Submitted by special guest blogger Ms. Jen from the Lexington Park branch!
I’m a Shark by Bob Shea is awesome, beginning on page one, when you meet the awesomest shark ever! Because sharks are quite awesome, in case you didn’t know. His sidekicks, a bright orange crab, and tiny yellow fish, cheerily wave him on. This super-brave shark goes on to list all the things he isn’t afraid of–shots, scary movies, dinosaurs, the dark–with wit and style. The illustrations in this book are simple but fabulous. The illustrative style allows you to enjoy the lighthearted tone and the text. What’s this shark afraid of? Nothing it seems… Scary squids? Bring them on! Bears? No problem! The dark? According to this awesome shark–“Dark heard I was coming and ran!” Kids will giggle with this book’s silliness, but even the awesomest shark ever is afraid of something–spiders! However, he bravely claims that swimming away isn’t scared, it’s smart! This book is sure to become a favorite with everyone. If you want to read something truly awesome, check it out! See this book listed in our catalog
Bugs
My Friends the Flowers
Submitted by Ms. Tammy!
My Friends the Flowers by William Lach. Follow along as a friend of the flowers introduces you to each of his unique flower friends. Some of his friends live in the country fields, suburban streets, or city towers. Each page displays one on his flower friends describing their characteristics or temperament. He visits with Marigold, who scares all the bugs, Sunflower, who is basking in the sun while an ant lays on his leaf sipping tea, and Snapdragon, who is spicy-sweet and eager to attack. As you meet each flower you’ll enjoy the bright colors and expressions shared by them and their bug friends. You may be surprised to learn the story is being told by a bumble bee! The glossary is organized in the order that the flowers appeared in the story. Each flower has a color photo along with the scientific name and formal name in parentheses. There are instructions for growing 3 different flower gardens: a Bug-Scaring garden, a Sun-Loving garden, or a Fast-Growing garden. See this book listed in our catalog
Monkey Truck, Tiny Little Fly, and Chicken Chicken Duck
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
Enjoy these books about animal noises:
It’s Monkey Truck to the rescue! Oo! Eee! Ooo! Aaah! This helpful, banana gas burning monkey is who the Jungle King calls when the underbrush is in trouble. Are the hippos stuck? Are the snakes tied in a knot? Have no fear, Monkey Truck is near! The vivid and cartoon like illustrations add to the comedy of this tale. Delightful and fast, Monkey Truck by Michael Slack will be a treat for those little boys on the go. See this book listed in our catalog
Crush! Squash! Snatch! “I’m going to catch that fly,” or so think the Elephant, Hippo, and Tiger. But no… the tiny little fly is too smart, and it’s those big, clumsy mammals who end up in a lot of muddy muck. Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen, with illustrations by Kevin Waldron, has larger than life images that compliment this teasing tale of a fly who knows how to get by. See this book listed in our catalog
Maa! Baa! Snuffle! Cluck! Quack! Name those animals, and match that sound! That’s the point of this animal round. Bright, realistically drawn animals pile in a stack–Quack! Introduce your children to animal sounds with the book Chicken, Chicken, Duck by Nadia Krilanovich. This could be read over and over and over… in many different and fun ways! See this book listed in our catalog
Owly & Wormy: Friends All Aflutter!
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I was very excited (perhaps a little too excited) to discover that Andy Runton, creator of one of my absolute favorite graphic novel series, the Owly books, has a brilliant new picture book! Friends All Aflutter is in the same wordless style as Runton’s books for older kids, but in a new format, friendly for younger children. Much beloved characters Owly and Wormy are interested in butterflies. They figure they need to plant some flowers to attract butterflies, so they go to the nursery. But when their flowers bloom, there are caterpillars living in them instead! Owly and Wormy are mildly outraged by this turn of events, but grow extremely fond of the caterpillars over time. So fond, in fact, that they are terribly sad to learn their caterpillar friends must go away for the colder seasons! Owly and Wormy miss their new friends, but won’t they be surprised when they get the butterflies they originally wished for in the spring? Friends All Aflutter is charming in so many ways. I love how clearly Runton tells the story without any text. I love the message of friendship and devotion it delivers. I even love that when Owly has an idea it’s illustrated by the appearance of an energy efficient light bulb above his head! I’ve had the pleasure to meet Andy Runton, and have a book signed by him, and he was a super sweet guy, so I might be a little bias, but I assure you I am not the only person at this library that adores Owly. Every time I put an Owly book on display, it is checked out within 24 hours. Every single time. So I simply must implore you to do yourself and your little one a favor by checking out the sufficiently delightful Friends All Aflutter ASAP. I do not think you’ll be disappointed 🙂 See this book listed in our catalog
A Paddling of Ducks
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I have a confession to make. I am a huge nerd. For multiple reasons, one of them being that I have an until-just-now secret fascination with knowing the proper terms used to describe groups of animals. That is why A Paddling of Ducks by Marjorie Blain Parker and Joseph Kelly is the perfect book for me, and possibly your curious little one. Told from A to Z, and morning to night, it lists the names of animal groups like: a bask of crocodiles, a party of jays, a crash of rhinos, and a swarm of yellow jackets! And the illustrations are not to be missed! They lavishly depict our furry, feathered, scaly, or insect friends doing things they don’t normally do like: an anteater typing on a laptop, quail driving scooters, toads knitting, and wolves playing chess! This book is a fantastic tool to reinforce alphabet skills, and knowing what different animals do and don’t do. See this book listed in our catalog