The Lion and the Bird

The Lion and the Bird
by Marianne Dubuc

When Lion helps an injured bird, he gains a companion to keep him company throughout the long, cold winter.   Once spring arrives, along with the rest of the bird’s flock, Lion realizes it is time for his new friend to leave and rejoin his bird friends.   Alone again, Lion wonders if he will ever see his friend again. 

This is a beautiful story of an unlikely friendship.  The gorgeous illustrations further emphasize the wonderful connection between the two friends.  The Lion and the Bird reminds readers that. no matter how cold and long the winter may be, things are always better when shared with a good friend.  This book will pair nicely with other stories of unlikely friendships, such as the fable The Lion & the Mouse. 

Pig is Big on Books

Pig is Big on Books
by Douglas Florian

Pig is big on books!  He reads everything and everywhere.  One day, however, Pig cannot find any books!  What’s the book-loving Pig to do without a book?  Write one of his own, of course!  

This short, sweet story by poet Douglas Florian is a great choice for young new readers looking for a book they can read on their own!   With short, repetitive text and illustrations that appear to have been done by a book loving pig, this is a fun book to practice reading with!

Author's website: http://www.douglasflorian.com/

Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible

Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
by Ursula Vernon

What does a hamster princess do if she's facing an evil curse on her twelfth birthday?  Anything dangerous she can until that day!   Princess Harriet, cursed by an evil Fairy God Mouse, knows there is no avoiding the curse put on her by the fairy Ratshade.  Knowing that she is invincible until her twelfth birthday, Harriet takes on as many dangerous quests as possible.  However, when the fateful day does arrive, things don't go as planned and, in an unexpected twist, Harriet must find a way to save the kingdom!  Will she succeed in her quest?

The first in a new series, Harriet the Invincible will be a hit with fans of Babymouse and other similar rodent tales.    Harriet is a spirited, fearless character that many will love following the adventures of!
Fans of Ursula Vernon's other series, Dragonbreath, will also want to try this exciting new series!

Author's website: http://www.ursulavernon.com/

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree
by Ellen Potter
illustrated by Qin Leng

Piper Green's first day of 2nd grade is off to a rough start!   She has to ride the lobster boat without her big brother and, after refusing to remove her beloved earmuffs, she gets into trouble with her new teacher, Ms. Arabella.   Despite promising her parents that she will not wear the earmuffs in school the next day, Piper is not willing to easily part with her favorite earmuffs and decides she would rather not go to school than give them up.  

Set on a small Maine island, this series follows the island life of Piper Green, her family, and friends.    With short chapters, large font, and an easy to follow storyline, this book will be a nice choice for readers in 1st or 2nd grade ready to start reading chapter books.  

Author's website: http://www.ellenpotter.com/

Under Their Skin

Under Their Skin 
by Margaret Peterson Haddix

When Eryn and Nick's mother announces she is getting remarried, they are shocked to learn that their new stepfather has two children, Jackson and Ava, that they were never told about.   To make matters more confusing, their mother and stepfather inform them that they will never meet Jackson and Ava and are ordered not to even ask questions about them.  

With the new marriage comes a new home, one that includes bedrooms for Jackson and Ava.   When Eryn and Nick discover their new stepbrother and stepsister's bedrooms are kept locked, their curiosity grows. Finally, they take a chance one day and decide to do some investigating about the mysterious Jackson and Ava.  What they discover shocks them and changes the way they see the world. 

Under their Skin was a book that, as soon as I started reading, I could not put down!   As with her other books, author Margaret Peterson Haddix's newest book is a thrilling combination of mystery, science fiction, and surprising twists!  Fans of her other books will want to read this first book in her newest series.  

Author's website: http://haddixbooks.com/

The Big Blue Thing on the Hill

The Big Blue Thing on the Hill
by Yuval Zommer

What is that big blue thing on the hill? When a strange, terrifying thing appears on top of Howling Hill, the animals around don't know what to make of it.   Terrified by this strange object, they hide in the forest, waiting for it to leave.   When it doesn't leave, they do all they can to get it to leave.  When their efforts fail, they consult the wise owls for advice.  Will the owls be able to help the animals get rid of the big blue thing on the hill?  

An entertaining assortment of animal characters combined with detailed, action packed pictures make this funny book a winner!  I'm looking forward to sharing this with some of my classes. 
 

Have I Got a Book for You!

Have I Got a Book for You!
by Melanie Watt

Are you a fish in need of an umbrella?  Or a penguin who needs an icebox?  Perhaps you are a mole who needs a vacuum?  No? That's okay, because Mr. Al Foxword, one of the most sly salesmen you'll ever meet, has a book just for you!  That's right, and he'll do whatever he can to sell you this book, even throw in an extra bookmark.  

This hilarious book, written and illustrated by the author of the Scaredy Squirrel series, shows how far a sly fox will go to sell someone anything, including a book!   The bright, funny illustrations of the persuasive Al Foxword attempting to make a sale make this book even more entertaining!  

Author's website: http://melaniewatt.blogspot.com/