Hope's Grandpa Jack has passed away. She does not want to go to the funeral for fear that she will never see him again. Aunt Poogee reminds Hope that the people we love are always with us as long as there a memories to share. Blackberry Stew is a soothing read for a child dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Confucius: the Golden Rule is a biography of the ancient philosopher, Confucius. Although Confucius never wrote down his thoughts, followers recorded his teachings which are still relayed today. The French artist Clément’s elegant paintings of towns, temples and the bucktoothed Confucius himself have an ancient feel that perfectly sets the story.

Jada Pinkett Smith's poem Girls Hold Up This World comes alive with photographs of women and girls from all walks of life. The tender poem highlights the balance of feminine strength and compassion.

"Listen for me on a spring night, on a wet night, on a rainy night.…Listen for me tonight, tonight, and I'll sing you to sleep." So begins Song of the Water Boatman and other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman. Poetry forms from Haiku to sea shanties highlight the food chain of a pond, cattails in all seasons, or late fall when a painted turtle settles into the mud. Each poem is accompanied by a paragraph that provides scientific information about a specific creature, plant, or aspect of pond life. Becky Prange's woodcuts are a natural accompaniment to Sidman’s poems. My favorite is the title poem about a Water Boatman; “Down through the jolly waters green, I stroke with legs both long and lean, like a streamlined class-A submarine…on a sunny summer’s morning.” Delightful!!

Ramadan will begin next week. Click the link to see
some Youth books that cover the subject of Ramadan.

Mississippi is an Ojibwe word meaning “Great River.” Monday on the Mississippi makes you feel you're in a boat flowing down the river through the states from the Minnesota source to the Louisiana mouth. Steamboat! the Story of Captain Blanche Leathers is a biography of the first female steamboat captain. Blanche married Bowling Leathers, captain of the Natchez, the fastest and grandest steamboat on the Mississippi. Blanche joined her husband in the pilot house and was taught everything he knew. In 1894 she passed the difficult exam and became a “Steamboatman”.

The value of a library is the ideas it holds and shares. It is Banned Books Week season, and The Librarian Of Basra is the true story, told in a picture book, of a brave Librarian in Iraq, Alia Muhammad Baker, who saved the contents of her library during war.

Ever wonder what it would be like to live with an owl? Written and illustrated by veteran animal rehabilitators, Adopted by an Owl: the True Story of Jackson the Owl by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen reveals the trials and joys of raising a great horned owl. Stolen from his nest and rejected by his owner, Jackson is driven to a farm and becomes an integral part of the family. It’s amazing to read of Jackson’s interactions with “Nick” (also the illustrator), his healing process, and his eventual decision to stay on the farm. What’s more, the story takes place in Michigan. A wonderful book to share for all ages. Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen.

We have good news for those picture book fans of the wild and wacky Pigeon. Mo Willems has written a new story due out this April called Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. Can you imagine how cranky a sleep deprived Pigeon will be? We will make sure to have copies at all locations so you can find out. Now we just have to get through the winter. While you are waiting, entertain yourself by visiting Mo's great website at mowillems.com.

Grandma's father taught her how to play baseball. She dreamed of hitting a ball just like the great Negro League ball player Josh Gibson. Girls didn't play baseball in the forties and negroes didn't play for the majors. Nevertheless, both Grandma and Josh Gibson make their mark on the world in the sport they loved most. Angela Johnson hits a home run in this tribute to a great ball player and a reminder that girls can do anything.