Search results matching tags 'books' and 'picture books'

Gardening

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:43:00 GMT

This spring and summer, I've been working on making my yard a nice place to spend time. I grew up spending time in the yard at home or at my grandparents' house and I learned a lot from watching my mom and my grandparents take care of their yards. Now I'm checking out a lot of library books about gardening to try and add to what I already know. I hope that every year I will learn a little more.

If you think gardening sounds like fun, check out these books filled with gardening ideas, activities, stories and pictures!

Container Garding for Kids by Ellen Talmage; photographed by Bruce Curtis

Planting the Seed: A Guide to Gardening by Suzanne Winckler

Compost! Growing Gardens From Your Garbage by Linda Glaser; pictures by Anca Hariton

A Harvest of Color: Growing a Vegetable Garden by Melanie Eclare

Down to Earth: Garden Secrets! Garden Stories! Garden Projects You Can Do! Created by Michael J. Rosen with 41 children's book authors and illustrators

The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin

Over Under in the Garden: An Alphabet Book by Pat Schories

Ghosts of the Past (and Present)

mrsweasley@evpl — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:22:00 GMT

Have you ever been haunted by a book? I was haunted by a book I couldn’t remember. My mother told me that when I was about three years old, I had a favorite book, one I checked out over and over again. I had absolutely no recollection of that book, and I wondered—what kind of book captured my imagination at that age? Was it a worthy book for a future children’s librarian?

Armed with a partial title, I searched Loganberry Books’ stumper database (http://www.loganberrybooks.com/solved.html ) and discovered Mary’s Scary House by Edith Thacher Hurd, illustrated by her husband Clement Hurd and published in 1956, the year I was born. Well, at least I had good taste! Edith Thacher Hurd authored many children’s books, some of which are still in print. Clement Hurd was the illustrator of the classics Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, as well as many others.

My search grew cold. There were no copies of Mary's Scary House remaining in the EVPL system. A few copies (mostly ex-library) could be had from used booksellers at “collectible” prices. I yearned to know more about this book that had helped to shape my love of books.

At Christmas, my husband surprised me with a beautiful, gently used and AUTOGRAPHED copy of Mary’s Scary House.

I rediscovered a charming story of a little girl who lives in a haunted house with a reluctant little ghost. Mary decides to take over the little ghost’s job, but learns that it is, indeed, difficult to stay up all night haunting. The happy conclusion is that now the ghost can be her playmate during the day.

I was delighted to be able share the story with my grandchildren. I paired it with a recently published book, Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara. I was struck by the similarties between my old favorite and Kohara's contemporary story and style of illustration. In this new book, an enterprising little witch finds a practical way to deal with the ghosts in her haunted house.

Did you have a favorite book when you were very young? What books do you love to share with your young friends?

What's the Point?

mrsweasley@evpl — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:29:00 GMT

Mel's life was well-rounded until he tripped one day and fell into another dimension where everything is pointy. No one believes his stories of a pointy world, but he won't give up his tale.

What's the point of this picture book by the always quirky team of Yorinks & Egielski? Is it a pointed satire on our perception of reality? Does it point to our disjointed experience of life? At what point does Mel trip over the line into fantasy?

I don't know. Just enjoy the hilarity of What a Trip! by Arthur Yorinks and Richard Egielski.

Adele and Simon

bookmarkbeck@evpl — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:25:00 GMT

Kids and Moms will enjoy the interaction while reading the Adele and Simon books by Barbara Mclintock. They are definitely for readers who like to study pages and find the hidden objects. Reading these books will be fun and entertaining-not to mention informative, educational, and charming. A little boy, filled with the excitement of childhood, loses his belongings as he travels around with his sister,Adele. He is confident his things will find him again while his sister expresses loving frustration and concern. The settings are early 20th century. The illustrations are pen-and-ink drawings filled with soft watercolors, and yes, all ends well and the journey is fun. To add to the experience, have your lilttle one make magic spectacles to wear, or use a magnifying glass while reading.

A "heifer" is not always a cow...

bookmarkbeck@evpl — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:44:00 GMT

Homeschool moms, teachers, and librarians interested in teaching children a lesson in compassion will appreciate these gems. The fact that these books are based on TRUE happenings will impact children's thoughts and feelings.

Beatrice's Goat by Page Mc Brier- A little girl in Uganda receives a pregnant goat from Heifer International allowing her to buy a uniform, books, and attend school-her lifelong dream.

The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli-A story about Noelie Lemire Houle, a Canadian woman living in Massachusettes who raised goats for Heifer International. Her life and farm are memorialized in beautiful paintings done by the author and hung in Dartmouth Town Hall and library.

Mia's Story by Michael Foreman-A little girl living in a "trash city" in Chile who turns her misfortune and sadness into happiness. The illustrations and line drawings are wonderful. Touching and inspiring-positive feelings of hope.

Heifer International is an organization providing livestock etc. to impoverished areas of the world.

A World without Superman?

mrsweasley@evpl — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:16:00 GMT

If you have ever worn a cape or attempted to fly, as I have, you will want to check out Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman. Superman seems to have always existed, but he was created in 1934 by writer Jerry Siegel and illustrator Joe Shuster, who were barely out of high school at the time. Superman almost didn't get off the ground, as one publisher after another turned down the idea. In 1938, Superman took off and the world was never the same.

Retro comic-style art by Ross McDonald vibrantly illustrates Marc Tyler Nobleman's story of two very ordinary boys who gave us a superstar.

dr. jean

bookmarkbeck@evpl — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:56:00 GMT

Dr. Jean songs and books will be featured at the NBL storytimes next week. Dr. Jean has 35 years experience in education and as a consultant. She holds a PH.D. from Georgia State University. Twelve of her popular songs have been"hand selected and transformed into delightful readers." I know an old lady who swallowed a one, and My mother is a baker will be especially fun. Kids love Dr. Jean and she has wonderful ideas for us. Wouldn't she be a good presenter at cypd or a summertime program? Let's keep getting her stuff for sure!

I Stink

UndergroundLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:11:00 GMT

This is the some garbage truck! Kate and Jim McMullan have written three great picture books about various vehicles. I Stink! is the first one I read. They're all great! Look also for I'm Dirty! and I'm Mighty!

Granny will fix it!

HipChick@evpl — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:18:00 GMT

Guess what? You are spending the night at Granny's house and you get to sleep in the big bed all by yourself. Are you going to be scared?? Of course not....what's that noise? Can someone sleep with me? How about some of the farm animals? Did you hear that? GRANNY!!! What a funny story to read about being afraid of something in the dark!

Don't Worry

HipChick@evpl — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:57:00 GMT

The world is a scary place! So Scaredy Squirrel stays put in his tree. Perfectly content with his daily routine. he eats a nut, checks out the view, eats a nut, checks out the view, eats a nut.... until something unexpected happens and he has to leave. Does anything awful happen? You will have to check this book out to see!