Review: My Teacher Is a Monster by Peter Brown

My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.)
By Peter Brown
Little, Brown and Company, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-316-07029-4

Bobby has a big problem at school and her name is Ms. Kirby.  All she does is yell, stomp, and take away recess privileges (for throwing paper airplanes in class).  In a word, she is a monster.  One Saturday while at the park trying to forget all about Ms. Kirby and school, he runs into...Ms. Kirby!  What's a boy to do?  He sits down on the bench next to her and tries to make small talk.  A gust of wind blows Ms. Kirby's favorite hat off her head and Bobby rescues it.  Then, Bobby and Ms. Kirby quack at the ducks, Bobby shows her his favorite spot at the park, and they throw paper airplanes.  Maybe Ms. Kirby isn't such a monster, after all.

I love this story, because it is so relatable.  Think back on your elementary school experience...you know there was that one teacher you weren't a fan of.  I can think of a couple from middle school!  Bobby gets to have an experience with Ms. Kirby outside of school and it turns out she can have fun and that she doesn't yell and stomp all of the time.  The illustrations really make this story.  Ms. Kirby is depicted as a green, scaly monster at the start of the story, and as it progresses, the monster fades away (think Nanny McPhee).  This is a fun book to share with kids, especially as summer is winding down and parents and kids are getting in back to school mode.  Have a great first day back and remember, your teachers aren't monsters!

Review: The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara

The Midnight Library

By Kazuno Kohara

Roaring Brook Press, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-59643-985-6

This is a story about a library that opens only at night.  A little librarian works there with three assistant owls, helping animals find the perfect book.  It's a quiet library, except when a band of squirrels decided to play their music.  Thankfully, the little librarian showed them the activity room, where they could play their music without disturbing everyone.  Then, the little librarian had to deal with rain in the library!  It turns out it was just wolf crying so much because her book was sad.  The little librarian took her to the story time room where they read a happy book.  When the sun came up, it was time for the library to close.  There is always a straggler, and tortoise didn't want to leave because he hadn't finished his book.  Being a good librarian, the little librarian signed tortoise up for a library card, checked out his book to him, and he left very happy.  After closing the library, the little librarian and her three owls read a bedtime story just perfect for drifting off to sleep.

This book is wonderful, and I'm not just saying that because it's about a library and librarian (although, it does give this book high bonus points, in my humble opinion).  The story is cute, and would work great in a number of story time themes (library/books, nighttime/bedtime, or animals).  What really makes this book distinctive are the illustrations.  I'm a big fan of Kazuno Kohara and read her book Ghosts in the House! every year at my library Halloween Party.  Her illustrations employ a delightful color palette, which enrich the story and represent the midnight setting perfectly.  From the goldenrod color of the animals and background, to the dark blue for the books and sky, to the bold black outlines, they blend together beautifully.  A cozy story, The Midnight Library is a great pick to share with your little ones.

Passover Books for Children

Passover starts next week.  If you celebrate and are looking for books to share with your children, try these ones available at the DCL!

The Passover Lamb by Linda Elovitz Marshall; illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
New York: Random House, 2013
This sweet book tells the story of Miriam who has to figure out how to save a baby lamb and her family's Seder dinner!  Snowball, a lamb on her family's farm, gives birth to triplet lambs, but is only able to provide milk for two, so one must be bottle-fed continuously.  But, it's almost time for Passover, and it's Miriam's turn to ask the Four Questions at her grandparents' Seder.  How will the baby lamb get fed if Miriam's family must leave for her grandparents' house?

What Am I? Passover by Anne Margaret Lewis; illustrated by Tom Mills
Chicago: Albert Whitman & Co., 2012
This lift-a-flap book is perfect for younger readers.  Children lift flaps to discover things that make Passover a special celebration, from a family getting ready for their Seder to the different foods eaten and special items needed for the dinner.

A Sweet Passover by Leslea Newman; illustrated by David Slonim
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012
Miriam loves matzoh, especially during Passover.  She eats it for breakfast, for lunch, and with dinner.  But, in the middle of Passover, she decides she's had enough matzoh.  But, Grandpa has a special recipe for matzoh brei (kind of like French toast).  Will Miriam give it a try?  Includes a recipe to make matzoh brei with your kids!

The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman; illustrated by Paul Meisel
New York: Holiday House, 2010
This retelling of the folktale makes it perfect to share at Passover!  Little Red Hen needs to make matzoh for Passover, but none of her friends will help her make it.  After she's done all the work, her friends show up for Seder dinner to eat it.  What will the Little Red Hen do?  Includes a recipe to make matzoh.

Dayenu! A Passover Haggadah for Families and Children by Carol Boyd Leon; illustrations by Gwen Connelly
Jersey City, NJ: KTAV Publishing House, 2008
This book is perfect for introducing children to Passover, as well as explaining the many elements of a Seder dinner.  It tells the story of Exodus, and relates why Passover is such an important story of the Jewish people.  Easy to understand text and brightly colored illustrations makes this a good choice to share with your family.

Holiday Picks: Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Eric Litwin.  Illustrated by James Dean.  New York: Harper, 2012.

It's the day before Christmas, and Santa is sick!  Stuck in bed with a cold, will Christmas be cancelled?  Never!  Santa calls Pete the Cat to save the day.  Pete hops into his minibus for a "road trip" and delivers all the toys to boys and girls because you "give it your all, give it your all.  At Christmas we give, so give it your all."

This is another really cute book in the Pete the Cat series.  It's also a unique take on the "Night Before Christmas" story.  What makes it even better is the groovy song you can download from HarperCollins.  It makes reading the book aloud even better!  What is your favorite Pete the Cat book?

Holiday Picks: Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

By Robert Barry.  New York: A Doubleday Book for Young Readers, 2000.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree arrived by special delivery - it was fresh, it was full, and it was the biggest tree he'd ever seen.  Once it is put in the parlor, he realizes that it is too big - the top is bent!  So, the top is snipped off.  The top is presented to Miss Adelaide, the upstairs maid.  When she puts it on her table, it's too big, the top is bent, so she snips it off and puts it in the trash.  Timm, the gardener discovers it, and not wanting the little tree to be thrown out, takes it home.  But, his wife doesn't need to whole tree, so she cuts off the top and throws it out the window.  And so on, the top is snipped off until it's just right for a little family of mice.  "Oh, wasn't it grant to have a tree - exactly like Mr. Willowby?"

This adorable book is perfect to share with preschoolers.  They will love the repetition of the story line and seeing how the tree gets smaller and smaller, and how each family celebrates with their tree.  The illustrations are cute, and you can see the excitement when each character comes across the little tree.  What are some of your tree trimming traditions?

Holiday Picks: A Christmas Carol

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Charles Dickens.  Illustrated by Brett Helquist.  New York: Harper, 2009.

This classic holiday novel by Charles Dickens' is adapted to share with school-age children.  The story of Ebenezer Scrooge is shortened and beautifully illustrated, which makes it perfect for sharing with your family this holiday season.  Scrooge is all "Bah, Humbug!" about Christmas.  He is grouchy and grumbles about Christmas, and is very stingy with his money.  On Christmas Eve night, he is visited by the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future.  Seeing his life as it was and how it could be if he doesn't change his behavior, Scrooge receives a true insight into how his nature affects everyone around him.  Waking up Christmas morning, he is renewed with a joyful spirit and vows to make amends.  He becomes a better friend and master, and a better person because of it.

This beloved story is adapted quite well for a younger audience, giving them enough of the original story to make a great read aloud, without being too long to lose the attention of younger children.  The illustrations are vibrant, and full of beautiful details.  Kids will enjoy hearing this story.  Is this something you read each Christmas?

Holiday Picks: Sad Santa

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

By Tad Carpenter.  New York: Sterling Children's Books, 2012.

It's December 26, and Santa has a case of the "ho-ho-hums."  He's sad because Christmas is over, and there are no more toys to make, or presents to wrap.  Everything is less cheery - the candy canes aren't as minty and the decorations aren't as twinkly.  The elves try to cheer up Santa, but nothing works, so they call in the boss - Mrs. Claus.  She decides a vacation is just the cure for the post-Christmas blues, but Santa still can't cheer up, until he receives a letter from a boy requesting things that would make his family happy next Christmas.  He remembers the real meaning of the holiday season is giving and caring, so vows to live each day like it is Christmas.

This is a worthwhile book to share with your children, especially if they are feeling some sadness that the holiday is over.  It's good to reiterate the real meaning of this holiday.  I love the illustrations!  They are done in red, aqua, brown and white, which stand out nicely against the grocery store brown paper that make up the pages.  Do you still celebrate Christmas after the holiday is over with?

Holiday Picks: Santa From Cincinnati

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Judi Barrett.  Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.  New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012.

This fun book tells the story of Baby Boy Claus born on December 25 in Cincinnati.  His parents named him Santa.  He was an only child, and grew up loving toys.  His father made all his toys in their basement workshop, and when Santa was older, he helped his father make toys (after his homework was done, of course).  Kids in the neighborhood put in requests for toys, and Santa and his father would make them.  One day, Santa realized he had more toys than he could ever play with, so on Christmas Eve he delivered a toy to each child in Cincinnati.  It was such a success, that when Santa got older, he decided to make it a full-time job.  He got married, found a nice workshop way up North, and hired some helpers to make toys.  Sound familiar?

This inventive tale is a clever take on the story of Santa Claus.  The illustrations have a nostalgic feel to them, full of soft edges.  Kids will love pouring over the details in the pictures.  They will also enjoy hearing the story of the boy who loved toys so much he decided to make a job giving them away to children.  Do you have a favorite Santa story?

Holiday Picks: The Count's Hanukkah Countdown

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Tilda Balsley and Ellen Fischer.  Illustrated by Tom Leigh.  Minneapolis: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2012.

Tonight marks the fourth night of Hanukkah, so here is another book to share with your children.  Who doesn't love Sesame Street and the Muppets?  In this book, the Count is the main character.  He loves to count numbers, and is very excited about the eight nights of Hanukkah, because eight is the perfect number.  The Count and Grover are invited to celebrate Hanukkah with Brosh and Avigail, and Brosh's aunt, uncle, and cousins.  He learns about the menorah and candles, the story of Hanukkah, eats latkes and jelly doughnuts, plays the dreidel game, and counts chocolate gelt.  Latkes, jelly doughnuts, chocolate...is it just me, or is anyone else hungry?

This book features characters from Shalom Sesame, which gives children and families an introduction to Jewish life and Israel.  Our library owns the DVD series, so be sure to check those out!  Children are encouraged to count along with the Count as the numbers are boldly displayed on the pages.  The illustrations are brights and colorful, accurately representing the Muppets.  What is your favorite Muppet character?

Holiday Picks: Eight Winter Nights

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Laura Krauss Melmed.  Illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg.  San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2010.

Tonight is the third night of Hanukkah.  Here's another picture book you can share with your family.  This book joyfully depicts a family celebrating the eight nights of Hanukkah.  They light the candles, sing songs and dance, play the dreidel game, visit with family, and eat lots of latkes!  The illustrations are done in warm colors, full of soft edges and features, which adds to the coziness of this family story.  The book is written in rhyming verses, which makes it great for sharing with younger children who love to listen to a good story!  It can also serve as a counting book, as each night of Hanukkah is described.  What are some of your family's Hanukkah traditions?

Holiday Picks: Jeremy's Dreidel

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Ellie Gellman.  Illustrated by Maria Mola.  Minneapolis: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2012.

At a dreidel-making workshop at the local Jewish Community Center, Jeremy decides to make a dreidel as a surprise for someone.  As the other children are busily choosing recycled materials to make theirs, Jeremy chooses clay.  He rolls and molds it into the shape he wants.  The other children become curious after Jeremy molds tiny dots onto one side of his dreidel.  He tells them the dots are Braille, a way of reading for blind people, and that his surprise dreidel is for his dad, who is blind.

This is a great book to share with your kids during Hanukkah for several reasons.  First, the book discusses the history of the dreidel, how it is played with on Hanukkah, and the religious and historical significance of Hanukkah.  Second, it gives you craft ideas for how to make dreidels out of recycled materials.  It also includes instructions for the dreidel game and a fun project.  Who doesn't love crafts?  Lastly, it provides an accessible portrayal of blindness in a contemporary setting that kids can understand, from a kid's point of view.  I think it handles certain challenges well.  For instance, Jeremy gets impatient with all his friends' questions and assumptions about blindness.  He also gets upset when his art teacher wants to put his dreidel in a glass display case (she changes her mind once she sees how upset he is), because he wants his dad to be able to play with and touch the dreidel.  Overall, a positive book to share with children during Hanukkah.  Will you be playing the dreidel game? 

Holiday Picks: How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Jane Yolen.  Illustrated by Mark Teague.  New York: The Blue Sky Press, 2012.

Tonight marks the first night of Chanukah.  I'm looking forward to eating latkes.  Fried potato pancakes.  Need I say more?  I'm not Jewish, but I do have Irish heritage, and have never met a potato I didn't love.  But, I digress.  Here's a fun picture book to share with your kids.  As I mentioned in a previous post, Jane Yolen and Mark Teague published two holiday books this year in their highly popular dinosaur series.  This one is about Chanukah.

Does a dinosaur misbehave on Chanukah nights when the holiday lights are being lit?  Does he fidget through the prayer?  Sneak a peek at presents hidden under the bed?  Gather up all the gelt, and squeeze the chocolate coins until they melt?  No, dinosaurs don't.  He takes turn playing with the dreidel, eats all his latkes, and helps clean up, like a good dinosaur.  Kids will love looking at all the pictures of the different types of dinosaurs and giggling at their naughty behaviors.  Hopefully, they won't act those out!  Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish friends!  How will you celebrate this year?

Holiday Picks: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Clement C. Moore.  Illustrated by Kat Whelan.  Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2010.

The night before Christmas, everyone is asleep in bed, the children and parents.  Hearing noises on the front lawn, the father looks out and sees Santa riding through the air on the sled led by reindeer.  Santa lands on the roof, shimmies down the chimney, and distributes gifts.  When his work is finished, he goes back up the chimney to his sleigh and off into the air to the next house exclaiming "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

This classic Christmas poem gets a boost by the illustrations.  Instead of people, mice are the characters in this story, even Santa!  Thick pages full of glittery touches add a special feel to this timeless story.  Children will enjoy exploring the pictures for the glittery snow and looking at all the details.  Will you be reading this poem to your family this Christmas?

Holiday Picks: How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Jane Yolen.  Illustrated by Mark Teague.  New York: The Blue Sky Press, 2012.

Jane Yolen and Mark Teague's series of dinosaur books are a hit at my library, and their latest ones do not disappoint (more on the second book in another post)!  So, how does a dinosaur behave on Christmas Eve?  Does he refuse to go to bed?  Does he sneak a peek at what is under the tree?  Does he eat the cookies left out for Santa?  No, of course not!  This dinosaur is very well behaved, decorating the tree, helping to clean up dinner dishes, kissing his grandparents good night, and going right to sleep.  Full of humor, I think a lot of families can relate to some of the antics exhibited by those naughty dinosaurs.  But, at the end of the story, there is a gentle message about how great it is to be a good dinosaur.  This is a great choice to share with toddlers and preschoolers.  How will your little dinosaurs say Merry Christmas?

Holiday Picks: Just Right for Christmas

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written by Birdie Black.  Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw.  Somerville, MA: Nosy Crow, 2011.

This book celebrates homemade gifts, and using what you can find.  On Christmas Eve, the king finds a big roll of beautiful red cloth that is "Christmassy" and "just right" for his daughter.  He commissions a beautiful cloak be made for her.  The scraps of extra cloth are put outside the door, where Jenny, the kitchen maid finds them.  She decides those scraps would be "just right" for a jacket for her ma.  After snipping and sewing, she made a pretty jacket, and put the leftover scraps outside her door.  Bertie Badger comes across the scraps and decides they would be "just right" for a hat for his pa.  After he snips and sews a hat together, he leaves the scraps outside where Samuel Squirrel finds them.  They would be "just right" for a pair of gloves for his wife.  The leftover scrap of fabric flies to the ground where Milly Mouse discovers it while out looking for a nut to give Billy.  But, the little scrap is "just right" for a warm scarf for Billy.  And, on Christmas morning, everyone opens their homemade present which is "so soft and red and Christmassy and felt just right...just how Christmas should feel."  Awww!  This is an adorable book about the love and care that goes into homemade gifts.  It's fun to see how each character uses what they find to create something meaningful for their loved one.  What kinds of homemade crafts will you make this season?

Holiday Picks: Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Written and illustrated by Selina Alko.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.

Sometimes it's hard to remember this time of year is not all about Christmas.  Hanukkah is celebrated also, and this picture book is a great choice for families that celebrate both traditions.  Sadie is a mixture of two traditions, Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama.  This book joyfully describes how her family decorates for the holidays, sings songs, and cooks and bakes, while incorporating both of Mom and Dad's traditions into their planning.  The whole family gets together for a meal and to exchange presents, and talk about the meaning and significance of Christmas and Hanukkah.  What family traditions will you celebrate this year?

Holiday Picks: The Christmas Quiet Book

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

By Deborah Underwood.  Illustrated by Renata Liwska.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012.

Christmas is a busy, and noisy, time of year.  With the music, shopping, cookies, visits from family and friends, presents, and did I mention cookies, it's a joyful and exciting time of year.  But, sometimes it's nice to stop, be still, and enjoy the quiet moments.  This beautiful picture book shows us some of those quiet moments - snuggling under warm blankets, enjoying a cup of cocoa, and marveling at the beauty of a tree full of lights.  The illustrations are done in warm, muted colors that fit perfectly with the quiet mood of the book.  This is a wonderful book to share one-on-one with your children during this holiday season.  What quiet moments will you enjoy this Christmas?

Itsy Mitsy Runs Away

By Elanna Allen.  New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011.

"Have you met Itsy Mitsy?  She's the little girl who really, really, for real (I'm not even joking) doesn't like...BEDTIME!"

What kid loves it?  This is a cute story of a little girl who dislikes bedtime so much, she decides to run away.  As you can imagine, running away is a pretty big deal, and Itsy Mitsy soon discovers it isn't as easy as she thought.  With her Dad's help, she makes sure to pack her favorite pet, food for her pet, someone to guard her against the bedtime beasties, and a nightlight.  When her Dad suggests something to plug the light into, well, her entire house had to come, too.  She's all ready to go and Dad waves her off, reminder her to mow the lawn.  Mow the lawn?!  That's a grown-up job, so Itsy Mitsy packs up good old Dad, and off they go running away.  She finds a perfect spot where there is no bedtime ever and....falls asleep!

Kids will enjoy this illogical bedtime tale.  I mean, running away from bedtime?  That's an awesome concept.  I mean, that's bad (sorry, child in me is taking over the responsible adult part of me).  The illustrations are done in pencil with digital color, which gives a softness to the characters and setting.  Itsy Mitsy's facial expressions are very detailed, and you can see her determination to run away, and Dad's tactics to keep her home.  By the end of the story, Mitsy has everything she needs piled up on her wagon, and you can tell father and daughter had a fun adventure.  Check this out at the library today!

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

By Mo Willems.  New York: Balzer + Bray, 2012.

"Once upon a time, there were three Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur, and some other Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway."

I know what you're thinking: wait a minute, I know this story!  But I don't remember any dinosaurs.  That's because this delightful picture book take a different approach to a classic fairy tale.  One day, these dinosaurs decide to make their beds, arrange their chairs, and cook three bowls of delicious chocolate pudding, for no particular reason.  Then, they decide to leave and go "someplace else" and while they are gone, they really hope no innocent child stops by their unlocked home while they are gone.  Wink, wink.  If you know the story, of course a little girl named Goldilocks happens upon the house of the dinosaurs.  She eats the chocolate pudding, and then tired and full, decides to take a nap.  But the chairs are too big, and so are the beds.  She exclaims "the bears that live here must be nuts!"  Then, she takes a closer look at her surroundings and realizes this isn't some bear's house, it's some dinosaur's house, and high tails it out of the back door just as the dinosaurs barge through the front door.  No yummy, chocolate filled little girl for the dinosaurs.  And the story ends with a moral: "if you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave."  As for the dinosaurs, the moral is "lock the back door!"

I am a huge fan of Mo Willems, and enjoy sharing his books at storytime.  This is another gem.  The illustrations are fantastic.  My favorite is the Norwegian dinosaur maniacally laughing.  Have your kids take a close look and they will see one of his famous characters in the pages.  But the real winner is the storyline.  I was laughing so much, which is a true sign of an awesome picture book, in my humble opinion.  Hey, if the adults love it, it makes sharing it all the better.  And if you're looking for ideas to use with the book, check out HarperCollins website for downloadable activities.  We just got this at our library, so check it out!

Beach Feet

By Kiyomi Konagaya.  Illustrated by Masamitsu Saito.  New York: Enchanted Lion Books, 2012.

One of the joys of summer is going to the beach.  No matter if you are young or old, the pull of water and sand just makes you happy, and this book is a beautiful representation of that.  A young boy visits the beach and quickly runs through the sand to get to the water, but "ouch" that sand is hot, so he kicks off his sandals. As he runs towards the ocean, his independence and joy are very evident.  With his floatie tube around his waist, he excitedly explores the beach and ocean with his feet, including shells on the ocean floor and the cool feel of the water and waves.  The illustrations are magnificent and they truly demonstrate the young boy's happiness at being at the beach.  The text also perfectly matches the age of the boy with simple statements that toddlers and preschoolers can relate to.  I can't think of a better book to share with someone this summer!