adorable.  Our hero (and his posse) have super-powers based on their awesome hair, until a treacherous betrayal leaves them all shorn of their abilities - literally.  It takes a fellow hero in need of an assist for them to realize that their powers come from within, not from their gnarly locks.  Super short, but the most adorable story ever.    

Tuesday Storytime: Summer Reading, Sidekicks

Back into the Summer Reading Program!

Today is Sidekicks, and I was really happy with the trio of books for our Storytime this morning.

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy
David Soman and Jacky Davis
ISBN: 9780803733398
Previously reviewed here.  Excellent "sidekick" story, with great problem-solving.

Anna and the Little Green Dragon
Kalus Baumgart
ISBN: 1562821660
Short but sweet - Anna is at breakfast one morning when a tiny green dragon appears and causes messes and mayhem.  Anna's mom blames her for the mess, until tiny dragon's mommy appears at the front door, politely looking for her missing son.  Cute and lots of page-turn anticipation.


Officer Buckle and Gloria
Peggy Rathman
ISBN: 0399226168
I know I've read this before, but it isn't coming up in a search, so here goes.

Officer Buckle gives lots of safety lectures at Napville School, but the kids always fall asleep and never learn a thing - that is, until new Police Dog Gloria accompanies him.  Even though every time he checks, she's sitting obediently by his side, the kids are mesmerized by his talks now, and he takes all the credit - until a TV crew spills the beans.  A grumpy Buckle refuses to give the next safety talk, Gloria (being a dog) is useless on her own, and the Napville School is poised to suffer the biggest accident ever.  A great book about partnership and about understanding your strengths and not being jealous of others.