May 2011 Book Buzz

The Call (The Magnificent 12 Series) by Michael Grant
David MacAvoy (Mack to his friends) is our VERY unlikely hero. He has a long list of phobias and he gets picked on by the bullies at school. One day a 3,000 year old man, named Grimluk, shows up and tells Mack he is one of the Magnificent 12 (whatever that is). “They” send a replacement for Mack, so he won’t be missed, and he soon sets off on and adventure with his new best friend and protector Stefan, into the unknown to fight the Pale Queen and her daughter. This is the first book in a fun new adventure series. Kristin (J Fiction)

Porkelia A Pig’s Tale by Lindy Tucker
In the cute story of Porkelia: A Pig’s Tale, we meet a very strong willed pig who wants what she wants and is not going to let anything stop her from achieving it, even if her dream is to become the first Piggy Rockette! In this silly “tail” we follow a headstrong swine that beats the odds and goes from a country pig to a city pig. To make the story even better, all of her country friends get tickets to see her perform. With the support of her friends, this pig really lives up to her dreams. Not only is the story a cute one, but the illustrations, which are also done by Lindy Tucker, are soft and subtle, just like the main character!!! Jacquie (Picture books)

Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson
Pecan Pie Baby is a fantastic book for any family that is getting ready to welcome a new baby. Gia's Mama is having a new 'ding-dang baby' and Gia is tired of hearing about it! Everyone who comes to their house, all her classmates and even her grandma can not stop talking about the new baby that will arrive around the time of the first snow. The only positive thing that Gia can find about this baby is that her Mama can't stop eating pecan pie, which Gia always gets to share with her. Gia can't stop thinking about all the great times her and her Mama have had together and finally Gia can't take it anymore. After Gia's tantrum, her and her mom have a talk (while eating pecan pie of course) which helps Gia realize that even though her life will change she will still have her Mama. Lindsey (Picture book)


I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat: History’s Strangest Cures by Carlyn Beccia
Today when you get a sore throat, you may end up with some yucky-tasting medicine. In Medieval Europe, your mom might have insisted on putting a frog down your throat or an earthworm necklace around your neck. Did these cures work? Some of them might have (frog slime is sometimes used in today’s antibiotics), but most did not. This book explores the bizarre antidotes used by various groups of people before the advent of modern medicine. For each sickness, you are presented with “cures” used in times past and are encouraged to guess which might have actually worked. You may be surprised by some of the answers! Meghan (JNF 615.88)

The Kids' Peep-oramas

We had a full house on Wednesday for our Peep-orama program and it was a blast!

Take a peep at the fabulous creations...



Enjoy the rest of your Spring Break!

Make 'Em Laugh...

Today is International Moment of Laughter Day, the perfect day to highlight humorous picture books.  If you are looking for picture books that make great read-alouds, whether it's for a class visit or a bedtime story, you won't want to miss these books! They'll have you laughing out loud at any age!

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton
It's a battle between toys as Shark faces off against Train. Who will win? Well, that depends on what the contest is!

A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black
Why is a pig parade a terrible idea? Oh there are so many reasons and you will find them all out when you read  this hilarious book!

Children Make Terrible Pets  by Peter Brown
A bear finds out children really do make terrible pets after she tries to adopt the small human she finds in the woods. 

Bark George by Jules Feiffer
George is one mixed up dog.  He keeps making the wrong sounds. Can the vet ever get to the root of the problem? This is a good funny read for toddlers.

Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo by Ayun Halliday
Ayun Halliday and illustrator Dan Santat celebrate the varieties of heinies found at the zoo. Good for a laugh and some new vocabulary words!

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O'Malley
A boy and girl have to create a story for class. The girl starts first, with a story about a princess and her eight ponies but soon a cool muscle dude comes riding in on his motorcycle.  Even if these two never agree, the story is bound to make everyone laugh.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
Poor Papa Rooster! The Little Red Chicken cannot help but interrupt Papa when he reads a bedtime story each night. Will he ever get to finish a story?

Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
This is a hilarious twist on the classic tale.  When the prince sees Rapunzel crying he immediately calls to her to throw down her hair. Too bad she's too far away to hear him clearly. Instead she throws down her underwear. Silliness ensues!

We Are In a Book by Mo Willems
Really, almost all of Mo Willems books are laughter inducing.  In this easy-reader Elephant and Piggy discover that they are indeed inside a book and decide to have a little fun with the reader.

This Week @ Storytime

What We Read:

Little Listeners:
Bear Feels Scared written by Karma Wilson and illustrated
by Jane Chapman
Hop! Plop! written by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Tali Klein
and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea

Story Time:
The Little Red Hen (makes a pizza) retold by Philemon Sturges and illustrated by Amy Walrod
Smitten: A Lint-free Love Story written and illustrated by David Gordon

Second Annual Peep-orama!

Are you signed up for our Peep-orama on April 20 (kids) or April 21 (teens)? There are only a few spaces left in our programs, but this is an easy project to do at home- just grab a shoebox, art supplies, and a few marshmallow creatures to create your own display.

Stop by the library to check out the sample Peep-oramas created by Youth Services staff. (Or just view the slideshow below!) Can you identify all of the books we were inspired by?



Our event was modeled after The Washington Post's Annual Peep Show. Are you shocked that we changed the name? The Post's 2011 winner will be announced on Wednesday, April 13. Our event is just for fun!

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners:
Mini Racer written by Kristy Dempsey
and illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Car Wash written by Sandra and Susan Steen
and illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Story Time:
Mini Racer written by Kristy Dempsey
and illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car written
and illustrated by Eileen Christelow
Mr. Gumpy's Motor Car written and illustrated by John Burningham

April 2011 Book Buzz

The Popularity Papers: The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Change by Amy Ignatow
Lydia and Julie are excited to put all they’ve learned about popularity to use, when out of nowhere Lydia’s mom announces that the Goldblatt family will be moving to London for six months! WHAT?! Now Julie will be navigating the halls of Hamlin Junior High on her own, while Lydia finds new friends in England. They keep in touch online and Lydia sends her own (terribly drawn) pages to add to the girls’ notebook.  Lydia and Julie both deal with cliques, cool kids, and outcasts as they find their own places in the popularity hierarchy.  A story told through hilarious drawings, e-mails, and chats, this is book two in a series that doesn’t disappoint! Meghan (J Fiction)
*Don’t miss author Amy Ignatow at the Cherry Hill Library on Saturday, May 7 at 3 p.m.

Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood
This adventure starts with our hero, Harry Fogg in jail overnight for causing in accident in his new motor car. Set in 1891 in England, everyone uses horses for travelling and most people have never seen a motor car! When he goes to his father to explain and apologize for the accident, young Harry gets in deeper and makes a bet with his father’s friends that he can travel around the world in 100 days in his new motor car! So, off Harry goes on this adventure; join him for the ride of a lifetime.
Kristin (J Fiction)

The Red Blazer Girls: The Vanishing Violin by Michael D. Beil
For those of you who like a well written who-dun-it, here is a series for you. The Red Blazer Girls are a group of 12 year old “Nancy Drews” who are out to solve their second case in The Vanishing Violin. Set in the fun backdrop of New York City, these not so gossipy girls are all about having fun and getting their case solved. A very famous violin is missing and the girls need to solve many clues to figure out its whereabouts. The book is a quick read with fast paced dialogue. Great book for the tweens! Jacquie (J Fiction)

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins
Jackson is looking for a way to get out of a summer job at the local junkyard, so when Mrs. Nelson proposes a deal that involves cultivating her apple orchard, it doesn’t take long for him to sign on. With promises of soda and future riches, Jackson secures his sisters’ and cousins’ involvement. Taking care of an apple orchard turns out to be a LOT of work, and Jackson hasn’t exactly told his family the full story.  The kids can keep any money they earn from the orchard above the first $8,000 that’s due back to Mrs. Nelson. Is it possible to even make $8,000? Will all of their hard work be for nothing? Meghan (J Fiction)