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A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet is a biography of AFrican American artist, Horace Pippin. As I began this well illustrated biography, I was delighted to find out that Horace Pippin was born just down the road…
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Lincoln’s Grave Robbers
Steve Sheinkin, author of Newbery Honor book, Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, has written a true crime thriller – Lincoln’s Grave Robbers. The story “alternates between the conspirators, the Secret Service agents on their tail, and the undercover double agent moving…
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Do Crocs Kiss?
This is an absolutely adorable story with lift-the-flaps and great rhymes! Salina Yoon may be one of my new favorite children’s authors. She also wrote Penguin and Pinecone which I fell in love with this winter and have use for multiple story times. Each page spread asks two questions about…
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Maggot Moon
Sally Gardner’s Maggot Moon was unexpected and has left me with an unsettled feeling. The story itself was well-written, really capturing the essence of the characters and the setting. The story begins with the powerful, “I’m wondering what if…” What if are two very powerful words that make all the…
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Seraphina
I had heard a lot about Seraphina before I picked it up to read. I really enjoyed the cover art with little color bust so much detail in a simple ink drawing. I do have to say that I’m quite particular about the fantasy books I read. They can’t be…
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The Goldilocks Variations
First let me say, pop-up books can be the bane of my existence as a librarian because they never last long on the regular shelf, but if we keep them just for story times, they don’t get used regularly. This week we decided to place our pop-up books with our toy…
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Animal Grossapedia
If there was ever a book that boys (and some girls!) might like to peruse – it’s this one! Animal Grossapedia by Melissa Stewart is an encyclopedia of over 50 gross things that animals do. You’ll find everything from dung beetles to koala bears and vampire bats. Each animal is…
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A Tangle of Knots
A Tangle of Knots written by Lisa Graff is a mysterious puzzle with just a touch of magic that is told in multiple viewpoints. The reader is introduced to 11-year-old Cady, an orphan with a special Talent for baking (especially cakes). She soon becomes mixed up in a lost luggage emporium,…
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Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World
I know, I know, it’s Valentine’s Day and I’m not writing about love, hugs, or kisses! I figured that since I’ve done that all week, we all needed a break and I just finished this book the other day, so it worked out perfectly. I picked up Their Skeletons Speak…
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Otter and Odder
Otter and Odder: A Love Story written by James Howe and illustrated by Chris Raschka is a delightful picture book about love – perfect for Valentine’s Day. Although a bit too long for a toddler story time, this simple book about the strength of love would work very well for early…