The Thank You Book

The Thank You Book
by Mo Willems

Piggie wants to say thank you!   Elephant, however, is worried that she will forget to thank someone.  As she rushes to thank as many friends as possible, will Piggie remember to thank the one, very important friend, that Elephant is worried that she'll forget?

The Thank You Book is the 25th, and last, book of the well-loved Elephant and Piggie series.  As I shared this book with some of my classes recently, many of us were a little sad to know that there would be no more new adventures of two of our favorite story characters. Fortunately, we also know that we love the Elephant and Piggie books so much that we don't mind reading them over and over again!   The Thank You Book was a touching conclusion to this wonderful series that had this librarian a little teary as she read the last couple pages! 

Thank-O-Rama site: http://www.thankorama.com/

Thank-O-Rama video:

The War that Saved My Life

The War that Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Ada has never been able to leave her family's tiny apartment.   Unable to walk due to a foot abnormality, Ada is not allowed to go outside and only views the world through a window.   When World War II begins, however, everything changes.   Jamie, her younger brother, must leave London to go to a safer place and, despite her mother forbidding it, Ada sneaks out with him so that she can escape their cruel mother.   Arriving in the country, they are placed with Susan, a woman who knows nothing about children.    In her new, but temporary, home, Ada finally gets a sense of freedom and hope that she never felt with her mother.   Will her happiness last or, once the war ends, will she be sent back to the unhappy life she ran away from?

A Newbery Honor book, The War that Saved My Life is an inspiring story about a young girl who overcomes many challenges to find a better, happier life.   Set in England during World War II, this book will be a great choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as those looking for a story about family and hope.  

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

Earmuffs for Everyone!

Earmuffs for Everyone! 
by Meghan McCarthy

Who is Chester Greenwood?  While many credit him as the inventor of the earmuffs, author Meghan McCarthy explains how, while he was not the first person to make earmuffs, he became known as the inventor of them by improving the designs of other earmuff inventors.   As a result of his fame, Farmington, Maine celebrates Chester Greenwood Day every December.   In addition to describing the interesting history of earmuffs, including Chester Greenwood's contribution, she also explains to young readers what a patent is, why its important to inventor, and how many famous inventors developed items that were actually improvements on something created by someone else.  With fun facts and cute illustrations, this informational picture book is a fascinating look at a piece of Maine history!

An author's note in the back details the lengthy research that Meghan McCarthy had to do to unravel the complicated history of earmuffs.  This additional information should be shared with older students, as she came across quite a bit of inaccurate information on the internet as she struggled to put together the mystery of Chester Greenwood's contribution to earmuffs.   Through the use of primary sources and other, more reliable, resources, she was finally able to get a better understanding about Chester Greenwood's life and the history of earmuffs!

Author's website: http://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/homepage.htm

Crenshaw

Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate

The first time Crenshaw showed up, Jackson and his family were living in their minivan.   When the imaginary cat makes a reappearance a few years later,  Jackson begins to worry that his family once again will lose their home.   Food and money are scarce, and his parents have begun to sell some of their possessions to help pay the rent and other bills.  As Jackson struggles with his family's situation and the possibility of being homeless again,  he reminisces about the last time Crenshaw appeared.   Is Crenshaw's appearance just a coincidence, or a sign that things are about to fall apart again?

Crenshaw is an emotional story that had me captivated from the first page.   As I say to many of my students, I know a book is a going to be a great choice for me if I don't want to put it down once I begin reading it.  Crenshaw was one of those books.  Reading about Jackson's struggles will give many a greater appreciation for what they have, and the strong bonds of his family throughout their challenges is heartwarming.  What a great book!

Book website: http://www.mackidsbooks.com/crenshaw/

Book trailer: 

Fly Guy Presents: Snakes

Fly Guy Presents: Snakes
by Tedd Arnold

Fly Guy, the beloved pet fly, is back and ready to teach us about snakes!   Fly Guy and his friend Buzz share a trip to the zoo, where they visit the snake house.   Photographs of a variety of snakes are paired with interesting facts about the slithery creatures.   Throughout it all, the cartoonish presence of Buzz and Fly Guy help make this informative read highly entertaining!

Fans of Fly Guy as well as of snakes will enjoy this addition to the Fly Guy Presents series.   This is a great choice for beginning readers looking for a fun, nonfiction book about snakes.  



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


Book trailer:

Frankencrayon

Frankencrayon
by Michael Hall

As a cast of crayons eagerly wait to present "Frankencrayon", the unthinkable happens: a scribble across the page!   In their well-meaning efforts to fix the scribble, the crayons only make it worse.   As everything starts to fall apart, the only choice is to cancel the story.  Unfortunately, no one told the crayons playing Frankencrayon!  Will Frankencrayon be able to save the day?

This humorous picture book will be a great read aloud!  Full of bright colors, an entertaining cast of crayons, and hilarious moments, it will bring many laughs.   Read it with other crayon stories, including Michael Hall's other crayon book, Red: A Crayon's Story, as well as Drew Daywait's books The Day the Crayons Quit and the Day the Crayons Came Home for a crayon themed unit!

Author's website:  http://www.michaelhallstudio.com/index.html

Book Trailer:

Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall

Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall
by Anita Silvey

From a young age, Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall loved to observe animals.    Most indoor activities were of little interest to the girl who preferred to spend her time in nature, closely watching all around her.   Her love of animals, and watching how they lived, helped make her into the incredible woman she is today.  

Untamed follows the life of Jane Goodall from the time she was a little girl who would spend hours watching chickens, through her early years studying chimpanzees in Gombe, and finally to the well-known conservationist she is today.   Jane Goodall's life has been extraordinary, and Untamed details many of the fascinating moments in the life of this inspiring woman.   This excellent biography also includes many photographs of Jane throughout her life, including several from her work with chimps as well as moments from her childhood in England.   As a huge fan of Jane Goodall (it was her work that inspired me to earn my first college degree in Zoology) I found myself easily drawn into this book and didn't put it down until I was finished reading it.  This book is a must read for animal lovers and future scientists!

Author's website: http://www.anitasilvey.com/index.html

For more about Jane Goodall:
Jane Goodall Institute: http://www.janegoodall.org/
Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots: http://www.rootsandshoots.org/
    The Roots and Shoots program is devoted to helping young people find ways to make our world a better place through a variety of projects, including conservation, food drives, gardens, and other programs. 

Float

Float
by Daniel Miyares

How can a piece of newspaper make a rainy day more exciting?  Make it into a boat, of course!  In this wordless picture book, readers will follow the adventures of a young boy, dressed in his bright yellow rain gear, as he chases his newly made newspaper boat through a puddle in the pouring rain.  Where will be puddle bring his boat?  Read the book to find out!

This beautiful wordless picture book shows how something as simple as a newspaper boat can bring excitement and adventure to a rainy day.   With the brightly illustrated boy and his boat standing out against the grey/bleak background of a rainy day, the detailed pictures of this story will catch the attention and excitement of its audience as they experience this rainy day adventure!   This book will work well with a "what floats" theme with a class!

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

My Pen

My Pen
by Christopher Myers

 Inside every pen are millions of possibilities trying to get out!   All you need is a little imagination, and a pen, and you can have just about anything: elephants in teacups, dinosaurs, satellite sneakers, and more!  With a pen and an imagination, you can visit another country and experience new things.  Anything is possible with a pen!

In this outstanding book, award winning author/illustrator Christopher Myers uses beautiful black and white illustrations to demonstrate to readers the possibilities one can have with two simple objects: a pen and an imagination!

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.