Youth Services Staff Picks
July 2019
Anna
BANANA! by Ed Vere – E VER
For grades Pre-K – K; published 2010
Synopsis: Two monkeys. One banana. What's to be done? Ed Vere's hilariously eye-popping art tells the story of two monkeys learning to share in this stunning, nearly-wordless picture book. One banana. Two monkeys. Perfect.
Anna says: Hilarious way to teach your littles about sharing and friendship. This book only has one word throughout and it’s perfect! Be ready to act it out and laugh
Anna also suggests:
Max the Brave by Ed Vere – E VER
Max at Night by Ed Vere – E VER
Chelsea
Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke– J GN ZIT
For grades 3rd – 5th; published 2010
Synopsis: When young Zita discovers a device that opens a portal to another place, and her best friend is abducted, she is compelled to set out on a strange journey from star to star in order to get back home.
Chelsea says: Looking to continue your Universe of Stories for the summer? Zita is the girl for you! With aliens and planets and bad guys, you won’t be able to put it down. Zita is strong and sure of herself and determined to save her brother.
Chelsea also suggests:
Zita the Space Girl 2. by Ben Hatke – J GN ZIT
Zita the Space Girl 3. by Ben Hatke – J GN ZIT
Crystal
Daisy Gets Lost by Chris Raschka – E RAS
For grades Pre - K – 2nd; published 2013
Synopsis: A young dog experiences the fear of being lost and the joys of being found when she becomes separated from her owner.
Crystal Says: It's no wonder Chris Raschka has been recognized for his artistry. The illustrations in this book capture Daisy's story perfectly. Fair warning before you read: must love dogs!
Crystal also suggests:
Any Chris Raschka book!
Debbie
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson– E WIL
For grades Pre-K – K, published 2002
Synopsis: Bear sleeps through a winter feast and wakes to find his friends have eaten everything.
Debbie says: ALWAYS have extra if you have a hungry bear for friend!
Debbie also suggests:
Any of Karma Wilson’s Bear books
Kelsey
The Iridescence of Birds: A book about Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan – J B MAT
For grades Pre-K – 3rd; published 2014
Synopsis: If you were a boy named Henri Matisse who lived in a dreary town in northern France, what would your life be like? Would it be full of color and art? Full of lines and dancing figures? Find out in this beautiful, unusual picture book about one of the world's most famous and influential artists.
Kelsey says: I love this book almost solely because the illustrations in this are so bold and bright. And I love the picture that they paint of Henri growing up with his mother. As a whole, it’s just a very lovely biography.
Kelsey also suggests:
Georgie Rises by Kathryn Lasky – J B OKE
Edward Hopper Paints his World by Robert Burleigh – J GN
Ofilia
Atlas of Adventures: Wonders of the World by Ben Handicott – J 910 HAN
For Grades 3rd – 6th; published 2018
Synopsis: Travel around the world to scale the Eiffel Tower, trek the Great Wall of China, and raft through the Yosemite Valley. Showcasing the globe's most impressive landscapes, iconic buildings and evocative antiquities from both the modern and ancient worlds, this is the most wonderful Atlas adventure yet!
Ofilia says: A gorgeous informative book that will provide hours of fun pouring over facts and the details in the illustrations.
Ofilia also suggests:
Who are You Calling Weird? by Marilyn Singer – J 590 SIN
First Big Book of the World by Elizabeth Carney – J 910 CAR
Roben
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya– J F CAR
For Grades 4 - 7; published 2018
Synopsis: After a fight at school leaves Marcus facing suspension, Marcus's mother takes him and Charlie, his younger brother with Down syndrome, to Puerto Rico to visit relatives they do not remember or have never met. While there Marcus becomes obsessed with finding his father, who left their family ten years ago and is somewhere on the island.
Roben says: All the feels for this one. I could easily relate to Marcus’ belief that his elusive, absent dad will magically solve all of their problems – if he can just manage to track him down!
Roben also suggests:
Front Desk by Kelly Yang – J F YAN
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman – J F VEN
Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi – J F MAF (SciFi/Fantasy)
The Wizards of Once by Crssida Cowell J F COW (SciFi/Fantasy)
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor – J F CON
Track series by Jason Reynolds – J SER TRA
Stephanie
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo – J F DIC
For grades: 4th – 7th ; published 2000
Synopsis: Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
Stephanie says: This unforgettable tale of friendship and fitting in will forever have a place in your heart!
Stephanie also suggests:
Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo – J F DIC
Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo – J F DIC
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo – J F DIC
Any books by Kate DiCamillo
Whitney
Finding Wonders: A Verse History of Girls and Science by Jeannine Atkins – J F ATK
For grades 5th – 6th; published 2016
Synopsis: A biographical novel in verse of three different girls in three different time periods who grew up to become groundbreaking scientists.
Whitney says: A naturalist, paleontologist, and an astronomer. Novels in verse provide unique ways to experience stories! Atkins takes the lives of three women and shows us their beginnings in a way that truly inspires.
Whitney also suggests:
In disguise!:undercover with real women spies by Ryan Ann Hunter– J 327.12 HUN
Sea Queens: women pirates around the world by Jane Yolen– J 910.4 YOL
Yentl
Vamos! Lett’s go to the Market by Raul the Third – E RAU
For Grades Pre-K – 2nd; published 2019
Synopsis: Little Lobo, a Mexican American, and Bernabe�����Â, his dog, deliver supplies to vendors at the Mercado, a busy border town market.
Yentl says: I loved everything about this book! The illustrations are so vibrant and exciting to look at. You feel like you are at the market and seeing everything in real life. It has translations for the phrases in Spanish that it uses and that is great.
Yentl also suggests:
Hairs = Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros – J SPA E CIS
LA Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya – E Princess ELY