Submitted by Ms. Jill!
Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth, illustrated by Jane Porter. In bouncy dancey, rhyming text, a flock of multicolored ducks throw a sock hop! First they dig through their big box of socks, finding matched pairs in many colors and patterns. Then the duck musicians start the tunes with their banjo, accordion, and harmonica. Soon the whole flock is boogying, line-dancing, and rocking out! They snack and drink (never mind the crumbs and spills!), and dance the night away until their feathers droop and their socks wear out. Happy and tired, the ducks head home to sleep at last. But it won’t be long before they’re back at the Duck Sock Shop, looking for new footwear and dreaming about the next Duck Sock Hop! Porter’s illustrations are a perfect match for Kohuth’s bouncy text, full of bright colors and intricate patterns on the ducks and their socks. We love this book so much, we added it to our “Side By Side” read-along collection! Look for specially labeled copies at the library, and you’ll find suggestions inside for related activities to try with your little one. See this book listed in our catalog
Music
Abiyoyo
I’m a sucker for a book about a magic ukulele (I happen to think all ukuleles are magical). Unfortunately the only one I know of is Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger with illustrations by Michael Hays. Fortunately, it’s a fantastic piece of children’s literature. Pete Seeger adapted this story from an African folktale. He says that when he’d put his kids to sleep, he’d sing them a lullaby, but “when children get to be three of four years old, they realize that lullabyes are propaganda songs” and they’d demand a story instead! Abiyoyo is about a boy with a ukulele, and his magician father. The folks in their town don’t appreciate the boy’s ukulele playing, or his father’s practical jokes involving making things disappear with a “Zoop!” of his magic wand. That is, until the giant, Abiyoyo, comes. Everyone is petrified, as Abiyoyo shakes the ground and swallows livestock whole. Everyone except the boy and his father. They have a plan, that involves that ukulele and that magic wand, that will rid the world of the terrible Abiyoyo, and make them town heroes! This is a wonderful story, with beautiful pictures, and a rollicking ukulele soundtrack. Check it out today! See this book listed in our catalog
Bawk & Roll and Zorro Gets an Outfit
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
It’s a summer of sequels at the library! I’m happy to report that two of my favorite books, Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer and Dan Santat, and Say Hello to Zorro by Carter Goodrich, have delightful sequels that recently came out!
Bawk & Roll continues the story of Marge and Lola, the chicken dancers, hot off the heels of their barn yard talent show victory, now on tour with the one and only Elvis Poultry. But there’s one little problem… Marge and Lola have stage fright! When put in front of a crowd of strangers, they faint! The chickens try different things to calm their nerves. Picture the crowd in their underwear? Doesn’t work. Ease into the show? They should have checked Elvis’s definition of “ease” before they suggested that idea… Elvis warns the chickens if their flock can’t rock, he’ll have to go solo. Can Marge and Lola pull it together and find a way to conquer their stage fright, and show off their sweet moves to the world? You’ll have to read Bawk & Roll to find out! See this book listed in our catalog
Zorro and Mister Bud are living the good life, and today started out like every other day–they woke up, ate their biscuits, and got ready for their walk, but today… there was a delay. Someone got Zorro and outfit. A blue doggy-super-hero cape. And he has to wear it. Zorro is embarrassed. All the other dogs howl with laughter when they see Zorro in his new outfit. Zorro is miserable. Until they get to the park and they meet another dog with an outfit! And this dog is awesome! He’s fast and he does tricks! Zorro realizes he can wear an outfit and still be cool. See this book listed in our catalog
If You’re a Monster and You Know It
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
If You’re a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley. Children will love this book. Yes, it’s the old classic “If You’re Happy And You Know It” done with a delightful monster twist. Fans of the Emberleys’ previous works will recognize these goofy monsters (not too scary) and will welcome the chance to sing along with them. Children will even get a chance to “snort and growl,” “twitch your tail,” and wiggle their warts! It is sure to be a favorite! See this book listed in our catalog
Penny and Her Song
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
In Penny and Her Song Kevin Henkes introduces us to a new character. A character just as interesting and unique as Owen or Lily. A character who loves to sing. This is a fun story of self-confidence, and finding joy in the simple things. Penny arrives home from school wanting to sing her song for her family. After both mom and dad interrupt her performance to remind her that the babies are sleeping and she needs to be quiet, Penny determines to sing her song for herself. But she discovers that singing to herself is just not the same as singing for someone else. She searches her room for someone to perform for without success. Finally, her parents come to her rescue, and Penny gets to sing her song. This book just might inspire readers to create their own songs. In fact that would be a fun activity to do with this book! See this book listed in our catalog
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out
Submitted by Ms. Amanda!
We all know the song “The Eensy Weensy Spider” and can sing it on cue, but what happens if the Eensy Weensy Spider doesn’t want to go back up the water spout? The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Troy Cummings is the story of what happens when the sun dries up all the rain and the Eensy Weensy Spider does not climb up the water spout again. Eensy Weensy is just too scared to climb the spout again. The next day the story is all over the Web and she is so embarrassed. Her friend the ladybug tries to cheer her up and get her climbing again. First, Eensy climbs a flower pot and realizes that climbing isn’t so bad. Next, the ladybug encourages her to climb a fireplug, and a dog, and then a mail box, and finally back up the water spout! Eensy is so excited she doesn’t want to stop climbing, so she climbs a crane, a hotel, a radio tower, and then to the tip-top of a rocket ship! She realizes that even though she fell down the water spout the world is a big place with lots of places to climb, and even though she fell down she should try again. This is a great twist on an old favorite. See this book listed in out catalog