The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden

Title:  The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden

Author:  Karina Yan Glaser

Published:  2018

Pages:  323

The delightful Vanderbeekers from 141st Street are at it agian...this time they want to save a plot of land next to the church and turn it into a garden.  This will surely cheer up their beloved upstairs neighbor who is in the hospital, right?

When Hyacinth, Laney, Oliver, and Jessie (Isa is out of town at camp) put their heads down and make a plan, there is no stopping them.  How will they transform the run-down, litter filled lot into a place of beauty?

It was amazing how generous people could be without wanting or expecting something in return.

Maybe, Oliver thought, maybe the world worked only if people gave all they could without measuring the worth of what they gave.

I laughed and cried and fell in love with the Vanderbeekers even more with this book.  Be sure to check it out!





 

Absolutely Truly

Title: Absolutely Truly

Author: Heather Vogel Frederick

Published: 2014

Pages: 355

 www.amazon.com

Maybe it was because I read most of this one while on vacation this past June, but this sweet book really made it's way into my heart.  It was so much fun traveling along with twelve year old Truly Lovejoy as she moved to a new town, towered above her new friends, and turned the page on an unexpected mystery.

The almost six feet tall Truly isn't going to be able to just blend in at her new school in Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire.  When she stumbles upon a hidden letter in the book Charlotte's Web, an unsolved puzzle must be found!  

Join Truly Lovejoy as she finds the courage to trust new friends, dances the Cha Cha, learns interesting facts about William Shakespeare, and has an absolutely truly great adventure!


xoxo,
Kelly      

  

 

Snowflake Bentley

Title: Snowflake Bentley

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Illustrated by Mary Azarian

Published: 1998

Pages: 30

Our library has a section where you can check out picture books along with their accompanying audio CDs all in one bag.  These read a long books are fun for the kids (if you can get them to pay attention), and they can really save on my voice when I have a cold.  We even keep a CD player in Lance's room now.

"In the days when farmers worked with ox and sled and cut the dark with lantern light, there lived a boy who loved snow more than anything else in the world."

In the 1860's Willie Bentley grew up on a farm in Vermont in an area known as the "snowbelt."  He develops a keen interest in observing nature.  Although he loved to pick flowers for his mother, he could not share with his loved ones what most interested him....snowflakes. 

As the years go by, he eventually talks his parents into buying him an extremely unique (and expensive) camera to photograph the snowflakes.  Many folks around town thought he was a little strange, but he eventually won them over when he started holding evening slideshows.  He was able to capture more than just photographs, but also the wonder and amazement of his family and friends. 

This sweet story will melt you heart.  Hope you check it out!


xoxo,
Kelly

Owl at Home

Title: Owl at Home

Author: Arnold Lobel

Published: 1975

Pages: 64

I really enjoyed reading Owl at Home to the kids this week.  They loved to each shout out "owl!" while I was reading it.  The book is made up of five delightful and well illustrated stories that will make you feel right at home. 

Join Owl as he invites in Winter but gets a chilly, unexpected surprise in The Guest.  If it's time for bed, make sure you examine the bed covers for any possible Strange Bumps.  Pour yourself a cup of Tear-Water Tea if you want to ponder the misfortunes of life.  If it's a little exercise you need, be sure to run with Owl Upstairs and Downstairs.  And lastly, making new friends is easier than you think in Owl and the Moon.

Hope you are able to check it out!


xoxo,
Kelly



       

Beyond the Pond

Title: Beyond the Pond

Author: Joseph Kuefler

Published: 2015

Pages: 32

 www.amazon.com

One of my all time favorite quotes from Dorothy Parker is, "The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity."  Well, I think Kuefler would certainly agree!

When Ernest D. finds himself a little bored with the ordinary, he wants to find out what lies beyond the pond...

"And with that, Ernest D. dove...down between the fishes and the frogs, past the squid and the sharks and shapeless things, into his pond forever deep."

You can dive in also and explore with Ernest D. and his dog as they brave the expedition and leave the ordinary behind!  



xoxo,
Kelly



   

Gone Fishing

Title: Gone Fishing

Author: Earlene Long, Illustrated by Richard Brown

Published: 1984

Pages: 29

This is another book that Lance checked out from his library at school.  I may or may not always be a little too excited when Lance comes home from school on Fridays so I can inspect our latest treasure. 
 
When I see some of the older picture books like this one, I sometimes wonder how much longer they will be in circulation.  When it isn't a classic or an extremely popular one there is always that chance that if it is torn or damaged, it might not be replaced.  I'm sure glad we came across this one!

When father and son duo set off on a day of fishing, they are sure to leave a note for mommy..."Gone fishing."  Daddy has a big fishing rod, and the son has a little fishing rod.  Daddy catches a big fish, and the son catches a little fish.  But then there are smiles all around when Daddy catches a little fish, and the son catches a big fish!

Be sure to get your hooks in this endearing tale before it gets away!


xoxo,
Kelly



  

  

 

Who Hid the Easter Eggs?

Title: Who Hid the Easter Eggs?

Author: Pirkko Vainio

Published: 2010

Pages: 24

When Harry the squirrel spots a grandmother hiding eggs in her yard, he decides to investigate.  The intricately painted eggs looked so beautiful.  But when the bird jackdaw Jack sees the eggs, he wants them for his nest.  Harry tries to reason with Jack... 

"I'm sure you'll have your own eggs very soon."

Will Harry and Jack be able to redistribute the eggs in time for Easter?  Will Jack be able to get any eggs for his nest?  Find out in Who Hid the Easter Eggs?  Hope you check it out!



xoxo,
Kelly



     

Around the World

Title: Around the World, A Follow-The-Trail Book

Author: Craig Shuttlewood

Published: 2015

Pages: 10

Well this is our first follow-the-trail book that we have checked out.  Lance had a lot of fun tracing his finger all along the inside pages.  This is a board book, so it was a win for Clarice too.  She also enjoyed spotting a few owls throughout the book.  

Travel though mountains, oceans, deserts and much more when you check out Shuttlewood's Around the World.  Hope you enjoy!



xoxo,
Kelly


  

Over and Under the Snow

Title: Over and Under the Snow

Author: Kate Messner, art by Christopher Silas Neal

Published: 2011

Pages: 36

Wow, who knew there was so much going on under the snow?  Over and Under the Snow was very informative for this Georgia girl!  

Under the snow is a whole secret kingdom, where the smallest forest animals stay safe and warm. 

Warm?  That's right.  When small pockets of air form under the fallen leaves, they become little tunnels called the Subnivean Zone.  This is where many animals like squirrels, mice, and voles live.  

Wrap yourself in an extra blanket and follow along on this beautifully illustrated and sweet tale.  Be sure to also check out the animal descriptions at the back of the book. 

xoxo,

Kelly

xoxo,

Kelly      

A Tea Party in the Woods

Title: A Tea Party in the Woods

Author: Akiko Miyakoshi

Published: 2015 (English translation)

Pages: 31

 www.amazon.com

Reading through this endearing book just once can make you realize why it has become popular enough to translate from Japanese to English.  I have enjoyed reading it to the kids many times...and it is probably due back at the library soon. 

The main character is a young girl named Kikko, a spin off of the author's name and also one that Lance loves to shout..."Kikko!"  When she realizes that her father has just left for her grandmother's house and forgets to take a pie, Kikko wants to remedy the situation by taking it herself.  Along the way she comes across a friendly lamb.

"Are you here for the tea party?"  asked a kind voice.

And what a party it was!  Kikko beamed as she sat at the head of the table answering questions and becoming much braver.  But what about the pie box that was crushed on her journey?  Will they be able to help her with that?  Grab yourself a slice of pie and a hot cup of tea as you enjoy this wondrous expedition that Kikko has set out on.  

xoxo,

Kelly

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears

Title: Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears

Author:  Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Arthur Howard

Published: 1995

Pages: 39

Take a cruise through the children's section of a library, and it won't take long to bump into many of Cynthia Rylant's books.  She really has a gift for good storytelling.  When my son and I discovered the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, I just fell in love right away!

You might think Mr. Putter and his fine cat Tabby look ordinary, but they get into some pretty extraordinary adventures!  When Mr. Putter starts dreaming of pear jelly, he'll do just about anything to get those pears.  The description of some of the other things he was dreaming of made me hungry too.  I had to run out and buy tomatoes so I could make stuffed tomatoes.

 
(I stuffed mine with cooked rice, browned turkey burger, and cheese.  They were great!)  

After a "ladder problem" and some other misadventures, it's Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog Zeke to the rescue.   Find out how fortunate Mr. Putter really is to have a good neighbor!
 
I hope you enjoy this fun Fall adventure.  You might want to have a snack on hand though.  

xoxo,
Kelly

  

Owls in the Family

Title: Owls in the Family

Author: Farley Mowat

Published: 1961

Pages: 107

 As I'm always on the lookout for owls and red-tailed hawks, I couldn't pass up a book with a title like this.  Owls in the Family turned out to be an enchanting boyish adventure. 

Spring time in the prairie area of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was the perfect backdrop for young boys searching for outdoor fun.  They stumble upon a few red-tailed hawk's nests, and also an owl's nest.  With the help of their neighbor Mr. Miller, the boys are able to investigate the owl's nest a little closer by building a blind near the tree and having Mr. Miller go up there to photograph the nest.  Poor Mr. Miller ends up having a hard time of it that ends in a fall.  He is ok, but in the next few days when a bad rainstorm comes in, the eggs from the nest have a fall too.  One little owlet survives and becomes the boys pet who they name Wol. 

Wol grows to enjoy the company of his new family, but he still seems a little lonely.  As fate would work itself out, the boys later rescue another smaller owl that they name Weeps. 

Wol and Weeps bring laughter and joy to the family.  Wol especially is the jokester in the family and loves to torment the dog Mutt by constantly hiding his bone..."Sometimes he would put the bone in the crotch of a tree just high enough so Mutt couldn't jump to get it." 

It turns out that this is a true story.  Wol and Weeps were real owls and did come to be part of the Mowat family for a time.  If you are an animal lover, be sure to check out this sweet tale.  You'll be glad you did! 

xoxo,
Kelly

Deep in the Swamp

Title: Deep in the Swamp

Author: Donna M. Bateman, illustrated by Brian Lies

Published: 2007

Pages: 30

This is a fun, sing-songy book to read aloud.  The rhyming words and detailed pictures make the swamp come alive.  Splash with the otters, swim with the snapping turtles, and soar with the blue herons.  Or if you get tired, you can bask with the alligators, or snooze with the marsh rabbits.  

Also, be sure to check out the second half of the book in which a picture and description is given for each Flora and Fauna (plants and animals).  

Let me know if you check it out. 

xoxo,

Kelly 

Stars

Title: Stars

Authors: Mary Lyn Ray, Marla Frazee

Published: 2011

Pages: 32

"A star is how you know it's almost night."

Stars are everywhere in the sky, even during the day when you can't see them.  They are still there.  There are also stars in other places such as moss, flowers, and vines....even snowflakes!  Journey along and enjoy this nice bedtime book.  You may even want to read it outside!  Look around and see how many stars you can find...

xoxo,

Kelly

 

 

The Littlest Owl

Title: The Littlest Owl

Authors: Caroline Pitcher, Tina Macnaughton

Published: 2008

Pages: 24

 

"Deep inside a willow tree were four white eggs.  One egg hatched, then two, then three, deep inside a willow tree."

This sweet book is on our bookshelf at home.  I bought it for Lance on his first Christmas with us.  Right around that time, when he was about four months old, we started doing a regular bedtime routine with him.  After the baby had his bath, my husband and I would read this book to him.  

One night, when it was my husbands turn to read, I noticed him turning the pages but not looking at the book because he had the whole thing memorized!  Ha!  I said, "honey, you can at least pretend to be looking at the book!"  : )

Well, if you are able to check it out or buy it, you'll enjoy the frustrating yet triumphant journey this little owl takes as he learns to be brave and soar.  

"I will do it too, hoo-hoo.  Yes, I'm last and very small.  But I'll never give up at all."

xoxo,

Kelly 

    

Sleep Like A Tiger

Title: Sleep Like A Tiger

Author: Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Published: 2012

Pages: 32

Do you ever have trouble falling asleep?  Do you toss and turn?  Well, maybe you should fold your arms up like a bat, or circle around like a whale, or snuggle deep as a bear.  To uncover these mysteries, check out this sweet nighttime tale.  Make sure you read it in a comfortable spot though...you could be sleeping like a tiger in no time!

xoxo,
Kelly

Miss Maggie

Title: Miss Maggie

Author: Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Thomas DiGrazia

Published: 1983

Pages: 26

 

Cynthia Rylant has been writing children's books since the early eighties.  Since I've been visiting the children's section of the library for the past few years (my toddler is now three), I've picked up a few of her books along the way.  She is a great storyteller.   

This book is the story about a young boy named Nat, and how he unexpectedly helps out his elderly neighbor, Miss Maggie.  My favorite lines from this charming book are as follows:

"If his feet had listened to his head, Nat would have bounded out of that house in a flash.  But his feet weren't listening.  Only his heart." 

Open up your heart to this sweet gem of a book, and you won't be disappointed.   

xoxo,
Kelly

What Use Is A Moose?

Title: What Use Is A Moose?

Author: Martin Waddell, illustrated by Arthur Robins

Published: 1996

Pages: 24

This fun to read picture book is full of colorful and detailed illustrations, and the story is just too cute!  When little Jack brings home his new found friend, a full-grown moose, a little chaos ensues!  Will the moose be able to help out around the house with the cleaning?  What about cooking, or even laundry?  Read along on Jack's adventure, and find out, What Use Is A Moose?


xoxo,
Kelly