Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm Babymouse is not just one great book, but in
fact an entire series of graphic novels for readers
ages 8-12. Written and illustrated by a brother-sister
team the series focuses on Babymouse, a young mouse
who struggles with the everyday problems of being
a kid. Every child will be able to relate to the dilemas
she faces in school, friendships and at home. This
series will be an easy read for even the most reluctant
of readers, but that will not diminish her appeal
for book lovers and older children. Babymouse's spirit
and humor is irresistible; even to me!
A Creature Was Stirring: One Boy's Night Before Christmas; Adapted and Illustrated by Carter Goodrich For collectors of Clement C. Moore's The Night Before Christmas this is one to add to the list. Author-illustrator Carter Goodrich presents The Night Before Christmas as we know it on the left hand of the page. But it's the right hand side of the page that will have children fascinated. While Moore's poem predictably unfolds on one side of the book, the story of a little boy who can't sleep because he's worried he might be on the naughty list unfolds on the other. Eventually the two sides of the story collide and become one. This book is for anyone who's spent Christmas Eve listening for the klip-klop of reindeer hoofs on the roof.
Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman This terrific biography of magician and escape artist Harry Houdini is written in a chapter book format and filled with photos. Young prestidigitators will be transfixed by the story of a poor kid who reinvented himself as the greatest magician since Merlin himself. Suitable for ages 10 and up.
Overboard! by Sarah Weeks; Illustrated by Sam Williams This silly picture book tells the lyrical story of a baby bunny whose favorite game is tossing things out of high spots like his highchair, crib, stroller and playpen. Food, toys, blankets all go overboard! Toddlers will identify with this little mischief maker and love his funny game.
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin When Pacy asks her mom what’s special about the Year of the Dog she’s told that because dogs so are faithful the Year of the Dog is when you find your best friends. Since dogs are honest and sincere it’s also a good year to find out more about yourself. This is the story of the friends Pacy makes and what she finds out about herself in The Year of The Dog.
Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup Big Smelly Bear won’t take a bath and he really stinks! He’s perfectly happy that way until one day he gets a terrible itch on his back that he can’t scratch. How can he get someone to help him scratch his itch? Looks like he might have to take that bath after all!
Hardworking Puppies by Lynn Reiser Count backwards from ten with these adorable puppies as they each get a special job. The puppies get jobs like guard dogs and water-rescue dogs and find a special human companion. A note at the back of the book discusses the real jobs that real dogs perform.
Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock Follow Simon and his older sister Adele as they make their way home from school in early 20th century Paris. On the way home Simon has many adventures but keeps leaving his things behind. Search the beautiful illustrations to see if you can find Simons missing things.
Wolves By Emily Gravett Follow a little rabbit on his way home from the Library. He checked out a scary book about wolves and he’s about to learn more than he bargained for!
Beach by Elisha Cooper Summer is finally here! If you can’t get to the beach quickly enough, read all about it in this beautifully illustrated picture book that covers all the wonders of a day at the beach.
Give Me Liberty by L.M. Elliott The Fourth of July is a great time to read Give Me Liberty by L.M. Elliott. This terrific read brings history alive, exploring the ideas our forefathers were pursuing when they founded our nation. Visit the author's website for more information about Revolutionary war times.
Jake the Philharmonic Dog Written by Karen LeFrak and Illustrated by Marcin Baranski Read all about Jake, a dog, whose owner works at the Philharmonic Orchestra. Jake's first trip to the Philharmonic confuses him because there are so many sounds coming from the orchestra that sound like things in the outside word; car horns, birds, thunder. Musical terms and instrument identification are woven throughout the story.
Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
A little girl and her stuffed monkey have a grand time playing make believe. See if you can guess what animal they are pretending to be before you turn the page. Sparse words and illustrations highlight how fun the simplest things can be.
Space Boy by Leo Landry Nicholas’ house is too noisy when it’s time for bed. He decides to take a trip to the moon instead. But after awhile he misses his family and heads back home.
No Biting Louise by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Matthew Reinhart
Louise the baby alligator is so proud of her new teeth that she just can’t help but bite things! Needless to say, not everyone is as excited about her new teeth as Louise is. Will she ever grow out of her bad biting habit?
Website of the Week Archive
Diary
of a Wimpy Kid The funbrain website has lots of great activities and games, but my
favorite is the daily comic strip "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Part cartoon,
part diary, each entry follows seventh grader Greg Hefly day by day
through an entire school year. Each day presents hysterical new
catastrophe's and hijinx's in the life of a middle schooler. Start at day
one and forward through the cartoon a day at a time to follow his
adventures. Suitable for children ages 8-12.
Dreidel Game Ever wondered how to play with a dreidel? Two players can compete with each other on this online dreidel game. The rules are explained too so you can play at home with your own dreidel and more players.
NORAD Tracks Santa 2006! For over 50 years NORAD, the radar system called the North Warning System, has tracked Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve and 2006 will be no exception. This website explains how they use the radars to track Santa and has a game section as well. Thank you to Priscilla Bender for telling us about this great website.
New Year Wishes Around the World! Here's your guide to wishing everyone you know a "Happy New Year." Visit this site and learn how to say "Happy New Year" loud and proud in over 40 languages.
Club Penguin Club Penguin is the latest rage at the Library. With a parent's permission children can sign up for a virtual penguin. Then, using the Club Penguin website, they can talk to other penguins, decorate their igloo, play games, go sledding and oh so much more. The best part is that it's absolutely free! Special thanks to Isabelle, age 9, who told us about this terrific website.
Chinese Horoscope National Geographic for kids has a website to help you find your birth year animal in the Chinese Horoscope. Each animal is said to represent certain personality traits. Find out what animal you are and what it means.
Design your own Treehouse Scene Highlights magazine has lots of great games for kids on their website. This game lets you build your own treehouse down to the type of tree you’d like it to be in.
Clifford the Big Red Dog Check out Clifford’s website from Scholastic. There’s lots to do including playing games, printing coloring pages and reading stories.
I Spy Have fun finding shapes in each picture on this interactive website.
Andersen Fairytales Read along with your favorite fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen on this website that features attractive graphics and animation throughout the stories.
Ants, Ants, Ants Everything you ever wanted to know about ants including how to catch and keep them!
Snoopy Everybody’s favorite dog, Snoopy, has his own website with fun, games and coloring pages.
The Space Place
NASA has a great website just for kids. Learn more about outer space, play some great games and check out the neat projects section.
Wolf Conservation Center Do you know about the Wolf Conservancy right here in Westchester County? Find out about the wolves that live there and how to visit them.
Surfing Game Think you’re ready to hang ten? Take a test run at surfing but make sure not to run over any swimmers!
Sign the Declaration of Independence!
Visit the National Archives website and add your signature to the Declaration of Independence. After you print out your copy, celebrate the Fourth of July by taking the time to read this inspiring document!
Talk Like a Pirate!
Here's a glossary of everything you might need to know how to say if you were a pirate or just trying to understand one!
