Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Owen & Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumba is the incredible true story of a very unusual friendship between a baby hippo and a 130 year old giant tortoise. In December 2004 there was a tsunami in Southeast Asia, during which a very scared baby hippo was left stranded and all alone. After his rescue, he was placed in an enclosure where he quickly scrambled over to an old tortoise and adopted him as his mother. The tortoise was not sure of this baby hippo at first, but it wasn’t long before they became inseparable, and an unexpected friendship evolved. This is a very unusual friendship, and a true story about how animals can decide to be friends no matter how different they are. See this book listed in our catalog
Weather
Holler Loudly
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
Holler Loudly by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Holler is the young son of the Holler family. His loud voice has always been a problem for him. His parents, teachers, and friends have hushed and shushed him his entire life, but it never helps. He continually gets in trouble for his loud voice. He ruined fishing trips, was kicked out of the movies, and scattered all the animals at the state fair’s hog-calling contest. He’s finally convinced to settle down. But when a tornado comes toward his town, Holler decides there are times to be quiet and times that require LOUD. He decides to take action: he shouts down the tornado, and breaks it up into harmless bits of breezes. Readers, as well as listeners, will have fun with this animated story, and its southern twang. See this book listed in our catalog
Martin MacGregor’s Snowman
Martin MacGregor’s Snowman by Lisa Cook. Martin MacGregor lives to build snowmen. Last year, be built the biggest snowman in the neighborhood! But this winter, day after unseasonably warm day passes without snow. Month by month, snowman-crazed Martin hatches more and more wild plans: turn his little sister into a snow-baby with flour! Make a snow-dog by covering the family pooch with cotton balls! What about a marshmallow snowman? A shaving-cream snowman? A mashed-potato snowman? But Martin’s efforts just land him in bigger and bigger trouble. By April, he’s given up all hope of a snowman. But wait! Can a freak springtime storm finally grant Martin’s snowy wish? Kids who live for snow will love this book. Adam McCauley’s ink-and-watercolor pictures are priceless, revealing Martin’s obsessive zeal for snow, and his comical disappointment after each failed plan. See this book listed in our catalog
Bear Snores On
Submitted by Ms. Jill!
Who Likes Rain?
Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
Who likes rain? I do! I like this book too. Wong Herbert Yee’s Who Likes Rain tells the story of a little girl who starts a rainy day inside. As she listens to the “pit-pit-pit” and the “pitty-plip-PLOP” of the rain outside, she begins to explore, and finds out who likes the rain, and who doesn’t. This book is great on so many levels. Yee’s illustrations are soft, yet eye catching. The blending of colors make it look like it’s really raining, and the expressions of the little girl, going from gloomy, to delighted with the rain, are adorable. The book also presents opportunities for interactive reading with your child. The rhyming and rhythm of the rain make it an excellent book to read aloud, and there are chances for you and your child to predict what will happen next in the story, as you go along. Every other page gives clues as to what animals like the rain. And if you have a rainy day yourself, why not follow the example of the book, and discover the puddles in your own front yard? See this book listed in our catalog
First Rain
Submitted by Ms. Sue!
First Rain by Charlotte Herman, illustrated by Kathryn Mitter. Abby and her family are moving to Israel, where a lot of Jewish people are moving every year. But Grandma is not coming. Abby’s family has dreamed of living in Israel. They will have lots of new adventures like learning a new language, eating new foods, and seeing new places. Grandma gives Abby a plane letter to read on her way. When Grandma gets home, there’s a letter from Abby waiting for her. After the plane takes off, Abby wonders how long it will be before she sees rain. It doesn’t rain all summer in Israel. How long will it be before she sees Grandma again? Abby remembers how she and Grandma used to go out and splash in the puddles wearing their yellow slickers and boots. Abby talks to Grandma on the phone, and writes letters to Grandma. She describes the places she has visited, the new things she is eating, and what it’s like to not be able to sink in the Dead Sea! Finally, early one morning, Abby hears raindrops. She hurries downstairs to open the front door, and there in a yellow slicker and boots is Grandma! See this book listed in our catalog