Submitted by Ms. Janis!
In Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson Otto is no ordinary story book character. When no one is looking, he comes to life! Otto loves to walk off of the pages of his book, but one day his book is taken away while he is off exploring, and he then sets off on a grand adventure to find a new home. He finally realizes that this is an awfully big world for such a small bear and he misses his warm book. Will Otto ever find the perfect home? The illustrations are sweet and the story will have young readers watching their bookshelves in hopes of spotting wandering book creatures. This charming story is sure to delight book lovers everywhere. See this book listed in our catalog
Libraries or Books
Pick a Pup
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
Pick a Pup by Marsha Wilson Chall, with illustrations by Jed Henry, is a wonderful story about a boy’s first dog. Sam is so excited. His grandma is taking him to the animal shelter to pick out a dog! Sam is very smart. He looks at many books about dogs, to try to figure out what dog would be best for him. But he can’t decide! He takes a long walk through his community, meeting all his friends and neighbors’ dogs. What would be best for him? A sit-in-your-lap, likes-to-take-a-nap, hardly-makes-a-peep, mostly-sound-asleep dog? Or a runs-right-up, always-wakes-you-up, dances-for-a-bone, hates-to-play-alone dog? A dog with a pedigree? Or one that’s a “potluck” mix? When the time comes to take a shelter puppy home, Sam is anxious. He still hasn’t decided! But then, a puppy chooses him, in a lovely, serendipitous moment! This book teaches a fabulous lesson about pet ownership: be prepared! Do your research, and if possible, adopt the breed of your choice from a shelter. See this book listed in our catalog
Dinosaur vs. the Library
Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
When last we met our friend the Dinosaur, he was out defeating bowls of spaghetti, giant slides, and talking grown-ups. And, while bedtime did indeed defeat the Dinosaur in the end, we all knew he would be back to “Roar!” another day. In Bob Shea’s Dinosaur Vs. The Library, our friend the Dinosaur meets many new friends, and teaches them how to “Roar!” Soon cows, baby chicks, and even shy turtles and sad owls are roaring away with the awesome Dinosaur! But what will happen when the Dinosaur goes to the library? Will he be able to use his inside roar? When it’s story time, will he be able to keep his roars to himself altogether? Bob Shea’s illustrations are funny and adorable. Anyone who has a little dinosaur at home will recognize just how hard it can be to use inside roars sometimes. However, as the Dinosaur learns, when you stay quiet to hear a book at story time at the library, everybody wins. See this book listed in our catalog
Waiting for the Biblioburro
Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
Reading is something that many children do every day with their families, but for children who live in places without a library nearby having new books can be a very special treat. In Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown, with illustrations by John Parra, we learn the true story of Luis Soriano Bohorquez, a traveling librarian who brought books to children in small villages all across the country of Columbia. In the story we meet Ana, a young girl who loves to read but has not had any new books since her teacher had to move away. One day the Biblioburro comes to town! Ana is happy to learn that libraries don’t have to be in buildings, and can even travel by burro, or donkey. Ana borrows many books, and waits impatiently for the Biblioburro to return. While she waits, she writes her own book about the Biblioburro, which the traveling librarian adds to his collection so that other children can read her story. Anyone with a love of books and libraries will be enchanted by this book. If your child wants to know more about the Biblioburro, the author includes information about the real librarian that inspired the story. With gorgeous illustrations, and beautiful storytelling, this is a book that children and adults will enjoy together. See this book listed in our catalog
Pond Walk
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
Pond Walk by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. Buddy Bear and his mother spend a summer day at Pete’s Pond. Buddy hopes to spot a turtle. He draws many of the plants, bugs, and animals he sees at the pond. His mom takes a field guide book, and reads information about what they see at the pond. They see ducks and geese, a beetle, a frog, cattails, duckweed, water lilies, dragonflies, a salamander, and a pond skater. Buddy does see a turtle briefly, and also sees a cloud shaped like a turtle. The author/illustrator uses mixed-media collage illustrations (cut paper, photographs, and colored pencil) to make this book visually appealing. She even includes instructions to make a turtle out of a rock! See this book listed in our catalog
Read to Tiger
The little boy in Read to Tiger by S.J. Fore just wants to read his book! He’s all settled on the couch, with the cushions and the lamp fixed just right, a book in his lap–it’s time to read. But there’s one big problem: Tiger. Noisy, fun-loving Tiger is playing behind the couch, and his antics make it impossible for our young hero to concentrate on his book! First Tiger is loudly chomping on gum. Then he’s growling like a bear. Then he’s Karate Tiger, practicing his kicks with shouts of “Hi-Yah!” Each time, the boy admonishes Tiger to be quiet, and each time Tiger is sorry and promises to stop his noisy play. But the big cat just can’t seem to contain himself. Soon he’s playing train–“Choo! Choo!” And even when the boy finally gets Tiger to lie down quietly, he still manages to interrupt. In the end, the long-suffering young reader finds a solution that makes both boy and tiger happy. (And if you want more Tiger, read his first book, Tiger Can’t Sleep) See this book listed in our catalog