Blog Post
Sing a Song of Nonsense!
by krayla
Here's a new picture book for the young at heart, perfect for dancing to the beat from your head to your feet! Sing with Me features popular action rhymes and mini songs, illustrated with soft colors and soothing textures by Naoko Stoop. This title includes storytime favorites "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider," and also introduces some lesser-known but equally-fun tunes. Check this book out to get movin' and groovin'!
For even more titles to stay active no matter what the weather, check out this list of Action Rhymes and Songs!
Blog Post
Lost in the Sun
by manz
Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it.
Lost in the Sun is a fabulous youth fiction book by Lisa Graff. It is a great read-alike if you’re into realistic fiction by Gary Schmidt and Louis Sachar. I really felt the same mood and similar theme to The Wednesday Wars, with family drama and helpful teachers doing some guiding.
Twelve year old Trent hears that middle school is the worst, but he knows that nothing can be worse than 5th grade. For that’s the year that during a pick-up hockey game Trent hits a puck that accidentally hits another player in the chest and the boy ends up dying. (No spoiler, you find that out right away.) The book then spends time with Trent and how he is handing the guilt of what happened. On top of the guilt, he’s sure that everyone hates him, including his dad, his step-mom, his mom, the sister of the boy who died, the gym teacher, and his homeroom teacher – basically everyone.
His guilt transforms into anger and he takes it out on his family and the girl who wants to be his friend. The girl is Fallon, and she is chatty, a bit strange, has a large scar across her face, and Trent doesn’t understand why she keeps wanting to hang out with him. He with his anger and guilt, and then she with her mysterious scar… their friendship ends up saving them both.
It’s a genuine read with characters full of heart.
Blog Post
Meet Up & Eat Up!
by Beth Manuel
Over 14% of the population in Washtenaw County are considered food insecure. During the school year, kids on the Federal Lunch program have, thankfully, a couple of meals built into their day. In the summer months, children can still rely on a considerable number of Summer Food Service Programs so that no one goes hungry. These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and sponsored by Food Gatherers. Spread the word to ensure all of Washtenaw County's children are adequately fed this summer!
Blog Post
The Big Book of Things to Make
by manz
This amazing, stupendous, fun-filled book is jam packed with oodles of fun things to keep the kiddos busy this time of year!
The Big Book of Things to Make is divided into sections titled Make It, Do It, Know It and includes things to make, such as slime, alien masks, soap monsters, board games, and musical instruments. You can make things to eat like a pizza party, cookies, and glow-in-the-dark Jello. Or you can do things like magic tricks, write a story, spot deadly snakes, miniature golf, or host outdoor Olympic. Plus MANY, MANY more fun things!
The books is wonderfully laid out with pictures and simple directions that will lead to mass quantities of fun and games for elementary school age kids.
Blog Post
Meet Miss Moon, Dog Governess
by manz
You know that moment when you walk by a book shelf and a face-out book catches your eye, so you pick it up and open it, and you instantly feel the warm and fuzzies? This is one of those books for me. With beautiful oil paintings of so many dogs paired with such kind words of wisdom my heart just melted.
Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess is a picture book, but isn’t quite a story, and is absolutely not just for kids. Miss Wilhelmina Moon sets off to a small island off the coast of France to be a governess to sixty-seven dogs. (DOGS!) Each page is consumed with gorgeous full-color oil paintings of Miss Moon and her companions biking, bathing, reading, celebrating, and more. With each page the only text is a life lesson. Lesson One: Friends can come in many shapes and sizes. Lesson Two: Be true to your adventurous spirit. It’s really quite sweet, and the whimsical nostalgia-inspired images illustrate such wisdom perfectly. Don’t miss the “class photo” at the end.
This book is great if you like works by Maira Kalman, or are a fan of dogs or of wisdom for the soul kinds of books.
Since finding the book I have discovered that the Canadian author/illustrator Janet Hill has had her work featured all over, and she has an Etsy shop where her work is available for purchase – including art from Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess! So if you’re into dogs doing amazing things, take a peek.
Blog Post
Spot, the Cat
by manz
Can you spot the cat in Spot, the Cat? In this charming and wordless new picture book by Henry Cole Spot the cat weaves his way through busy cityscapes. When Spot is off exploring his young owner is busy looking for him. While Spot is exploring the city the reader gets an inside look at what’s going on around town, and we are invited to search the detailed black and white pen and ink illustrations for the cat named Spot, the white cat with a big black spot on his back. We venture to the farmer’s market, the museum, the park, and busy streets, stretching our eyes and minds to spot Spot. The tender book helps demonstrates the bond that exists between a cat, his home and his young boy caregiver. There's so much to say without words and this book does it well.
Blog Post
New Kids Movies!
by manz
Many new TV shows and movies for kids (okay, adults, too!) are popping up in the catalog! Just in time for summer movie nights. Here are a few new big movies on their way to AADL, a few with characters you've already met in previous films.
Zootopia
Zootopia is a city like no other that is comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it's a melting pot where animals from every environment live together. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn't so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde.
Hero Quest
A fairy tale about a grand life journey of ten-year old boy Savva, devoted to helping his mom and fellow village people to break free from the vicious hyenas.
Kung Fu Panda 3
Living large and loving life, Po realizes that he has a lot to learn if he's going to fulfill the next challenge from his beloved instructor. After reuniting with his long-lost father, Po must transition from student to teacher and train a group of fun-loving, clumsy pandas to become martial-arts fighters. Together, the kung-fu brethren unite to take on the evil Kai, a supernatural warrior who becomes stronger with each battle.
Open Season, Scared Silly
After hearing a story by the campfire, domesticated Boog is terrified by the story and decides to 'chicken out' of their annual summer camping trip until he knows the werewolf is gone. Determined to help Boog overcome his fears, Elliot and their woodland friends band together to scare the fear out of Boog and uncover the mystery of the Wailing Wampus Werewolf.
Blog Post
The 25th and Final Elephant & Piggie Book
by manz
Released this week, The Thank You Book marks the 25th and final book in children’s book author Mo Willems’ beloved Elephant & Piggie series.
The series follows the two best friends in many silly scenarios. In the books Gerald worries so that Piggie doesn’t have to. These popular books are written comic book style with dialog between the two characters to tell the story. The books are funny, silly, and sweet – just what you want in a children’s book.
With so many great books, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but lately I’ve really been loving on I am Invited to a Party!, Elephants Cannot Dance!, and the beautiful Waiting is Not Easy!.
This does not mean that Mo is done writing, and hey, maybe we’ll spot Piggie in a future Pigeon book?
Thank you, Mo!
Blog Post
2016 "Write On!" 3rd-5th Grade Short Story Contest Winners!
by krayla
Congratulations to the 2016 “Write On!” 3rd-5th Grade Short Story Contest Winners!
After an astounding 104 entries, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place stories were chosen from each grade, and the 2016 winners were announced at the Awards Celebration held on April 17th!
Come back soon to read this year’s short story submissions on the contest website!
Blog Post
Happy 100th Birthday, Beverly Cleary!
by manz
Beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary turns 100 years old today! Her books have been adored by many for decades and she has left quite a mark on children’s literature. Her first book was published in 1950, and her first book about the Quimbys, Beezus and Ramona, was published in 1955.
Popular books include Henry and Ribsy, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Ramona the Pest, and Dear Mr. Henshaw, which won Cleary a Newbery Medal in 1984. I remember devouring these books as a child, and they definitely boosted my interest in reading.
What are you or your child’s favorites?