Rufus Goes to School

Rufus is a pig. An adorable pig, who loves books! He looks over his favorite book countless times, but alas, he cannot read the words. Rufus knows just the cure - school! That's where they will teach him to read! Rufus Goes to School, written by Kim T. Griswell and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev, is a delightful story that teaches us personal growth is obtained with strength, perseverance, and not letting anyone stereotype you.

All you need to go to school is a desire and a backpack, right? Unfortunately, Rufus finds out there is a little more to it than that. Delightful illustrations and sweet characters will have you and your family cheering for Rufus after the last page is read! You might even want to turn back to page one and start all over...

Enjoy!
    ~ Roller Derby Librarian

Hilarious Alphabet Books

After Bill Martin's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, the bar was raised as to what we might hope to expect from alphabet books. No more mindless repetition of those 26 letters--humor, curiosity, and the thrill of the hunt were finally combined to initiate little ones into the magical world of reading. Two worthy additions to this club of wacky and informative picture books are: A is for Salad and Z is for Moose.

Mike Lester's quirky pairing of letters and illustrations prove confusing at first. "A" is for "salad?" What's going on? "B" is for "Viking?" Mr. Lester seems to have lost it--until you look closely at the decidedly goofy critters posing with their alphabetical counterparts. The Alligator eating a salad and the Beaver wearing a Viking helmet "might" give many pint-sized sleuths a clue. Children of all ages will have a rip-roaring good time trying to guess why "N" is for "lunch" (or why we really don't need those troublesome letters "X" and "Y").

Photobomb. We've all been victims or perpetrators. But in Kelly Bingham's Z is for Moose, Moose gets the prize, hands down. Zebra is directing an alphabet photo shoot. There's the expected apple, ball, and cat along with twenty-three (oops) twenty-four other characters calmly waiting in line for Zebra's cue. Wait a minute, the alphabet doesn't have 27 letters! Tell that to Moose who starts his shenanigans by chasing the ducks off the stage when it's "D's" turn. He slinks onto Elephant's shoot, and then stomps on a hat Zebra has placed front and center for the "H" page. All the while Moose whines and moans and impatiently asks, "Is it my turn yet?" Finally, it's time to bring on the "M," and Moose is upstaged by a MOUSE! Everyone will whoosh a breath of relief as they flip to the satisfying conclusion .

Learning the alphabet will never be the same.
MightyM

Book Review: The classic treasury of childhood wonders

I recently discovered this delightful treasury as I was browsing the shelves for another book.  I love finding books by serendipity. Compiled by Susan H. Magsamen and published by National Geographic, the Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders: favorite adventures, stories, poems, and songs for making lasting memories, is beautifully designed from cover-to-cover. No exaggeration!
Even the table of contents is eyecatching and inviting. The treasury is divided into five broad subject headings that speak to a child's heart: outdoor exploring; dream it, make it; magic and make-believe; yummy in my tummy; and bathtime, bedtime, dreamtime. (Well, that last topic might speak more to a parent's heart at the end of a busy day.) You can begin at the beginning, or open this book anywhere and read poems or nursery rhymes, feast on the beautiful art by artists and illustrators, and guide your child through more than 30 activities which help develop skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity, and more.

Book Review: Dog Loves Books

   As anyone who has ever come to the library to Read to a Dog knows, dogs love books.  However, the title character in Louise Yates' charming picture book Dog Loves Books might just love books a little more than most.  Dog loves books so much that he opens his own bookstore -- and in this economy, no less! 

Book Review: Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Having just witnessed a little girl in a unicorn costume run through the Himmel Park Library, I couldn't think of a better book to review than Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great, written and illustrated by the glorious Bob Shea.  You really can't miss this book, as the cover features a delightful display of cupcakes raining down from the sky.  And, you really can't forget this book, for that image is the stuff of dreams...  Okay, okay, enough about the cover.  Bob Shea's latest story begins with Goat who is happily swinging, biking, and making marshmallow squares.  Then, Unicorn shows up.  Unicorn has it all: he can fly, he can prance, and he can turn stuff into gold!  Best of all, he has a horn.

Sing-Along Songs

Are you looking forward with trepidation to a long road trip with your tykes?  Music might be the answer. Singing songs beats the boredom blahs by stimulating your brain in multiple ways.  It's a great way to introduce new vocabulary and other concepts to your child in a way that's both fun and memorable.  Advertisers have long known the power of a jingle for subliminally planting a "remember me!" seed in the minds of consumers. Syncopation and melody can do the same for helping your child learn and remember new words and can spark new conversations between you.  Just try listening to catchy songs like Baby Beluga by Raffi or Mother Gooney Bird by Dr. Jean and see if you don't agree.  Other artists who are perennial favorites in Storytime include Hap Palmer, Sarah Barchas, for songs in English, and Jose Luis Orozco and Hot Peas n' Butter for songs in Spanish. The library owns a number of titles by each of these artists.    
Singing also gives you the opportunity to introduce numbers and math concepts in a super-fun way before your child even enters preschool.  Songs like Five Little Ducks, Monkeys on the Bed, Chocolate, or This Old Man are great examples.  And who needs to learn about sequencing when you can internalize the concept by singing She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain or Spider on the Floor. Whatever you sing, don't worry about your voice...just have fun.

-Miss Meg

You are the Pea, and I am the Carrot

Sometimes two things are just made for each other, there can be no denying it! Just like Tucson and Sunshine, Librarians and Cardigans, the University of Arizona and Basketball, peas and carrots go together. You are the Pea and I am the Carrot, written by J. Theron Elkins and illustrated by Pascal LeMaitre, is the sweet story of a girl and a boy who just know they are meant to be together.

Like peanut butter and jelly or a hamburger and fries, this story compares their close relationship to a wide variety of silly food combinations which will have you and your child laughing all along the way. The adorable illustrations make this a book to revisit! Please share it with someone you love, of any age!

~ Roller Derby Librarian