Not A Box, Antoinette Portis

Not A Box, Antoinette Portis

(Preschool - Grade 1)

At our house the most treasured play things are also the simplest: sticks, dress-up clothes, paper bags and, of course, the cardboard box. In Not A Box, an imaginative bunny repeatedly reminds its realistic companion that a box is actually "NOT A BOX!" It is a hot-air balloon basket, race car, burning building and much more. Even the book cover looks and feels like cardboard but, as our bunny insists, is so much more. This unique picture book inspired our family to create a cardboard castle complete with duct-tape sword and shield - which could be the topic of a separate book entirely.

To find this book please visit us at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, by Eoin Colfer

(Grades 5-9)

Life is a bit of an adjustment for Artemis and Holly after their 3 year disappearance in The Lost Colony. Artemis is just figuring out how to adjust to his new role in the family when his mother's sudden illness threatens to tear the family apart again. To make matters worse, it seems the only cure is now extinct, and time travel is the only way to go. Artemis calls in the help of Holly, No. 1 and of course the genius centaur, Foaly.

It should be a simple in-and-out journey, but Artemis didn't count on his opponent. In a duel of wits Artemis must face-off against his most challenging opponent yet, Artemis Fowl, age 10 and without morals, but just as much determination and genius.

Once again Eoin Colfer gives fans a thrilling ride through the fairy world full of magic and technology beyond belief. Don't miss out on the sixth Artemis Fowl adventure!

Artemis Fowl Series:

1: Artemis Fowl

2: The Arctic Incident

3: The Eternity Code

4: The Opal Deception

5: The Lost Colony

6: The Time Paradox

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems

Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems

(Beginning Reader)

If you are a fan of Mo Willems' pigeon books, don't miss out his Elephant and Piggie series for beginning readers. Elephant and Piggie are friends, and Piggie's persistent optimism gets to be a bit much for Elephant who is convinced his friend will never fly. Piggie's creativity pays off, much to the surprise of his friend in a delightful ending. This story hits the spot for young readers with humorous pictures and story.

Don't miss out on these other Elephant and Piggie stories:

My Friend is Sad, by Mo Willems

There is a Bird on Your Head, by Mo Willems

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

New Books @ your library

Kid’s Chapter Books
The Sisters Grimm: Tales from the Hood, Michael Buckley
Seekers (Book 1): The Tale Begins, Erin Hunter
Hank Zipzer: the Life of Me (Enter at your own Risk), Henry Winkler

Picture Books
Cat Jumped In! Tess Weaver
Cat Heaven, Cynthia Rylant
Lightship, Brian Floca

True Stories for Kids
The Kids 'N' Clay Ceramics Book, Kevin Nierman
GO! The Whole World of Transportation, DK Publishing
Women Daredevils, Julie Cummins

Find these books in our online catalog at: ci.newberg.or.us/library

Dragon of Doom, Bruce Coville

Dragon of Doom, Bruce Coville

(Grades 3-5)

Our family just finished a suspenseful car ride with our ears tuned to the audio rendition of The Dragon of Doom, the first title in Bruce Coville's Moongobble and Me series. This tale of magic and adventure begins magician-in-training Moongobble's quest to complete three tasks and join the Society of Magicians. Young Edward is bored in his village of Pigbone and jumps feet first into a friendship with Moongobble and a talking toad named Urk. The full cast of voices, performed by eight actors, made us laugh and want to stay in the car even after we had arrived at our destination. Background music introduces each chapter and sound effects add to the story's suspense. Young readers will love this light-hearted fantasy that's not truly scary - just full of action and fun.

To find this and other Moongobble and Me series audio books in the library, go to our catalog at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Bee-Bim Bop, Linda Sue Park

Bee-Bim Bop, Linda Sue Park
(Preschool - 2nd Grade)

Inspire your preschooler and/or early reader to step into the kitchen with this playful dinner-time tale. A young girl narrates the preparation of her favorite family dish, bee-bim bop, a popular Korean meal meaning 'mix-mix rice.' The rhyming cadence is great practice for pre-readers and captures the fun each member of the family seems to have shopping, frying, flipping, boiling, chopping and eating together. A recipe is included at the the end with instructions for both kids and their grown-ups. Bee-bim bop was a huge hit at our house and inspired my preschooler to eat cabbage using chopsticks! A testament to a great picture book.

To find this book in the library go to our catalog at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Found (The Missing, Book 1), Margaret Peterson Haddix

Found, Margaret Peterson Haddix
(Grades 4 - 6)

From the author of the popular Sci-Fi series, Shadow Children, comes a new adventure: Found (The Missing: Book 1). Jonah has always known he was adopted, but when strange messages begin appearing in the mail, Jonah begins to ask questions about his origins. When he discovers his friend Chip, also adopted, has received the same messages, they begin to investigate, discovering just how many kids are part of an FBI cover-up of a catastrophic event transcending time and space. Jonah, Chip and Jonah's sister, Katherine, begin a race for their lives through time to make things right.

If you like this book check-out:
Among the Hidden (Shadow Children: Book 1) by Margaret P. Haddix
The Book of Time by Guillaume Prevost
Larklight by Philip Reeve.

To find these books in the Library, go to our catalog at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

Sailing off to Sleep, by Linda Ashman

Sailing Off to Sleep, by Linda Ashman
(Preschool - 2nd Grade)

Sailing off to Sleep speaks to children's love for adventure, independence and a comforting conclusion. This rhyming picture book tells the tale of a young girl's reluctance to go to bed and her imaginary journey across the Arctic sea. Throughout, the girl's mother asks concerned questions about her daughter's well-being, for which the young adventurer always has a confident answer. She sails with a whale, floats with a walrus, cuddles with polar bears and frolics with all manner of polar animals not often found in children's books. Cool Arctic landscape and warm animal illustrations contrast beautifully. The text's rhyming cadence can also help pre-readers learn to hear that words are made up of smaller parts. The little girl's return to home offers a soothing route to sleep for the little one in your life.

To find this book please visit us at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff