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Packs: Strength in Numbers

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Packs: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer
Format: Book
Who Its For: Kids

Take a look at nature and you will find groups-herds, flocks, swarms of creatures big and small. In Packs: Strength in Numbers, Hannah Salyer celebrates this unity and diversity found in the animal world. With her illustrations of dusty bison on the march, or wolves streaking through snow-quiet forest, she gives us a close up view of just how animals, birds and insects work together to survive and thrive, in hunting, traveling, growing food, singing, protecting the young. This book contains loads of information about the habits of these creatures which will satisfy the curiosity of little naturalists, and big ones too (for example, did you know that a herd of wildebeests can have up to a million animals, and is called an implausibility? Me either!) The book ends with a gentle reminder that working together is always better for creatures and humans alike.

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Bonaparte Plays Ball

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Bonaparte Plays Ball by Margery Cuyler, illustrations by Will Terry
Format: Book
Who Its For: Kids

 

Aliens! Monsters! Skeletons! And …baseball??! Yes, you get all this and more in Bonaparte Plays Ball. It’s the Weird series and vying for the championship are the Little Monsters and the Mighty Aliens. Bonaparte, a determined little skeleton with an unfortunate habit of quite literally falling apart, is anxiously watching the game begin. The Aliens score a 3 run homer and pile on the insults, and he sees his teammates wilt under the onslaught. The Monsters are tagged out, struck out, and worn out; now it’s 5-0 Aliens! Can Coach Roach’s pep talk turn this team around? Can Bonaparte deliver for his team without going to pieces?

Margery Cuyler has hit a home run with this book, and fans of all things monster, alien or baseball are sure to agree. I think you’ll enjoy Will Terry’s creative illustrations too (looking at you aliens!).

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The Wolf Will Not Come

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The Wolf Will Not Come  by Myriam Ouyessad, illustrated by Ronan Badel
Who its For: Kids
Format: Book

It’s the end of the birthday celebration for Rabbit and time for bed. But Rabbit needs the answer to one burning question before sleep-“Are you sure the wolf will not come?” “Very sure”, Mom reassures little Rabbit. “The wolves are far away in the mountain woods”. But one anxious question leads to another. “There is a woods nearby, how can you be sure there is not a wolf hiding there?” asks Rabbit. “That woods is small. A wolf couldn’t hide there.” “But what if it knows how to stay out of sight?”. Question after question, as Rabbit imagines (with pictures to match on the opposite page) how a clever and crafty wolf could make it all the way to their apartment. Finally, “Goodnight, my Rabbit” says Mom and the room goes dark. Until… [Knock, Knock, Knock!] Who’s that? Is it the WOLF??? What do you think? This book filled with gentle French charm and mild suspense will keep your little ones guessing till the surprise ending.

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Spider in a Glider

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Spider in a Glider by Lesley Sims and David Semple
Format: Book
Who It’s For: Kids

Spider in a Glider is another in the wonderful series of Usborne Phonics Readers. With a great rhyming structure and a terrific story this one will keep your kiddos totally entertained! Spider, a highly accomplished string-spinner is not satisfied. More than anything she wants to fly. But even with her beautifully spun wings, it is just not working. Her friend Beetle has the same passion for flight and he invites Spider to join him in his spiffy homemade glider. They climb aboard and strap in. Dragonfly tows the glider up high in the air! They’re flying!! The two friends loop and glide and enjoy the amazing view, until a sudden thunderstorm pops up. Your littles will love reading about Spider and Beetle’s narrow escape and ongoing friendship. Grownups will also like the helpful phonics information in the back of the book and everyone will enjoy the clear colorful illustrations full of movement and joy.   If you liked Spider in a Glider, try Crow in the Snow, or Bee Makes Tea!

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Dragon Post

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Dragon Post by Emma Yarlett
Format: Book
Who Its For: Children

One day Alex finds a dragon. He’s always wanted one (and who hasn’t, really?) but being an intelligent and thoughtful boy, he quickly realizes he’s a bit over his head in this dragon-rearing adventure. So he reaches out for help with his dragon questions by writing letters to various dragon “experts” and soon receives letters back. Your readers will love opening the mail that Alex receives which are included in the book, and reading the wonderful, quirky replies. Alex follows their helpful instructions as his little friend quickly grows. His kindly experts and friends help Alex to make the best decisions along the way for himself and his dragon. A grand celebration of letter writing, friendship and of course, dragons!

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Quickest Kid in Clarksville

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The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Frank Morrison
Format: Book
Who it’s For: Kids

Alta loves to run. She’s fast too, the fastest kid in all of Clarksville and everyone knows it, even with holes in her soles and dirty laces. But today Alta has something else on her mind. Tomorrow she will get to see her hometown hero in person – none other than the famous runner Wilma Rudolph, three time Olympic gold medalist who’ll be appearing in the big parade in town! Wilma grew up here, like Alta . Her family had little money, like Alta’s. But she overcame illness and impossible odds to make it as an Olympic athlete, just like Alta’s dream. Until Charmaine, with her attitude, her uptown shoes and speed to match moves into the neighborhood. Will Alta still be the quickest kid in Clarksville, just like Wilma? This is a great story of girlhood dreams, inspiration and unexpected friendship.

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