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Being Different

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

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Title: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
Format: Audiobook, also available in print and e-book
Who’s it for: Adults

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up and dive into the circus world of the 1800s through the eyes of Mercy Lavinia Warren Stratton (Bump) who stood only 32 inches tall as a full-grown adult woman.

Born as an average-sized newborn who stopped growing at the age of 10, she was a perfectly formed lady in miniature size. She grew up on a farm in Middleborough, MA. She become a teacher, but realized life called to her in other ways. Looking for a new adventure when who should knock upon the family’s door but someone claiming to be her cousin. This cousin offered up a grand opportunity for Miss Lavinia to join his traveling steamship performing show. This type of performing show was not what Lavinia wanted by way of adventure. By a stroke of odd luck, the Civil War interrupted the show and allowed Miss Lavinia to present herself to the greatest showman on earth, P.T. Barnum. Welcomed with open arms into P.T. Barnum’s various shows and endeavors, this novel takes on a platonic love story between P.T. Barnum and Lavinia. Lavinia went on to marry one of P.T. Barnum’s very best friends, General Tom Thumb, and while she was a loyal wife, he was not her dream husband. Join Lavinia, General Tom Thumb, and P.T. Barnum in an intimate look at their personal and professional lives.

A novel of triumphant and heartbreak that remains painfully beautiful. Anyone who enjoys circus literature or enjoyed watching The Greatest Showman should give this historical fictionalized biography a try. Read or listen through to the author’s notes at the end, and learn to accept the humbugs for what they are: entertainment. Check out the audio or print version in our catalog.

The Graveyard Book

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Format: Full cast digital audiobook
Who it’s for: Teens and Adults

Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is a young boy being raised by ghosts in a graveyard. Living in a graveyard brings adventure, excitement, and a bit of danger. He must stay in the graveyard, for leaving would bring the man Jack, who has already killed Bod’s family. Follow Bod as he grows up and learns the secrets of the graveyard. This Newbery Medal, Carnegie Medal, and Hugo Award winning novel appeals to both teens and adults. The full cast recording was the 2015 Audie Award winner for Multi-Voiced Performance and Children’s Titles for Ages 8-12.
Find it on hoopla digital

Teddy’s Favorite Toy

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!

In Teddy’s Favorite Toy by Christian Trimmer, and illustrated by Madeline Valentine, the titular Teddy has a lot of cool toys. He’s got a hula hoop, and blocks, and puzzles, and a karaoke machine. But his absolute favorite toy is a doll: Bren-Da, Warrior Queen of Pacifica. Bren-Da has great table manners, and fierce fighting skills, and she can pull off a number of looks. Yas, queen! But one day Bren-Da’s leg snaps off! Teddy tries to put her back together to no avail, and when he sadly heads off to school his mom accidentally throws Bren-Da away! When Teddy gets home he immediately realizes what’s wrong, and his mom springs into action! She chases down the garbage truck and saves Bren-Da! This is a heart warming story about a cool kid, a cool toy, and cool mom. Yas, queen! See this book listed in our catalog

Carrot & Pea

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Submitted by Ms. Karen

Carrot & Pea: An Unlikely Friendship written and illustrated by Morag Hood. “We go together like peas and carrots” it has been said. But, hold up! Peas and carrots are NOTHING alike! How is it that they can be friends at all? Lee is a pea and knows all about this veggie dilemma. All his friends are peas, except Colin who is a carrot stick. Colin is different from the peas in so many ways (too tall, for one) and for obvious reasons cannot do the things peas love to do like roll and bounce. But Colin’s carrot-y qualities give him some mad skills that Lee and the peas have come to deeply appreciate and that make Colin a super friend to have! A great little story for young readers and listeners about friendship in spite of, and even because of, our differences. See this book listed in our catalog

I am NOT a Chair!

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Submitted by special guest blogger Ms. Andrea!

I am NOT a Chair! by Ross Burach is a comical case of mistaken identity. Poor Giraffe endures quite the adventure on his first day in the jungle: he has been mistaken for a chair by all his animal friends. He goes to great lengths to get the animals in the kingdom to understand that he is just like them and certainly not a piece of furniture for lounging on. Children will enjoy all the onomatopoeia and interactions with the reader, while adults will find humor in the surprise ending. This book is definitely a great read-aloud story. See this book listed in our catalog

Mervin the Sloth Is About To Do the Best Thing In the World

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Submitted by Ms. Karen!

Mervin the Sloth Is About To Do the Best Thing In the World  written by Colleen Venable, illustrated by Ruth Chan. What? Giant falling letters? A bold announcement? “Mervin the sloth is about to do the best thing in the world.” So cool! But what IS the Best Thing in the World? Animal friends from far and near begin arriving and try to guess what the Best Thing might be. Surely flying is the Best Thing? Maybe digging? Or time travel? But Mervin is a sloth, and sloths move S—L—O—W—L—Y. So slowly that the animals just can’t figure out Mervin’s plan. As they watch and debate, page by page, they begin to lose interest and wander away, all but the little red panda that has been there from the start. “Come back, you’re going to miss it!” the excited panda cries. The animals hurry back just in time to see… the Best Thing in the World!  Watch each page for Mervin’s tiny movements and see if you can guess what he will do! See this book listed in our catalog