New picture books

Following her success with The Red Box, which won a 2005 Caldecott Honor medal, Barbara Lehman continues to offer young readers a sophisticated story using no words. The Secret Box follows a young schoolboy from the early twentieth century who hides a candy box with secret instructions in the floorboards of his boarding school for future generations of schoolchildren to find and follow to a mysterious hidden place. You must look closely to the illustrations, done in watercolor, gouache, and ink for details that move the story forward.

Linda Ashman partners with artist Lauren Stringer in Castles, Caves and Honeycombs. This story for young children describes unique places where animals build their homes. Ashman is known for her excellent book, illustrated by S.D. Schindler, Come to the Castle! : a visit to a castle in thirteenth-century England. Using rhymed text, we see life in a medieval castle through the eyes of its many different inhabitants.

British artist, Inga Moore is known for her lush interpretation illustrating two classics, The Secret Garden and The Wind in the Willows. She has written and illustrated her own stories, which are comforting and enchanting. Her latest, A House in the Woods is a different take on a familiar tale, The Three Little Pigs. Here, two Little Pigs whose small homes in the woods have been accidentally destroyed by Bear and Moose decide to build a house they can all share, and with the help of Beaver Builders they soon have a fine new home. A charming read aloud.



Stop into the library to see other new titles throughout the Youth Services Department.

Interested in joining a Book Group?

Posting regularly to this blog is a challenge. I have no problem coming up with book-related topics I want to share. No, what slows me down is finding the time, a quiet moment in my crazy-busy day, to put my thoughts together. One way to make things easier is making 'live booktalks'. The Youth Services staff is excited about this new addition to the blog. We will continue to post new ones as we make them.

As children move into the intermediate grades, 3 thru 5, being involved in a book discussion group gives them an opportunity to express their opinions about the books they have been reading. The adult who leads the group can expose children to a broader range of titles. I have hosted several books group over the years and found them to be exciting. Participants are eager to learn different terminology -- theme, plot, and pacing -- and how some authors are successful at writing than others. We would love to start a book group with students in grades 4 and 5. Stop in and talk with Mrs. C anytime. We would need at least 5 to start.

For those who love to read but find themselves in the car a lot, National Public Radio (NPR) hosts a monthly book club called 'Backseat Book Club'. Children can log on to the the site to read a brief summary of the book and learn more about the author. If the book piques your child's interest, you can stop in to the Scarborough Public Library and check the book out.

Call the Youth Services Department 883-4723, ext 6277 and ask for Mrs. C. or send an email: kids@scarborough.lib.me.us if you would like to join a book group.

Have you read...

Do you enjoy books about animals? Click here to listen to Lauren, Youth Services Assistant, talk about the book Poppy by Avi.

SCHOOL VACATION ACTIVITIES IN THE LIBRARY

We are having a special PAJAMARAMA!

Tuesday, February 21 @6:30 pm
The theme for this program is Fairytales.

"Run, run, as fast as you can". The Gingerbread Boy eludes the grasp of a host of hungry characters, including the old woman who baked him, until he happens upon a fox more clever than he and goes the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven.--
The Gingerbread Boy By Paul Galdone

We'll also listen to:
The 3 Bears And Goldilocks By Margaret Willey
Red Riding Hood By James Marshall

Craft: Decorating King And Queen Crowns

Puppet Theater
Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30 am.
Join Lauren, Marilyn, and Mrs. C as they bring some stories to life using puppets and flannel board.

We will continue our regular story times.
Note: we will be closed Monday the 20th for the holiday.

2012 Book Awards Announced

Monday, January 23 at 7:45 am CST the American Library Association announced the 2012 winners of over 15 awards. Among those were the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott awards.

To read the complete list of winners, click here.

New Chapter Books

It is 1936, and Rachel's family is broke. They don't even have two nickles to rub together. Her dad finds a job and moves the family to upstate New York to a farm at North Lake. Rachel finds it hard to leave her friends behind, especially Miss Mitzi. Things aren't much better up there, but Rachel loves the farm. Miss Mitzi and Rachel write letters back and forth, filling each other in on their lives apart, until something special happens and soon Miss Mitzi will be....Wait! I can't give the ending away.
Read, R my Name is Rachel by Patricia Reilly Giff.

Author Lois Lowry holds a special place in the hearts of Mainers. It is because she used to call Falmouth, Maine her home. She's written The Giver, Number the Stars, Gooney Bird Green, and now we can add another title to her long list of wonderful stories.
In Bless This Mouse, Church mouse Hildegarde is mistress of the mouse colony at Saint Bartholemews. When she learns they are to be exterminated, Hildegarde musters her ingenuity to keep the mice safe. The pages are graced with sketches by Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann.



A promising new series by Claudia Mills stars 9 year old Mason Dixon. In book one, Mason Dixion: Pet Disaster, Mason isn't interested in owning a pet until his best friend adopts a three-legged dog. Book 2, Mason Dixon: Fourth Grade Disaster finds Mason worrying about starting fourth grade. Humorous and perfect for intermediate readers

New Picture Books at the Library

In Big Brothers Don't Take Naps by Louise Borden, big brother James and younger brother Nicholas are counting the days because something special is coming to there house. Emma Dodd's art style perfectly complements the text.

Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo tells the story of a boy who longs for a pet, but his parents always say, "No!" Then, after a visit to the park he brings home a turtle and names it Melvin. The boy soon realizes that Melvin does not enjoy being captured, so the next day returns the turtle back to his habitat.

Alberto has a problem. All the customers coming to his new restaurant brings a pet! Dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles, you name it. Read "No Dogs Allowed written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Kristin Sorra to find out Alberto's solution!

Interested in gardening? Read Yucky Worms by Vivan French to find out lots of facts about one of the most important ingredients in any garden...worms!

In Edwin Speaks Up by April Stevens and Sophie Blackall, Baby Edwin tells his mother where the misplaced object are and helps her with shopping. Only thing is mom doesn't understand Edwin, especially when he reminds her to buy some sugar. "Plopin grouff shooop CAKE sweet No No." A lively story for bedtime.

When a storm comes during the night leaving lots of snow, Jim and Scott are glad, because playing at recess is much more fun when there is snow! Perfect Snow by Barbara Reid.


Other titles too good to miss:
Too Many Dinosaurs by Mercer Mayer
George Flies South by Simon James