Fiction (mostly) update

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I can’t say I read all that many books over the Christmas break – just too much to do.  But coming back to the university before the students, gave me an opportunity to catch up on many picture books, both fiction and nonfiction.  Here are a few highlights that I’m recommending:

Picture books – Fiction

 Chewy Louie by Howie Schneider (823 SCH57C 2000 PIC BK): Maybe I’m just projecting with this one (two kittens in my house, one who will try to eat just about anything) but I really could relate to the dilemma this family has with a young dog that literally chews the house to bits.  Suggested for grades K-3.

Earth to Clunk by Pam Smallcomb (823 SM19E PIC BK): Ever have to do 
something you just didn’t want to do?  Meet the ‘hero’ of Earth to Clunk.  Required to write to an alien pen pal from Quazar, this young boy sends him all sorts of repugnant things, including his bossy older sister. The alien in return also sends fairly bizarre things to Earth.  Not until the alien doesn’t write does the boy realize how much he enjoyed his correspondence.  Humorous story that ends well for all.  Suggested for grades 1-3.

Hope for Haiti by Jesse Joshua Watson (823 W3347H PIC BK)

We’re to the second year anniversary of the devastating earthquake to hit Haiti. We have a group of children playing with a soccer ball made of rolled rags, restore faith in an adult who has lost faith that life is slowly getting better.  Though a little didactic the book might be useful in the classroom.

I broke my trunk by Mo Willems (823 W666I2 PIC BK)

Another story in this series about Piggie and his friend, Gerald.  Find out how Gerald the elephant breaks his trunk.  It’s a long, crazy, hilarious story that could happen to anyone. Suggested for grades K-2.

My best friend by Mary Ann Rodman (823 R6182M PIC BK)

The trials and tribulations in making a best friend are told in this neat little story about 1^st grader Lily and 2^nd grader Tamika.  Sometimes these things just don’t work out the way you want.  Suggested for grades K-3.

Those shoes by Maribeth Boelts (823 B621T PIC BK)

Good story about fitting in and being empathic.  Jeremy is keen to wear the same hightops that all the other kids in school are wearing.  But, after his Grandmother tells him they can’t afford them, he uses his own money to buy a second-hand pair that is too small.  Eventually, he give the shoes to another boy with smaller feet, who seems to be even poorer than Jeremy is. Suggested for grades 2-5.

Picture books – Nonfiction

Birds of a feather by Jane Yolen (811 YOBI 2011 PIC BK)

Beautiful photographs are paired with beautiful poems about a variety of birds.  Suggested for grades 1-6.

Doggy slippers by Jorge Lujan (811 LUD 2010 PIC BK)

A collection of free-verse poems written collaboratively with the author and children from Latin America about their pets.  Interesting and funny.  Suggested for grades K-3.

One foot two feet: an exceptional counting book by Peter Maloney (513.211 MAO 2011 PIC BK)

The format of the book contributes to the funny way to learn about the plural forms of some nouns.  Foot become feet, mouse become mice, die becomes dice, etc.  Suggested for grades K-2.

Novels

Ivy + Bean: Doomed to dance by Annie Barrows (823 B2792I FIC)

Imagine your disappointment when you dream of being a beautiful ballerina in a beautiful ballet but then are cast as a squid! for your first recital.  Good thing Ivy and Bean have each other to get through this one.  Suggested for grades 2-4.

Miss Peregrine’s home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs (823 R4485M FIC)

It’s all very odd – mysterious death of grandfather, crazy stories told by same grandfather, strange photographs of children doing strange things living half way across the world – What’s a guy to do but go check it out for himself? Good adventure/action/fantasy.  The photographs are included and are great fun.  Suggested for grades 7 and up.

Savvy by Ingrid Law (823 L411S FIC)

This one came up as recommend on Anita Silvey’s Children’s Book-A-Day Almanac. A tale of a quirky family who develop ‘powers’ when they turn 13.  Mib’s 13^th birthday is here and she can hardly wait to find out what hers is to be.  Unexpected trouble happens when her father is in a car accident and she tries (with help from her brothers and a couple of soon-to-be friends) to visit him while in hospital.  Suggested for grades 5-7.