Roslyn Rutabaga

We just put this darling book on our shelves! It is the latest offering from the immensely talented author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay. Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! is a sweet story of a little bunny who spends the day, of course, digging the biggest hole on earth. She encounters a cast of grumpy characters including a worm and a mole who do not appreciate her endeavors, but throughout it all she maintains her determination. Only after an encounter with a disgruntled dog does her enthusiasm wane. Enter her wonderful father: his interaction with Roslyn is worth the read alone.

Enjoy this new book!

A Child's Book Review: The Cow Loves Cookies

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson was reviewed by 3-year-old David:

The farmer eats the cookies all up and so does the cow.  The cow loves cookies and I do too.

Submit your child's book review via email and you may see it in a future "A Child's Book Review" blog post.

Mary's Penny

With whimsical illustrations, a feminist fable proves that brains outweigh brawn when three siblings enter a most enlightening competition. Long, long ago, in the golden, olden days, a farmer devised an ingenious competition to determine who should inherit his farm. Which of his children Franz, Hans, or Mary could fill the house with something that cost a mere penny? Did straw do the trick? Were feathers sufficient? Or did it take something a little more creative? Tanya Landman's retelling of a traditional tale, illustrated with Richard Holland's stylish artwork, reminds us that sometimes the greatest value can be had for only a penny.

Kevin is sooo cute!

The newest "Kevin" book came across my desk today and I really have to share how very much I adore this character. Liesbet Slegers is the author and illustrator and frankly, I think she is amazing!
Her illustrations are brilliant ~ sweet, but not cloying. Slegers text is simple and appropriate, without a hint of condescension. As the Belgian author/illustrator said in an interview, "I write and illustrate for very young children. It is important to me to use very bright and shining colors. This draws their attention. I also use very simple sentences, sometimes only one per page!"
Kevin is a perfect character to guide children through the 'firsts' of their little lives. Slegers focuses beautifully and with compassion on the first experiences of toddlers.
She has had Kevin experience his first day of school, his first airplane ride and his first trip to the hospital. I am a huge fan of Liesbet Slegers and Kevin. Stop by the library, check out a book by Slegers and see if you don't agree!

It's Back-to-School Time!

Help your children adust to going back to school with some books from the library! Check out our Going to School Booklist for titles for a variety of ages.

Storyline Online

Storyline Online is a website that streams videos of famous actors reading children's picture books -- there are currently over 20 different stories offered, each read by a different actor. Discussion questions and downloadable activity guides are also available for each story.

A Soup Opera

Jim Gill was at the ACPL last weekend to present 4 concerts to children & their families. It was SO MUCH FUN!

At the concerts, Jim shared his new book A Soup Opera. In this photo, Jim is showing us how to sing the line "I can't eat the soup!" with feeling.

There are many more photos of the concerts, you can see them here.

Vroom! Vroom!

Come join us this morning for a story time all about transportation!
We will read stories, say rhymes and do a little marching to music!
Help us celebrate all the ways of "getting there and back" ~ we will also offer a craft after the 10:30 storytime!
What a great way to beat the heat!

Smart Start Story Times Every Wednesday
9:30 am designed for preschools and daycares
10:30 am designed for preschoolers and their adult caregiver

It IS Summer Now!

Happy Summer Solstice! Today is the LONGEST day of the year, enjoy all of the beautiful sunlight.

Check out Mama, Is It Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure. Fans of McClure's artwork are sure to love this one. Not a fan, give it a look and you will be!

Fun New Picture Books!

Check out the latest video posted on the Make a Splash, Read! summer reading website, featuring Dianna Burt, Children's Librarian at the Hessen Cassel Branch Library.



Be sure to check the Make a Splash! website each week throughout the Summer Reading Program for a new video highlighting books for your summer reading fun!

New Picture Book: Sleepover at Gramma's House

Sleepover at Gramma's House
by Barbara Joosse
illustrated by Jan Jutte

Bright, bold illustrations and lively text work together in this fun picture book about a young elephant who goes to visit her Gramma.

This is one your child may want to read again and again -- and repetition is GREAT for early literacy development. Before you know it, your child may be telling the story to YOU!

Yucky Worms

Who would want to be friends with a wiggly, slimy, yucky worm?
You can't even tell which end is which!
But there's more to these lowly creatures than meets the eye. Find out where worms live, how they move, and why gardeners consider them friends in this humorous and informative look at the unappreciated - and fascinating - worm.

New Picture Book: Born Yesterday: The Diary of a Young Journalist

Move over Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Now we have

Born Yesterday: The Diary of a Young Journalist!
by James Solheim
illustrated by Simon James

In this hilarious picture book, a baby tells about his experiences -- like being born without"... wearing so much as a hair ribbon..." and discovering the "thingy hanging over my crib..." His big sister can do so many things, he thinks "she may secretly be a genius..."

Kids of all ages will appreciate this picture book -- including those with baby brothers and sisters. Have you read this book? What did you think?

2010 Children's Choice Book Award Winners

On Wednesday, May 12th, the winners of the
2010 Children's Choice Book Award Winners
were announced, as part of
Children's Book Week.

They are:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Lulu and the Big Chick
by Paulette Bogan

3rd - 4th Grade
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
by Jarrett Krosoczka

5th - 6th Grade
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
by Rachel Renee Russell

Teen Choice
Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

Author of the Year
James Patterson, for Max

Illustrator of the Year
Peter Brown, for The Curious Garden

Congratulations to the winners!

New Picture Book: Hattie the Bad

Hattie the Bad
by Jane Devlin
illustrated by Joe Berger

Fans of Ian Falconer's Olivia and Kay Thompson's Eloise will appreciate the humor of Hattie, who so enjoys making mischief, but finds that it doesn't always work out for the best -- but, then again, sometimes it does!

Super Moms! Family Storytime

Bring your special someone to the Library this Saturday, May 8th, for Family Storytime! We'll be celebrating the wonderful ladies in our families -- moms, grandmas, aunts, and others. Storytime starts at 11:00!

May is National Bike Month!

May is the perfect month to dust off that bike and hit the trails! The next time you visit the Library, ask us to help you find some fun bike stories, or books about bike safety or different kinds of bikes.

New Picture Book - I Can Be Anything!

I Can Be Anything!
written by Jerry Spinelli
illustrated by Jimmy Liao

At this time of year, when many folks are looking forward to the end of the school year and graduations, this book will get the imaginations of readers of all ages soaring with the
many, many, many
possibilities of what they can be! After reading, I'll bet you'll be able to think of even more...after all, why limit yourself?

Chester's Masterpiece!

Chester's Masterpiece is a delightful story written by none other than Chester himself...with "NO help from Mélanie Watt", as he has written on the cover with his red marker...

...however, as you make your way through the book, you will see the sticky notes left by the Canadian author and illustrator, as she tries to assist Chester with his story...

In the end, the two work together to create a fun story. And who knows? Maybe after sharing this book with your youngster, he or she may be asking to write their OWN story!

Click here to see other books about Chester by Mélanie Watt.

Communities Thrive @ Your Library

National Library Week celebrates libraries, librarians and the pleasures and importance of reading.

We invite you to come and visit YOUR library!