Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
If there’s one thing our library never seems to run out of, it’s books about the Christmas holiday! Ask your librarians to suggest some titles if you’re feeling overwhelmed. One of my favorites is The Longest Christmas List Ever by Gregg and Evan Spiridellis. Meet Trevor–a precocious young boy who couldn’t be more excited to open presents Christmas morning! Santa Claus got him everything he asked for! But, oh no! He forgot one important thing! A fluffy brown puppy! So Trevor decides to start his letter to Santa early. He writes it all year long. Every time he thinks of another thing he needs, he jots it down. Soon the list is 500 feet long, and to mail it will cost 6 trillion dollars! Trevor decides to downsize, but it’s too late! He’s missed Santa’s deadline! “What was I thinking? Where was my head? I asked for too much–I’ll get nothing instead!” he laments. But when he wakes up in the morning, there’s a puppy there waiting for him! Mom and Dad must have gotten a letter off to Santa in the meantime, and Trevor learns “It takes love–not toys–to bring Christmas cheer.” See this book listed in our catalog
Humour
Do Unto Otters
Submitted by Allana from Leonardtown!
Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller. A great way for preschoolers to learn about manners, being friendly, and a good neighbor, is by reading this really fun book. Mr. Rabbit comes skipping along, minding his own business, and singing his “Doo de doo” song. Suddenly he is FACE TO FACE with his new neighbors, three otters, and the look on his face is priceless. DONK! Mr. Rabbit certainly seems worried about the new neighbors, but when his wise friend explains about treating “otters” the way you would want them to treat you, he begins to understand how being a good neighbor works. In a very amusing way, we learn how Mr. Rabbit would like to be treated, for example, politeness, co-operation, (or co-otteration) and kindness. “Everyone appreciates a kind act, no matter how bad it smells,” (the otters may present him with some stinky fish). Mr. Rabbit can say “please,” “thank-you,” and “excuse me,” in 5 different languages! He talks about sharing, forgiveness, and teasing. We get the impression that the Otters and Mr. Rabbit will get along well, and Mr. Rabbit can sing his “doo de doo” song with no complaints, and the Otters won’t laugh at his bad “hare” days, or his extra large swim fins. See this book listed in our catalog
I’m Not Santa!
Submitted by Carol from Charlotte Hall!
I’m Not Santa! by Jonathan Allen is a really cute story about an owl and a bunny rabbit. One day Owl is out playing in the snow when he runs into Rabbit. Rabbit immediately thinks Owl is Santa. Owl does have a Santa hat on but he insists he is not Santa. Rabbit keeps on and on and even breaks down crying, so Owl finally tells rabbit that he is Santa. Rabbit now realizes that Owl really is not Santa, and by the end of the story both Owl and Rabbit are upset and crying. Who will save the day? Will it be the guy in the big red suit himself? A very cute Christmas story. See this book listed in our catalog
The Duchess of Whimsy
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
The Duchess of Whimsy: An Absolutely Delicious Fairy Tale by Randall de Seve and Peter de Seve has stolen my heart. The Duchess of Whimsy truly lives up to her title. She is known throughout the land for her unique fashion, fabulous parties, and versatile friends. The Earl of Norm, on the other hand, is quite ordinary. He’s only invited to her soirees because he’s a friend of the king, but he only attends because he’s in love with her. He tries to capture her attention by composing poetry, borrowing flamboyant capes from his brother, even bringing a giraffe to court, all to no avail. One evening, the royal cook takes ill. What shall the Duchess’s guests have to eat? Perhaps the Earl of Norm can finally impress her with his culinary skills! He makes the only thing he knows how: a grilled cheese sandwich. Will the Duchess finally realize that ordinary can be extraordinary? You’ll have to check this fantastic book out today to find out! See this book listed in our catalog
Let’s Do Nothing
Submitted by Catherine from Charlotte Hall!
Ever been so tired that you don’t want to do anything? In fact, you just want to do nothing! In Tony Fucile’s Let’s Do Nothing! two little boys are so tired from games, sports, baking, coloring, and every other thing they can think of, they decide to just do nothing. While the one, Sal, is able to relax enough to enjoy the prospect of doing nothing, his friend Frankie is less settled. Trying to imagine himself a statue in central park leads to shooing pigeons, and being a tree in the forest makes for a wet situation with a puppy. In the end, the boys decide that maybe doing something is just a bit more fun, especially with a friend. See this book listed in our catalog
The Composer Is Dead
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
The Composer Is Dead is a wonderful book by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Carson Ellis, and featuring music by Nathaniel Stookey! As the title indicates, the composer is, well, decomposing, and it’s up to one handsome and intelligent inspector to find the culprit. He will question the entire orchestra! Is the murderer lurking in the strings? No–they were performing waltzes all night. How about the woodwinds? Inspector thinks they’re pretty sneaky until the clarinets compliment the shiny buttons on his jacket. It might be the brass! But they were off playing important songs, as they boisterously proclaim. It must be the conductor! Wherever you find a conductor you find a dead composer! Beethoven, Bach, Brahms–all dead! Actually, anyone who plays an instrument is guilty of butchering a composer every now and then… If you want justice, go to the police, “but those who want something a little more interesting should go to the orchestra!” See this book listed in our catalog