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Can I Be Your Dog?

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!

Can I Be Your Dog? is the title of this delightful book by Troy Cummings, and it’s also the question that Arfy, the protagonist dog of this story, is asking everyone on Butternut Street, via letters sent to each house. First he writes to the “people at the yellow house.” He lets them know he is potty trained and he loves to play. He knows they have a cat, but he’s willing to work with them! Unfortunately the reply with a “no.” Next Arfy writes the “butcher lady.” He’d be a great butcher shop dog! He’d keep the floor super clean! But she’s not interested either. Arfy writes the fire department, the dump, and even the last house on Butternut Street, which appears to have been abandoned, but Arfy isn’t picky, just really lonely. Poor Arfy! But someone is very interested in having him as a dog… The mail carrier who has been delivering all his letters thinks he’s great! This is a heart warming tale of animal adoption that may inspire you to take home your own shelter pet one day! See this book listed in our catalog.

Professional Crocodile

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Submitted by Mr. Eric!

As we go about our day, meeting the various people that come our way, we all subconsciously develop ideas about those people. The older woman on the bus with the yellow coat? She looks like she might be a mom, maybe really good at baking. That man who waved at you as you checked the mail? He clearly is sporty, probably likes to run all the time… for fun. That crocodile with the very snazzy tie who gave you a polite smile on the subway? Who knows what his job is, but it’s clearly important. Professional Crocodile by Giovanna Zoboli, and illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio, is a wordless picture book that asks you to challenge those assumptions. It follows a very professional looking crocodile as he goes about his day before going into work, and what he actually does for a living may be a surprise for some readers. The beautifully detailed illustrations offer a rich view into city life, displaying a wealth of details. Professional Crocodile helps to teach us that no one is what they seem at first glance, and that everyone is much more complex than what you see on the surface. Recommended for: anyone interested in city life, anthropomorphic animals, beautiful illustrations, acts of kindness, and fancy ties. Pro-tip: When reading this book with your child, see if they can guess what the Crocodile does for a living. Is there anything hidden in the book’s illustrations that might offer a clue? See this book listed in our catalog

Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do

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Submitted by Ms. Shannon!

It’s fun to think about what we might be when we grow up and Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Andy Robert Davies, shows so many options. Each time we turn the page, we find a simple rhyme that gives us several clues and asks a question. Who would wear the overalls with a big straw hat? Who would wear an apron, oven mitts, and tall white hat? The illustrations transform this book into the perfect guessing game. We examine all of the clues and use our investigative skills to figure out the mystery jobs. We might even decide what we want to be when we grow up! See this book listed in our catalog

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!

The American Library Association Youth Media Awards were announced this month. It is always an exciting event for librarians when our peers announce their choices for the best children’s books of the year. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, with illustrations by Gordon C. James, received 4 honors, and they were very much deserved in my opinion! Crown is about the transformative power of a really great haircut. It is a tribute to the beauty of African American hair, and “the shop,” a sacred place in African American communities, where barbers elevate their clients with empowering style. A great haircut can make you look like a CEO, make you look majestic, make you look fly. A great haircut can make you feel like royalty! Hello world! Experience the fantastic poetry and paintings of Crown for yourself. You’ll be glad you did. See this book listed in our catalog

Before Morning

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Submitted by Ms. Josie!

Who doesn’t love a good snow day? For some, a snow day means not having to go to school, sipping hot chocolate, or building snowmen. For others, a snow day is a chance to stay home and snuggle close to loved ones. In Before Morning by Joyce Sidman the young daughter of a pilot wishes for a snowfall that will shut down the airport just for one day. Wishing “just this once–change the world before morning,” the young girl gets her wish as her mother returns home from the airport. Together, the young girl and her parents enjoy a family snow day full of sledding, cuddling by the fire, and eating warm desserts. Written in the form of an invocation, a poem that invites something to happen, this heartwarming tale reminds us of the power of words. This book is a quick read in terms of the amount of text, and the muted tones of the illustrations mimic the dreamy and slow pace of falling snow. See this book listed in our catalog

School’s First Day of School

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Submitted by Ms. Josie!

Looking for a book to read on the first day of school? Look no further! School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex is perfect for helping young readers understand those “first-day jitters”and the new experiences that come with starting school for the first time. All summer long, School and Janitor spend many afternoons together and become very good friends. But tomorrow is the first day of school and School is… nervous! What if something goes wrong? What if the children don’t like him? What if School isn’t ready to be a school? Janitor kindly reminds School that everything will be fine. And so, School’s first day of school begins. Many children begin arrive… many more than School thought! The children seem to be everywhere – running, playing, laughing. But a few students are not quite so happy to start school. They are bored, disgruntled, and generally displeased with School. This makes School sad because really, he is trying his best. Then, to make matters worse, School’s fire alarm accidentally goes off… how embarrassing! School’s first day is not going well at all. As the day goes on however, the mood lightens. The children begin to make friends, tell jokes, and sit nicely while listening to their teachers. School even learns and thing or two! The initial nervousness of the day seems to dissipate and School starts warming up to the children. With wise insight from Janitor, School begins to see just how lucky he is to be a school. In fact, he can’t wait for his second day of school. Heartfelt and imaginative, this book promotes empathy as it reminds readers that sometimes, everyone feels nervous and that is completely okay. See this book listed in our catalog