2010 Resolution: Laugh More!

Kids and grown people alike love a good laugh, no?

Come to the library and check out a funny book. Here are some picture book suggestions guaranteed to get you giggling!

Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Hi, Pizza Man! by Virgina Walter

Cowboy and Octopus by Jon Scieszka

Are You a Horse? by Andy Rash

What DO teachers Do (after YOU leave School)? by Anne Bowen

Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie by Judy Cox

This post was inspired by School Library Journal's recent column on the importance of humor in kids' lives (where I also got the tip on the hilarious video). Go read it!

Happy Birthday Tomie!

Tomie dePaola turned 75 on September 15th. Happy Birthday Tomie!

If you and your child haven't yet shared a Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POWL-a) book, now would be the perfect time! Tomie has written many original stories as well as retellings of folk tales, all illustrated in his wonderful signature style. You might want to start with the classic, well-loved Strega Nona stories, found in our easy fiction section.

Tomie has also written his childhood memoirs in the 26 Fairmont Avenue series of chapter books (which are accessible even to kids just transitioning into chapter books). These can be found in our biography section.

Happy reading!

p.s. you can check out Tomie's official website here, and a special all-star tribute to Tomie in honor of his 75th birthday here.

About A Book: Henry Works

Henry is a bear who lives in the woods. Some folks don't realize all the work that Henry does! He makes sure even the wild plants have enough water in the dry season. He places stones in the stream so people can cross. He keeps his eye on the land and sky. And at the end of the day, he begins his most important work of all.

Read D.B. Johnson's Henry Works, and other books about Henry, the bear whose character is based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau lived over 150 years ago, and he wrote about his experiences living simply in the woods of Concord, Massachusetts.

Other books about Henry include: Henry Builds a Cabin, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, and Henry Climbs a Mountain.

Thank You, POCHA!

Today your library had a special visit from POCHA - Parents of Children Having Allergies. POCHA is a support group for families of children with food allergies, serving Chicago and the near west suburbs.

Today, several POCHA members and their children so generously presented us with many fabulous resources and stories special for children with allergies. Picture books and dvd's have been added to our collection - yay! Thank you, POCHA.


If you're looking for some of these new resources, please ask a library staff member. The books and dvd's will be processed and out on the shelf as soon as possible! In the meantime, here's a sneak peek to get you excited:

The Peanut-Free Cafe, by Gloria Koster

The Peanut-Free Cafe tells the story of Simon, who refuses to eat anything but 4 foods, including peanut butter. Then Grant, a new kid comes to Simon's school, and they have so much in common - they're both great at math, and they both love Dirt Bike Rodents. But, Grant is allergic to peanuts, and he is forced to sit apart from the other students at lunch who have peanut butter in their lunches. Will Simon, and the rest of children of Nutley school, find a way to share their lunchtime with their new friend Grant?

About a Book - CDB!

CDB! CDB!!

(as in, "see the bee!")

In William Steig's CDB! solving puzzles like the one above is made a little easier (and loads more fun) by the accompanying illustrations. But, don't worry - even if you can't figure a puzzle out, the answers are all in the back of the book.

D C-L S N D C. Right?

For the answer to this puzzle and more, check out CDB! by William Steig, an oldie but definitely a goodie. If you're left wanting more, check out its companion book, CDC?

Don't forget the folk tales!

When choosing picture books, remember that we have a great selection of folk and fairy tales located in the nonfiction section, at J Non Fiction 398.2. The collection offers many beautiful picture books for kids pre-school aged all the way up through middle school.

If you love Cinderella, check out different Cinderella stories from all around the world! If you like animal stories, there are so many folk tales in which animals talk, trick, or have their nature explained! If you like funny stories, we have many 'fractured' fairy tales - traditional tales turned on their heads - like a version of Little Red Riding Hood in which Red wears a red-hooded sweatshirt and rides her bike across the prairie (granny is a tractor-riding, tough-talkin' lady). In these fairy and folk tales there is plenty of adventure, love, magic, friendship, and more.

We have a booklist of good folk and fairy tales to read aloud, and also be sure to ask a staff member if you need any help in selection!

About a Book - 39 Uses for a Friend

Storyteller. Napkin. Backrest. Dancing Partner. Taxi.

These are a few of the uses for a friend, as told in the book 39 Uses for a Friend by Harriet Ziefert. Accompanied by sweet pictures, the descriptions of friendship are tender and often giggle-out-loud funny. (see: napkin.)

This is a sweet and (very) short read for grade school kids, exploring the nature of friendship. Check it out!

Henry the Dog with no Tail

Henry the Dog with no Tail by Kate Feiffer tells the story of poor Henry. All his friends have tails but he doesn't. So what does Henry do but try to create one. In the end, Henry learns an important lesson about himself. This is a cute picture book that deals not only with a life lesson but also of dogs which children (and adults) always seem to love!