Youth Services Staff Picks
March 2020
Before After by Ann-Margo Ramstein – E RAMFor Grades: 1st-3rd; Published 2014
Synopsis: Turn the pages and discover a scene that looks one way, then transforms and looks a totally different way.
Chelsea says: This wordless pictures book beautifully shows how the world changes from one thing to another. Readers will love seeing how the world around them evolves with stunning and intriguing visuals.
Chelsea also suggests:
A Ball for Daisy by Christopher Raschka – J CALD RAS
Wave by Suzy Lee – E LEE
Debbie
The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens – E STEFor Grades: K - 2nd; Published 2019
Synopsis: After fast-talking Fox leaves him with a large, green egg, Bear spends minutes, hours, days, and weeks lovingly caring for it with the help of his neighbor Hare.
Debbie says: Perseverance beats trickery. Ha!
Debbie also suggests:
Find a Cow Now! by Janet Stevens – E STE
Help me, Mr. Mutt! by Janet Stevens– E STE
Jessica
Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts by Federica Margin and Laura Brenlla – J NF 001.944 MARFor Grades: 4th— 7th; Published 2019
Synopsis: If you believe that all you need to fight an evil bloodthirsty fiend is garlic or holy water, think again. What you need is to keep cool head and reach for your copy of Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts!
Jessica says: This atlas gives you an in depth explanation on the who, the what, and the how-to-defeat on any of the monsters presented within its pages. Worried about Dracula or just want to know how to take him on if need be? Don't worry, according to this atlas all you need is some garlic, a wooden stake and some handy-dandy sunlight to take this monster out! This atlas is a fun, engaging way to learn more about the scary bumps in the night and how to defeat them.
Jessica also suggests:
The Loch Ness Monster by Erin Peabody - J NF 001.944 PEA
Unicorns by Erin Peabody - J NF 398.245 PEA
Kelsey
Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement, and More by Mallika Chopra — J 158.12 CHO
For Grades: 3rd - 7th; Published 2018
Synopsis: For kids ages 8 to 12, this book is full of specific exercises to help deal with day-to-day challenges and tips to lead a healthier, happier, and more connected life. The book includes practical advice on breathing techniques and guided meditations for a number of topics and scenarios, including:
Dealing with stress
Getting to sleep
Building self-confidence
Focusing on school/tests/other work
Ridding oneself of anxiety
Kelsey says: While I was happy to suggest this, I definitely need to be practicing more mindfulness and meditation myself. I love the breathing exercises and techniques that this book teaches, and how it emphasizes being aware of what your body is telling you. It’s truly a book I wish I had had as an anxiety-ridden kid.
Kelsey also suggests:
Just Feel : How to be Stronger, Happier, Healther, and More by Mallika Chopra - J 152.4 CHO
Mindful Me : Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids by Whitney Stewart - J 158.12 STE
Ofilia
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle – J B CARFor Preschool – Grade 2; Published August 2019
Synopsis: As a little girl, Teresa Carreno loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her up, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals. Then a revolution in Venezuela forced her family to flee to the United States. Teresa felt lonely in this unfamiliar place, where few of the people she met spoke Spanish. Worst of all, there was fighting in her new home, too--the Civil War. Still, Teresa kept playing, and soon she grew famous as the talented Piano Girl who could play anything from a folk song to a sonata. So famous, in fact, that President Abraham Lincoln wanted her to play at the White House. Yet with the country torn apart by war, could Teresa's music bring comfort to those who needed it most?
Ofilia says: A beautiful account of how music can ease grief and sadness. It also shows that kids can make a difference and they matter.
Ofilia also suggests:
It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear – J B FUJ
Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera – J B HER
Roben
Small in the City by Sydney Smith - E SMIFor Grades: PreS— 1st; Published September 3, 2019
Synopsis:A little boy offers advice to his cat, which is lost in the city, from taking shortcuts through safe alleys to finding a friend in the park.
Roben says: Surprises on every page as this little one looks for a lost friend.
Roben also suggests:
Catastrophe by the Sea by Brenda Peterson - E PET
Found by Jeff Newman - E NEW
Stephanie
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling – J F BOWFor Grades: 3rd — 7th; Published 2017
Synopsis: Aven Green was born without arms--so when her dad takes a job running a dying western theme park in Arizona, she knows she'll become the center of unwanted attention at her new school. But she bonds with Connor, a classmate with his own disability to conquer. Then they discover a room at the park that holds bigger secrets than Aven ever could have imagined. Can Aven face her fears, solve a mystery, and help her friend, too?
Stephanie says: If only we could all be as fearless and kind as Aven Green.
Stephanie also suggests:
Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling – J F BOW
Threads by Amy Polonsky – J F POL
Whitney
A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry – J F PAR (Bluebonnet)For Grades: 3rd - 7th; Published 2019
Synopsis: A young wolf cub, separated from his pack, journeys 1000 miles across the Pacific Northwest, dealing with forest fires, hunters, highways, and hunger before finding a new home. Based on the true story of a wolf called OR-7.
Whitney says: So heartwarming even in a story containing heartbreak, Wander travels across Oregon and California in search of his lost pack. I have watched a documentary about the wolf this book was based on, but it's so incredible to read about everything this young wolf went through as if from his perspective.
Whitney also suggests:
Snow White by Matt Phelan – J GN SNO
Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden – J GN ANN
Yentl
Little Cloud by Eric Carle – E CAR
For Grades: PreK— 1st; Published 1996
Synopsis: All the clouds drift across the bright blue sky except for Little Cloud. He is busy changing shapes to become a fluffy sheep, a zooming airplane, and even a clown with a funny hat.
Yentl says: This is such a sweet story about clouds. It will inspire you to go outside and find some fun clouds.
Yentl also suggests:
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle – E CAR
The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle – E CAR