The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous
by Suzanne Crowley Grade 4/5 & up
(J Crowley) |
In the small town of Jumbo, TX, thirteen-year-old Merilee thrives on routine. She lives a “Very Ordered Existence” (VOE for short). Her strict schedule includes School (Horrendous!), Litter patrol (30 minutes daily), Lunch (PB&J and a pickle), Bottle return (Friday only, at the Piggly Wiggly)…And so it goes until the arrival of Biswick O’Connor (and his father) and Miss Veraleen Holliday. Merilee has time for neither. Both of these strangers, “like the hot desert wind that brings only bad news, blow into town and change everything”.
Both humorous and touching, each character will touch you in some way. Merilee, doing Dame Fiona’s meditation and breathing exercises that help her cope with disruptions and keep her Asperger’s under control; Biswick, an obsessive, outrageously positive boy, son of “THE poet” and alcholholic; Miss Veraleen, excellent cook, former cowgirl with secrets of her own. You’ll also meet Merilee’s mother, father, uncle and grandmother. |
Walt Disney’s Cinderella
Retold by Cynthia Rylant &
Pictures by Mary Blair Ages 4 & up (JJ Disney) |
“Together these two great artists have created a Cinderella that is breathtaking, heartrending and joyous – both for those who are coming to the tale for the first time and for those who know it well.”
Spare and evocative in both words and pictures. |
The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous
by Suzanne Crowley Grade 4/5 and up
(J Growley) |
In the small town of Jumbo, TX, thirteen-year-old Merilee thrives on routine. She lives a “Very Ordered Existence” (VOE for short). Her strict schedule includes school (Horrendous!), Litter patrol (30 minutes daily), Lunch (PB&J and a pickle), Bottle return (Friday only, at the Piggly Wiggly)…And so it goes until the arrival of Biswick O’Connor (and his father) and Miss Veraleen Holliday. Merilee has time for neither. Both of these strangers, “like the hot desert wind that brings only bad news, blow into town and change everything”. Both humorous and touching, each character will touch you in some way. Merilee, doing Dame Fiona’s meditation and breathing exercises that help her cope with disruptions and keep her Aspbergers under control; Biswick, an obsessive, outrageously positive boy, son of “THE poet” and alcholholic; Miss Veraleen, excellent cook, former cowgirl with secrets of her own. You’ll also meet Merilee’s mother, father, uncle and grandmother. |
101 things you gotta do before you’re 12!
by
Joanne O’Sullivan
Read this even if you’re older than 12!
(J 793) |
This book made me want to pretend I was 10 again! You’ll find things to do at home, near home and far away. You’ll find a list of Cool Classics to read (the librarian’s favorite!), hear Unusual Animal Calls on neat web sites and even find out all the places (yes, there are several) to Compete in a Mud Run! How about entering a Crazy Competition (The Rotten Sneaker contest!) or Eating a Flower (violets, anyone!)? There are also ideas for doing volunteer work J Have fun! Stay young! |
Mars Needs Moms!
by Berkeley Breathed Ages 4 - grownups
(JJ Breathed)
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Milo learns the hard way exactly “what in the world is the big deal about moms”. As Milo sees it “they’re just broccoli bullies, summer-stealing, child-working, perfumy garden goblins!” Yet they are worshipped the world over. He just doesn’t get it until his carrot-cuddling Mom is kidnapped by Martians. He follows them to find out just what they are seeing that Milo isn’t. Just enough text and wonderfully detailed and expressive pictures to make you read it all over again - right away! |
Storied City: A Children’s Book Walking-Tour of New York City
by Leonard Marcus
For book lovers of all ages (J P/T 917.471) |
Spring is settling in and with summer just around the corner, it’s time to get outside. Why not get on the train and see New York City in a whole new way! Marcus presents 21 outdoor literary adventures in NYC as seen “through the whimsical lens of the best in children’s and young adult books”. The tours cover all five boroughs with step-by-step directions and maps. The guide features over 100 New York places and spaces relative to writers and artists as varied as E.B.White, Kay Thompson, Faith Ringold and many more. Also included is a list of more than 200 of the best books connected to NYC, as well as illustrations and photographs. Send us a post card! |
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
edited by Jon Agee
Grades 1 & up
(J 793.7 Agee) |
Fourteen children’s illustrators ponder this age-old question. Was it really to get to the other side? Maybe…maybe not! These talented artists have other ideas and so will you after you read - or look - at this book. The last two pages ask “Why did the artist cross the road?” with a reply, and listing a few of their books with a drawing of their own fantasy chicken! This is perfect for the new jokesters in your home. |
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There have been several new and amusing sheep stories this year. This is the newest: Sam and all of his sheep are tucked in and sleeping soundly on this wild and windy night, when a loud rat-a-tat! wakes them all up. Is it one of Sam’s sheep or is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing as the 10 sheep suspect. Sam wants to let the “poor lambkin” in but agrees to count them first. But Sam always falls asleep when he counts his sheep! Will the real sheep save themselves and Sam? Snuggle up and find out! or more sheep stories. |
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The first in this classic series, originally published in 1930, is for anyone that loves boats, sailing and most of all, adventure. What child wouldn’t love the idea of camping out on an island for a week without grownups? In Swallows and Amazons, the first book of 12, you’ll meet the Walker children and their able-bodied catboat Swallow as well as the intrepid Amazons, the Blackett children and get to know Wild Cat Island. Ransome is a wonderful storyteller and gives us a timeless tale sure to capture our imaginations and make adults and children alike long for an escape! |
Konrad
by Christine Nostlinger Grades 4 & up
(J Nostlinger)
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Mrs. Bartolotti loves surprises, but the mysterious package delivered to her by mistake beats them all! Inside is Konrad, a seven year-old boy produced in a factory, the ideal son. While thrilled to have such a son, Mrs. Bartolotti is worried about his programmed perfection and the fact that his schoolmates loathe him for this reason. Things get complicated as Konrad tries to become “normally” naughty and escape from the factory director trying to reclaim him. |
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The author of Fast Food Nation teams up with Wilson to present his findings in a readable yet informative book. This is perfect for those not inclined to read the longer and more detailed account of the history, production and results of our consumption of fast foods. You’ll still get plenty of disturbing yet irresistible facts: one out of every five schools in the U.S. now serves brand-name fast food; one out of every three toys given to a child in the U.S. each year is from a fast-food restaurant; Americans now spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers and recorded music – combined. Beyond this you’ll read about the labor force that grows, develops, produces, advertises and finally greets you at the counter as well as exactly why this “food” tastes so darn good! |
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Here is a bedtime story for anytime of the day! Little Boy is going to sleep in the big brass bed all by himself. “No. Not me!” he says when asked if he was going to be scared. However, with each kiss goodnight followed by a very squeaky door, Grandma puts another animal to bed with him. With the addition of the horse the bed collapses and Little Boy sleeps with Grandma and Grandpa that night. The following day Grandma fixes the broken bed and oils the squeaky door. Will he be scared now? “No! Not me!”
You’ll and the kids will have great fun making all the animal noises and shouting the refrain…and the kids will be worn out and ready to sleep! This story is based on a Puerto Rican folksong and folktale. |
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From pickles to potato salad, bumblebee stew to pumpkin pie pizzazz, your mouth will be watering while you’re on your way to the store for the ingredients and to the library to get the books by these 50 authors that cook. A wide range of recipes are offered: a fruit & nut salad from Dan Gutman, Yuyi Morales’ homemade tortillas and quesadillas and Wolf’s (of Wolf’s Chicken Stew fame) chocolate chip cookies from Keiko Kasza too! You’ll also find the stories behind the recipes, author photos and biographical details, reading connections and booklists. A yummy book all around. |
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Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, with the mysterious disappearance of their parents more than a year ago, are taken to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead. Sabrina finds it difficult to believe that this old, dumpy woman is not just plain crazy, especially when she insists that the mayor of this small town is really Prince Charming, the police are the Three Little Pigs and that Daphne’s teacher is Snow White. Even more unbelievable is the idea that the girls are meant to take on the family responsibility of being fairy-tale detectives! In the mean-time, a giant has invaded their new hometown and the adventure is afoot!
Book 2: The Unusual Suspects |
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Chester Cricket arrives in the Times Square subway station from Connecticut by way of a picnic basket. While residing in the Bellinis’ newsstand he is lucky enough to make 3 good friends: Mario, whose parents own the newsstand, Tucker, a Broadway mouse, and Harry the Cat, Tucker’s pal. This is a great read-aloud before heading off to New York City and Times Square. If you notice any chirping when you return to Connecticut, check your bags! Then, snuggle up with Tucker’s Countryside as the adventures continue. |
I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track
by Joshua Prince
Age 5 and up (JJ Prince) |
Jack, the railroad switchman, tries frantically to save an ant heading east on the westbound track – straight into the path of an oncoming freight train! The illustrations add much humor and detail to the story. Great for sharing and for those train enthusiasts!
Find out how even waiting for the morning train can provide inspiration in this “edge-of-the-seat” story: http://antstory.com/ |
The Book of Clouds
by John A. Day
Grades 5 - adult
(551.576) |
It must be spring! Look up to feel the sun on your face and the faces in the clouds!
If it’s raining, check this book out just for the pictures alone. They’re beautiful. And if you just happen to read some of the snippets of information about the many kinds of clouds, unusual cloud formations, optical effects, forecasting the weather, photographing clouds or even the short biography of the man who named the clouds…it’s a bonus! |
Not the End of the World
by Geraldine McCaughrean (J Fiction)
Grades 6 – adult |
Everyone knows the story of Noah and the Flood. Have you ever wondered what happened during those 40 days and nights? How would you feel living with just your close family, all of those animals, the endless rain, all of those “others” trying to survive? A familiar story transformed into a provocative tale through Noah’s family and even the animals |
Frederick
by Leo Lionni
Ages 4 & up |
While Frederick the field mouse sits on the wall his brothers gather food for the winter. When the food runs out everyone is grateful for Frederick’s supply of words. A subtle fable…a perfect read-aloud with lovely illustrations. |
