A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon (audio book)

A Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon (audio book)

(Kindergarten - Grade 2)

Camilla Cream is getting ready to start school and longs to fit in perfectly. So much so that she denies her love of lima beans because everyone else hates them. Imagine her horror when her skin breaks out in rainbow-colored stripes as she is dressing for her first day of school. The whole town is overcome by her predicament as her stripes change with classmates' comments or as doctors prescribe new treatments. This book is visually impressive and serves up bold images that make the fantasy come alive for the reader. The book has a moral lesson to share that speaks to the challenge kids face in trying to 'be themselves' or make an independent decision. Young children (under age five) may be intimidated by the illustrations or story line without a solid understanding of fantasy and reality. The audio version is lighthearted and comical with sound effects and music throughout.

To find this book in our library, go to our web site at www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Famous Firsts, by Natalie Rompella

Famous Firsts: The Trendsetters, Groundbreakers & Risk-Takers Who Got America Moving!

by Natalie Rompella

(Grades 4 - 6)

Don't look for great American pastimes here- instead Rompella explores sports like surfing, trampolining, skateboarding and cheerleading. With bright pages and pictures of both early models of equipment as well as present day athletes, this book will be engaging to those interested in the history of the sports. With a magazine-like format this book would be a great for reluctant readers.

To find this book please visit us at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

New Books @ your library

Kid’s Chapter Books
Baseball Crazy: Ten Short Stories That Cover All the Bases, Dial Books for Young Readers
All the Lovely Bad Ones, Mary Downing Hahn
The Willoughbys, Lois Lowry
Vampirates: Blood Captain, Justin Somper

Picture Books
Dog Heaven, Cynthia Rylant
Drumbeat in Our Feet, Patricia A. Keeler
Tracks of a Panda, Nick Dowson

On the Farm, David Elliott

True Stories for Kids
Shape Me a Rhyme: Nature's Forms in Poetry, Jane Yolen

With a Little Luck: Surprising Stories of

Amazing Discoveries, Dennis Brindell Fradin
Living in the Australian Outback, Jane Bingham

Find these books in our online catalog at newberglibrary.org/

Posted by Amanda L. Children's Staff

Rex Zero and the End of the World, by Tim Wynne-Jones

Rex Zero and the End of the World, by Tim Wynne-Jones

(Grades 4-6)

The world is coming to an end. At least it might be. Everyone is on edge, and things in Rex's new town are not as they seem. Set in 1962 Canada, the Cold War is heating up and kids and adults alike are figuring out how to cope. On top of it all, a mysterious creature is lurking in the park and it just might be responsible for some strange disappearances.

Told with wit and humor against a bleak background, Rex Zero's story is surprisingly fun. Great for kids who enjoy mysteries with off-beat families.

To find this book please visit us at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

Yoko and Yoko's Paper Cranes, Rosemary Wells

Yoko and Yoko's Paper Cranes, Rosemary Wells

(Preschool - Grade 1)

My family fell in love with Rosemary Wells with our first rocking-chair reading of Read To Your Bunny. We laughed at her McDuff stories and nodded knowingly at silly Max and Ruby. Our discovery of Wells' Yoko, however, has surpassed even our highest expectations. Yoko is a Japanese-American kitty who dearly loves her mother's sushi and proudly presents it during lunchtime at her school. Her friends react unexpectedly with exclamations of "Ick!" and "Yuck-o-rama!" Mrs. Jenkins, Yoko's teacher, handles this with grace and a creative solution. The conclusion is sweet but not perfect - a sign of an author who understands the reality of childhood. My son was enamored with the sushi illustrations and the connection to our family members living in Japan. A connection made even more poignant by Wells' sequel, Yoko's Paper Cranes. This exquisite book features elements of origami and washi papers in its rich illustrations. The story visits Yoko's memory of her Obaasaan and Ojiisan (Grandmother and Grandfather) who still live in Japan. Yoko loves the cranes that visit her grandparents' home every spring. Ojiisan taught her to fold paper into cranes to ease her sadness at their eventual migration, an origami skill which is illustrated as a border in the book itself! Yoko moves to America but uses her new talent to stay connected to her Japanese family. This picture book is unique in that it presents many discussion points for kids, ranging from seasons, crane migration, separation from family, cultural ties, even creative gift-giving. Be sure to take a peek at these two titles at your next library visit. Enjoy!

To find this book in the library go to our website at http://www.newberglibrary.org/

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

The Wolf's Chicken Stew, by Keiko Kasza

The Wolf's Chicken Stew, by Keiko Kasza
(Preschool - 3rd Grade)
If your child enjoys humorous tales, then the Wolf's Chicken Stew is for you. Wolf is determined to "fatten up" a chicken in this delightful funfilled caper. He proceeds to bake scrumptous food for chicken in hopes of a plentiful dinner. But in an unlikely twist of events, finds that instead of the classic "big, bad, wolf" outcome, wolf finds many new friends. Your child will breathe a sigh of happy contentment at the surprising conclusion of this entertaining picture book.

To find this book please visit us at newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Cynthia S., Children's Staff