Children and Teens

Book recommendations for children

CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT WEEKLY PICKS ARCHIVE
For more suggestions for Children and Teens, click here to look at the 2011 Children and Teens' Department Favorites.
Click this link to look at our 2011 Summer Favorites.

The House Baba Built: An Artist's Childhood in China (Hardcover)

By Ed Young, Libby Koponen
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780316076289
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 10/2011
As war crept through China and the world became more and more dangerous in the 1930s, Ed Young and his brothers and sisters were all safe in Shanghai in The House Baba Built (Little, Brown, $17.99). This autobiography tells the story of life in wartime China through episodes, photographs, and collages of keepsakes and found objects from the artist’s childhood. Truly a tribute to the author’s father, the architect of his happy childhood, this book is an inspiration to all budding artists. Ages 8-12 – Dana Chidiac

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) (Hardcover)

By Sue Macy
$18.95
ISBN-13: 9781426307614
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: National Geographic Children's Books, 1/2011
Other Editions of this Title
We may not think about it when we jump on our bikes for a quick ride around the neighborhood, but in the mid-1800s bicycles represented an unprecedented opportunity for women to travel further and more independently than ever before. In Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) (National Geographic, $18.95), Sue Macy traces the history of the bicycle and its unique relationship to the women’s rights movement. This captivating account includes features on celebrity cyclists of the 19th century and mini-biographies of women who had an impact on cycling.  Ages 9 and up.  –Janet Minichiello

Strega Nona's Harvest (Hardcover)

By Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780399252914
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 9/2009
Strega Nona's Harvest (Putnam, $16.99) is bountiful. The wise grandmother carefully planned her garden with the assistance of bossy Bambolona and blundering Big Anthony. Big Anthony, goaded by Bambolona’s chiding that he is incapable of creating a perfect garden, secretly plants his own. His harvest is also plentiful, but out of control, and Big Anthony’s solution is to secretly leave the produce at Strega Nona’s door. Strega Nona channels the abundance to those in need. Tomie dePaola’s art is a feast that will prompt conversation. Ages 4 - 8.

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade (Hardcover)

By Melissa Sweet
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547199450
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 10/2011
Have you ever seen the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, when the sky fills with breathtakingly enormous Balloons Over Broadway (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99)? Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet (A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams) tells the story of Tony Sarg, the creative genius behind the floating puppets. From the age of six, Tony was fascinated with discovering innovative ways to make things work. As he grew older, he began designing puppets and eventually constructed characters for the Macy’s parade. Sweet’s vibrant illustrations are a perfect homage to Sarg’s whimsy. Ages 7-10 – Amy Kane

A House in the Woods (Hardcover)

By Inga Moore
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780763652777
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Candlewick, 11/2011
When a moose and a bear unintentionally cause the collapse of two pigs’ little huts, problem-solving saves the day. The unlikely quartet of friends decides to build A House in the Woods (Candlewick, $16.99). Unable to complete the project on their own, the friends enlist the help of industrious beavers to build their home in exchange for peanut butter sandwiches. Inga Moore’s charming pencil and pastel illustrations bring this fanciful tale and its expressive animal characters to life. Ages 4-8 – Mary Alice Garber

Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets (Hardcover)

By Steve Johnson, Lou Fancher, Kathleen Krull
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375857218
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Books for Young Readers, 8/2011
Other Editions of this Title
Who is your favorite Muppet? Big Bird, Kermit, Fozzie, Rizzo the Rat, or the Swedish Chef? Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets (Random House, $16.99) was beloved by millions for his groundbreaking creations. Kathleen Krull’s biography begins with a childhood of backyard plays and storytelling. After honing his craft in college, Henson was invited by the new Children’s Television Workshop to use his Muppets to produce revolutionary educational programming on Sesame Street. Illustrators Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher capture the cheerful character of Henson’s Muppets and the artist who created them. Ages 7-10. Kerri Poore

Take the great songs written for the Muppets over the years by Paul Williams, Joe Raposo, and Jim Henson himself. Bring in some of today’s best young musicians to sing their versions. You have Muppets: The Green Album (Disney Records, $14.98). OK Go starts the proceedings with a “glitchy” take on the “Muppet Show Theme Song,” then Weezer and Hayley Williams alternate verses on “Rainbow Connection.” There are many highlights, from Sondre Lerche’s take on “Mr. Bassman” to Andrew Bird singing, whistling, fiddling, and channeling Kermit on “(It’s Not Easy) Bein’ Green.” The Green Album is a joy for Muppet Show veterans and newcomers alike. András Goldinger

The Man in the Moon (Hardcover)

By William Joyce, William Joyce
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9781442430419
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9/2011
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Joyce has written and illustrated more than 50 children’s books and was awarded three Emmys for the animated television series Rolie Polie Olie.  Twenty years in the making, this first book in his Guardians of Childhood series is stunningly illustrated and instantly captures the reader’s imagination.  Before becoming the Man in the Moon (MiM), MiM was a baby with two loving parents and his loyal friend Nightlight.  Dark days soon arrived and MiM’s life was changed forever.  Taking refuge on the moon itself, young MiM grew up to become a faraway friend to all children on earth, brightening the surface of the moon and inspiring other guardians of childhood, including a toymaker, a rabbit and a fairy.  Ages 5-8. -Kerri Poore

Anna Hibiscus' Song (Hardcover)

By Atinuke, Lauren Tobia
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9781610670401
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 6/2011
Nigerian-born author Atinuke first caught our attention with the Anna Hibiscus chapter books. Now, she and illustrator Lauren Tobia welcome younger readers to the same enchanting world in Anna Hibiscus’ Song (Kane/Miller, $15.99). Surrounded by her family in their beautiful home, Anna Hibiscus is so happy that she doesn’t know how to express her joy. She asks all of her relatives—parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins—what she can do. Each of them has a different way of being glad, and Anna Hibiscus tries them all. Finally, she discovers what she can do when she is happy: sing! Ages 3-6. Janet Minichiello

Bailey (Hardcover)

By Harry Bliss
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780545233446
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press, 8/2011
What could be better than having an enthusiastic puppy in your elementary school class? Having Bailey (Scholastic, $16.99) around makes learning more fun for everyone. Not only is he a dog that literally eats his own homework, but he also fills his water dish at the fountain, howls through music class, and is great at digging holes for plants in the school garden. Harry Bliss renders this day in Bailey’s life with cheerful illustrations and clever dialogue. This imaginative tale is a perfect read-aloud for the first day of school.  Ages 4-6. Amy Kane

 

My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden's Childhood Journey (Hardcover)

By Jeanne Walker Harvey, Elizabeth Zunon, Elizabeth Zunon
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780761458104
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, 9/2011
“Today my memory whirls back to my North Carolina past.” When Romare Bearden was three years old, he and his parents left their home in the South and moved to Harlem during the Great Migration. As he grew older and began painting, his deep connection to his early home inspired many of his famous works. Jeanne Walker Harvey retells his journey in blues-inspired verses, drawing on his family’s history to bring Bearden’s childhood to life. The bright collage illustrations are a wonderful tribute to his style, and Elizabeth Zunon includes some of Bearden’s work. Thoughtful yet fun, this creative story sweeps readers along on a train ride that showed Bearden how MY HANDS SING THE BLUES (Marshall Cavendish, $17.99). Ages 6-8 - Amy Kane

Moomin's Lift-The-Flap Hide and Seek (Hardcover)

By Tove Jansson
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780374350512
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 6/2011
MOOMIN’S LIFT-THE-FLAP HIDE AND SEEK (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $6.99) invites children to join Moomintroll, a young troll who looks more like a hippopotamus, in a game of Hide and Seek with his friend Little My. Moomintroll searches high and low throughout his brightly colored world for his mischievous pal. Lifting the book’s flaps reveals a host of friends and family—but where is Little My? Find out in this charming introduction to the Moomins. Explore our collection of classic Moomin books and comic strips for all ages by Swedish-Finnish author Tove JanssonAges 1-3 – Janet Minichiello

All the Water in the World (Hardcover)

By George Ella Lyon, Katherine Tillotson
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9781416971306
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 3/2011
Other Editions of this Title
“Honey, those clouds just let it go and rain, rain, rain!” Never have I read such a fun and poetic explanation about the importance of ALL THE WATER IN THE WORLD (Atheneum, $15.99) than in George Ella Lyon’s book.  To show the cyclic nature of water, words swirl up and thunder down in large font on the pages, with explanations aided by Katherine Tillotson’s bold and clever illustrations. After showing the centrality of water to every living thing’s survival, Lyon ultimately has a preservationist message for young readers, urging against wasting water to keep the world green for us all. Ages 4-7 - Amy Kane

Perfect Square (Hardcover)

By Michael Hall, Michael Hall
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780061915130
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Greenwillow Books, 4/2011
Other Editions of this Title
The PERFECT SQUARE (Greenwillow, $16.99) starts its week “perfectly happy,” with four equal sides and four equal angles. Every day the square is snipped and torn into a new shape – a flowing river, a flowering garden, a bubbling fountain – and every day the pieces come back together again to make a perfect square. Michael Hall’s beautifully realized study in shapes and colors will inspire children to discover what they can create out a plain square sheet of paper. Ages 5-8. – Dana Chidiac

Planting the Wild Garden (Hardcover)

By Kathryn Osebold Galbraith, Wendy Anderson Halperin
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9781561455638
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Peachtree Publishers, 4/2011
Farmers’ gardens aren’t the only ones popping up everywhere this spring! Kathryn O. Galbraith teaches us about nature’s ways of PLANTING THE WILD GARDEN (Peachtree, $15.95). Out in nature strong gusts of wind, rainstorms, small animals, and even humans can carry seeds across fields and streams to nestle in new homes. Galbraith’s lovely and whimsical descriptions of seed distribution are magnificently brought to life in the detailed illustrations. With beautiful pastel colors and fine pencil lines, Wendy Anderson Halperin depicts not only the way seeds travel, but also their stages of growth. This book is one to be treasured as both an informative peek into the natural growth of meadows and a sweet story. Ages 4-7 - Amy Kane

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Hardcover)

By Lee Wardlaw, Eugene Yelchin
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780805089950
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2/2011
Cats are so special,
deigning to live among us
only grudgingly.

WON TON (by Lee Wardlaw, Henry Holt, $16.99) is one such
cat: survivor of pound life
seeking a new home.

Won Ton settles in.
Eugene Yelchin illustrates
with bold, bright colors.

Not just his real name,
but also the story's form:
Haiku is this cat.

Ages 4-7 – Kerri Poore

Where's Walrus? (Hardcover)

By Stephen Savage
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780439700498
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press, 2/2011
While the zookeeper snoozes near the zoo’s open gate, the walrus climbs out of his pen and looks around slyly before making his great escape. Out into the city he goes, blending into his surroundings with the zookeeper hot on his heels. Can you find the walrus hiding on every page? Stephen Savage’s WHERE’S WALRUS? (Scholastic, $16.99) is part seek-and-find, part wordless picture book with a satisfying surprise ending.  Ages 2-4 – Dana Chidiac

Look! Really Smart Art (Hardcover)

By Gillian Wolfe
$19.95
ISBN-13: 9781847800107
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Frances Lincoln Ltd, 3/2011
If you’ve ever been moved by Seurat’s dots or Duhrer’s textures, LOOK!: Really Smart Art (Perseus, $19.95) will inspire you take a closer look. Opening this beautiful book is like stepping into an art museum with author Gillian Wolfe as your insightful guide.  Wolfe illuminates the techniques and themes of great artists like Chagall, Lichtenstein, and Hockney in accessible and entertaining prose.  The projects suggested on each page encourage young artists to explore their own creativity.  Ages 8-11.  – Elivia Shaw

And if you click through to this book page, you can use Google Preview to see inside! Cool!

Running with the Horses (Hardcover)

By Alison Lester
$16.95
ISBN-13: 9780735840027
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: NorthSouth, 2/2011
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Nina has grown up watching the gorgeous Lippizzaners prance elegantly in their ring at the Royal Academy of Dancing Horses in Vienna. When World War II breaks out, she must flee the city with her father and the stallions, but she can’t bear to abandon Zelda, the old cab horse. Nina hopes to save Zelda’s life by riding rather than leaving her, and later Zelda saves the day. Alison Lester beautifully depicts what it was like to go RUNNING WITH THE HORSES (North-South, $16.95)—in bold, stunning illustrations, she brings the countryside to life.  Ages 6-9.  Amy Kane

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons (Hardcover)

By Il Sung Na
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375867866
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1/2011
Other Editions of this Title
As winter sets in, the little rabbit knows cold weather is coming and wonders what other animals will do to stay warm. SNOW RABBIT, SPRING RABBIT: A Book of Changing Seasons (Knopf, $15.99) peeks in on the various ways animals cope in this delightful introduction to migration, hibernation, and everything in between. Il Sung Na’s colorful, whimsical illustrations bring to life the animals’ activities: turtles swim south, majestic birds soar, and alligators float inert in the water. When the warmth of spring finally arrives, the pages explode in beautiful colors and the animals bask in the sun.  Ages 2-4. --Amy Kane

The Great Migration: Journey to the North (Hardcover)

By Eloise Greenfield, Jan Spivey Gilchrist
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780061259210
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Amistad, 1/2011
Other Editions of this Title
In this haunting collection of poems, Eloise Greenfieldgives us a glimpse into THE GREAT MIGRATION: Journey to the North (Amistad $16.99).  Colored by the poet’s own experiences as a child, the collection explores the thoughts and emotions of African Americans as they sought to escape the hardships of the South by migrating to the North.  Though some find the idea of leaving their lives and their land behind bittersweet, one compelling page tells of a woman who is eager to leave: “Goodbye town.  Goodbye,/ work all day for almost no pay,/ enemy cotton fields, trying/ to break my back, my spirit.”  Jan Spivey Gilchrist’s evocative illustrations are the perfect complement to Greenfield’s candid poems.  Ages 4-8. –Kerri Poore

Dog Loves Books (Hardcover)

By Louise Yates
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375864490
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9/2010
Other Editions of this Title
Canine entrepreneurism runs rampant when Dog decides to follow his bliss and open his own bookstore. After much careful planning, preparation, and personal grooming, all is ready – except for the customers. Where are they? Dog chooses some books to read while he waits, having his own biblio-induced adventures. Finally, a real customer, who does not want tea or directions, comes into the store – and Dog knows just what to recommend! Because “DOG LOVES BOOKS (Knopf, $16.99), but most of all, he loves to share them!” Author Louise Yates has illustrated her hilarious text with lovely watercolor illustrations. Dog’s dogged determination to share his love for books is sure to please lovers of dogs and books alike. Ages 4-7. –Sylvan Bongi

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool (Hardcover)

By Odo Hirsch
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9781935279655
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 9/2010
Other Editions of this Title
Darius Bell's family lives on a sprawling estate that has been in his family for over a century. Once a generation, payment is due for the estate in the form of a magnificent gift presented to the town in a grand ceremony. But the Bells' money has run out and such a gift is well out of reach. When an earthquake breaks apart the ground in Darius' beloved woods, Darius makes a shocking and beautiful discovery: the Glitter Pool. Will the underground treasure help the Bell family save its home? In DARIUS BELL AND THE GLITTER POOL (Kane/Miller, $15.99), Odo Hirsch has created a novel whose sense of wonder makes it a perfect read-aloud to share with the whole family. Ages 6-11.  --Dana Chidiac

The Secret River (Hardcover)

By Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Leo Dillon, Diane Dillon
$19.99
ISBN-13: 9781416911791
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1/2011
Calpurnia’s deep, dark Florida forest has been hit with hard times: there are no fish in the river, and without fish to sell, Calpurnia’s father will have to close his market. Mother Albirtha, the forest’s wisest woman, sends Calpurnia and her dog Buggy-horse on a mission to find THE SECRET RIVER (Atheneum, $19.99) teeming with catfish. Calpurnia’s bravery and generosity, along with her poetic way with words, carry her and Buggy-horse on their journey through the dark woods and then back home again. Two-time Caldecott medalists Leo and Diane Dillon’s breathtaking new illustrations add a beautiful depth to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’s 1956 Newbery Honor-winning text. Ages 5-10 – Dana Chidiac

A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home (Hardcover)

By Henry Cole, Henry Cole
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780061704109
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Katherine Tegen Books, 3/2010
Other Editions of this Title
Celeste is a clever mouse who weaves baskets for food and other collectibles that she forages from the dining room of her early 19th century house. One evening, the cat discovers Celeste's mouse hole and Celeste is forced to search for A NEST FOR CELESTE (Katherine Tegen, $16.99). That same evening, John Audubon, an artist who draws birds, and his apprentice, Joseph, visit Celeste's home. Joseph befriends Celeste, carrying her in his pocket on many adventures. Henry Cole's use of illustrations to tell this lovely story will help young readers transition from chapter books to full-length novels. And for those of you seeking a great read-a-loud book, A Nest for Celeste is wonderful. Ages 7-10 - Dara LaPorte

 

Oobleck, Slime & Dancing Spaghetti: Twenty Terrific at Home Science Experiments Inspired by Favorite Children's Books (Paperback)

By Jennifer Williams
$14.95
ISBN-13: 9781933979342
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Bright Sky Press, 8/2009
Would you like to make George's Marvelous Medicine, create a Twister in a water bottle, or dye Rechenka's Eggs? Science teacher Jennifer Williams tells you how in OOBLECK, SLIME AND DANCING SPAGHETTI (Bright Sky Press, $14.95). Enjoy your favorite books even more as you learn about the chemistry, engineering, meteorology, and food science behind the stories. Each chapter starts with summaries of "The Story" and "The Science," followed by "The Experiment." While you might not want to taste anything from your butter battle (The Butter Battle Book), you'll certainly enjoy everything on your Ice Cream Larry data sheet. Don't miss the suggestions for further reading and research at the end of each chapter. Ages 4-11 - Heidi Powell

The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice (Hardcover)

By Wendy Pfeffer, Linda Bleck
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780525422372
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dutton Juvenile, 5/2010
How will you celebrate THE LONGEST DAY (Dutton, $17.99)? In modern and medieval Sweden, where the sun shines for twenty-four hours on Midsummer Day, celebrations involve floral decorations and traditions that bring good fortune, health, and maybe love. Perhaps Stonehenge was build to celebrate the summer solstice. And in Wyoming, the US has its own stone monument celebrating midsummer. In addition to her fascinating compilation of solstice celebrations, which is cheerfully illustrated by Linda Bleck, author Wendy Pfeffer includes facts about the solstice and four craft projects, including how to make a sundial and a flower wreath. Ages 4-8 Dara La Porte

Bridget's Beret (Hardcover)

By Tom Lichtenheld, Tom Lichtenheld
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780805087758
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 4/2010
Bridget loves to draw. She spends hours creating masterpieces. She'd even rather make art than eat ice cream! Of all her supplies, BRIDGET'S BERET (Holt, $16.99) is the most important: it adds the flair every artist needs. So when her beret blows away, Bridget is more than devastated; she is uninspired. Bridget sadly retires from her career. The way Bridget rediscovers her creativity (even without her beret) is both clever and charming. Blossoming young artists will love Tom Lichtenheld's story about the talent inside all of us. Ages 3-6 - Amy Kane

Country Road ABC: An Illustrated Journey Through America's Farmland (Hardcover)

By Arthur Geisert
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780547194691
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 5/2010
In Arthur Geisert’s illustrated journey through America’s farmland, machines are everywhere, not just in Traffic when everyone is stuck behind a loaded tractor, Rusted on an old fence, and Grinding feed. In other aspects of country life, Winter afternoons are spent playing cards and in the 4th of July parade there are always more machines, animals, people, and plenty of action. D should be for the Delight in the Details of COUNTRY ROAD ABC: An Illustrated Journey Through America's Farmland (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17). Ages 2-6. Dara La Porte

The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (Hardcover)

By Amy Ignatow
$15.95
ISBN-13: 9780810984219
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harry N. Abrams, 4/2010
Other Editions of this Title
To get ready for middle school, Julie and Lydia set out on a mission: to find out what makes girls popular and use that information to make themselves cool. Using a top-secret notebook known as THE POPULARITY PAPERS (Amulet Books, $15.95), the girls devote their fifth grade year to their social improvement.  After a year filled with adventures from joining the field hockey team to a failed attempt at hair-dyeing, Julie and Lydia learn that the social world is more complicated than they thought and that ultimately it's most important to do the things they love. Amy Ignatow has written a hilarious graphic novel, in which sweet illustrations, journal-style writing and a whole lot of attitude converge. Ages 8-11 - Amy Kane

 

The Chicken Thief (Hardcover)

By Beatrice Rodriguez
$14.95
ISBN-13: 9781592700929
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Enchanted Lion Books, 4/2010
Chicken is terrified when a fox steals her away from a leisurely dinner party with all of her friends. Bear, Rabbit, and Rooster chase THE CHICKEN THIEF (Enchanted Lion, $14.95) through the woods, over the mountains, and across the wide ocean over many days on a quest to rescue their friend.  Finally, they catch up with Chicken and Fox on a faraway island - and find quite a different scene than the one they expected!  Beatrice Rodriguez's hilarious illustrations will allow you to tell this story of love, friendship, and adventure just the way you see it.  Ages 3-7.  Dana Chidiac

A Boy Had a Mother Who Bought Him a Hat (Hardcover)

By Karla Kuskin, Kevin Hawkes
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780060753306
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins, 3/2010
Other Editions of this Title
A BOY HAD A MOTHER WHO BOUGHT HIM A HAT (HarperCollins, $16.99), and the boy loves his woolly red hat so much that he never takes it off.  Then, his mother buys him a mouse in a house, and black rubber boots, and bright yellow skis, and a Halloween mask, and an elegant cello, and a tall grey elephant.  The boy carries his gifts everywhere, never leaving a single one behind, and building a rhyming, tongue-twisting list that grows longer with each new present.  Kevin Hawkes's delightful new illustrations meld with Karla Kuskin's classic writing to create a perfect read-aloud.  Ages 3-6. - Dana Chidiac

Herbert: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog (Hardcover)

By Robyn Belton, Robyn Belton
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780763647414
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick, 4/2010
No one notices when Tim’s border terrier, Herbert, falls off a boat during a violent storm.   Tim refuses to believe his dog is gone and spends the next day searching for him off the New Zealand coast.   Robyn Belton’s delightful book, HERBERT: The True Story of a Brave Sea Dog (Candlewick Press, $15.99), tells the story of an amazing dog and his exciting rescue.  The endpapers feature newspaper clippings and letters of congratulations sent to Tim as news of the rescue spread across the country. This heartwarming story keeps young readers on the edge of their seats and offers an uplifting message about the strength of love between a boy and his pet. Ages 4-7.  Amy Kane

Snail Trail: In Search of a Modern Masterpiece (Hardcover)

By Jo Saxton
$17.95
ISBN-13: 9781847800213
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 4/2010
For a visual introduction to modern art, follow the SNAIL TRAIL (Frances Lincoln, $17.95).  Looking for his portrait, a deep blue snail with a colorful collage shell glides along a silver path, past works by modern masters. He finds Rothko's White Center (Yellow, Pink, and Lavender on Rose) to be neater than Jackson Pollack's Number 20, but Rothko's colors are mixed and the snail's collage colors are pure. Picasso's Maya in a Sailor Suit is too blue, but when he gets to Matisse's The Goldfish the snail realizes he's found an artist that's "just right." Jo Saxton's search for a modern masterpiece will teach young children to look at color and form while enjoying modern art.  Ages 3-6 - Dara La Porte

Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse (Hardcover)

By Marilyn Singer, Josee Massee
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780525479017
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Dutton Juvenile, 3/2010
Other Editions of this Title
There are two sides to every story.  MIRROR MIRROR (Dutton, $16.99) cleverly tells both.  Read each familiar fairy tale from top to bottom, then, read it in reverse to discover an entirely different story.  Did you ever wonder how the giant felt about Jack and his escapades?  What about the evil queen’s attitude toward Snow White?  By changing punctuation and capitalization, author Marilyn Singer casts these old favorites in a new light.  Josee Masse’s illustrations are a visual mirror.  Ages 6-10 - Heidi Powell

Bunny Days (Hardcover)

By Tao Nyeu, Tao Nyeu
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780803733305
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dial, 1/2010
It’s Spring! It’s time to frolic and play in the mud and the dust.  It’s BUNNY DAYS (Dial, $16.99).  Author/illustrator Tao Nyeu combines a pastel palette, bold lines, and a very off-beat sense of humor in three little adventures of a bevy of bunnies, Bear, and Mr. and Mrs. Goat.  In their first adventure, the bunnies get very muddy.  Luckily, Bear has a washing machine right there in the middle of the field to swish swash them clean!  In another story, Mrs. Goat is doing her chores vacuuming the grass when she has a little mishap. The inside of the dust jacket doubles as a poster for a daily reminder of these gentle, silly stories and the book’s beautiful illustrations.   Ages 2-6   -Dara La Porte

 

Little Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth (Library Binding)

By Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780152062019
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Harcourt Children's Books, 4/2010
Ladies and Gentlemen! Next under the big top are LITTLE RABBIT AND THE MEANEST MOTHER ON EARTH (Harcourt, $17). The circus is in town, and Little Rabbit hopes that Mother Rabbit will let him go. She agrees, but not without a hitch: first Little Rabbit must clean his room. This proves to be a hopeless task. Mother Rabbit insists that he stick to the bargain, and so Little Rabbit runs off to join the circus, promising the ringmaster that he can deliver “the meanest mother on Earth.” When the requisite number of tickets is sold, a blind-folded Mother Rabbit is led to the big top. The crowd is less than impressed: she is not mean or terrifying at all! To protect her son (and herself) from an increasingly hostile crowd, she promises to show them something that will really terrify: the messiest room on Earth! This hilarious story by Kate Klise, with its heart-warming conclusion, is busily brought to life by the memorable illustrations of M. Sarah Klise. Ages 3-6. Sylvan Bongi

 

Counting Birds (Hardcover)

By Alice Melvin
$14.50
ISBN-13: 9781854378552
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Tate, 3/2010
From the cockerel’s first crow to the rooks’ returning to roost, welcome spring by COUNTING BIRDS (Tate Publishing, $14.50).  Follow a variety of birds throughout the day, counting as they grow in number from one to twenty.  Alice Melvin’s rhyme is simple and appealing, and readers will find something new in her engaging artwork every time they open this unique book.  How many birds hold a number in their beaks?  See if you can count how many birds are made of fabric or another material.  Which birds are your favorites?  Ages 3-7.  Heidi Powell

 

The Night Fairy (Hardcover)

By Laura Amy Schlitz, Angela Barrett
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780763636746
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick, 2/2010
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Flory, THE NIGHT FAIRY (Candlewick, $16.99), was born a little before midnight when the moon was full. When she is less than three months old and no higher than an acorn, a brown bat mistakes her for an insect.  Swooping down, he catches her and badly damages her wings.  Flory seeks shelter in a beautiful garden and is befriended and protected by Skuggle, a hungry squirrel who trades assistance for food.  But not every creature is as willing to bargain as Skuggle, and Flory needs help if she is going to fly again.  Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz and miniaturist Angela Barrett have created a sumptuously illustrated classic fairy tale.  Ages 7-11  – Heidi Powell

Finnikin of the Rock (Hardcover)

By Melina Marchetta
$18.99
ISBN-13: 9780763643614
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick, 2/2010
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In a refreshingly original fantasy, Melina Marchetta (Prinz Medal winner of Jellicoe Road (HarperTeen, $8.99)) enhances the traditional Quest story with realistic themes of displaced peoples, refugee life, and questions of ethnic and familial identity.  FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK (Candlewick, $18.99) and his mentor Sir Topher are exiles, among the last remnant of the fugitive kingdom of Lumatere.  After the five days of the unspeakable, during which the royal family was murdered and an imposter set on the throne, Lumatere was cursed, and no one has been able to enter or leave. Years after the brutal massacre, even as Finnikin and Sir Topher wander the outlying kingdoms in search of a homeland for their people, they encounter the mysterious, young mystic, Evanjalin. Her revelation: that Balthazar, true heir to the throne of Lumatere, still lives. Evanjalin leads Finnikin and Sir Topher to find the lost prince, in one last hope to reclaim the kingdom and restore the exiles to their rightful home.  Ages 13-17  -  Sylvan Bongi

 

The Hallelujah Flight (Hardcover)

By Phil Bildner, John Holyfield
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780399247897
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Putnam Publishing Group, 1/2010
In 1932, James Banning and co-pilot Thomas Allen, "The Flying Hoboes," became the first African Americans to fly coast to coast. It took them 21 days to make THE HALLELUJAH FLIGHT (Putnam, $16.99) from Los Angeles to New York City. As they touched down in fields across the country, they relied on the generosity of strangers for food and a place to sleep. As thanks, Banning and Allen let their supporters sign the plane’s wings, so that by the time they reached Harlem, they had many "passengers." Phil Bildner brings alive a piece of little-known American history. John Holyfield's illustrations are full of movement, capturing this historic journey. Ages 6-9. - Jory Hearst

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya (Hardcover)

By Donna Jo Napoli, Kadir Nelson
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9781416935056
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 1/2010
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Wangari grew up in Kenya, listening to her elders tell stories of the trees that had once covered her country. When she grew older, she moved to the city and became a wise woman, planting trees in her garden. One by one, women from all over Kenya came to ask Wangari for help with their problems, and one by one, Wangari advised them to plant trees to feed their families, to protect their livestock, to create timber for building houses, and to clean their water. Donna Jo Napoli tells the story of how Wangari Maathai, now known as MAMA MITI (Simon & Schuster, $16.99), the mother of trees, changed her country’s landscape one tree at a time. Kadir Nelson’s breathtaking oil paint and fabric collage illustrations reflect the bright colors and textiles of East Africa and draw the reader into Wangari’s Kenya. Ages 4-8. – Dana Chidiac

I Like You (Hardcover)

By Sandol Stoddard Warburg, Jacqueline Chwast
$6.95
ISBN-13: 9780395071762
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 6/1990

Tomie's Little Book of Love (Board Books)

By Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola

ISBN-13: 9780399247880
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 12/2007
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Are you a mushy romantic inclined to give TOMIE’S LITTLE BOOK OF LOVE (Putnam, $7.99) by Tomie DePaola or the classic I LIKE YOU (Houghton Mifflin, 6.95) by Sandol Warburg? Or are you a pragmatic Valentine who prefers to express your sentiments for your little one with I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU WHINE (FSG, $15.00) by Emily Jenkins. However you say “I love you,” the children and teens’ department has a large display of Valentine’s Day books and packs of cards suitable for classroom giving.

Doodle Bites: A Tilly and Friends Book (Hardcover)

By Polly Dunbar, Polly Dunbar
$12.99
ISBN-13: 9780763643270
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick, 10/2009
Tilly and her friends all live together in a little yellow house.  Tilly takes care of everyone.  In DOODLE BITES (Candlewick, $12.99), Doodle, the alligator, wakes up “feeling bitey.”  She chews the mail and nibbles on the lamp.  When Doodle’s biting hurts Tumpty, he retaliates and all of the friends come to their rescue. 

Good Night, Tiptoe: A Tilly and Friends Book (Hardcover)

By Polly Dunbar, Polly Dunbar
$12.99
ISBN-13: 9780763643287
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick, 10/2009
In GOOD NIGHT, TIPTOE (Candlewick, $12.99), Tiptoe, the bunny, refuses to go to bed, interrupting the bedtime routine.  He squeezes the tube of red-and-white striped toothpaste everywhere while Tilly brushes Doodle’s teeth, and he accompanies Hector’s lullaby on his drum.  Rest assured:  this story has a happy ending.  British author and illustrator Polly Dunbar has created a delightful world where a little girl and her unusual friends face not such unusual predicaments.  Ages 3-5. - Heidi Powell

A Million Shades of Gray (Hardcover)

By Cynthia Kadohata
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9781416918837
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1/2010
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When American troops pull out of Vietnam and North Vietnamese forces attack his village, 13-year-old Y’Tin must survive using his knowledge of the jungle and his skills as an elephant trainer.   Forced to make difficult choices, Y’Tin reflects that the jungle is A MILLION SHADES OF GRAY (Atheneum, $16.99), just like the hide of an elephant.  Newbery award-winning author Cynthia Kadohata brings to life a young man’s personal struggles over friendship, kinship, and change in the context of war-torn Vietnam.  Ages 12 and up  – Heidi Powell

Blueberries for Sal (Hardcover)

By Robert McCloskey
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780670175918
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Viking Juvenile, 9/1948
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Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.  If you have been missing those marvelous three words, or know an entire group of babies and children with a gaping hole on the bookshelf, grieve no more.  Robert McCloskey’s BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL (Viking, $17.99 HB, $7.99 PB) is back in print, with the original illustrations, beautiful cream paper, and a new dust jacket. For those of you unfamiliar with the classic tale of Little Sal and her mother picking blueberries on one side of the mountain, and Little Bear and her mother picking blueberries on the other side of the mountain, you are in for a real read-aloud treat.   Ages 2-6 -  Dara La Porte

The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook: and the Copycat Crook (Paperback)

By Eleanor Davis
$11.99
ISBN-13: 9781599903965
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 9/2009
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Greta Hughes and Ben Garza introduce Julian to their secret workshop when they realize his brainpower potential, and the three form THE SECRET SCIENCE ALLIANCE AND THE COPYCAT CROOK (Bloomsbury, $10.99). Together they invent great stuff like a Stinkometer, a Locker Blocker and a Pop-Open “Kick Me” Sign. Eleanor Davis’s attention to detail makes her newest graphic novel great fun, as well as providing the fodder for many aspiring inventors.  Ages 8 up - Jory Hearst

A Penguin Story (Hardcover)

By Antoinette Portis, Antoinette Portis
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9780061456886
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 1/2009
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A naturally curious penguin, Edna knows there must be something more to the world than just the white of ice and snow, the blackness of night and the blue depths of the sea.  In A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis (HarperCollins, $17.99), Edna gracefully declines offers of lunch and adventure to seek “something else”.  Her quest is rewarded when she discovers a scientific expedition whose members befriend the penguin colony and leave behind a small souvenir to remind the penguins of the possibility for “something else”, even if it is inedible.  Unsatisfied, Edna stares wistfully into the horizon wondering, “What else could there be?” If you need a little more color in your lives during these cold and short winter days, try this book for inspiration! Ages 3-6 - Kerri Poore

Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street (Hardcover)

By Louise Gikow, Louise a. Gikow
$40.00
ISBN-13: 9781579126384
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 10/2009
Walk down memory lane with a trip to Sesame Street.  Making sure that it is always a sunny day and everything is A-OK on this ground breaking television program takes a lot of research and talent.  In SESAME STREET: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street (Black Dog & Leventhal, $40), author Louise Gikow covers the origins of the show, biographies of actors and muppets, original scripts, and other background information on this fabulous program.  Learn how the show is choreographed and how the various muppets work. Each page is resplendent with photographs that can’t help but bring out a smile as your mouth waters and you hum, "C is for cookie…"    All Ages - Dara La Porte - For a limited time, we have copies available signed by Kevin Clash (Elmo), Fran Brill (Zoe & Prairie Dawn), and Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Abby Cadabra). If you want a signed copy, please use the check-out comments field to indicate this.

Strega Nona's Harvest (Hardcover)

By Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780399252914
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 9/2009
STREGA NONA'S HARVEST (Putnam, $16.99) is bountiful.  The wise grandmother carefully planned her garden with the assistance of bossy Bambolona and blundering Big Anthony.  Big Anthony, goaded by Bambolona's chiding that he is incapable of creating a perfect garden, secretly plants his own. His harvest is also plentiful, but out-of-control, and Big Anthony's solution is to secretly leave the produce at Strega Nona's door.  The thoughtful Strega Nona channels the abundance to those in need.  Tomie de Paola's art is a feast that will prompt conversation and the opportunity to compare and contrast two very different gardens.  Ages 4 to 8. - Mary Alice Garber

Applesauce Season (Hardcover)

By Eden Ross Lipson, Mordicai Gerstein
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9781596432161
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Roaring Brook Press, 8/2009
You don’t have to live on a farm to eagerly await APPLESAUCE SEASON (Roaring Brook Press, $17.99). Around the time school starts, Grandma will say, "It’s time for applesauce." The weekly trip to the farmer’s market yields many varieties of apples to add to the pot. "There have to be at least three kinds in each pot of sauce for real flavor,” Grandma says. Together, the family makes all kinds of accompanying dishes for applesauce, as well as pies, cakes and plenty of apples to eat "out of hand." Mordicai Gerstein’s lively illustrations welcome you right into this family’s kitchen and Eden Ross Lipson’s seasonal story leaves you feeling very satisfied, although certainly craving applesauce! (But don’t worry, the recipe is included in the back.) Ages 5-8. – Jory Hearst

Spells (Hardcover)

By Emily Gravett, Emily Gravett
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9781416982708
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 10/2009
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A frog escapes from a jar and finds a book about SPELLS, (Simon & Schuster, $16.99) by Emily Gravett. Disappointed that the book is not about pirates or castles, the frog shreds the book’s pages for make believe. Amongst the shredded pages, there is a spell to become a prince. Attempts to formulate the spell emerge through split-page images and magical creatures form, but not a prince. Finally, the spell, mostly right, produces a prince. Alas, a crucial condition noted in small print was overlooked and, the prince reverts to a small green frog — gribbitt! Light-hearted drawings set against a dramatic background and cheeky touches will delight older readers of picture books. Ages 4-8 -  Mary Alice Garber

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (Hardcover)

By Dusan Petricic, Mordecai Richler
$10.95
ISBN-13: 9780887769252
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tundra Books, 9/2009
Other Editions of this Title
Jacob thinks he’s a big boy since he is two plus two plus two years old, but his two older brothers and two older sisters make it clear that he‘s just a little boy who can’t do ANYTHING.  When Jacob’s father relents and sends Jacob off on his first solo errand, there is a misunderstanding and Jacob is accused of the high crime of insulting a grown-up.  He flees and finds that he has entered a foggy system of juvenile injustice where JACOB TWO-TWO MEETS THE HOODED FANG (Tundra Books, $10.95), a ghastly gaol guard with a sweet tooth and a soft heart.  Mordecai Richler’s funny tale heralds the return of a repetitious hero with a vivid imagination. This Canadian classic has been reprinted with illustrations by Dusan Petricic.  Enjoy this and all the other Jacob Two-Two tales. Ages 7-10 • Dara La Porte

Design Dossier: The World of Design (Hardcover)

By Pamela Pease
$24.00
ISBN-13: 9780977790500
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Paintbox Press, LLC, 6/2009
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DESIGN DOSSIER: THE WORLD OF DESIGN (Paintbox Press, $24)
Open DESIGN DOSSIER and step into the world of design.   Professional designers Pamela Pease and Paul Warwick Thompson contributed to the first book in what promises to be an exciting and educational new series, introducing budding designers to the fundamentals of art and craft.  Tabs guide readers to each section, including the elements of design, fold-out design timeline and create your own design studio.  The dossier is clear, attractive and informative, with sections that challenge readers to engage in the creative process themselves.  This book certainly practices what it preaches - good design.   Ages 11 and up.  Heidi Powell

My Name Is Sangoel (Hardcover)

By Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed, Catherine Stock
$17.00
ISBN-13: 9780802853073
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 6/2009
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Sangoel is a Sudanese refugee.  He leaves his homeland with little besides his name, which has been handed down from generation to generation.  When Sangoel arrives in the United States with his mother and sister, he feels confused and homesick.   Joining the soccer team at his new school helps, but still, no one can pronounce his name.  Tired of repeating MY NAME IS SANGOEL ($17, Eerdmans), Sangoel has an ingenious idea to help his new friends say - and remember - his name.  This book was written by Karen Lynn Williams (Galimoto) and Khadra Mohammed and illustrated by Catherine Stock (Galimoto, Gugu’s House).  Ages 5-8 - Heidi Powell

Sweethearts of Rhythm (Hardcover)

By Marilyn Nelson, Jerry Pinkney
$21.99
ISBN-13: 9780803731875
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Dial, 10/2009
Who started out playing church fundraising tours in the South, traveled from ballroom to ballroom across the United States under "the unsleeping eye of Jim Crow"?  And who eventually performed to sold-out and standing-room-only crowds and then traveled to Europe to play swing for the US troops during WWII?  The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the world's first integrated all-female ban, and they performed throughout the 1940s.  Award-winning poet Marilyn Nelson brings the era back to life with SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM: The Story of the Greatest All-Girl Swing Band in the World (Dial, $21.99) as musical instruments tell about the band members with poetry.  Superimposing collage over his watercolors and drawings, award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney brings the sound and magic of music to the page.  Together, Nelson and Pinkney convey the importance of swing to the nation and to the world during the turbulent war years.  Ages 10 and up -  Heidi Powell

An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers (Hardcover)

By Julia Breckenreid, Natasha Wing
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780805080728
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 9/2009
There is no end to what we can learn about what color can do. An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers (Henry Holt, $16.99) is an inspiring story by Natasha Wing about neighbors, opened eyes, and accidental colors. Young readers and emerging artists alike will enjoy this brilliant tribute to the first living artist to be awarded a retrospective of his work at the MoMA. Julia Breckenreid’s art pays homage to Albers’s fascination with the ability colors have to express soft and loud sounds, or melancholy and joyous moods.  This is a great gift idea for art teachers or for children to relax with after school. Ages 8 and up • MIRobinson

Bird, Butterfly, Eel (Hardcover)

By James Prosek, James Prosek
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780689868290
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2/2009
With simple language and vivid watercolors, James Prosek looks at three species of Bird, Butterfly, Eel (Simon & Schuster, $16.99): barn swallow, monarch butterfly, and American eel. He follows them from their farmhouse home on the southern coast of New England as they grow, change, and migrate thousands of miles south.  It is lovely to watch their metamorphosis and the changing seasons in the presence of the old barn and cat that stay the same – even when bird, butterfly, and eel return home. Ages 4-8. • Lisa Chaplin-Hobbs

Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-up (Hardcover)

By Melissa Thomson, Frank Morrison
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780803732643
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Dial, 7/2009
Other Editions of this Title
Keena Ford is back and trying to stay out of trouble. She’s running for student council and, understandably, is excited about her upcoming class field trip to the U.S. Capitol. KEENA FORD AND THE FIELD TRIP MIX-UP (Dial, $15.99), Melissa Thomson’s hilarious sequel to Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up is a perfect end-of-summer reminder of just how much fun you can have at school. Come and check out our display of other good back-to-school books. Ages 7-9 • Sylvan Bongi

Flags of the World (Hardcover)

By Sylvie Bednar
$19.95
ISBN-13: 9780810980105
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harry N. Abrams, 8/2009
You're never too young or too old to discover more about the world. FLAGS OF THE WORLD (Abrams, $19.95), by Sylvie Bednar, is a wonderful introduction to world cultures, identity, and the symbolism that unites nations. The contents - divided by continents - include historical facts, monetary units and more. This book is an ideal way to learn more about far-away places during summer vacation. Find out why the majestic white elephant was removed from Thailand's flag, and test yourself on the difference between the flags of Belgium and Germany. This is an informative new book for all ages. • Malaika Robinson

Thunder-Boomer! (Library Binding)

By Shutta Crum, Carol Thompson
$16.00
ISBN-13: 9780618618651
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Clarion Books, 6/2009
August is here, and a THUNDER-BOOMER (Clarion, $16) can drop from the sky at a moment’s notice. It booms its way into a hot day at the farm, where Dad’s out in the corn field on his tractor, Mom and the kids are at the pond, and Scooter the dog is ready to play. Then Zzzzt… Rumble-brum-brum… Splash! Sploosh!... a big storm is coming and the family rushes to get inside. Filled with storm sounds and fun along the way, Shutta Crum’s lyrical text and Carol Thompson’s lively illustrations make this the perfect book for a sweltering August on the farm… or in DC. Ages 3 & up. • Jory Hearst

The Willoughbys (Compact Disc)

By Lois Lowry, Arte Johnson
$25.00
ISBN-13: 9780739382349
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Listening Library (Audio), 3/2009
Other Editions of this Title
The Willoughbys (Listening Library, $25) are relieved when their despicable parents leave on a trip. Their new nanny is kind, smart and a great cook.  Lois Lowry’s parody of old-fashioned children’s books is replete with orphans, babies left on doorsteps and long-lost heirs.  Arte Johnson brings the story to life in audiobook form with just the right amounts of irony, sappy sweetness, and innocence.  The entire family will enjoy the clever, fast-paced craziness. Also available as a hardcover book (HMH, $16). Ages 8 up.

One Small Step: Celebrating the First Men On the Moon (Hardcover)

By Jerry Stone
$24.95
ISBN-13: 9781596434912
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Flash Point, 4/2009
Pore over this fact- and photo-filled scrapbook of the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969, when the astronauts took ONE SMALL STEP (Roaring Brook, $24.95). What did the mission's insignia look like? What was their menu for five days in space? What was the exact conversation between the three astronauts as Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong took their first steps on the moon? Find the answers to these questions and more in Jerry Stone's thorough and engaging book - with plenty of flaps to open, pictures to look at, and information to uncover. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first man on the moon, this is one of many excellent books on display about Apollo 11 and other lunar missions.  Ages 8 to 13 • Jory Hearst

Letters for Freedom: The American Revolution (Hardcover)

By Douglas M. Rife, Gina Capaldi
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9781584766124
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Innovative Kids, 6/2009
Learn what the fireworks are all about with an introduction to THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (Innovative Kids, $16.99). Beginning with the causes of the Revolution, this volume includes important battles, key figures, and the alliance with the French and Spanish - and concludes with the formation of our new nation. In addition to perusing primary documents such as maps and an annotated Declaration of Independence, the reader can lift flaps to discover the Stamp Act and open envelopes that contain contemporaneous letters. Douglas Rife and Gina Capaldi have written an accessible, fun book that introduces children to the beginnings of our country. Ages 8-12• • Dara La Porte

Highway Robbery (Hardcover)

By Kate Thompson, Robert Dress
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780061730344
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Greenwillow Books, 6/2009
Other Editions of this Title
Hold onto your horse and put on your thinking cap, because the tale of HIGHWAY ROBBERY (Greenwillow, $15.99) will keep you guessing from beginning to end. Set in the 18th century, the story is narrated by a cheeky street urchin who has been left holding Black Bess for a mysterious highwayman. Is he spinning a tall tale, capitalizing on hero worship, or relating his true adventures? This tiny gem by award-winning author Kate Thompson is perfect to share as a read-aloud. Ages 6-12 • Mary Alice Garber