Book Weekend – City Shapes

City Shapes is a new picture book by debut author Diane Murray.  This easy rhyming story is told by a pigeon, exploring all the shapes that fill his city home.   Several lines give clues about the shape, before revealing the name to young listeners.

Brian Collier’s collage artwork takes this basic kindergarten concept book to another level.  In his pictures, a young girl dances through the pigeon’s world, interacting with all the shapes as they are named.  Her joy for her city mirrors the birds own love.  On the last spread, as the bird gratefully returns to it’s nest, the true connection between the girl and the bird are revealed.

While introducing basic shapes is a foundation of math awareness, this book makes the lesson feel like a game!

 

Book Weekend

Black History Month may be winding down, but the legacy of African American achievement enriches us throughout the year.  These two award winning books shine light on different moments in history in a fun engaging way for children ages 5-8.

When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop traces the story of a Bronx teen whose summer party spawned a music revolution.  Written by Laban Carrick Hill, the warm energetic illustrations Theodore Taylor steal the show. He won the Coretta Scott King award for new talent this year.

Kadir Nelson illustrated and wrote this lush pictorial biography of Nelson Mandela, just in time to memorialize his death earlier this year.   Kadir Nelson’s rich photographic painting breath life into historical figure, drawing readers into moments in history.

Kadir Nelson has twice been honored by the Caldecott committee for his outstanding illustrations, and this year was honored by the Coretta Scott King award for best illustrations by an African-American.

Caldecott Picture Book Winners!

Each January, a new Caldecott Medal Winner is chosen by teachers and librarians from all over the country.  They spend a year pouring over picture books to find the best illustrations for children.

This year the award was given to Brian Floca for his book, Locomotive.   A family from 1869 boards the train in Omaha and travels all the way to Sacramento.

“The committee was impressed with Floca’s ability to creatively capture the immensity and inner workings of the early locomotive and combine it with a family’s adventurous journey west,” said Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Marion Hanes Rutsch.

Three honor books were named.

Journey by Aaron Becker.

Finding a magical red crayon, a bored and lonely girl draws a door on her bedroom wall that opens a colorful new world. Her adventure leads her into trouble, but with the helps of a new friend, she finds her way home again.

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

An enthusiastic yet awkward girl wants to dance with the flamingo, and is snubbed.  But her charming persistence wins over the bird and in the end, they two create a beautiful duet of movement.

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

Mr. Wuffles is a very bored house cat who one day discovers a surprising new toy – one that gets away! This new toy is actually a space ship of little green aliens, who with the help of some ants, and ladybugs, are able to escape the clawed clutched of Mr. Wuffles.

Happy Chinese New Year!

This year Chinese New Year is on Jan 31st. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with books from the library and by making a beautiful Chinese paper lantern! Instructions can be found at Spoonful.

Visit Buder branch to see their window mural celebrating Chinese New Year!

While you’re at the library, check out some of these great books!

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz
A girl and her family prepare for and celebrate Chinese New Year.

Happy Chinese New Year, Kai-lan!  adapted by Lauryn Silverhardt
Join Kai-lan for a Chinese New Year celebration! Kai-lan and her friends get to carry the dragon costume in the big parade– but can they work together to make the dragon dance?

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale by Ying Chang Compestine
On Chinese New Year’s Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty–but magic–wok that changes their fortunes forever.

The Day the Dragon Danced by Kay Haugaard
An African American girl takes her grandmother to watch the Chinese New Year’s parade where her father is a member of the dragon dance troupe.

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
A Chinese American family prepares for and celebrates the Lunar New Year.

Book Weekend – MO Children’s Choice Awards

The Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award is chosen by school age children from around the state each year.  Kids in school or library storytimes select from a group of best titles, nominated by teachers and librarians.  These bright fun picture books burst with appealing stories and memorable characters.

This year’s winner is the lovable Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons, by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean.  Pete loves the buttons on his new coat so much. He goes rolling along, and singing his song.  But as the buttons pop off, one by one, does Pete cry?  Goodness – No!

Kids love the bright pictures, the easy rhythm of the text, and the unflappable calm of this cool cat when faced with personal calamity.

Look for other books about Pete the Cat in the picture book section.  And if your kids don’t already know the song, go online to listen and sing along!

It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle won second place.  A child reading a story naturally imagines himself into the book.  But look out!  There’s a tiger lurking behind every page.

Third place was a three-way tie between these books:

Cat Secrets by Jef Czekej

Duckling Gets a Cookie?! by Mo Willems

I’m Bored by Micheal Black

Book Weekend – Holiday stories

Here’s some fun stories to get kids and parents alike in the holiday mood!

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin.  One December, Santa catches a cold.  But does he worry?  NO.  He calls Pete the Cat, who rolls in with his groovy style.  It’s all good.

Pete the Cat has many picture books out, and most of them can be sung to music.  This one rocks to the tune of Feliz Navidad.

Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup. When a crew of cookie pirates hear of a Santa Clause who’s going to eat them up, they make plans to fight back!  But jolly old St. Nick isn’t offended.  Instead he sprinkles some Christmas magic to transform them into an awesome, and inedible surprise!

Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna Washington.  Li’l Rabbit’s grandma is sick, maybe too sick to celebrate the ending feast of Karamu.  So he tries to find a way to bring the celebration to her.  Along the way, he begins to doubt his task, which maybe too much for one boy rabbit to do.  But with some unexpected help from his family and neighbors, Li’l Rabbit creates the perfect celebration, just right to share with his grandma.

Book Weekend – NYT Best Illustrated Books of 2013

Each fall the NYT Book Review picks their favorite illustrated children’s books. Unlike the Caldecott committee, they are specifically from New York City.  This year, some very lovely classic authors have been honored that I think all children will enjoy. (Not just the art gallery Guggenheim NYC children).

● Journey by Aaron Becker (Candlewick).
A wordless picture book about the limitless bounds of the imagination.  Captivating for children age 6 and up.

● The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illus. by Jon Klassen (Little, Brown).
Lemony Snicket meets Jon Klassen!

● My Brother’s Book by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins/di Capua), J 811.54
A final book of poems and sketches from the late Maurice Sedak.

● Fog Island by Tomi Ungerer (Phaidon) OVERSIZE E
I love this adventure story of a brother and sister who get lost on a forbidden island.  The story turns from haunting and stark to friendly and magical, making this a nice read for even younger children.

● Locomotive by Brian Floca (S&S/Atheneum/Jackson) OVERSIZE J385
All Branches have copies of this beautifully illustrated ode to the history of trains.  Brain Floca turns his crisp vivid watercolors to the original steam-powered vehicle of children’s hearts.

● Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson (HarperCollins/Tegen) JB MANDELA All branches have copies.
Kadir Nelson pays homage to a great man in his classic rich glowing paintings.

Book Weekend – Thanksgiving

This holiday season, find time to sit down as a family and read together.  These short funny books will charm a wide range of ages.

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson.  Bear is alone and hungry in his cave when he’s visited by each of his friends bringing gifts of food.   Bear wants to share something in return, and discovers the most unlikely gift.

Duck for Thanksgiving by Jacqueline Jules.  Tuyet is dismayed to discover her Vietnamese-American family won’t be serving turkey on Thanksgiving.  Is it still the same Holiday without the same food?

One is a Feast for a Mouse by Judy Cox.

One little mouse creeps out of his hole after the Thanksgiving feast to find some scraps to eat.  At first he thinks “One is a feast for me!” But he keeps spotting another and another delicious morsel, piling them up until he can’t carry any more!  Wobbling back to his hole he doesn’t see that the cat has woken up and noticed him.  As he scrambles back to safety,  Mouse lets go of his greed and keeps only what he needs.

Dan Gutman‘s My Weird School series has a Thanksgiving day themed addition.  Dr. Carbles is Losing His Marbles features A.J. and his buddies trying to save their favorite bald principal (and his drawer of candy bars) from getting fired!

And of course, spunky Junie B. Jones, has a story about Thanksgiving, too, Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and other thankful stuff) by Barbara Park.  When her teacher asked the class to think about what they are each thankful for, he gets a load of answers, some sillier than others.  But if the kids truly feel thankful in their hearts, who’s to say what should count and what should not?

The author Barbara Park died this week, at at 66.  All of us here at St. Louis Public library are thankful for the many funny short chapter books she gave the world.

This Week at the St. Louis Public Library (May 19-25, 2013)

The school year may be winding to a close, but programs at the St. Louis Public Library are heating up for summer! Join us for some of these great activities:

Storytime:

Monday at Baden Branch, Barr Branch, and Kingshighway Branch

Friday at Central Library

Get Creative:

• Decorate hacky sacks Tuesday at Baden Branch
• Make an animal shaped notebook Tuesday at Barr Branch
• Build your family tree Tuesday at Divoll Branch
• Launch into designing paper plate astronauts Tuesday at Kingshighway Branch
• Create post-impressionist art Wednesday at Central Library
• Show off your talent making decoupage notebooks Thursday at Walnut Park Branch

 

Feeling competitive?

• Videogames Monday at Central Library
• Videogames Wednesday at Machacek Branch
• If it’s Wednesday it’s Wacky at Walnut Park Branch

 

Time for a movie? Watch:

• Rise of the Guardians Wednesday at Baden Branch
• Journey 2 Thursday at Barr Branch
• Toy Story 3 Thursday at Carondelet Branch
• Toy Story Friday at Walnut Park Branch

 

Ready to celebrate Summer?

• End of School Party with homemade Ice Cream Tuesday at Schlafly Branch
• Summer Reading Club Kick-of Carnival Saturday at Cabanne Branch

Have a great week!

This Week at the St. Louis Public Library (May 12-18, 2013)

Lots of fun stuff to do this week at your favorite locations of the St. Louis Public Library. Besides these great programs, don’t forget that Summer Reading Club 2013 is already here! Sign up today, and while you’re at it…

Join us for storytime:

• Monday at Barr Branch, Carpenter Branch, & Kingshighway Branch
• Tuesday at Central Library (wear your Pajamas!)
• Friday at Central Library

Make Something Awesome!

• Secret Keepers Tuesday at Schlafly Branch
• Perler Bead Fun Tuesday at Kingshighway Branch
• Little Lords & Ladies Wednesday at Central Library
• Recycled Bag Jump Ropes Thursday at Kingshighway Branch

Feeling Competitive?

• Board Games Wednesday at Walnut Park Branch
• Board Games Thursday at Carondelet Branch
• Video games Thursday at Baden Branch

Don’t forget–Thursday, May 16th is our next parenting playdate at Central Library! Join us as we read Judith Viorst’s classic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day followed by a discussion of child rearing challenges while the kids play.

Have a great week!