This week a batch of cool readers hit the shelf at the library. Check out the new I spys titles: I spy : 4 picture riddle books, I spy a school bus, and I spy a dinosaur's eye. For all those beginning reader Care Bear fans, we have Care Bears : 4 easy-to-read stories, and Care Bears : most valuable bear. There are also some new Margaret Hillert readers to add to our collection: Three Little Plays, Penguin, Penguin, Not too little to help : (a version of The lion and the mouse), The no-tail cat or, I like what I am, and another adventure with our favorite dragon Happy Mother's Day dear dragon.

Neesie is Janell's imaginary friend. Neesie makes Janell laugh and keeps her company. When Janell starts school Neesie says goodbye. A warm and touching story of family and the wonderful imagination of a child. First published in 1975, this newly illustrated thirtieth anniversary edition is a Reading Rainbow book.

Did you know you can teach your dog sign language or that you could have a secret conversation with your friends in sign? Aside from being able to communicate with deaf friends and family, these are a few good reasons to learn signing. A new book, Sign Language for Kids: A Fun and Easy Guide to American Sign Language by Lora Heller with excellent photographs and easy instructions, will have you signing in one day. Give it a try.

We've all been wondering about the twelfth title of Lemony Snicket's popular Series of Unfortunate Events which is shrouded in secrecy. Harper Collins has a contest for children to guess the title of the newest book. The deliciously devilish book is due out in October.

God Bless the Child is a Coretta Scott King Honor Book that is based on the song by Billie Holiday. The illustrations depict the migration of African Americans from the rural south to northern cities during the early 1900's. The book, like the song, exemplifies the spirit of hope and love so engrained in the black community.

If you want a good chuckle to fight off the back-to-school blues, meet Mrs. Rosemary, the best teacher Donald Davis ever had. And while you are at it, tap along with the hilarious Down in the Backpack, by Bill Harley. These two amazing tellers remind us that some of our most outrageous stories come from school.

Ellington Was Not a Street is based on the poem Mood Indigo by Ntozake Shange. This winner of the 2005 Corretta Scott King Illustrator award takes me back to my home Harlem, New York. A beautifully illustrated tribute to great men like Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Dubois who once walked the streets that now bear their names.

Melina Marchetta's 1992 novel Looking for Alibrandi won numerous literature prizes and landed on the national Australian high school reading list. Saving Francesca is Marchetta's first book in over ten years and her observations of school, family, and spirituality remain spot-on. The protagonist's biting wit and fierce love for her family and friends make this a must-read for fans of Louise Rennison or Laurie Halse Anderson.

Join Miz Mozetta as she jitterbugs with a new generation. This beautifully illustrated Corretta Scott King Honor book celebrates the heyday of Jazz to a rhythm young readers will enjoy.

Filming for the epic fantasy adventure, Eragon, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Christopher Paolini, is scheduled to begin in August in Budapest, Hungary.

The movie is set for release on June 16, 2006. A world-wide casting search for the title role ended with the selection of newcomer Ed Speleers. Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, and Djimon Hounsou are said to be in negotiations for key roles. Sienna Guillory will star as Arya.