Another fun book for Halloween – or any time of year – is SPLURCH ACADEMY FOR DISRUPTIVE BOYS by Julie Berry, illustrated by Sally Faye Gardner. Cody Mack is in big trouble He’s an unruly boy and his parents don’t know what to do. The reports on his bad behavior are enough to fill two… Read more »
Book Room
Scary and Not-So-Scary Stories
Ask a kid what his or her favorite holiday is, and Halloween is sure to be near the top of the list. Not only is it a day to dress up in a wacky wig or slip on a pair of clown shoes, but it’s the night of homemade hobos and scary store-bought Draculas. THE… Read more »
Unique, Yet Still the Same
LOUD EMILY by Alexis O’Neill, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter is the perfect book to pair with Author-In-Residence Cynthia Leitich Smith’s new picture book, HOLLER LOUDLY. Another boisterous tale about another loud voice, LOUD EMILY is charmingly full of vim and verve. Of course, Emily doesn’t mean to rattle the brasses and shatter the plates, but… Read more »
Perfect Picture Book Friends
JULIUS by Angela Johnson, illustrations by Dav Pilkey Granddaddy’s mailed a gift for Maya, all the way from Alaska! She’s been hoping for a horse. Or an older brother. Instead, out of the crate comes Julius. A big and busy pig who quickly becomes Maya’s very best friend. Julius leaves huge messes, eats too much… Read more »
Elves, Tigers, Cavemen. Oh, My!
Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle They were neighbors before they were friends. Sarah-Kate’s yard backed up to Hillary’s and now Sarah-Kate is claiming elves live in the junky overgrown space around her house. At first, it seemed impossible. Elves! But Hillary’d seen the tiny houses made of stick and bits of wire. … Read more »
Through Thick and Thin, Family and Friends
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor When Georgina Hayes’s daddy takes off leaving her Mama, little brother, Toby, and Georgina behind, the three end up living in the Chevrolet until Mama can save enough to make things right again. But Mama’s two jobs don’t bring in money as fast as Georgina would like,… Read more »
New Year At The Pier
NEW YEAR AT THE PIER: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch “Izzy loves this changing time of year. Some days sunglasses, some days sweaters…” But his favorite part of the holiday is Tashlich, the ceremony of “casting away” – celebrated during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is… Read more »
