With an eye toward the future

Today is the last day of school for students and teachers here at Zion. It is also my last day as Zion's librarian. I've been so privileged to work with such fantastic teachers these last four years. They have willingly put up with my programming, making sure their classes participated in anything and everything we did. Most especially, it has been a treat to work with so many wonderful kids. Those kids have been the motivation behind everything that was done in the library, from the books that were purchased to the way they were displayed to the activities created to promote reading. As one chapter closes, another opens. Changes in the library next year will result in additional opportunities to bring great reading to Zion's kids. I know I'm leaving the library in good hands. Despite that, saying goodbye is hard but I look forward to seeing students around town and at the public library (where else?) and eagerly look forward to hearing about what they're reading. I can always use more good book suggestions for my never-ending reading list!

Duck! Rabbit!

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Most enjoyed by everyone!

Look at that book cover. What animal do you see? You're right! Now go grab a friend, preferably one who can read, and open the book to the first two pages. You read one page, your friend reads the other. Are you laughing already? Good. Keep going until the end. Now try putting the book away. Bet you can't without reading it again. And again. And.....

Intrigued? Just ask a Zion student in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade what they thought of 'Duck! Rabbit!'. Not only will you get a big smile but you'll hear 'I wanna read that book again!'. The best praise any book can have.

Down Girl and Sit: Smarter Than Squirrels

Written by Lucy Nolan

Illustrated by Mike Reed

Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 3rd graders

Meet Down Girl and Sit. Neighbors, friends, and dogs. Down Girl knows just how to treat her owner right - licking his face with a nose fresh from the water bowl, waking him an hour before the alarm clock might scare him. She is one thoughtful dog. And smart to boot. She and Sit know that their yards aren't safe with all the squirrels stealing things so they work hard to chase them up trees. When the dreadful Here Kitty Kitty moves in next door, the two friends work extra hard to keep Rruff's trash can safe so he can keep using it as a hiding place for lots of good stinky stuff.

'Smarter than Squirrels' is the first book in a series for young readers featuring Down Girl and Sit. The two friends do just what dogs do - eat everything in sight, watch for the paper boy, and keep their masters safe. But with Down Girl as the narrator, readers see the world through the dogs' eyes, making for a book full of laughs. For example, Down Girl and Sit know better than to climb trees like squirrels. It's just not safe because a dog could fall out of a tree! Which just goes to prove that they are so much smarter than squirrels.

There are three titles in the series but start with 'Smarter Than Squirrels' so that you can meet Down Girl and Sit properly. Once you know these two better, you'll wonder what's going on in your own dog's head!

Three Cups of Tea

Fans of 'Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time' will be happy to know that we now have copies of the editions created just for young readers. This is a marvelous opportunity for adults and kids to read about Greg Mortenson and his efforts to create schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

'Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World...One Child at a Time' is perfect for 5th graders and up. Greg Mortenson's story is retold here but simplified for younger readers who are very comfortable with chapter books. Color photos supplement the text so readers can see the places and people referred to in the book. There is also a nice interview with Greg's daughter Amira, who is now involved in her father's work. A time line and glossary help readers keep track of what happened when and define foreign words they aren't familiar with. I particularly liked the 'Who's Who in Three Cups of Tea' which is a glossary of the people mentioned in the book. This is great for readers who have a hard time keeping some of the story participants straight as well as introducing them to historical figures mentioned in the book that they may be unfamiliar with. I think, although I haven't tried this out, that this might be a good read-aloud that could work in classrooms or as a family activity.

For a great read-aloud with pictures that will take your breath away, try the picture book version of Greg's story titled 'Listen to the Wind'. Again, Greg's story is simplified, this time for the youngest readers. But the pictures that illustrate the story are spectacular. Using fabric and paper scraps, collage artist Susan L. Roth has brought the story to life with illustrations that readers will pour over and marvel at how time-consuming they had to be to create. The intricate details are amazing. I can't think of how the story might have been better illustrated. 'Listen to the Wind' is beautiful enough to deserve a place on your family coffee table.

Now that three editions of Greg Mortenson's inspiring story are available for all levels of readers, this is a great time to consider doing a school-wide reading effort where everyone, students, teachers, and parents, read the same book. I'm sure there will be many schools and communities that unite to do just that. Keep watching to see who else these books inspire!

Birds

Written by Kevin Henkes

Illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Most enjoyed by Preschoolers and Kindergartners

One of the most loved aspects of spring is the return of birds. Many don't leave during the winter, giving us a reason to fill our bird feeders and toss out breadcrumbs. But the return of spring is heralded by a robin and bird song. Because we're so aware of birds now, it's a perfect time to savor 'Birds', the newest book from Kevin Henkes.

Birds come in many colors and sizes. They can be very beautiful in the winter when one red bird sits in a leafless tree. They can be fun to watch, like when they all fly away from a tree all at once. We enjoy birds for lots of reasons, but especially for their songs.

The bright, bold colors used throughout the book give it instant eye appeal. Thick black lines outline the simple pictures, making the colors used all the more vibrant. The strong simple drawings paired with the spare text make this a perfect read aloud for the youngest of listeners. Don't be surprised if the story is followed by a walk outside for some bird watching. The two go together perfectly!

Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle

Written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Illustrated by Abby Carter

Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 3rd graders

Andy Shane is a bit shy. When he starts school, he meets the loud, bossy Dolores Starbuckle and he quickly finds himself a little intimidated by her. Dolores must always be in charge and she knows everything, or so she thinks. But Dolores meets her match in Andy's Granny Web. When Andy doesn't want to go to school, Granny visits his class and shows Andy how to stand up to Dolores in a way that makes both of them friends.

'Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle' is the first of a series of easy chapter books featuring quiet Andy and bossy Dolores. The books are just right for 2nd and 3rd grade readers who like chapter books but aren't ready for anything very long. Two additional titles in our library include 'Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt' in which Andy and Dolores try to figure out who will study Egypt for their class project, and 'Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick', featuring Andy coming up with a clever way to trick the tricksters who keep smashing Dolores's Halloween pumpkins.

Andy and Dolores are complete opposites but they manage to find a way to work things out and become friends. With a gentle nudge now and then from Granny Web, the two learn to give and take, a subtle lesson young readers can take away from these books. Introduce Andy and Dolores to your young reader and watch them enjoy these two friends!

Recess at 20 Below

By Cindy Lou Aillaud

Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 3rd graders

This is the perfect book for today! Why? Because the weather forcast is calling for a high of 80 degrees, a temperature we haven't seen in what seems like centuries (actually, several months but those months feel like centuries). And since the first days of the week were rainy and cold and reminiscent of winter, it's time to feature a book that will have us counting our blessings today!

'Recess at 20 Below' by Cindy Lou Aillaud.

Need I say more? You're right, but I will. Author Cindy Lou Aillaud lives and teaches in Alaska, where the winters are long and extremely cold. Even if the temperature gets down to 20 below zero, the kids are allowed to go outside for recess. And what fun they have! Playing football, building snow forts - all the regular recess activities are done with the same spirit as if it were 20 above zero. Ms. Aillaud uses photos she took of the children at play to show just how much fun they can have despite the bitter cold. I love the photos of the kids with frosty eyelashes, the result of their warm breathe rising above their mufflered mouths. When do the kids stay inside? When a moose comes to the playground for lunch!

I'll bet there will be a few readers who will wish they were up in Alaska playing in the snow with the book's kids. But perhaps they'll enjoy today's weather and wish for snow tomorrow!