In Praise of 'Stupid Reading'

Jon Scieszka, recently named U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, is speaking out about what kids should read. And kids should take heart - Jon says 'stupid reading' is OK. The reading he's talking about is the kind most parents and teachers don't always encourage kids to read - Junie B. Jones, Captain Underpants, etc. The books that will give us a laugh but may not get us into Harvard. But read Mr. Scieszka's thoughts on kids and reading in this article from yesterday's Chicago Tribune. He makes some good points about fitting books into a life full of video games, TV and other media. Don't give up on books - just make time for them. Good advice!

It's Official!

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!

Written and illustrated by Mo Willems

Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 3rd grade

At long last, we finally know what the pigeon wants! Our Kindergartners through 3rd graders have been looking forward to the release of this book since January. Mo's pigeon books are some of the most popular here in the Zion library. Some of us even entered Mo's contest to see what kids thought the pigeon might like to have. And now we know! It's a puppy!

Zion's copy of the book arrived this morning gift-wrapped so no one, not even the librarian, could see what the book was. Many thanks to Read Between the Lynes bookstore in Woodstock for playing along with us and making sure the book was a surprise for everyone (they even checked the receipt to make sure the title didn't show up there - how's that for service!).

Now, if you're the parent of a Kindergartner through 3rd grader, you can skip the rest of this paragraph and go ask your child what 'The Pigeon Wants a Puppy' is about. We read it today as a whole group and loved it! What kid doesn't want a pet? And for many kids, the pet they wish for most is a puppy. The pigeon is no different. He's sure he'll take care of it, like watering it once a month and making sure it gets plenty of sunshine. But when the pigeon's dream comes true, he realizes he might have asked for a bit more than he can handle.

Mo Willems knows just how to create books that reach kids and tickle their funny bones. If you or your little one can't get enough of Mo and his books, be sure to head down to Anderson's Bookshop on Saturday, May 3rd at 11:00 AM. Mo will be there giving a presentation and signing books. Watch the Blue Notes for information about Mo's visit and don't be surprised if your little one starts begging you to please, pretty please take them to see Mo!

What Did You Read?

Welcome back to school! Did you have a good spring break? It wasn't too springy weather-wise, was it? But it was a week off of school which allowed you to do something other than homework!

So what did you do? Did you read anything great? I spent my break reading four advance review copies of books that will be published in May and June. Two of the books were great, one was good, and one was just OK. I've included the covers of three of the titles here. One was a great read, one a good read, and the other just OK. Can you guess which is which?

But what about you? Read anything you couldn't put down? Share the title in the comments section and let's see what everyone read!

It's a Blog-test!

(That's a contest designed just for blogs!)

I just picked up the newest Maximum Ride novel by James Patterson for the Zion library. Called 'The Final Warning', it's the latest installment in the best-selling series about genetically altered kids. In this one, Max and the gang are in Antarctica helping scientists do research on global warming. But no matter how much she tries, Max can't get away from the forces bent on controlling her and her flying powers.

This title will be extremely popular; I'm sure the waiting list will be long. Of course, someone has to be the first to read 'The Final Warning' but I'm wondering who that might be? So let's have some fun. The first Zion student to respond to this post with a comment will be the first person to read 'The Final Warning' once it's processed on the 31st (processing doesn't take long). So if you're anxious to find out what Max is up to, respond now!

Waking Beauty

By Leah Wilcox

llustrated by Lydia Monks

Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 3rd GradersI

Fractured fairy tales are so much fun. 'Waking Beauty' is another twisted fairy tale by the dynamic duo of Leah Wilcox and Lydia Monks. Their first venture 'Falling for Rapuzel' gave us a long haired lass who was a little bit hard of hearing. When asked to let her hair down, she tosses just about everything else but her hair out of the window. In 'Waking Beauty', it's the prince's turn to get things mixed up.

Sleepting Beauty has been asleep for a long time when along comes the prince who is told to wake the lass with a..... But the prince never listens to how exactly he's supposed to wake the lady because he's too busy guessing different methods. Shooting her out of a cannon? How about hollering or jumping on the bed? None of these ideas work and when the prince finally finds out how to wake the fair girl, he is shocked. All those years of morning breath? Hmmm...

Laugh-out-loud fun is what's in store here. Kids will enjoy trying to guess what new wake=up method the prince will come up with next. And guess what happens when he finally wakes the beauty! Pick this one up for a fun family read-aloud.

Monkey with a Tool Belt
Written and illustrated by Chris Monroe

Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 3rd Graders

Fix-it shows are popular on TV. Whether improving houses or building sheds, these shows make it look easy to create just about anything with a hammer and a few nails. But none of these shows tell you how to save yourself when a nasty organ grinder captures you and takes you to the circus.

Meet Chico Bon Bon, a friendly monkey who loves to build and fix things. He goes nowhere without his tool belt, laden with tools of all sorts, including a drill, bungee hammer, nut driver, snozzer and snozz remover. As he relaxes in the park one day, he notices a large banana split on a table nearby. Thinking that it's not every day that one sees banana splits laying around, Chico Bon Bon investigates, only to be captured by an organ grinder looking for a new monkey (his own had run away). He thinks he's found the answer in Chico Bon Bon but little does he realize that he's captured a monkey with a tool belt. And it will be a lesson he won't soon forget.

After reading 'Monkey with a Tool Belt' aloud to 1st graders, they gave the book the highest praise by asking 'Is there another 'Monkey' book? If there isn't there should be!'. We'll have to pass that suggestion along to the author!

A Kitten Tale
By Eric Rohmann
Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 2nd Grade

Who can resist a story with four adorable kittens on the cover? These kittens scamper across each page as they pass the seasons waiting for snow. Three of the kittens are fearful of snow; it will be cold and wet and they'll get chilled to the bone. But the fourth kitten can't wait. When snow finally falls, he heads outside to play, leaving his three fellow kittens inside to watch him. Will they change their minds and venture out in the cold?

Eric Rohmann's illustrations bring these kittens to life. The colors are soft pastels with bold black outlines. The kittens appear ready to hop off the page into your lap. Enjoy this book to help learn about the seasons or when you're anticipating the first snow flake!