Fresh Picks! April

April is nearing it's end, and we've been busily getting ready for summer reading. We're going to have lots of great programs and activities to keep you and your family busy. Only 51 more days until all the craziness starts! Until then, here are some of our new books to keep you occupied:

The Riverman by Aaron Starmer. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2014. 

aaronstarmer.com

This first book in the Riverman trilogy is truly original and exciting! Fiona Loomis, the weird girl next door, tasks Alistair Cleary with writing her biography. After Fiona visits a magical world through the portal in her basement, she learns of a creature called the Riverman who steals the souls of children, and fears hers may be next. Alistair must separate fact from fiction, and fantasy from reality to save Fiona and possibly himself. 

Book Level: 4.9

AR Points: 10.0

Home by Carson Ellis. Candlewick Press, 2015. 

blog.nationale.us

 

Ellis' illustrations give a whole new meaning to home. Every page is filled with delightful interpretations of many different homes, from a Norse god, to a raccoon, to the little old lady who lives in a shoe. 

A Violin for Elva by Mary Lyn Ray. Illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt, 2015. 

 

This is a story not only for kids, but also great for adults. Full of passion for music, Elva wants a violin. After her parents won't let her get one, Elva spends her time pretending. As she moves through her life her passion never fades, but she always has some reason for not learning to play violin. A story that shows the importance of following what makes your heart sing, and for learning it's never too late.

The Wild Weather Book: Loads of Things to Do Outdoors in Rain, Wind, and Snow by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield. Frances Lincoln, 2013. 

Although there were some flakes recently, we're hoping that there won't be any more snow. This is Ohio, so who knows, but here's hoping. However, there's bound to be wind and rain. Some might think that neither are good for playing outside in, but this book will show you otherwise! Loaded with fun things to do in all kinds of weather, this book is great for chasing away boredom. Use your imagination and creativity to make a natural umbrella, or rain shadows. Blow some bubbles in the wind, and make a wind flag! This book is an exciting way to engage your imagination and wonder for the world.

With May almost here, our new calendar is out and chock full with all the programs we'll be doing this summer.  For more information on our upcoming programs check out our website. 

Fresh Picks! August

Welcome to the first post in a new monthly series, "Fresh Picks", where we will post about our favorite new books that we have added to the juvenile and young adult collections here at the library. Today we are highlighting some favorite juvenile fiction for a variety of ages that just hit our shelves this month!


Emily's Blue Period by Cathleen Daly Illustrations by Lisa Brown. Roaring Brook Press, 2014.

 Image from http://www.americanchickens.com/emilys-blue-period/.

This longer picture book is a lovely story depicting how young Emily learns to deal with her parent's divorce through art. She channels Picasso upon learning about his work in school, and hence embarks upon her own "blue period", the only color sufficient to depict her sadness over their split. The cathartic quality of creating art is celebrated in this book and makes for a wonderful discussion of divorce with young readers. I enjoyed this book not only because it shows how an artist affected one girl's life positively, but it also shows relateable and realistic situations, such as how helping her father pick out furniture for his new apartment becomes frustrating and emotional. 

Image from http://www.amazon.com.

Mister Bud Wears the Cone by Carter Goodrich. Simon & Schuster, 2014. 

This hilarious picture book will entertain dog-lovers of all ages. If you have ever had a pet dog that had to wear a cone around it's head, you will laugh at this funny and often pathetic tale of Mister Bud's plight. Goodrich's story is pure fun and is perfect for a read-aloud thanks to the childlike musings of Mister Bud's furry companion, Zorro. 







My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems. Hyperion, 2014. 

Image from http://www.pigeonpresents.com/book-info.aspx?bid=82.

Willems is one of my favorite author/illustrators and basically anything he does is amazing. His new addition to the Elephant and Piggie series is no exception. Elephant and Piggie are the best of friends, just as Snake and Brian the Bat are best friends. But Brian and Piggie are spending time together now and Elephant and Snake are worried their BFFs are going to have too much fun together and ditch them! This book has Willems' signature humor while accurately capturing the panic one may experience when your best friend starts making new friends. A sweet ending will make readers smile.  



Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge. Albert Whitman & Co., 2012.

 Readers who aren't afraid of creepy stories: this book is for you! Set at the end of 

Image from http://fallenstarstories.blogspot.com/2012/03/twelve-minutes-to-midnight-by.html

 the 1800's, young Penelope is an orphan and has taken over the family's bestselling magazine, Penny Dreadful. Penelope's shocking stories are so thrilling and wildly popular, she hires an actor to masquerade as 'Montgomery Flinch', her pen name, to keep her identity a secret to the public. When patients at a local mental institution begin acting strangely every evening, at - you guessed it!- twelve minutes to midnight, the bewildered staff turns to the clueless Montgomery for help. Only Penelope can solve this case that could be right out of the pages of the Penny Dreadful, causing her to lurk in the shadows and risk her own safety. The twists and turns in this book will have you on the edge of your seat until the case is closed!

Parent Hacks- Cooking with the Family

Ah, cooking. Cooking can be the most delightful of activities, or one of the most frustrating, depending on your expertise in the kitchen. If you are looking for some ways to introduce your children to cooking or perhaps learn some new recipes yourself, today's post is for you! We have compiled plenty of great book recommendations for you (available to take home from the library of course) in addition to some of our most favorite cooking blogs.


Recommended Non-Fiction Titles:

Cool USA Cooking Series by Alex Kuskowski. (Abdo Publishing, 2014).

Image from Abdo Publishing.

Our newest cooking series teaches kids to cook dishes from all across the United States. Each book focuses on a specific region of the country, outlining the individual states included in the region, and then provides various recipes for local cuisine. Recipes span from snacks, entrees to desserts and the titles provide basic cooking tips and a glossary of terms. Not only does this cooking series supply you with tasty meals, it also supplies a wonderful opportunity to explore other American cultures and histories other than your own. You could read a rowdy cowboy story and then whip up a batch of  "Arizona Beef Stew" from Cool Western Cooking. Or how about a jazzy story based in Chicago followed by a "Windy City Hot Dog" from Cool Midwestern Cooking.

Image from amazon.com

There are various other great cooking series available at the library that would make awesome starting points for young chefs. Try the You're the Chef series by Jennifer S. Larson (Millbrook Press, 2013). This cooking series is divided by types of meals, with titles such as Tasty Sandwiches and Yummy Soup and Salad Recipes. You'll find plenty of healthy recipes such as pita pockets filled with black beans and fresh vegetables or homemade veggie burgers.

Image from amazon.com

 The Super Simple series by Nancy Tuminelly (Abdo Publishing, 2013) is a good choice for the youngest of cooking connoisseurs. These recipes are quick, easy and require no baking so time spent in the kitchen is extra safe. Titles in this series include Super Simple Breakfasts and Super Simple Snacks.




Recommended Fiction Titles:

One way to make time in the kitchen more fun is by including cooking-related fiction stories. You can read one of these picture books together while you wait for your dinner to finish in the oven or while munching on the snack you just created.

Image from amazon.com

Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat by Susanna Reich. ( Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012). Follow the famous Julia Child in Paris as she and her cat Minette venture on culinary adventures. Julia is quite the amazing cook, but Minette seems to prefer mouse and bird to Julia's meals. This story is filled with lots of French words and sophisticated cooking terms to explore! Great for kindergarten and early grade school students interested in Parisian fare.

Image from http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/

Soup Day by Melissa Iwai. ( Henry Holt, 2010). A good choice for the toddler and preschool set, this story follows a mother and daughter as they traverse the market purchasing the many vegetables needed to make soup. A recipe to make your own soup is included in the back of the book!

Image from Bookworm.com

Gazpacho for Nacho by Tracey Kyle. (Two Lions, 2014). Nacho loves to eat gazpacho for every meal of the day! Includes a recipe for gazpacho and Spanish glossary in the back of the book. Great for preschool and kindergarten students.








Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. (Chronicle Books, 2005).  In an adorable twist, Little Pea cannot eat his vegetables until he eats up all of his candy! A great choice for picky eaters who may not enjoy their veggies. A story for kids of all ages.

Image from Chronicle Books.

Recommended Websites:

A Beautiful Mess: A very cool website created by two sisters with a huge expanse of yummy recipes to try out for family meals.

Six Sister's Stuff: This website is created by, you guessed it, six sisters who use the blog to keep in touch and share ideas. They have an amazing recipe index, complete with weekly menu plans to make your busy week easier.

Smitten Kitchen: An expansive website full of wit and tasty recipes from a NYC mom.

Big Girls Small Kitchen: Touted as a "guide to quarter-life cooking" this blog is accessible for all ages and even has recipes organized specifically for when you are low on time or money. 

We hope that you have a great time exploring the culinary world with your family! Be sure to stop into the library for more books to inspire your cooking adventures!