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Rhyming

Counting Creatures

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Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Sharon King-Chai
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous book this is! A simple premise of how many babies does each animal have, with sumptuous color and lift-the flap excitement makes Counting Creatures one of my newest faves. Children will enjoy guessing how many babies will be revealed under each flap and then counting them with you. The author does a great job with accurate terminology for each kind of baby as well. (Leverets, anyone?) As Donaldson gets to the end, when more and more babies come to be, she adds a surprise that will have you turning right back to the first page to start over! Snuggle up with your littles to Counting Creatures, you will love this one.

Find Counting Creatures in the catalog

Shady Baby

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Shady Baby by Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Shady Baby always keeps it real! Shady Baby loves fashion, fun and a good side-eye. Shady Baby also loves to stand up for what is right. After a morning of being fancy and fabulous morning, Shady Baby heads to the park to play with her friends. When one of her friends isn’t playing nicely with others, Shady Baby steps in to save the day! This book is based on Gabrielle Union’s & Dwyane Wade’s daughter Kaavia and her fun, but sassy ways. This book is a great way to teach children about getting along together and making sure they do the right thing. This was a fun, quick read with a lot of great illustrations! Be sure to check it out today!

Find Shady Baby in the catalog

An Island Grows

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An Island Grows by Lola Schaefer, illustrated by Cathie Felstead
Format: Book
who Its For: Kids

In this beautifully illustrated story we are given a glimpse into the birth of an island!  Hot magma beneath the sea glows and flows and the baby island grows, lifting sharp rocks up into the air which are then battered and ground to sand by wind and waves. Time passes and the wind and sea bring seeds, birds and insects. More time passes and people and animals visit and then come to stay, bringing more life, trade and vibrant culture to the all-grown-up island.

This is an unusual and fascinating book, with illustrations done in bright, rich colors. It is perfect for those who love volcanoes, oceans and faraway places, or anyone who has asked “how did THAT happen?”

Find it in the catalog!

Trillions of Trees

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Trillions of Trees by Kurt Cyrus
Format: Book
Who’s it For: Children

Young Lily wants to purchase a “trillium” plant.  However, when she phones her local nursery, the salesman hears a “trillion” trees instead!  The result is a comedic yet charming reforestation project for Lily and her brother.  Author Kurt Cyrus weaves the names of many trees in this rhyming tale and concludes with several tree facts.  If you would like a gentle ecology-minded read with many subtle community project ideas, this new book would be a great choice.  I highly recommend enjoying this one with a young reader to instill a love of taking care of our world.

Find Trillions of Trees in the catalog!

Kurt Cyrus has authored many children’s books.  Check them out in our catalog!

Desert Girl, Monsoon boy

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Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
Format: Book
Who Its For: Kids

At first glance their lives couldn’t be more different. The nomad girl in the blistering dry desert fetches water and tends the camels, taking shelter from the howling sandstorms in her tent. The village boy in the green fields goes to school and tends the goats. He runs home as the monsoon rains begin, helping his family to seal the door and lift their belongings out of rising floodwaters. But as severe weather takes hold, as one family and their animals need water and the other needs dry safe ground, both families journey to the mountains, where they meet and celebrate their safety.
An eye-opening story of two branches of the Rabari people in India; the traditional nomadic herders of the desert and those settled in permanent villages who raise goats. Both groups struggle with weather extremes and climate change which threaten their livelihoods and lives . Author Archana Sreenivasan took special care to accurately portray the cultural distinctions between these two clans and her renderings are just beautiful. I love the illustrations in this story, especially the faces!

Find it in the catalog!

New Year’s Celebrations for Kids

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The New Year, a time to reflect on what has passed and to celebrate new beginnings, is just around the corner! How do you celebrate? These vibrant and lively stories offer a doorway inside two young girls’ celebration of family culture and tradition.  

 

Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Format: Book
Who it’s For: Kids

We set out with Shante on her quest to find the missing ingredient for her family’s New Year tradition.  Told in rhyme, this mission unfolds on the streets of Shante’s neighborhood but ultimately becomes a journey through the cultures and traditions of her neighbors too. By the end of the story,  it’s clear she can experience the beauty of the wide world just by looking at what makes the people she sees everyday unique.  What I love about this story are the underlying messages of diversity, community, teamwork and sharing! Also, included at the back of the book are a fun recipe to try at home and a resource for the cultures of other countries, their traditions and celebrations.

Find it in the catalog.

 

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
Format: Book, DVD, Digital Audiobook, Digital Movie
Who it’s For: Kids

In this story, we meet Belle and her Ti Gran as we are dropped into their gloriously delicious adventure in cooking set against a backdrop of their Haitian history.  The dynamic and bright pictures dance off the page taking us with them. You can almost feel and taste the freedom Ti Gran talks about while she cooks.  Luckily for us, the recipe for Freedom Soup is in the back of the book!   And as an extra tidbit, the author offers up a little information about the real Ti Gran as well!

Find it in the catalog and on Hoopla as an audiobook or streaming video.