Submitted by Sue from Leonardtown!
The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. This sweet rhyming story about a scarecrow’s place on the farm, and the magical night he becomes free from his post, will enchant young readers and inspire them to rhyme. The full page, beautiful illustrations are done in acryl gouache and watercolor. Scarecrow finds himself free from his post one early autumn night. He skips through the fields and farm, and dances under the moon. As he passes by the farm house, he hears a young boy’s prayer for the farm and for him. Scarecrow is touched, and understands where he belongs, and his importance for the first time. He dances back towards his pole back in his field, and kneels to pray of rain, and sod, and faith, and beauty. “For anyone can dance,” thought he, “But only I can keep fields free.” See this book listed in our catalog
On the Farm
Book! Book! Book!
Submitted by county youth coordinator Janis!
Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss. When the children go back to school after summer vacation, all the animals are bored. Hen announces she is going to town to find something to do. She sees happy children coming from the library, so each animal decides to go inside the library. However, the librarian cannot understand the animals, so she chases each one out. The hen finally goes inside, and flaps her wings and says, “Book! Book! Book!” The librarian complies, and the group of animals head back to the farm, each with a book. They are sitting under a tree reading, having a story time of their own in one of the great illustrations in this book. This is a great book for talking about the sequence of the story. What happens, first, second, and last is an important early literacy skill, to focus on comprehension. See this book listed in our catalog
The Nest Where I Like to Rest
Submitted by county youth coordinator Janis!
The Nest Where I Like to Rest: Sign Language for Animals by Dawn Prochovnic. This book features a silly story. There is one related sign highlighted on each page. The text is lively, and the illustrations are colorful and cartoon like. The book uses a cumulative structure to introduce signs as a chicken’s nest receives many visitors. The book contains a glossary of signs, including illustrations and descriptions of how to produce the signs, as well as “Fun Facts about ASL.” It even includes “Signing Activities.” The structure of the story provides a great way to introduce and reinforce basic ASL vocabulary for hearing children. See this book listed in our catalog
14 Cows for America
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This book immediately caught my eye and I couldn’t help but stop what I was doing (at work) and thumb through the pages. I’m pretty sure that the emotional impact of it will affect anyone who reads the book, or has it read to them. It may not be suitable for a very young child, but younger children, adolescents, and grown-ups alike will feel the power and the overwhelming message of caring, understanding, and compassion that this wonderful book conveys. The Maasai Tribe live in a remote part of Kenya, but not so remote that the sad news of the September 11th attacks doesn’t eventually reach their ears. As the tragic events of that day are reported, the decision is made to hold a special ceremony to honor the United States, during which the Massai will pledge their most precious commodity to the USA: a small herd of cows. This is a basic synopsis, because the way the story is described, and the amazing art work in the book itself, requires no major build up. If it doesn’t leave you with tears in your eyes, it will at least give you chills, the kind of chills you experience when moved by something extraordinary. See this book listed in our catalog
Dog Wants to Play
Submitted by Melissa from Lexington Park!
Dog Wants to Play by Christine McDonnell is a delightful tale with adorable illustrations. Throughout the book, the optimistic little pup approaches his farm mates with a request to play. His excitement diminishes with each rejection, but finally he meets a companion who is willing to play all day! This book is written in rhyme and has a few repeating verses, making the book both pleasant to listen to, and engaging for a young listener. The clear pictures, simple story, and familiar objects in the illustrations allow readers to ask open ended questions about the images and words. Such books lend themselves to imaginative story telling and will encourage young readers and listeners to go beyond the words on the page and tell their own story! See this book listed in our catalog
Comin’ Down to Storytime
Submitted by county youth coordinator Janis!
Comin’ Down to Storytime by Rob Reid. This great picture book could definitely be used as a beginning book/song for every story time. This book is taken from the favorite song “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain!” The author uses animals to depict the children at story time. The verses include “We’ll be comin’ down to storytime when we come. Yee ha!” “hear a funny story,” “say a nursery rhyme,” “make a fingerplay,” and so on, as all the farm animals run excitedly to the barn. It ends with, “We will check out lots of books when we leave, Bye Now!” The animals exit, each with at least one book in hand, and are shown on or under a big tree, reading. See this book listed in our catalog