The Man with the Violin

The Man with the Violin 
by Kathy Stinson illustrated 
by Dusan Petricic

In a busy subway station, a man plays the violin. A young boy named Dylan, who notices everything, wants to stop to listen, but his busy mother pulls him away. She's not the only one, many others walk by the talented musician as he continues to play. Later, Dylan learns that the man with the violin was a famous violinist named Joshua Bell giving a free concert that thousands didn't even notice as they rushed by him that day int he subway station.

While Dylan is a fictional character, the story of the subway concert by Joshua Bell is not. The renowned violinist really did play one day at a D.C. subway and only a few out of thousands of people stopped to listen. A beautiful story that reminds us to stop and notice what is around us.

Author's website: http://kathystinson.com/the-man-with-the-violin/

Book Trailer:
 

Carnivores

Carnivores
by Aaron Reynolds
illustrated by Dan Santat

Unhappy by their bad reputation, carnivores Lion, Great White Shark, and Timber Wolf get together to discuss how to make others like them.   After unsuccessfully trying to become vegetarians, they attempt to fit in by disguising themselves.   Unfortunately, that doesn't work either.   After consulting the wise owl about their challenges, the three friends learn that it's okay to be carnivores and learn to happily accept what they are!

This was a very funny story, with several moments that made me laugh!   The three main characters are very entertaining in their efforts to overcome their carnivore tendencies.   Full of funny moments and hilarious illustrations, this is a book that will entertain readers from the first page to the end. 

Author's website:  http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/carnivores.html

Book trailer:

A Funny Little Bird

A Funny Little Bird
by Jennifer Yerkes

Once there was a funny little bird who felt invisible.   Wherever he was, he just blended in.  Other birds made fun of him or just looked right through him.   He finally decided to do something about it and tried to make himself stand out.  Unfortunately, he learned that standing out could be dangerous!

This cute picture book is a great story to use to discuss animal camouflage and why some animals have certain coloring or patterning.    It's also a good book to use to discuss how there's nothing wrong with looking different.   I recently shared this story with several of my classes (it's one of this year's Chickadee Book Award books) and, with the fun story and great illustrations, it was a hit!

The Princess in Black

The Princess in Black 
by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale
illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Princess Magnolia has a secret life!   To most, she is Princess Magnolia, a proper princess who wears pretty dresses and drinks tea with other royalty.   However, when the monster alarm sounds, she becomes the Princess in Black, fighting the monsters that threaten her lands.   As she fights to protect others from the monsters, she also must protect her secret identity from others, including the nosy Duchess Wigtower!

What a fun story! With its engaging illustrations and short chapters, this book will be a wonderful choice for younger readers looking for a magical chapter book, especially for those who enjoy princess stories!   I'm sure this new series will be a popular one in the library!

Book website: http://www.princessinblack.com/ 

The Lost Stone

The Lost Stone (The Kingdom of Wrenly book 1)
by Jordan Quinn
illustrated by Robert McPhillips

Lucas, the prince of Wrenly, is tired of his boring life inside the castle.   Desperate for adventure, he finally convinces his father to allow him to be friends with Clara, the daughter of the Queen's seamstress.   When the Queen's emerald goes missing, Lucas and Clara embark on a journey through the lands of Wrenly to find the lost stone.  

This book, the first in the Kingdom of Wrenly series, is a fun adventure story and  a good choice for younger readers ready for their first chapter book.   It is a great combination of fantasy, mystery, and adventure!  I look forward to reading more of Lucas and Clara's adventures.  

Odd, Weird & Little

Odd, Weird & Little
by Patrick Jennings

There's something odd about Toulouse, the new boy in Woodrow's class.   Toulouse is smaller than everyone else, barely speaks, and his unusual clothing include gloves and a hat that he refuses to take off.   Before long, this strange new student becomes the target of the class bullies.   Woodrow, who is also often picked on, becomes drawn to the strange new boy and decides to get to know him better.   As he gets to know his new friend better, Woodrow finds that he and Toulouse have a lot in common, but also becomes more and more curious about some of his friend's strange behaviors. 

Odd, Weird & Little is a fun, entertaining story with a cute ending.   It is a great book about friendship that also addresses bullying.  I enjoyed reading it as will others who enjoy books about friendship and school stories.

Author's website:  http://www.patrickjennings.com/tigers-books/tigers-books/19092468 

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball

Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball
by David A. Kelly
illustrated by Oliver Dominguez

Lena Blackburne loved baseball.   However, while he was a good player, he was not an outstanding player who would break records or become famous for his playing.   Despite this, he found a way to make an important change in baseball: his discovery of a special mud that would help solve problems that many players were having with shiny, new baseballs.   Even today, Lena's special mud is still used by major league baseball teams.   

Miracle Mud is a fun, informative, picture book biography that will be a good choice for fans of baseball.   It explores a unique aspect of the sport that not everyone may know about!   As someone who knows little about baseball, I enjoyed reading this book and learning about someone who made a contribution that is still important to the sport today!

Official website for Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud: http://baseballrubbingmud.com/

The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone

The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone
by Tony Abbott

When Wade's father, an astrophysicist, receives an unusual, coded email from an old professor, their family suddenly finds themselves thrown into a dangerous international adventure!   Shortly after receiving the strange email, the family soon learns that the professor has recently been killed, leading the family to travel to Germany to attend his funeral.   What is intended to be a brief trip quickly turns into a wild adventure when Wade's family soon learns that the professor had many secrets, including knowledge of the whereabouts of the 12 relics of Copernicus.   Unfortunately, others are seeking the same information and will stop at nothing to uncover the relics.   Wade, along with his father, stepbrother, cousin Lily, and friend Becca, must race around the world to locate the relics before they end up in the wrong hands.

The Forbidden Stone is a fast-paced adventure story full of many dangerous, suspenseful moments!   It is rare for a story to get my heart-racing, but this is one that often kept me on edge.  I'm looking forward to the second book!   Fans of The 39 Clues series and similar books will likely enjoy this series.  

Book website: http://www.thecopernicuslegacy.com/

Book trailer: