Fun With Roman Numerals by David Adler

Fun With Roman Numerals by David Adler
(Grade 2 and up)

Somehow, my childhood education didn't include a detailed explanation of Roman numerals. I have picked up the basics over time - I means 1 and II means 2 - but have limped my way through the rest. Fun With Roman Numerals is a new book from author David Adler, a former math teacher. Just by flipping through its pages, I could suddenly understand why XVI means 16 and CLI means 151. Illustrator Edward Miller III (how fitting!) adds bold color and silly Roman scenes that make even a math book seem lively and fun. Plenty of specific examples are included with a page devoted to each. Adler offers additional activities using coins as well as an 'I spot a Roman numeral' feature at the book's conclusion. A wonderful book to add to elementary math curriculum or to keep those number skills fresh during the summer! To find this book at our library, visit http://www.newberglibrary.org/.

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Grumpy Bird

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
Grade Level: For anyone who has ever had a grumpy day

If you've ever had a day where you just feel grumpy, this book is for you. Jeremy Tankard's vibrant illustrations brighten up this grumpy book where Bird walks along, grumpily accruing friends along the way until he suddenly realizes he has walked his grumpies out.

We read this book at our house on grumpy days. Sometimes many times a day. This morning my 10 month old son asked my husband for a book ("bbb") but was dissatisfied with my husband's choice. He threw the board book aside, spent 2 minutes pulling himself up to the coffee table, and pointed his little finger at Grumpy Bird, saying with certainty, "Bbb!" And then we read it over and over and over...

To find this book please visit www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
(Preschool - Grade 2)

Rarely does a picture book celebrate being just ordinary. The OK Book achieves this with remarkable simplicity and visual appeal. A stick-figure child (brilliantly drawn as the word, O.K., with a head as the o and arms and legs as the k) is depicted in various settings and states, "I like to try a lot of different things. I'm not great at all of them, but I enjoy them just the same." The young reader, presumably still 'just o.k.' at new skills themselves, can embrace the learning period and be encouraged to keep practicing. Our young stick child is happy to be an OK marshmallow roaster, OK kite flyer, and OK pancake flipper as he imagines his future talents. My son loved the matter-of-fact conclusion emphasizing that learning can be just as fun as being excellent. The simple line drawings may inspire tentative artists as well. A wonderful read aloud for preschool and early elementary students.

To find this book at our library, visit www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

Clouds by Anne Rockwell

Clouds by Anne Rockwell
(Preschool - Grade 1)

Introducing a preschooler or early-elementary student to the joys of non-fiction books can be a challenge. A child may be head-over-heels excited about science but may quickly become discouraged with wordy or overwhelming texts. The Let's-Read-and-Find-Out About series is a wonderful starting point for this age group. Stage 1 books are aimed at preschoolers and kindergarteners, and Stage 2 are geared toward elementary students. Clouds by Anne Rockwell is a new Stage 1 selection at our library. It is an easy-to-read picture book introducing the ten different types of clouds with a page devoted to each. Preschoolers will relate to the discussion of weather - humidity, thunderstorms, snow, hail, even fog. Kids wanting to explore clouds even further will love the facts and project at the book's conclusion.

Visit www.newberglibrary.org to find Clouds and other Let's-Read-and-Find-Out About books at our library.

Reviewed by Amanda L., Children's Staff

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo
(Grades 3-5)

From the time this book came out I heard wonderful reviews. But I don't usually like books with animals that act like people, and I found the cover very unappealing. When I recently finally got around to reading it - I LOVED it, of course. Edward does not act like a person, he acts like a stuffed rabbit, passed from person to person, changing the lives of others and most profoundly changing his own. It was a little bit Velveteen Rabbit, but on a much bigger scale. When I read this with the book club kids they unanimously loved it, with the exception of the cover. They thought it didn't represent the book well since the scene is from his dream and the illustration does not match the description in the book. So don't judge this book by it's cover (unless you like the cover, good for you) and pick it up at the library today!

To find this book please visit: www.newberglibrary.org

Reviewed by Korie B., Children's Staff