Monday Children’s Book Reviews for November 28, 2016

Buddy and Earl and the Great Big Baby by Maureen Fergus

“Mom’s friend Mrs. Cunningham is coming for a visit, and she’s bringing her baby! While Buddy the dog tries to explain the ins and outs of babydom to Earl the hedgehog, neither of them is prepared for the chaos the small and adorable creature brings with it. When the baby manages to escape from its cage– which Buddy gently suggests is really just a playpen– it’s up to our favorite odd couple to save the day.” The third book in the Buddy and Earl series.         [JPB FERGUS,M]

Fly Guy’s Ninja Christmas by Todd Arnold

” It is Christmas Eve and Fly Guy realizes that he does not have a present to give to his best friend Buzz–but when he looks around the house searching for something suitable he discovers a stranger in a red suit, and decides to attack with some ninja moves.”  From the Fly Guy series.             [JE ARNOLD,T]

The First Last Day by Dorian Cirrone

“The magic of summer comes to life in this enchanting middle grade debut about an eleven-year-old girl who must save the future by restarting time after she realizes that her wish to relive the last day of summer may not have been such a great thing after all.

“After finding a mysterious set of paints in her backpack, eleven-year-old Haleigh Adams paints a picture of her last day at the New Jersey shore. When she wakes up the next morning, Haleigh finds that her wish for an endless summer with her new friend Kevin has come true. At first, she’s thrilled, but Haliegh soon learns that staying in one place—and time—comes with a price.

“And when Haleigh realizes her parents have been keeping a secret, she is faced with a choice: do nothing and miss out on the good things that come with growing up or find the secret of the time loop she’s trapped in and face the inevitable realities of moving on.

“As she and Kevin set out to find the source of the magic paints, Haleigh worries it might be too late. Will she be able to restart time? Or will it be the biggest mistake of her life?”                 [J CIRRONE,D]

Everything You Need to Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide by Lily Rothman

“An exciting book for all middle schoolers (6th-8th grade) who wish they had taken better notes in american history class or just want to jump to the head of the class. Each Big Fat Notebook is like getting to borrow the notebook of the best student in American history class, the one who not only writes down the important points the teacher makes—noting those crucial “you will get tested on these” facts—but also meticulously transcribes key points from the chalkboard and pastes teacher handouts into her notebook. Part “CliffsNotes,” part workbook, this study hack will help kids focus on the things they need to remember in order to rock their middle school exams and ace american history.

Everything You Need to Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook covers the following topics and more:

Native Americans
The Colonies
The Revolutionary War
American Expansion
The War of 1812
Civil War Reconstruction
The Industrial Revolution
Immigration Imperialism
World War I & II
The Great Depression
The New Deal
Civil Rights
The Vietnam War
The Cold War
9/11
War in Iraq
Universal Healthcare                                                                [ J973.071 EVERYTHING]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for July 18, 2016

Bear’s Big Breakfast by Lynn Rowe Reed

“After a long hibernation, Bear wakes up hungry!
But what will he eat?
He knows he’s craving something with the letter B. . . .

“Will it be bark, a bee, a boa . . . or something even more surprising?”                   [JPB REED,L]

Otter: Oh No, Bath Time! by Sam Garton

“Otter and Teddy love to play in the garden. But when they get dirty, they have to do something they do not love at all: take a bath! Otter Keeper says bath time is fun, but Otter and Teddy are not so sure. . . .”         [JE GARTON,S]

The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner

“Charlie feels like she’s always coming in last. From her Mom’s new job to her sister’s life away at college, everything else always seems to be more important than Charlie’s upcoming dance competition or science project. Unsure of how to get her family’s attention, Charlie comes across the surprise of her life one day while ice-fishing . . . in the form of a floppy, scaly fish offering to grant her a wish in exchange for its freedom. Charlie can’t believe her luck until she realizes that this fish has a funny way of granting wishes, despite her best intentions. But when her family faces a challenge bigger than any they’ve ever experienced, Charlie wonders if some things might be too important to risk on a wish.”                 [J MESSNER,K]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for July 11, 2016

There is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith

“A meditation on childhood and life’s beginning by the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Grandpa Green traces a young boy’s fantastical encounters with a colony of penguins, a smack of jellyfish, a constellation of stars and other enchanting groups.”         [JPB SMITH,L]

Paddington and the Magic Trick by Michael Bond

“Paddington is delighted to discover that the Browns are throwing him a birthday party. But when the magic trick he performs goes awry, Paddington needs something more than a tap of his wand to set things straight.”       [JE BOND,M]

The Karris Family by Ruhani Chhabra

“Leah Karris doesn’t like how her family interacts – always too busy, always fighting, and Leah feels no one pays attention to her. After Leah visits her aunt, uncle and cousins, she decides she wants to make her family as good as theirs.”

“Ruhani Chhabra has been writing since she learned how to grip a pencil. She is a LOCAL eleven-year-old girl who wants to teach literature when she grows up!”         [J CHHABRA,R]

Locker Hero by Rachel Renee Russell

“A brand-new series from #1 bestselling Dork Diaries author Rachel Renee Russell! Introducing Max Crumbly!

“Max is about to face the scariest place he’s ever been—South Ridge Middle School! He has been home-schooled by his grandmother until now, and he’s begged his parents to finally let him start attending public middle school. He’s starting to question that choice, though, with the Thomas Silver Problem. As in, Thomas Silver keeps stuffing Max in his locker.

“If only Max could be like the hero in all the comics he likes to read—or the ones he draws—and magically escape the locker and defeat Tommy. Unfortunately, Max’s uncanny, almost superhuman ability to smell pizza from a block away won’t exactly save any lives or foil bad guys. But that doesn’t mean Max won’t do his best to be the hero his school needs!”             [J RUSSELL, R]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for July 4, 2016

Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day.

On Bird Hill by Jane Yolen

“This charming book is loosely based on the old cumulative nursery rhyme/song “The Green Grass Grew All Around,” a nursery rhyme first published as a song in 1912 with words by William Jerome and melody by Harry Von Tilzer. But in this version, it’s a boy and his dog who find the bird in a nest on a hill in a strange valley.”        [JPB YOLEN,J]

Mom, Dad, and Me by Christy Webster

“Disney/Pixar Inside Out takes you to a place everyone knows but no one has ever seen: the human mind. Perfect for girls and boys ages 4 to 6, this Step 2 Step into Reading leveled reader focuses on the importance of family.”     [JE WEBSTER,C]

The Most Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers & Grandfathers by Avi

“Luke sees the ghost of his father but can’t figure out what Dad wants him to do. Paul takes a camping trip with the grandfather he’s just met and discovers what lies behind the man’s erratic behavior. Ryan has some surprising questions when he interviews his prospective stepfather for the job. In a compellingly honest collection of stories, multiple-award-winning author Avi introduces seven boys — boys with fathers at home and boys whose fathers have left, boys who spend most of their time with their grandfathers and boys who would rather spend time with anyone but the men in their lives. By turns heartbreaking, hopeful, and funny, the stories show us boys seeking acceptance, guidance, or just someone to look up to. Each one shines a different light on the question ‘What is the most important thing a father can do for his son?'”            [J AVI]

Ellis Island by Elizabeth Carney

“Explore the history of Ellis Island, one of the most recognized landmarks in American history. Kids will learn about its early history as a Mohegan island and rest spot for fishermen through its time as a famous immigration station to today’s museum.”                        [ J304.873 CARNEY]

More Changes – at the Union City Library!

We are still moving things around at the Union City Library!

You can now find the JE – Early Reader – nonfiction in its own area, right next to the Early Reader fiction! 

And the concept books – numbers, ABCs, colors, shapes – and Caldecott Award winners have moved from the end of the picture books to the back wall, right next to the Early Reader nonfiction.

 

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for June 1, 2015

 Amazing Visual Math

“Covering the essential math concepts learned in the first years of school, Amazing Visual Math brings a whole new dimension to learning.

 “Amazing Visual Math is an interactive hands-on experience that makes math fun. Key curriculum subjects including shapes, patterns, telling time, lines of symmetry, addition, subtraction, measurement and more are explained through over 50 interactive elements throughout the book including pop-ups, flaps, and pull the tab elements, making an otherwise tedious subject entertaining.”                        [JPB AMAZING]

Biscuit Goes Camping by Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Pat Schories

“Biscuit can’t wait to go camping! From tents and flashlights to frogs and fireflies, there are so many new things to discover when you’re sleeping outdoors. But are those rain clouds in the sky? How will Biscuit go camping now?

“Biscuit Goes Camping is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child. This easy-to-read story is also the first Biscuit I Can Read book that takes place at night, making it a great choice for bedtime reading practice.”       [JE CAPUCILLI]

 Graceful by Wendy Mass

“An exciting new story in the bestselling Willow Falls series [11 Birthdays, Finally, 13 Gifts, The Last Present] from Wendy Mass!

“Angelina D’Angelo has left town to see the world. It’s now Grace’s turn to use her magic to protect the people of Willow Falls, and she is up to the challenge. This is her destiny, after all. But destiny is a funny thing – it doesn’t always behave the way you’d expect it to.

“Mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail, Grace’s parents are freaking out with worry, and something BIG is coming to town that will affect everybody who lives there. But all Grace is powerful enough to do is turn leftover meatloaf into pizza.

“Fortunately, she’s not alone. She has Team Grace on her side! Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor know a thing or two about magic and how it works. But none of them are prepared for what’s coming, and none of them know how to stop it. Life in Willow Falls is about to change forever.”         [J MASS]

Civil War by John Stanchak

“Whether your child has a special interest in the Civil War, you want to encourage further learning about this important time in American history, or your child is studying the Civil War in the classroom and you want to add more learning to school curriculum, Eyewitness: Civil War is the ideal choice for learning about the Civil War.

“DK’s Eyewitness series is perfect for children. It engages both readers and visual learners by presenting information with a combination of photography, small nuggets of information, and fact-packed annotation so children can really dig into topics without becoming overwhelmed. One picture at a time, Eyewitness books teach big subjects in easy ways.

“We’ve revamped our Eyewitness series to be even better with solid facts, shorter texts, more emphasis on images, and fresh new learning sections, making Eyewitness books the perfect way to encourage curiosity in your child or to supplement classroom learning.”                      [J973.7 STANCHAK]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for April 20, 2015

  Glamourpuss by Sarah Weeks and David Small

“Glamourpuss loves being the center of attention. So when an unwelcome guest (a dog, no less!) steals the spotlight with some tasteless bow-wowing and undignified tail-wagging, Glamourpuss worries that she’s going to fall out of fashion. Is there room for only one superstar in this mansion? When Glamourpuss makes her most majestic move to find out, the result is pure purrfection!”                    [JPB WEEKS]

Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night by Cynthia Rylant

“Looking forward to the family trip to Big Bear Lake, Henry imagines all the wonderful things that Mudge will investigate in the great outdoors and anticipates fun around the campfire, under the stars, and in a cozy tent.”  The seventeenth book of their adventures.    [JE RYLANT]

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than gold and gemstones: He discovers an ancient bulla, an amulet that belonged to the great Caesar and is filled with a magic once reserved for the Gods — magic some Romans would kill for.  Traitors and spies lurk at every turn, each more desperate than the next to use Nic’s newfound powers for their own dark purposes.”  By the best-selling author of the Ascendance Trilogy.       [J NIELSEN,J]

 

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for November 3, 2014

Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson

“Milk doesn’t just appear in your refrigerator, or apples on your kitchen counter. Before we eat, many people must work very hard planting grain, catching fish, tending animals, and filling crates. In this book readers find out what must happen before food can get to our table to nourish our bodies and spirits.”                              [JPB BRISSON]

Gigantosaurus by Jonny Duddle

“Four young dinosaurs are warned about the scary Gigantosaurus, so one of them volunteers to keep watch for the others while they play. But Bonehead, the lookout, quickly gets bored, and he can’t resist shouting, “GIGANTOSAURUS!” just to see what the others do. When his friends finally wise up, Bonehead is in for a rather snappy (and crunchy) surprise!

“His feet go STOMP! His jaws go CRUNCH! In the blink of an eye you’ll be his LUNCH!”      [JPB DUDDLE]

Tuck-In Time by Carole Gerber

“When I tuck you in,
what do I see?
Two little eyes shining at me.
I see two little ears
that I want you to tweak
and a round little nose.
Can you push it? Beep! Beep!

“So begins this naptime or bedtime romp that eventually has the child all tuckered out and ready for sleep—until Mama remembers she forgot one important thing. What could it be? A kiss, of course!”    [JPB GERBER]

Who’s Next Door? by Mayuko Kishira

“Chicken is thrilled when he finds out someone new has moved in next door. His quiet house deep in the woods can be lonely sometimes, and it would be so much fun to have a friend! But Chicken never catches so much as a glimpse of his neighbor, despite many days spent waiting, pacing, and knocking. As it turns out, his neighbor, Owl, has been doing the same thing, yearning to meet Chicken — only he’s been doing it at night. It’s not until after the two exchange notes and mix up plans for a visit, each using his own definition of “tomorrow,” that they meet fortuitously and find a creative way to enjoy each other’s friendship despite their different schedules.”         [JPB KISHIRA]

I’m My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein

“Many dogs have human owners. Not this dog. He fetches his own slippers, curls up at his own feet, and gives himself a good scratch. But there is one spot, in the middle of his back, that he just can’t reach. So one day, he lets a human scratch it. And the poor little fella follows him home. What can the dog do but get a leash to lead the guy around with? Dog lovers of all ages will revel in the humorous role-reversal as this dog teaches his human all the skills he needs to be a faithful companion.”                 [JPB STEIN]

Apple Days: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Allison Sarnoff Soffer

“Katy’s favorite holiday is Rosh Hashanah, when she gets to pick apples and make applesauce with her mother. But what happens when the tradition is interrupted by the early arrival of her new baby cousin? A situation to which every kid can relate, this is a story about what happens when a child realizes she’s not always the center of the universe and that family priorities must sometimes change.”            [JPB SOFFER]

Museum Day by Sindy McKay

“This book follows a young girl and her dad as they spend a fun-filled day exploring all the fascinating exhibits in a museum. Along the way, a little bird adds some delightful humor as it manages to get into the museum and follows the girl and her dad through the exhibits.          [JE McKAY, S]

Rainforest by Steve Parker

“A large-format book introducing children to the animals, flora, and fauna which inhabit our planet’s rainforests. With amazing, close-up photographs, and accessible, easy-to-absorb fascinating facts about the plantlife and creatures featured. ”                            [ J577.34 PARKER]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for December 16, 2013

Princess Posey and the Christmas Magic by Stephanie Greene

“Telling a little white lie which she fears will spoil her good-girl status with an all-seeing, all-knowing Santa, little Posey turns for comfort to her glittery pink tutu, which she hopes will chase away the knots in her tummy. By the creators of Princess Posey and the Monster Stew.”  [J GREENE]

Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan and Steven Kellogg

“In Snowflakes Fall, Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan and award-winning artist Steven Kellogg portray life’s natural cycle: its beauty, its joy, and its sorrow. Together, the words and pictures offer the promise of renewal that can be found in our lives—snowflakes fall, and return again as raindrops so that flowers can grow.

“In honor of the community of Sandy Hook and Newtown, Random House, the publisher of Snowflakes Fall, has made a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Random House is also donating 25,000 new books to the national literacy organization First Book in the community’s honor and in support of children everywhere.”         [JPB MACLACHLAN]

I’m a Frog! by Mo Willems

“Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.

“Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

“In I’m a Frog! Piggie has some ribbiting news! Can Gerald make the leap required to accept Piggie’s new identity?”                  [JE WILLEMS]

“Get your hands dirty—and learn about science! Young children are naturally interested in everything they see around them, so what better way to learn about fundamental science concepts than to have fun with dirt, water, color, and things that move? Each title in this series includes at least seven fun experiments that take readers step-by-step from an intriguing question, through an investigation, and finally to drawing their own scientific conclusions.”

• Water by Ellen Lawrence           [J530.4 LAWRENCE]
• Motion by Ellen Lawrence         [J531-11 LAWRENCE]
• Color by Ellen Lawrence            [J535.6 LAWRENCE]
• Dirt by Ellen Lawrence               [J578.757 LAWRENCE]

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for November 18, 2013

Dusk by Uri Shulevitz

“One December afternoon, boy with dog and grandfather with beard take a walk to watch the sun begin to set over the river. When the sun drops low in the sky, they start home. Buildings grow dimmer. People are rushing. As nature’s lights go out, one by one, city’s lights turn on, revealing brilliant Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas displays in streets, homes, and stores. A stunning picture book that’s sure to be a winter holiday classic by Caldecott Medalist Uri Shulevitz.”   [JPB SHULEVITZ]

Bones and the Apple Pie Mystery by David A. Adler

“Detective Jeffrey Bones and Grandpa visit Grandpa’s friend Sally–the best apple pie baker around. Today, she’s practicing for the Best Pie Contest held at the county fair. But when it’s finally time to eat the pies, they are nowhere to be found–not in the oven, on the counter top, or on the table. Did Sally’s dog Oliver eat them? Detective Jeffrey Bones is on the case!” Penguin young readers. Level 3, Transitional reader. #10 in the Bones series.      [JE ADLER]

Sasquatch in the Paint by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld

“Theo Rollins is starting eighth grade six inches taller, and his new height is making everyone expect more from him. Coach Mandrake wants to transform him from invisible science geek into star basketball player, even though Theo has little experience with the game. When Theo tries to hone his skills by playing pick-up ball in the park, kids are eager to include him at first; then they quickly see that he has no control of his gangly body. A girl named Rain even dubs him “Sasquatch.” To make matters worse, all his time spent on training is starting to hurt his science club’s chances of winning the “Aca-lympics,” the school’s trivia competition. Just when Theo thinks he can’t handle any more pressure, he’s accused of stealing. Can he find the real thief before he is  kicked off the basketball and science club teams, or will his attempt at sleuthing be yet another air ball?”       [J ABDUL-JABBAR, K.]

The Tree Lady, the True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins and Jill McElmurry

“Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees.

“Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So this trailblazing young woman singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city.”              [JB SESSIONS, K]