Tag: picture book

Celebrate National Library Week with These Great Picture Books!

- Brittany Leave a comment

Every year, the American Library Association and libraries throughout the nation celebrate National Library Week in April. This year, National Library Week will be held  April 7th-13th and the theme this year is “Ready, Set, Library!”. To celebrate with your young people about the importance of books and libraries, I have compiled some fun reads!

Stanley’s Library by William Bee
Our favorite hamster takes you through a day in the life of a Librarian. Help friends find books in the Library and visit the community in the Library’s book van delivering books to people where they are. This book is an adorable and short read!

No T. Rex in the Library by Toni Buzzeo and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa 
It is Tuesday morning and Tess is out of control in the library. Mama tells Tess that “bestie behavior is not allowed in the library.” While taking some “quiet time”, Tess knocks over a book cart and out pops a rather rambunctious T. Rex. This is a title that I love to share with young people, it is so fun!

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons
Clarisse is a curious cat with a love for books but only books with pictures, she doesn’t understand them when they just have black squiggly lines. Once she discovers a magic place full of books, she simply must get in! After sneaking into the Library, a child find Clarisse and reads her story to her. The keeper of the books finds Clarisse and offers her a chance of a lifetime. This is such a beautiful and sweet story!

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman and illustrated by Andy Elkerton
When you visit the library, remember to be kind to the books and respect the rules. Most importantly, Do. NOT. BRING. YOUR. DRAGON. TO. THE. LIBRARY! Written in rhyme, this title is an absolute delight for all ages!

 

Library Babies by Puck and illustrated by Violet Lemay
Puck introduces young readers to the library! With adorable illustrations, this board book is a great read for littles!

 

Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea
Dinosaur faces off with a series of different animals until he meets his ultimate opponent, the library! Will he be a match for the librarian leading storytime? You have to read to find out! This is a very cute book full of roars!

 

Construction by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Brian Lovelock
Follow a construction crew as they build a very special place!

 

Library Books are Not for Eating! By Todd Tarpley and illustrated by Tom Booth
Ms. Bronte is a beloved storyteller, one problem, she eats the books!

Try Incorporating Music into Your Storytelling!

- Brittany Leave a comment

March is Music in Our Schools Month officially designated by the National Association for Music Education. To celebrate, I have compiled a list of books that are written in song or have musical components to share with young people.

Wild Symphony by Dan Brown and illustrated by Susan Batori
Travel through the trees and across the seas with Maestro Mouse and his musical friends! Young readers will meet a big blue whale and speedy cheetahs, tiny beetles and graceful swans. Each has a special secret to share. (provided by Goodreads)

If You’re Happy and You Know It! by Jane Cabrera
With the help of adorable animals, sing and dance your way through this beloved children’s song.

 

 

La La La by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Jaime Kim
This nearly wordless graphic story follows a little girl in search of a friend. (provided by Goodreads)

 

 

Clarinet & Trumpet by Melanie Ellsworth and illustrated by John Herzog
A charming and funny picture book featuring the harmonious friendship between Clarinet and Trumpet. (provided by Goodreads)

 


Accordionly by Michael Genhart and Illustrated by Priscilla Burris
Abuelo and Opa both play the accordion. This book explores how one instrument can bring people of different backgrounds together.

 

Old MacDonald Had a Boat by Steve Goetz and Illustrated by Eda Kaban
A new take on the beloved children’s song, “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and involves power tools and whole lot of noise!

 

The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort and illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Get ready to make animal sounds in this different rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus”! This is fun for all ages!

 

 

Music is in Everything by Ziggy Marley and illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
A picture book based on Ziggy Marley’s popular song celebrating music’s many forms, from the sounds of ocean waves to laughter in the family kitchen. It also includes a cute craft to do with your young person! (provided by Goodreads)

 

 

Music by Jill McDonald
In this board book, learn about the sounds that popular instruments make!

 

 

Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
This song means so much to me and my family. My mother listened to it on the way to the hospital to have me and then I listened to it on the way to have my daughter. When I found out about Zivion’s publication of this beautiful book, I was quick to preorder. The illustrations are so beautiful and it is a joy to bring back something so special to my family and have it on the bookshelf!

People Don’t Bite People by Lisa Wheeler and Illustrated by Molly Idle
This title is a family favorite in the Peacock house. Written in rhyme, Wheeler teaches children the dos and don’ts of using your teeth! Since this is written in rhyme, I have taken to singing it rather than reading it! Everything is better with song!

 

Play this Book by Jessica Young and illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
Congratulations, you are starting a band! Learn how popular instruments such as the guitar, make sound!

 

 

All of the above items are available through your favorite RiverShare Library! Is there a title missing that you enjoy to share with young people? I would love to hear about it in the comments!

The Frank Show by David Mackintosh

- Ann Leave a comment

frankshowGrandpa Frank is just a grandpa and he doesn’t seem to like anything (except pickled onions), so how could his grandson possibly talk for a whole minute about him in front of his entire class?

In The Frank Show by David Mackintosh, Frank’s grandson is nervous about presenting about his curmudgeon grandfather during show and tell.  Especially since his friends have exciting people to introduce, like Fay’s cousin who “tells you if your bag is too heavy at the airport” and Hugo’s stepbrother who’s sports car has an eight-ball gearshift knob.

The Frank Show is the perfect example of a picture book that seems to have been written more for adults than for kids. I see the jokes flying right over younger kid’s heads, and not many children are going to spot Edgar Allen Poe and his raven in the illustrations. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t recommend this book — because it is fantastic.  Mackintosh’s illustrations are funny and child-like, filled with subtle references and jokes. This story is as much about the generational divide as it is about taking people for granted — both topics rarely explored in picture books. Grandpa Frank’s exaggerated stories and cranky advise are entertaining, and his grandson’s fears are completely understandable. Seriously, pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed, unless you’re Frank. I’m sure he’d say that they don’t make them like they used to or something as equally crotchety.