History, science, math and fun

Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks

The catchy rhyme makes this a fun read aloud. The monsters in this story are happy eating rocks and tractors and such, but not broccoli. That is, until they eat broccoli, thinking they are eating trees.

Ages 3-7 Picture book, health






Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens by Cindy Newschwander
There are six books in the ‘Sir Cumference’ series, and all are math based.
In this story, Sir Cumference is trying to figure out how many
people have come to a surprise party for the king. Counting by
tens and grouping those tens into hundreds and thousands
was the key.

Ages 6-10 Math




Butterflies and Moths by Nic Bishop

This latest book is as good as the previous titles, Frogs and Spiders. These are all photo essays, with fabulously magnified views of caterpillars, butterfly wings and more. The photos are labeled so you know what species AND how much the photo was magnified.

Ages 4-12

Science

Cromwell Dixon's Sky-Cycle

In 1907, Cromwell Dixon was 14 years old. He built an amazing flying machine; this is his true story.

The cartoonish pictures might let you think this is a made up story, but the author has a picture of the original Sky-cycle in the back of the book!

Ages 6-10 History

Mostly animals, some counting, and all picture books

There Was an Old Monster by Rebecca, Adrian & Ed Emberley

This sing-along book invites you to download the music for free, though the story is fine to read and giggle together. This old monster swallowed all kinds of things and jiggled and scratched and felt sick. Wouldn't you feel sick if you had swallowed a tick, and some ants, a bat and a lizard?

The authors are three generations of the same family!

Share this with your monster loving 4-8 year old.

New Old Shoes by Charlotte Blessing

Social activism is alive in children's books. Some books are heavy handed, but not this one. The reader follows the 'life' of a pair of red sneakers, from new, to worn, to being shipped to Africa for another child to wear. There is a brief note about the organization Soles 4 Souls in the back of the book, should you want to donate your gently used shoes.

5-10 year olds

The Missing Chick by Valeri Gorbachev

Valeri Gorbachev is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrator. Her pictures and stories always make me smile.

In this book, Mother Hen was hanging out the laundry with her seven chicks. Of course, your child will need to count the chicks, and when they are counted ... oh, no! There are only six there. Mother Hen and all of the neighbors begin looking for the missing chick. They look and look and look, and finally, someone notices there is something moving in the clothes basket. The missing chick! Before the book is done, the chick goes missing again.

For preschoolers and anyone working on counting skills.

Hello Baby! by Mem Fox Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

And I love Mem Fox, too. Her stories are soothing to read aloud. Steve Jenkins is a fabulous illustrator, and makes all of the animals in the book from cut paper.

This is a great preschool book, a book to read to one that you love and treasure. We see a baby's hand at the beginning of the book, and then the writer asks, "Who are you?" and we see lots of different animals -"Are you a monkey with clever toes? Perhaps you're a porcupine, twitching its nose."

Share this with your favorite toddler/preschooler, and enjoy hearing them say, "No!" on each page, as they affirm their unique human status.

The Big Storm: A very soggy counting book by Nancy Tafuri

Here is another fun animal book to read to your learning-to-count preschooler. A big storm is beginning and all the animals race to a little cave for shelter. Once all ten are in they sleep the night away. But when morning comes, they discover they are sleeping in the bears' den! Out they all run, into a warm sunny day. Can you find them now?

Another fun books for those learning to count.

Four fine books

What's New At the Zoo? An Animal Adding Adventure by Suzanne Slade

The brief, rhyming text on each page ends with a question - how many ... ? Your child will have plenty of opportunity to count as high as 20.

There is more material in the back of the book, from tips on adding, an explanation of 'fact families', to an animal matching activity - you read the text, the child finds the picture.

Use this with any child learning to count, and animal lovers, too.


To the Beach by Thomas Docherty

I love this imaginative tale of a trip to the beach. It is raining outside, but this little boy still has BIG plans. He is going to the beach and all he needs is ... a plane, a sailboat, a truck, a camel, some sand, the sea and ... a friend.

The text is brief; the illustrations will bring you back to read it again and again.

For preschoolers, transportation lovers and anyone who wants to go to the beach.






My Uncle Emily by Jane Yolen

This book is decidely more serious, and looks at the relationship between Emily Dickinson and her nephew Gib. The author tells the reader in the end notes what is true about this story. The illustrations easily carry us back in time to when Emily Dickinson wrote short poems for her nephew on the backs of old envelopes. She doted on him, and she was a special person to Gib, too.

This is easily part of a history or poetry lesson, and the best part is, you, as an adult reader, will learn things, too!




Wink: The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed by J. C. Phillipps

I love this story about Wink! He wanted to be a ninja, was accepted to ninja school, but then discovered that a ninja was expected to be quiet, stealthy and almost invisible. But Wink wated to be noticed! Wink finds his way, not as a ninja, but as a circus performer where he becomes, 'the Nimble Ninja.' Now everyone can see his great feats, and Wink is happy.

Read this to your budding martial arts kids, the non-conformists and any who have not quite found their place in the grand scheme of things.

Three cute picture books

A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis

Edna, the penguin, is so bored. Everything is the same everyday. And th colors are the same - white snow, blue water and the black and white of the penguins. She is searching for something else, and finds it in the orange tent of the scientists. Edna brings ALL the other penguins to see this glorious new color. And now she wonders ... what else is there? Ages 3-6






We're Going on a Lion Hunt by Margery Cuyler

Everyone, put on your safari hat and use your imagination! The bright, colorful pages take the reader on a lion hunt, through the mud, the grass and more. Ages 4-8

Can YOU Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

This fast paced book has the bug talking to the reader/listener. First, he tells the reader to stand up, then sit down, then stand up. The entire book is participatory, right up to the last page when the bug asks you to make a scary face to scare away the giant frog, and then yells, "Yikes! Not THAT scary!"

Ages 3-6

Travel back in time and turn your face to the moon

Here is an assortment of books that cover time from Jamestown to the 1960's. Some are extremely serious, one is amusing if you pay attention to the illustrations. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. - Melody


Finding Lincoln by Ann Malaspina

Imagine a time when a black child could not walk into a public library. It really was not that long ago. This story is set in 1951 in Alabama. Louis walked into the public library, wanting a book about Abraham Lincoln. One of the librarians made him leave. The second librarian whispered, "Come back at closing tomorrow." Louis did just that.

I really enjoyed this book. There is extra information in the back of the book about the "separate but equal" services that were never equal, and more historical facts. And that second librarian was not afraid to shake things up a bit. We still do that in the library!

I Want to Be Free by Joseph Slate

This poem is a retelling of a story - you'll be surprised where it came from ... check the author's note in the back of the book.

The poem is beautiful and may certainly move you to tears. Freedom is a universal theme throughout time and place, and that is why this book rings so true today.

E.B. Lewis' fills the pages with illustrations that carry the emotional weight of the story. Be sure to read his note at the back of the book, too.

Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland

by Sally M. Walker

This book is for teens, or tough minded kids who want to read about bones and bodies that have been uncovered in the Jamestown area. It is a fabulously interesting book ... for the right reader. Forensic scientists try to understand what the human remains can tell them - and often they find things they were never expecting. This book tells about a body found in a basement, people who were buried in lead coffins, and more. And did I mention the full color photos? Almost every page has photos - of bones, the process of excavating the bones, and of course, more bones.

Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davies


It is 1790 and the first census is about to be conducted in the United States. Some people do not want to be counted: they are afraid of taxes, or other government regulations - so they hide. Then someone learns that the purpose of the census is for elected representation in the new government. Now EVERYONE wants to be counted. Pay close attention to the illustrations.

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

I do love this book. It not only explains the phases of the moon, but does so with poetry. There is also very simple text explaining what time of day we will see certain phases. For instance, did you know the Full Moon always rises at sunset?

Dogs, a pig and an eagle - three animal stories

I don't want a posh dog! by Emma Dodd



Brief, rhyming text and big, bold illustrations help us see all the kinds of dogs this little girl can do without: snappy dogs, gruff dogs, speedy dogs, itchy scritchy scratchy dogs. She wants a dog that knows her in a crowd, will play with her and a dog she can call her own.



I like the rhythm and rhyme of the words and the happy ending. Emma Dodd's illustrations are fun and make me smile every time I read this book. Enjoy this with your 4-6 year old.





Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal



Little Oink is such a nice, neat pig, and that is the problem. Pigs are messy and during mess up time, they have to make messes. Little Oink thinks about his friends who are allowed to clean their rooms; he wants to do that, too. But, no. Little pig has to unmake his bed, throw his clothes on the floor - it is almost too much for him.



I love this, the third book by Amy Rosenthal. Make sure you read Little Pea and Little Hoot for two more funny little stories. And these stories are for ALL AGES. The older you are, the funnier the story. Younger children may not immediately sense the irony; older children will want to explain it to you!






Hook by Ed Young

The first thing you need to know is that Ed Young won a Caldecott Medal for Lon Po Po, two Caldecott Honor Medals for The Emperor and Seven Blind Mice. He has been nominated twice for the Hans Christian Anderson Award - the highest international recognition for Children's Literature. This is is newest book and it is a fun read.

An abadonded egg is found by a young boy who puts it under a hen. The hatchling is clearly not a chick. The story is a very visual one, as the reader can easily see that the hen is trying to raise an eagle chick with her brood.

Ed Young is a storyteller who does not need many words to tell a good story. Take your time and share this very short book with your 4-7 year old.

Treats

Finally, a chance to share a few new books!

A is for Airplane: An Aviation Alphabet

by Mary Ann McCabe Riehle

This is no 'easy alphabet' book. Look for history, science, and aerospace between the covers. There is even a 'quiz' at the end of the book. Answers are upside down and on the next page. The illustrations are by David Craid and are perfect for the book - realistic, yet clearly artful paintings. Ages 5-10

Cesar Takes a Break by Susan Collins Thoms


Cesar is left at school during spring break. Poor Cesar! He gets so lonely - iguanas get lonely, too, you know. He grabs his journal and takes his own journey through the school, meets other classroom pets and they all have a fabulous time putting on plays, participating in sporting events and more. Ages 5-8

The Origami Master by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer



High in the mountains, Shima lives alone, with only his origami to keep him company. One day, origami animals begin appearing on the desk. Shima is puzzled and hides to see who is making these. A little warbler is flying in, folding and folding the paper and leaving the creatures. Shima catches the warbler, hoping to learn its secrets. Of course, a warbler in a cage is not happy. Learn to make your own origami bird with the instructions in the back of the book. Ages 6-10

What REALLY Happened to Humpty? by Joe Dumpty, as told to Jeanie Franz Ransom

Joe Dumpty is a hard-boiled detective. Follow him through Mother Gooseland as he looks for clues. Kids who are familiar with nursery rhymes will enjoy this the most. Ages 6-10

The Moon Over Star by Dianna Hutts Aston



Once upon a Summer's morning, in 1969 ... and the rest is the story of the first moon landing, as seen from eyes of a little black girl. I love this book, with its story from recent history. Jerry Pinkney is the illustrator - perfect illustrations! Ages 5-10

Hurry Up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow



I love the illustrations in this tortoise and hare story. I feel like a turtle, creeping through the dandelions and seeing the world just a little bit differently. Rabbit is always in a hurry, and is always telling Tortoise to hurry up. But when Tortoise is reading a story to Rabbit, we finally hear Rabbit telling Tortoise to hurry up and slow down - they need to look at the pictures and take their time! Ages 4-6