Review: Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper

9781626723719

$16.99

There was a cat who lived alone.

Until the day a new cat came . . .

And so a story of friendship begins, following two cats through their days, months, and years until one day, the older cat has to go. And he doesn’t come back.

A sweet introduction to the circle of life, and how love and friendship continue throughout. 

Saying goodbye to pets is tough. Different children (and adults!) respond in different ways. Some need to talk things through, while others prefer to reflect alone. With spare prose and simple black and white pictures on each page making this suitable for very beginning readers, parents may choose to read it together or let their child explore it alone for a bit. 

The death of the big cat is parsed as, "he had to go...and he didn't come back." The black cat is watching a bird fly away from a feeder, and then he is seen alone. The next pages have him alone, then with the family in silhouette, with the text, "And that was hard. For everyone." So many emotions and thoughts in just six words! 

Fortunately, it is followed by, "Until the day a new cat came," and the cycle of friendship and caring begins again. If you find yourself dealing with the death of a person rather than a pet, you can use this to talk about what you have learned from that person, and how you can pass it on to others.

A great book to have on hand for similar situations, but not so fixated on the loss of the first cat that it can't be read at any time, simply as a story of friendship.

*NOTE: This title has been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am a first round panelist. There are many nominations and six other judges. My opinions should not be construed as a sign of inclusion or exclusion on the final short list.

Review: The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

9780735227927

$18.99

One eye was bigger than the other.  That was a mistake.

The weird  frog-cat-cow thing? It made an excellent bush.

And the inky smudges… they look as if they were always meant to be leaves floating gently across the sky.

Do you have a tiny perfectionist (or two) in your life? Someone who will tear up a paper in a fit after a misstep, and declare tearfully "It's all ruined!!!"? Of course you do, and they NEED this book!

I have known teachers who tore the erasers off every pencil in their room to stop their charges from erasing holes in their papers. In The Book of Mistakes, when Luyken makes a mistake - in ink, no less - rather than starting over, she incorporates the mistake into her picture. Does it end up looking like what she originally intended? Nope - it's even more wonderful and imaginative!

A fun and easy extension might be fun with paint splotches like these monsters we recently created in story time:

Write it in your lesson plans as "building a framework for understanding symmetry", and you are covered.

Or, less messy but also fun, have each student draw a simple smudge or shape on a paper, then trade with another student. Students now draw a picture based around the squiggle they were handed. I would have loved exercises like this in school, but the ones who find it most frustrating are the ones who need to practice it the most, and who will need the most encouragement. Be patient with them! And then put up a hallway display showing how great your kids are at thinking outside the box!

*NOTE: This title has been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am a first round panelist. There are many nominations and six other judges. My opinions should not be construed as a sign of inclusion or exclusion on the final short list.

Book Review: Charlie and Mouse series by Laurel Snyder and Emily Hughes

Silly Ms. Snyder seems to think she has based this new series on her own children, when it should be obvious to everyone that it is all about Logan and Shane.

9781452131535

$14.99

Who else but Logan would try to earn money by selling rocks to the neighbors (and get away with it)? And the bedtime banana stalling technique - pure genius that could only come from Shane! Two adorable, spirited brothers in a charming early reader that my kids pretty much memorized as soon as I brought it home.

The newest title is just as fun:

978-145-213-7483

$14.99

In this heartwarming sequel to Laurel Snyder's beginning chapter book Charlie & Mouse, the two brothers enjoy a special visit from their grandpa, Grumpy. Follow along as they discuss being medium, pounce each other, sing the wrong songs, build blanket forts, and more. 

I know that SAYS it is their grandfather visiting, but this was obviously written about our recent visit from Uncle Mike. And it was a sheet used in the fort, not a blanket.

All joking aside, this is a fantastic new series for your beginning readers. Broken up into very short chapters with cheerful, quirky illustrations, they are sure to both entertain your new readers and encourage them with how well they can read "a real chapter book". Bonus: you won't mind hearing the stories over and over yourself! We are eagerly anticipating the next installment!

*NOTE: These titles have been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am a first round panelist. There are many nominations and six other judges. My opinions should not be construed as a sign of inclusion or exclusion on the final short list.

Review: Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton

I have worked Bear and Mouse's first book into a dozen different story times, and I just realized I never reviewed it! I literally squeed* out loud when I saw this title up for review, and immediately asked for a copy. 

(*That is too a word, go away spell check)

9780763649234

$16.99

One frosty night, Bear hears a tap, tap, tapping on his front door. "Merry Christmas!" cries Mouse. Mouse is there for a Christmas party, and Bear has never had one before, but he’s certain that pickles (preferably from France) must be an essential component, along with the reading of a long and difficult poem. The problem is, whenever Bear comes back from the kitchen with more treats, Mouse has vanished — only to be found, small and gray and guilty-eyed, scurrying under the bed or rifling through the closet. Will there be even a tiny present involved? "Hogwash!" scolds Bear. 

It did not disappoint in the least. A very satisfying story to read aloud (doing Bear's lofty tones and Mouse's timid requests is almost too easy with this text!), it is going smack at the top of my holiday story time list. Bear even reminded me a little bit of myself with my kids, teasing just a bit and then having to be rather obvious about my surprise. And the poem he reads is the same one Daddy reads at our house every Christmas Eve!

The illustrations are charming, soft watercolors in wintery hues. I even got an idea for a stocking stuffer* for my starry-eyed boy. And if you'll excuse me now, I need to see about ordering pickles from France.

*NOTE: This title has been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am a first round panelist. There are many nominations and six other judges. My opinions should not be construed as a sign of inclusion or exclusion on the final short list.

* Psst! Don't tell Logan, but I ordered this for his stocking, and it already came in:

It is really nice - and less than $7! He will be at least as excited as Mouse!

Review: Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares

9780763677336

$17.99

Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months, and once a year the people who live nearby string lights on their tree and sing a special song: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Luckily, it’s just the season for miracles. . .

The grown-up in me is wondering WHY ON EARTH a family would agree to cut down such a majestic tree, the only tree in their front yard. But, this book is not written for the grown-ups, it is written for the children, and for them it is just right. 

The cardinal couple and their separation are the main focus of the story. While there is an urgency and some sadness, it is not a tear-jerker that will upset more sensitive children. Fitting around their story are details about the annual selection and lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. A footnote explains the origin and continuation of the tradition, as well as where the idea of a winged stowaway came from.

Let's talk illustrations: there is so much going on with the family that happens to live by the tree. Kids can match up activities to seasons, and talk about how the tree is a part of each (although I did wonder why there would be so many fallen maple leaves under a Norway Spruce. Really strong winds from the back yard?). The cardinals are drawn accurately, and there are dozens of details to pore over, such as a little boy counting the rings on the tree, or the first and last illustrations mirroring each other. Scenes of New York as seen from a bird's point of view. Really, the book is worth purchasing for the illustrations alone! A solid addition to your Christmas classics.

*NOTE: This title has been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am a first round panelist. There are many nominations and six other judges. My opinions should not be construed as a sign of inclusion or exclusion on the final short list.

Review: It's a Boa Constrictor! It's a Chimpanzee! by Tessa Kenan, Bumba Books by Lerner

Last week we looked at Lerner's Let's Explore Countries series for beginning readers. Any teacher or librarian can tell you that animal books are a sure hit for the younger ages, so I was pleased to see this series as well.

9781512425673

9781512425727

$25

Like the country series, these attractively illustrated titles include simple but informative text, with questions designed to spark critical thinking (Why do you think boas can be different colors? How else might chimpanzees use tools?) A good basic introduction to each animal, and interesting enough to motivate young readers. Another set I strongly recommend for school or classroom libraries. Other animals currently available in this series include the jaguar, chameleon, red-eyed tree frog and vampire bat. We will be purchasing all of them!

Family Fright Night 2017

We looooooooove Halloween here, and our Family Fright Night is one of my favorite annual programs! It is a popular program as well, and last year the crush of people was a bit overwhelming. I ended up have to rearrange the schedule as we went, shouting stories to a packed room, and didn't get to really visit with anyone. We made a few adjustments this year, and it went much more smoothly.

I am mad at myself about one thing, though - I didn't get pictures of any of the food! Just these absolutely adorable mini jack-o-lanterns that my volunteer created:

We also had:

Poisoned Apples (plain old apples)

Jack-o-lantern Seeds (cheese balls)

Toasted Bones (pretzel sticks)

Dried Skin (chips)

Eyeballs (grapes)

Witch's Teeth (harvest candy corn)

Used Band-Aids (vanilla wafers with a smear of white frosting and red jam)

Blood Dough Cookies (red velvet Chips A'Hoy)

This year we set up the refreshments outside. In previous years they were in the same room as the stories, and people would grab a plate and sit down for the stories. Advantages to having them outside: stories could start without waiting for everyone to get snacks, and no spills inside. Disadvantage: adults filling "to go" bags!! Seriously, people. Sigh. I was afraid there would be a lot of trash left outside, but I only found one styrofoam cup.

In the space where snacks were last year, I put a row of tables with Halloween books to check out, and these characters giving their sales pitches.

In years past I learned an open tub of candy brings out the worst in people, so I make up goody bags now. Each has EXACTLY the same amount of candy and toys. I asked parents to let me know of allergies ahead of time, so I could have some specially tagged and sitting next to me. They looked the same as everyone else's bags, so nobody felt singled out. (The skeleton is holding bags that are purely toys, no candy at all).

I gave out 108 goody bags, so with adults I would say we had at least 200 people. I gave out the treat bags after each of two story times. Splitting it up worked MUCH better - our room is only supposed to hold 70 people, and we definitely went beyond that (shh!) for the first story time, came very close the second. Everyone was super at listening to the stories and 'helping' me with different parts. I had set up a microphone, but didn't end up having to use it.

The bucket of "bones" was for a "Skeleton Says" game, to get some wiggles out, but there wasn't time or need for it. 

Btw, if you are a new librarian, start hoarding large swaths of black material - sheets, tablecloths, whatever. They come in handy for any sort of holiday, as backdrops, or to cover things you can't move:

The cabinet where our story time crafts go...

20 cases of water...

Two boxes of rocks for the next painting party...

Even the ugly chair that hasn't made it to storage! I told everyone she was caught dog-earing pages.

I had this cool bubbling water thing, and totally forgot to turn it on.

I DID test out the fog machine earlier in the day. Which set off the fire alarm in the whole building. Good news, our staff jumped up and did everything they are supposed to in a fire! Great...er...drill, guys.

I had brought this mirror from home for a program last week, so I just added some decals:

Huh...I don't see my reflection...that is so weird.

For scary stories I read: 

Guess? by Mem Fox (no coaching needed for all the "yes" lines!)

The Doghouse by Jan Thomas (I had the kids whisper in a scary voice, "the doghouse" every time it came up)

The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams (kids helped with all the sounds)

Who Took My Hairy Toe? by Shutta Crum

Games and Crafts! Since we were using the entire library, inside and out, I couldn't set them up until it was almost time, so I used the chairs as a staging area:

Having a box for each made clean-up easier, too - I just told everyone helping to sweep everything into the box, and I would deal with it in the morning. (Instead, I am posting these pictures...I'll get to them in a bit!)

I got these hands at the dollar store, and had a plastic graveyard fence to go around them, but the ground was too hard to push the fence in! As you can see, we just got the hands in enough to stand up, but they worked. We had glow-in-the-dark necklaces to throw, ring one hand and get a prize. Gabe Professor Snape ran that one.

Maui, here (who made the hook himself) ran the spider races.

Cheap game, you just need two plastic spiders and a bag of straws. Make a line down the middle of a table with masking tape. Two competitors each get a (fresh!) straw, and at the signal, try to blow their spider to the end first. Winner gets a prize.

We also had the web grab, run by Ellie:

This is the "after" picture! It was full of toys and candy, and you had to use the tongs to get just ONE thing out through the web.

Trick or Treat:

Run by Bianca, a first time volunteer. Roll the "die", if it lands on "treat" you get a prize, if it lands on "trick" you have to do what it says first. (Quick: what book contains the robot monkey line?)

And, Feed the Monster:

Your basic toss-the-ball game. I was originally using bugs, but since we did it outside I was afraid Senta, who was running the game, would spend half her time hunting in the grass for them!

This Candy Corn Puppet craft was more popular than I expected:

Even zombies like to craft!

Make your own treat bags:

Followed by, clean up your own mess:

Day of the Dead Masks:

Very popular!

Monster faces:

Adult coloring and Halloween trivia:

Last but not least, all the cuties in costume! I only got a few, because I was mostly reading stories, but:

A very spirited Supergirl and Batman

Mom MADE these!!! Even their treat bags!!!

Cutest witch EVER.

Ballerina Panda

Pirate - I want that shirt! And the boots! And...

Malala Yousafzai. With a newly missing tooth.

Psst - don't EVER tell a 2-year-old Rainbow Dash that she looks like a beautiful flower. It will not go well for you.

Even a furry pumpkin!

with painted nails.

I'm assuming a service dog, extremely well-behaved. For those who do want to bring their pets for something special, though, keep an ear out for details about Santa Pets in December!

I hope everyone had a great time! I loved seeing all the costumed wee ones (and adults). Have a fantastic Halloween!