Goodbye Blogger

You may have noticed that we haven't posted in a while. We are still churning out content but now much of what we've been posting on our blog, such as the early literacy calendar, book buzz, and book lists, can be found on right on the library website: www.chplnj.org.  For pictures of our programs follow the library's Intagram account @chplnj or friend us on Facebook!

Missing our Caldecott predictions and other Youth Media Award discussions? Follow these blogs to keep in the know: Calling Caldecott and Heavy Medal. And this site is still here to refer to past discussions!

Thanks for following us!

The CHPL Youth Services Department

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners:

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed written 

and illustrated by Eileen Christelow

Monkey Truck written and illustrated by Michael Slack

Monkey and Me written and illustrated by Emily Gravett

Book Buzz March, 2015

Sofia Martinez: My Family Adventure 

by Jacqueline Jules

In these three short stories about life in the Martinez family, seven year old Sofia Martinez is a problem solver.  Sophia manages to find a way to stand out from her sisters, make a pinata for her Abuela's birthday, and 

re-capture a pet mouse - but not without some major mishaps along the way! This fun early chapter book will appeal to fans of Fancy Nancy and Junie B. and as a bonus readers may learn some new Spanish vocabulary! Alia (J Fiction)

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale

After reading the Princess in Black, the word “princess” will have to be redefined.  Princess Magnolia can serve hot chocolate and scones with the primmest of the prim but when trouble calls, and with a change of wardrobe, she can kick butt with the toughest, alongside her trusty steed Frimplepants, aka Blacky.  When the big blue monster emerged from Monster Land to snack upon some delicious goats Princess Magnolia quickly switches into the Princess in Black mode to rescue the goats and the hapless goat herder.  This story emphasizes that being tough and being feminine are not mutually exclusive.  It should appeal to those who love all things princess as well as those who love to be the superhero.  Its short chapters and colorful illustrations make it a great book for emerging readers who are beginning to transition to chapter books. 

Candace (J Fiction)

Counting by 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow Chance is a twelve year old genius. Unfortunately, no one realizes this at home or at school and she doesn’t fit in.  She is starting a new school and hoping things will be better. After she scored a perfect score on an aptitude test, she is accused of cheating and she is sent to an inept counselor.  Dell Duke, her counselor, is the only one who realizes she is a genius and is very curious about her.  Tragedy strikes and Willow must face many new challenges. With these changes bring for the first time in her life people that she can consider to be friends.  

Kristin (J Fiction)

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners:

The Perfect Hug written by Joanna Walsh and illustrated by Judi Abbot

Never Too Little to Love written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Jan Fearnley

Story Time:
In addition to The Perfect Hug we read...

Plant a Kiss written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

There was Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose written by Lucille Colandro and

illustrated by Jared Lee

Book Buzz February, 2015

Amy Namey in Ace Reporter by Megan McDonald

Those of you looking for a Mercy Watson read alike, try Judy Moody and Friend series.  A great new beginner chapter book series about Judy Moody.  In Amy Namey in Ace Reporter, Amy wants nothing more than to be a reporter just like her mother.  So with the help of her good friend Judy Moody, Amy sets out to find an above the fold type of story.   Will Judy and Amy be able to stay out of trouble long enough to have a newspaper article published?  You will have to check out this new book to find out.  Jacquie (J Fiction)

El Deafo by CeCe Bell

El Deafo is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel that follows a bunny, Cece, after a brief illness that resulted in loss of hearing.  Cece struggles with feeling isolated from her family and peers due to her deafness.  At times she indulges in fantasies where she is the superhero El Deafo and her hearing loss is actually her super power.  Cece explains how alone she feels and the illustrations further accentuate the feeling of being in a bubble, separate from other people.  Attempts at inclusion by well intentioned but misguided peers increases Cece’s sense of alienation.  Cece learns how to bridge her isolation to make friends and eventually actually speak with her first crush.  Ultimately, her deafness is her super power and saves the day! Candace (JNF Graphic 978.022)

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, told from the perspective of Rose. She is a fifth grader and considered to be highly functioning on the autism spectrum. Some of her favorite things are her dog, her ongoing list of homonyms, and her uncle. In the text, she includes homonyms as she is writing. She is very attached to her dog Rain (reign, rein) and is devastated when she is lost during a hurricane that hits her area very hard. Her uncle is very supportive and helps, especially when her father is less so.  Kristin (J Fiction)

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners:

Mouses's First Snow written by Lauren Thompson
and illustrated by Buket Erdogan

No Two Alike written and illustrated by Keith Baker

Flannel Kisses written by Linda Crotta Brennan
and illustrated by Mari Takabayashi

Storytime:

We read No Two Alike as well as...

Snowmen at Night written by Carolyn Buehner and illustrated by Mark Buhener

Straight to the Pole written and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners:

The Puzzled Penguin written by Keith Faulkner 

and illustrated by Jonathan Lambert

Playground Day written and illustrated by Jennifer J. Merz

Are You A Cow? written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton

Storytime:

In addition to The Puzzled Penguin we read...

Lost and Found written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Don't Be Afraid Little Pip written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman





This Week @ Story Time

What We Read:

Little Listeners:

Carrot Soup written and illustrated by John Segal

Slop Goes the Soup written by Pamela D. Edwards 

and illustrated by Henry Cole

Growing Vegetable Soup written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Story Time:
In addition to these fun soup books we read

Duck Soup written and illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic 

Book Buzz January, 2015

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

Three weeks. Two sisters. One van. This is not going to be a fun trip! Raina has never had the best relationship with her cranky little sister Amara but now she's stuck on a road trip with her family from San Francisco to a reunion in Colorado. She has her Walkman to help tune out Amara and her baby brother, but will they figure out how to get along when the batteries wear out? This companion to Smile is a great Graphic Novel for anyone who has ever been driven crazy by their family! Alia (Y Graphic Fiction)

The Great American Dust Bowl written and illustrated by Don Brown
This nonfiction graphic novel depicts the causes of the Dust Bowl that took place in the American Midwest during the 1930s, or the Dirty Thirties as it would come to be known. The devastating effect upon the land and the people who lived there are conveyed by the stark illustrations. This graphic novel proves that a picture can often convey more than words. The catastrophic results of people interfering with nature are quite obvious but The Great American Dust Bowl avoids becoming preachy. The novel is a good read at any time, but it may be especially illuminating to children who are studying the environment. Candace (JNF Graphic 978.022) 

Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlan
Fly Away is another great story from Patricia MacLachlan. Lucy and her family are taking a car trip to visit their Aunt Frankie and help her at the farm as they prepare for a potential flood. This is a sweet story about Lucy, a young girl trying to find her special place in her family. All her family likes to sing, but Lucy can't. Instead, she likes poetry. She has a special relationship with her baby brother who doesn't talk yet. This is a nice story for early chapter book readers. Kristin (J Fiction)

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners and Storytime:

Time To Sleep written and illustrated by Denise Fleming

Bear Snores On written by Karma Wilson 

and illustrated by Jane Chapman

 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? 

written by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Little Listeners and StoryTime:

Froggy Gets Dressed written by Jonathan London 

and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

One Mitten written by Kristine O'Connell George 

and illustrated by Maggie Smith

Little Owl's Orange Scarf written and illustrated by Tatyana Feeney

Book Buzz December, 2014

West of the Moon by Margi Preus

Astri, a young Norwegian girl, is devastated when her aunt sells her to a cruel goat farmer, separating her from her beloved younger sister. But Astri has more grit and determination that anyone knows.  Defiant against her fate, Astri escapes, retrieves her little sister, and, armed with a troll treasure, a book of spells and curses, and a possibly magic hairbrush, they set off to find their father in America. Adding another layer to the story, this blend of historical fiction and folklore was inspired by a passage from the author’s great-great-grandmother’s diary. Recommended for middle grade readers looking for a moving story of sisterly love in the frozen north. 

Alia (J Fiction)

The Greenglass House  by Kate Milford

Milo lives with his mom and dad at the top of a mountain in Greenglass House, which is an inn. The inn overlooks the river Skidwrack which is famous for pirates. It is almost Christmas and Milo and his parents are excited to have some quiet time without guests. Before they know it, the inn is full of unusual and eccentric guests. Things start disappearing and more guests show up. Milo and his friend Meddy are trying to figure exactly why they have all shown up at the same time and what they are after.  Kristin (J Fiction)

This Week @ Story Time

What we read in Little Listeners and Story Time:

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie written by Alison Jackson 

and illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner

10 Fat Turkeys written by Tony Johnston 

and illustrated by Rich Deas

Thanks for Thanksgiving written by Julie Markes
and illustrated by Doris Barrette

This Week @ Story Time

What we read in Little Listeners and Story Time:

The Croaky Pokey! written and illustrated by Ethan Long

A Frog in the Bog written by Karma Wilson
and illustrated by Joan Rankin

Big Frog Can't Fit In written and illustrated by Mo Willems

This Week @ Story Time

What we read:

Night Owls:

Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted to Dance 

written and illustrated by Keith Graves


Jeremy Draws a Monster written and illustrated by Peter McCarty



Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Little Listeners:
In addition to Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance, we read...

Yeti, Turn out the Light! written by Greg Long and Chris Edmundson, 

illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan

Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters written by Jane Yolen 

and illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Story Time:
In addition to Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted to Dance and Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters we read...

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not afraid of Anything written by Linda Williams

and illustrated by Megan Lloyd