Submitted by Ms. Janis!
In Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse, by Rebecca Janni, it is Nellie Sue’s birthday, and all she wants is a horse. Before her birthday party she has to finish her chores, including filling her dog Ginger’s “trough” (his water bowl), harvesting the hay (rake the yard), and rounding up the cattle (gather the neighborhood kids for her party). She drops plenty of horsey hints to her parents along the way. After lunch, there is still no horse, but there are johnnycakes—birthday cupcakes—with a herd of her friends. Finally, Nellie Sue gets her present, but it has handlebars, and “wheels where hoofs should be.” She is disappointed, and has to trade her cowboy hat for a helmet, but discovers that her new “horse” is perfect for riding the trails! The colorful, animated illustrations, filled with amusing details, set Nellie Sue’s cowgirl-imagined world in familiar, contemporary settings, all touched with plenty of pink. See this book listed in our catalog
In Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots, by Rebecca Janni, Nellie Sue is back, with a new pair of dancing boots. Nellie knows that dancing would be more fun with friends, but the new girls in the neighborhood are ballerinas. Nellie decides to throw a Barnyard Bash, and invite the whole neighborhood. With her big imagination, Nellie transforms the garage into the perfect place for a hoedown. She makes refrestments, and waits for her guests to arrive. Will Nellie Sue have anyone to dance with? This book also has great illustrations, and is a good story about a little cowgirl. See this book listed in our catalog
Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Owen & Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumba is the incredible true story of a very unusual friendship between a baby hippo and a 130 year old giant tortoise. In December 2004 there was a tsunami in Southeast Asia, during which a very scared baby hippo was left stranded and all alone. After his rescue, he was placed in an enclosure where he quickly scrambled over to an old tortoise and adopted him as his mother. The tortoise was not sure of this baby hippo at first, but it wasn’t long before they became inseparable, and an unexpected friendship evolved. This is a very unusual friendship, and a true story about how animals can decide to be friends no matter how different they are. See this book listed in our catalog
Running with the Horses
Submitted by Ms. Allana!
Running with the Horses, written and illustrated by Australian author Alison Lester, is a wonderful book that tells the story of Nina and an old cab horse named Zelda, and takes place in Austria during the 2nd world war. The story is alive with excitement and danger as the terrible images of war loom closer and closer to home, and young Nina has to flee over the mountains with her father. They are attempting to rescue some Lipizzaner stallions from the riding school with the help of their friend Karl. The old cab horse grows weary and seems unlikely to be able to continue, but as the story unfolds, we see that she is vital to the rescue mission. Running with the Horses is a beautiful and inspirational story for readers of all ages. See this book listed in our catalog
Moon Rabbit and Brown Rabbit in the City
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
Natalie Russell, a talented artist from Scotland, was inspired by the rabbits that happily live on the hillsides next the railway station in her hometown, to create Moon Rabbit, a beautiful story about Little Rabbit, a big city rabbit who has grown disenchanted with city life. Yes, the city can be wonderful, with so many things to see and do, but even surrounded by the hustle and bustle, she grows lonely. She looks up at the moon at night, and wonders if there’s another rabbit out there, a rabbit she could laugh with. Someone like her. One day, while relaxing in the park, she meets Brown Rabbit, a charming rabbit who lives in the park. They dance together, and listen to each other’s stories, and have fun together. They become very good friends. But the city is Little Rabbit’s home, and she must return. Brown Rabbit says goodbye, but not for long… See this book listed in our catalog
Because he is visiting her the very next day! In Brown Rabbit in the City Little Rabbit can’t wait to show Brown Rabbit all the sights and sounds of the busy city. They must have carrot cake at her favorite cafe, and visit her favorite art gallery, and go into all her favorite shops. “Hurry up!” she says as they race across the street, to catch a train, to go to a party. Little Rabbit wants to go dancing, but all Brown Rabbit wants is a quiet moment for the two of them to catch up. “I came to see you, not the city,” he tells her. From then on they stroll together, and spend time in quiet gardens. It is obvious this is a friendship that will last and last! See this book listed in our catalog
Monday Is One Day
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
Monday can be the worst day of the week for families with young children. It’s the day caregivers must go back to work, after spending the whole weekend with their little ones. But saying goodbye before work doesn’t have to be so sad. Monday Is One Day by Arthur A. Levine, with illustrations by Julian Hector, is a book especially for grown ups to read to the children they take care of as they head off for another week on the job. Every day is given a special way to send someone off to their job: you can snuggle with dad, or help him pick out his tie! You can stomp in puddles with mom, or give her raspberries on the nose! The book features many diverse families caring for one another: single parents, same-sex parents, and grandparents are all featured. It also features diverse locations: cities, suburbs, and farms! Because the love of one’s family is universal. Reading this book to your child is a wonderful way to say “Monday through Sunday, the whole week through, each day I count the ways I love to be with you!” See this book listed in our catalog
Dinosaurs Love Underpants
Submitted by Ms. Amanda!
Have you ever wondered what happened to all the dinosaurs? Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freeman and Ben Cort solves the mystery… the Mighty Underpants War! Long ago, cavemen felt embarrassed about being nude, so they made underpants. When the T. Rex saw the underpants, he wanted some right away. He tried to steal the caveman’s underpants, but they didn’t quite fit. The Triceratops, Styracosauras, Stegosaurus, and the Diplodocus all wanted underpants too, so they stole the cavemen’s underpants, and tried to make some of their own. But no matter what they did, there just wasn’t enough underpants for all the dinos to enjoy. The dinos were undies crazy, and the cavemen didn’t know what to do. Until one night, the dinos fought, and tugged, and tore the underpants to bits, and in all the crazy fighting all the dinos were wiped out! Can you believe that underpants saved mankind? This book makes me giggle every time I read it. Its adorable rhymes, colorful illustrations, and absurd explanation of how dinosaurs became extinct is a great read that tickles your funny bone no matter how old you are! See this book listed in our catalog