Reading Pays — Pass It On!

If you’re in grades 3-6 you can pick up your FREE copy of Dean Pitchford’s Captain Nobody at any St. Louis Public Library location (while supplies last).

After Newt Newman’s football-star brother is knocked into a coma during the biggest game of the season, Newt’s best friends keep his mind off of the accident by helping him create the ultimate Halloween costume.

Don’t forget that Reading Pays—Pass It On! When you finish reading the book, pass it along to a friend; and be sure to visit Central Library on April 6 at 6:30 PM to meet author Dean Pitchford!

Tweet, Tweet, Spring Is Here!

The days are warming and birdsongs are beginning to fill the air. There are so many ways to celebrate the beginning of spring! Why not read up on some of these fine, feathered bird-related titles to get into the spring of things!

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack arive safely at their new home. This brilliantly illustrated, amusingly observed tale of Mallards on the move has won the hearts of generations of readers. Awarded the
Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children in 1941, it has since become a favorite of millions.

The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can’t trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can’t even make a sound. And since he can’t trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him. Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena’s affection — he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America by Jonathan Alderfer
Featuring 100 species of birds from coast to coast this colorful guide helps kids identify and understand birds. The National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America will be both accessible and tons of fun. Fifty of the country’s most popular birds will be laid out in stunning two-page spreads that will include information such as their range, the sounds they make, and the food they like to eat. Each profile will also include a cool or weird fun fact, and a feature called “A Closer Look,” which digs deeper into once aspect of the bird’s life (eating habits, birdsongs, etc.). Each profile will also display a fact box with the bird’s scientific name, weight, length, and wingspan.

Bird and Squirrel on the Run by James Burks
Bird and Squirrel outwit Cat and become best friends in this zany adventure. Squirrel is afraid of his own shadow. Bird doesn’t have a care in the world. And Cat wants to eat Bird and Squirrel. Of course, he’ll have to catch them first, and that’s not going to be easy. Join this trio as they head south for the winter in a hilarious road trip. But watch out! Cat is waiting around every bend, and he’s one pesky feline.

The Canary Caper by Ron Roy
Help Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to Z! Kids love collecting the entire alphabet and super editions! With over 8 million copies in print, the A to Z Mysteries® have been hooking chapter book readers on mysteries and reading for years. Now this classic kid favorite is back with a bright new look! C is for Canary . . . Green Lawn has a pet problem! Dink’s neighbor can’t find her canary. Ruth Rose’s cat, Tiger, has also disappeared. Then the kids hear about two more missing critters. Is there a pet-napper in town? Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are on the case!

Easter Fun at Schlafly!

Celebrate Easter at Schlafly Branch’s Family Night, Thursday, March 26th from 6:00-7:00 PM.  Families will hunt for eggs to exchange for treats in the activity room.

Spring is just around the corner

Spring is just around the corner!  Warmer weather means the chance to get outside and take advantage of the sights our beautiful city has to offer.  Check out some of the following books about parks and gardens, then head outside and explore one of St. Louis’ many outstanding parks!

The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen
To replace his old garden, Theodora and her grandfather decide to paint a garden on the balcony of his new apartment, which takes on a life of its own thanks to Theo’s love, imagination, and creativity.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Liam discovers a hidden garden and with careful tending spreads color throughout the gray city.

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano
Simple text reveals the anticipation of a boy who, having planted seeds while everything around is brown, fears that something has gone wrong until, at last, the world turns green.

Water in the Park: A Book About Water and the Times of the Day by Emily Jenkins
Relates how the water in a park is used in different ways by the human and animal inhabitants of a neighborhood.

Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne
Lives briefly intertwine when two youngsters meet in the park.

Check out St. Louis’ Parks, Recreation, and Forestry website to find a park or outdoor event near you!

Culinary Month

Looking for something to do over spring break?  Visit Central Library for some fun Culinary Month activities!

Trains, Trains and More Trains

All aboard! Trains play important role in our lives. They transport valuable resources across the country and spark our spirit of adventure. Take a journey with these train books.

Freight Train by Donald Crews
Brief text and illustrations trace the journey of a colorful train as it goes through tunnels, by cities, and over trestles.

Monster Trains by Nick Gordon
Some trains have so many cars that they are miles long. The longest freight train in history had 682 cars filled with iron ore. This beast of a train needed eight locomotives to pull it forward! This book will keep beginning readers chugging along.

C Is for Caboose: Riding the Rails from A to Z by Sara Gillingham
Pack your bags for an unforgettable trip! An unexpected mix of vintage illustrations and contemporary photos makes this word book about trains as entertaining to look at as it is to read. With simple information about everything from the transcontinental railroad to the model trains, C Is for Caboose is sure to excite young readers’ natural curiosity and fill their heads with details they’ll be eager to share.

Thea Stilton and the Mystery on the Orient by Thea Stilton
The Thea Sisters are boarding the famouse Orient Express for a journey from Paris to Istanbul! The train is on a special trip to return a precious wedding dress stolen years ago from an Istanbul museum. But there’s a rumor that the mysterious Acrobat Thief will steal the dress from the moving train! The Thea Sisters are determined to foil this super-sneaky mouse’s plans.

Miss Emily by Burleigh Muten
When an invitation to join Miss Emily in the garden appears, Mattie, Ned, Sally, and Mac know they’re in for some fun because Miss Emily — Emily Dickinson to the rest of us — always has a surprise in store for her young friends. And today’s may be the biggest adventure yet. In Burleigh Mutén’s suspenseful story, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Matt Phelan, Mac, the youngest member of the group, tells what happens when a reclusive poet and her band of pretend Gypsies wait for the midnight circus train to arrive.

Bullet Trains by Ian Graham
Start your engines and hold tight! This series explores the world’s fastest machines. Vibrant design and close-up photographs will excite even the most reluctant readers.

The fun doesn’t end when you’ve finished reading. Create your own freight train. Instructions can be found here.

Happy Birthday Week Dr. Seuss!

March 2nd marks the day when, 111 years ago, Theodore Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Although usually mispronounced, Seuss, his mother’s maiden name, is correctly pronounced “Zoice” (rhymes with “Voice”). The two pen-names Theodore Geisel used were Dr. Seuss and Theo LeSieg. LeSieg’s beginner readers were written, but not illustrated, by him.
Check out these titles and more from your neighborhood library branch. Make a snack following the directions here and read away!

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss presents three modern fables in the rhyming favorite Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories. The collection features tales about greed (“Yertle the Turtle”), vanity (“Gertrude McFuzz”), and pride (“The Big Brag”). In no other book does a small burp have such political importance! Yet again, Dr. Seuss proves that he and classic picture books go hand in hand.

The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss
Beginning readers will love this foot-filled Bright and Early Book classic by Dr. Seuss! From left feet to right feet and wet feet to dry feet, there are so many feet to meet. The Foot Book will have young readers eager to step into the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss. Combining brief and funny stories, easy words, catchy rhythm, and lively illustrations, Bright and Early Books are an ideal way to introduce the joys of reading to children.

And to Think I saw it On Mulberry Street, by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss’s very first book for children! From a mere horse and wagon, young Marco concocts a colorful cast of characters, making Mulberry Street the most interesting location in town. Dr. Seuss’s signature rhythmic text, combined with his unmistakable illustrations, will appeal to fans of all ages, who will cheer when our hero proves that a little imagination can go a very long way. (Who wouldn’t cheer when an elephant-pulled sleigh raced by?) Now over seventy-five years old, this story is as timeless as ever.

In a People House, by Theo LeSeig
When a spunky mouse invites a passing bird to see what’s inside a People House, chaos ensues while beginning readers learn the names of 65 common household items –and that people are generally not pleased to find mice and birds in their houses! A super simple, delightfully silly introduction to objects around the home–from none other than Dr. Seuss!

Your Favorite Seuss: 13 Stories, by Dr. Seuss
From his very first book to his very last book, here in one big volume are 13 classic Dr. Seuss stories, everyone’s favorites. All of the words and virtually all of the illustrations are included. Each story is prefaced by a short essay by someone whose life was changed by Dr. Seuss or who is simply an unabashed admirer. Also included are photographs of Dr. Seuss, memorabilia, and original sketches from his books. The stories included are: And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, Horton Hears a Who!, McElligot’s Pool, If I Ran the Zoo, Happy Birthday to You!, Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book, Yertle the Turtle, The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, The Sneetches, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go!