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Animals

Counting Creatures

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Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Sharon King-Chai
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous book this is! A simple premise of how many babies does each animal have, with sumptuous color and lift-the flap excitement makes Counting Creatures one of my newest faves. Children will enjoy guessing how many babies will be revealed under each flap and then counting them with you. The author does a great job with accurate terminology for each kind of baby as well. (Leverets, anyone?) As Donaldson gets to the end, when more and more babies come to be, she adds a surprise that will have you turning right back to the first page to start over! Snuggle up with your littles to Counting Creatures, you will love this one.

Find Counting Creatures in the catalog

The Barnabus Project

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The Barnabus Project by Terry, Eric, and Devin Fan
Format: Book, eBook
Who it’s for: Kids

A 2021-2022 Black Eyed Susan Book Award nominee, The Barnabus Project tells the story of Barabus, a “failed project” living in a glass jar under the Perfect Pets store. Barnabus and his friends were created in the lab under the store, but didn’t quite turn out as expected. Barnabus, half elephant and half mouse, discovers that he and his friends are about to be recycled. Cue the escape scene! Barnabus and the other “failed” projects work together to try to make it to the outside world they’ve heard so much about.

Terry and Eric Fan are known as The Fan Brothers, a writer-illustrator duo responsible for such works as The Night Gardener, named an ALA Notable Children’s Book. In The Barnabus Project, they are joined by their brother Devin in his debut. The brothers’ artistic style is almost cinematic and the details will keep everyone interested.

Some aspects of the story are a bit dark (there are scary green-suited figures, and the lab itself is depicted as quite dark and mysterious), and the story brings up questions about what “perfect” and “failed” really might mean, so parents and caregivers may want to read The Barnabus Project before sharing with the kids in their lives to be sure it will appeal to them.

Find The Barnabus Project in the catalog.

The Silver Arrow

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The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Dear Uncle Herbert,
You’ve never met me but I’m your niece Kate, and since it’s my birthday tomorrow and you are super rich do you think you could please send me a present?
Warmly,
Kate

Kate has no idea when she writes this letter to her Uncle Herbert, whom she has never met, but is told is very rich and very irresponsible, that he will actually show up on her birthday with a present.

She certainly has no idea that the present will be an actual steam engine called “The Silver Arrow.”

She really couldn’t have guessed that tracks would suddenly appear from her backyard into the woods beyond, and that the train will take off along them.

She couldn’t have even had an inkling that talking animals will be waiting with tickets at magic train stops all over the world, and she and her little brother Tom are expected to conduct them to their destinations.

These are the first of many surprises for Kate as she embarks on an adventure filled with thrills and chills in this novel for children by Lev Grossman (author of The Magicians novels for adults) which makes a wonderful read-aloud for families to share together.

Find The Silver Arrow in the catalog

The Rock from the Sky

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The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Kids

Do you have a favorite chair in your house, or a favorite table at a café; that one place where you feel at peace? And don’t you hate it when someone is in that spot? Well, Turtle can relate. He has a favorite spot, too. One day his spot changes—a huge rock falls from the sky, right on his spot! Follow Turtle and his two friends, Armadillo and Snake, as they navigate the uncertainties of the future and how to deal with a bad feeling that just won’t go away.

While this book may be intended for younger audiences, it is absolutely delightful! The dialogue is light and dynamic, making it the perfect choice for story time with your children, or if you just need a good pick-me-up. There are subtle shifts in color schemes that pair beautifully with the pace of the book, and who wouldn’t enjoy a little turtle in a top hat?

Find The Rock from the Sky in the catalog.

This Zoo is Not For You

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This Zoo Is Not For You by Ross Collins
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Did you know you need an interview to be seen at the zoo? When one platypus answers the call for hire, they may find that the zoo is not as welcoming as it seems. After multiple rejections from the current zoo residents for not meeting their very particular requirements, perhaps the most a platypus can do is continue being themselves and make sure that the place that they belong is welcoming to everyone.

This adorably illustrated story in rhyme is a wonderful message for being inclusive and welcoming when meeting new people. Sometimes we can be quick to judge whether or not someone is “enough” for our established circles. Sometimes we wonder whether we can fit in or contribute something special to a new group. Sometimes it takes one brave and unique person to break down barriers and create a place where the uninvited are always invited! Whether you’ve been the platypus or a current member of a zoo looking for someone new, this picture book will remind you that even if the zoo is not for you, there’s always room for you on the platybus!

Find This Zoo is Not For You in the catalog here!

Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals

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Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals
by Katy S. Duffield and illustrated by Mike Orodan
Format: Book

Animal lovers around the world are building wildlife crossings. Over, under, around and through construction by humans. We humans build ways for us to get through with roads and overpasses, tunnels and more. But what happens when our construction encroaches on animal habitat? All around the world people that love animals are finding ways of building crossings that help animals get safely back around, under, over and through the roads that we humans have built.

Woven rope bridges for Squirrel Gliders in Australia. A tiny tunnel under the pavement in New Zealand for Blue Penguins. Blue tight rope bridges above roads for Titi Monkeys in Costa Rica are just a few of the wildlife crossings that have been constructed, just for the protection, of animals around the world.

You will be intrigued by the beautiful illustrations in this non-fiction book!

Find it in the catalog!