Picture Books

If your child loves reading about bears, have you picked up any of these from your local library? These are great for bear lovers ages 4 to 8. All books were published between 2008-2018.                   Believe me, Goldilocks Rocks!: the story of the three bears as told by […]

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Imaginary companions come in all shapes and sizes- monsters, animals, skeletons, and other humans. They come for many reasons too, but in most fiction imaginary companions come to help a child get through a difficult situation. Our Imaginary Companions reading list provides picture books and chapter books from the perspective of the child, and a […]

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April is Jazz Appreciation Month, which honors the history and heritage of jazz. Here are 10 books about legendary jazz performers perfect for elementary grades.                     Jazz on a Saturday Night By: Leo Dillon The simple, effortlessly rhyming text shows how jazz musicians work together to improvise […]

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Ducks seem to always find their way into crazy situations in picture books. Ten of our favorite wacky duck books provide laughter for children and adults.               Ducks away! By: Mem Fox  One by one five little ducklings tumble off the bridge into the river below–and mother duck follows […]

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The smell of cut grass, hot dogs, peanuts, and nachos. No, we aren’t talking about your backyard barbeque. We’re talking about the baseball field. There are so many books dedicated to the great game of baseball that it was hard to choose only 9 for our list. From biographies to cookbooks, we’ve chosen 9 unique […]

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Most parents grab summer beach books to take on vacation to keep their children occupied. But, why not set up your soon-to-be preschooler or kindergartner with the beginning skills he or she needs before starting school? Many ABC books provide a chance not only to learn the alphabet, but to also broaden vocabulary, begin phonemic […]

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One of the most motivational ways to show children the importance of saving our planet is through pictures and stories. This reading list tackles stories of recycling, water conservation, how to help keep our planet clean and how to participate in Earth Day.             When Rivers Burned: the Earth Day story […]

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Finally! America is finally thawing out. After four Nor’easters and snowfall in spring, the reality of spring is finally here. And with it, come many books to teach children about nature, planting, gardens, and growth. What author comes to mind when I think about these types of books? None other than Gail Gibbons. Gail Gibbons’ work is found in […]

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We’ve all heard about the luck of the Irish. This week’s list includes many characters who desire a touch of luck. Books listed cover a variety of ages, from six to sixteen.                   A Big Dose of Lucky By: Marthe Jocelyn Sixteen-year-old Malou decides to uncover the circumstances […]

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The Maxwell Medallion is given by the Dog Writers Association of America. This award, named after Maxwell Riddle who wrote a syndicated dog column for 30 years and was a past president of DWAA, is given to many forms of professional writing devoted to dogs. Nominees are announced in the winter edition of the newsletter, […]

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Dog characters are no stranger to children’s literature- Biscuit, Clifford, Hank the Cowdog just to name a few. We have chosen a variety of books, suitable for ages 5 to 12, that show dogs in many distinct roles and situations. Many of the titles will provoke meaningful conversations about responsibility, loyalty, acceptance, and much more. […]

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                Martin’s Big Words: the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By: Doreen Rappaport A picture book biography that introduces the ideas and accomplishments of a gifted and influential speaker by using some of his own words to tell the story. Langston Hughes By: Milton Meltzer Tells […]

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The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew may have started the detective mystery for children’s reading, but many notable detectives have held their own throughout the years. The list of sleuths that follows is divided by the age of the sleuth, not by reading level. We were disappointed to find little diversity in modern publications, a […]

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According to several media outlets, the best-selling books for children in 2017 were books with funny themes, characters, or situations. You will find several series books that meet these criteria while other books present mysteries to be solved or situations that need to be resolved. If you find that the child is a non-book lover […]

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The Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards are the only national book awards chosen only by kids and teens. It is sponsored by the Children’s Book Council (CBC) which is the nonprofit trade association of children’s book publishers in North America, dedicated to supporting the industry and promoting children’s books and reading. 2017 Winners by […]

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Christian Book Award The Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards program in the religious publishing industry.           Finalists and winners are selected in eleven categories: Bibles Bible Reference works Bible Study Ministry Resources Biography & […]

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In this issue, we will introduce you to books that represent the many holiday stories, customs and celebrations that are held around the world during December. As you read these books with your children, place a special emphasis on traditions that we share with other countries.           The Eight Nights of […]

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Ever judge a book by its cover? What book covers tell us and what they tell about us.             Mr. Tiger Goes Wild By: Peter Brown Bored with city life and the proper behavior it requires, Mr. Tiger has a wild idea that leads him to discover his true nature. […]

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When I was younger and before I went to college to become a librarian, I was always confused by Banned Book Week. I never understood why all these “banned” books were put on display in my public or school library. I mean if they are banned doesn’t that mean they are not allowed, and don’t […]

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In a past position as a high school librarian, I entered my office one day to find an art history book on my desk opened to a photograph of a nude statue. Confused, I simply put the book back on its appropriate shelf only to have it reappear on my desk later in the week. […]

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