Pamela Martinez

What’s new at the Smiley you ask? Well, I’m happy to share with you… oversize picture books! There is quite a selection of these gems in the New Book section in the Young Readers’ Room. Let me start with “I’m So Happy You’re Here, a Celebration of Library Joy” written by Mychal Threets, the literacy ambassador and librarian. Filled with colorful illustrations of kids in the library participating in different activities including reading (of course!), cooking, games, gardening, and getting a library card! A fun read that I’m pretty sure will bring you some library joy!

Next up is “Dad” by Christian Robinson (Caldecott Honor winner). This picture book is a special one for all of you dads out there. Simple, large text, mostly on just one page per spread seems so tiny compared to the extra-large illustrations on the double-page spread. A sweet story about dads will have daddies everywhere receiving a big hug!

“I Built a Rocket Ship,” written by Anna Lazowski and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury, is a sweet remembering story about a child who is building a rocket ship in memory of the mother they lost. This story is focused on the love between the mother and child as the father is there to offer support. This story will bring fond memories for some and perhaps a tear or two down your cheek.

The University of California San Diego’s Geisel Library hold the Dr. Seuss Collection of books, as told in the back of “Sing the 50 United States.” The back story, at the back of the book, is an exciting couple of pages to read for history buffs, and those who adore the work of Dr. Seuss. Now, on to the book itself: in perfect Dr. Seuss fashion, each page is filled with rhyming text of all 50 states! The flow of the text just rolls off the tongue and is quite fun to say out loud. Check this one out and try it yourself!

Story time holds different memories for different people. I remember attending preschool story time at our local branch library where the story room was round with accordion style doors and we sat on a braided rag rug, just like the one in this story! One of my favorite authors, Sophie Blackall (two-time Caldecott Medal winner), has written another fabulous story: “Story Rug” which is illustrated by Phoebe Wahl. The story rug in this story is created by students in Ms. Moreno’s class 203 when they start braiding all sorts of textures including hair on their classmates, toys, and shoelaces. Poor Noah didn’t have anything to braid, so he asked Ms. Moreno for an idea… As with any great teacher, Ms. Moreno found the perfect solution and set Noah off to braid. Not only did Noah continue braiding during class, he continued for days! Check out this treasure of a book to find out what happens with the braiding project in class 203.

What’s New at Smiley? Chapter books – that’s what’s new! The Young Readers’ Room has stocked the New Book shelf with some great new fiction titles for library patrons, young and older. Come and peruse the shelves for these titles and more!

The first selection for you to consider this week is the second book of the series by Megan McDonald: Bunny and Clyde. This second installment of the series is entitled “On the Lam.” Friends Bunny and Clyde, a rabbit and a chipmunk, make quite the pair. This story will have you guessing and second guessing yourself if you think Bunny and Clyde actually did do the shameful act of stealing, or, have they been framed? If you’ve already read the first book in the series, “Bunny and Clyde,” you may have an idea. If you haven’t yet read the first book, then skedaddle on down to the Young Readers’ Room and check out both books at the same time to finish the tales of woe for these two friends.

“The Mighty Macy,” written by the accomplished Kwame Alexander, will have you turning each page in delight of getting to the next page as quickly as possible. Written in verse form, Macy is facing a library closure due to budget cuts, and she is appalled at the thought of not being able to check out the next book in the series she is reading. Macy puts her shocked attitude to work, without her father there to help her in person this time. With help from her mother, her third-grade classmates, and through poetry from her father, Macy learns what it means to take a stand in something you believe in. Check out this new title today and learn what a little bit of determination, love of libraries, and friends and families can accomplish for a good cause.

The third selection for this week’s article is an adventurous tale, perfect for a hot, end-of-summer read. Reminiscent of “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen, “Wilderness Hacks” by Joslin Brorsen will have you on the edge of your seat as you read through the adventures of Rad and Sadie. Everyone wants to be a YouTube star in this Colorado-based story. Big sister Sadie is more than willing to help out her younger brother, Silas, no matter what. Little did she know she would have to accomplish some pretty weird activities to do just that. Survivalist Radley Shaw opened a contest to kids 12 – 16 in Colorado. Sadie is in; Silas is out. It’s up to Sadie to win this opportunity; will she win the contest? Will Silas get to meet Radley Shaw? The book also touches on ADHD, celiac disease, and autism. Be sure to stop by the Young Readers’ Room and check out this page-turner.

Linda Sue Park has done it again. I absolutely love all of her books. Her newest one is “Just One Gift.” Written in verse, imitating Sijo, a class assignment from Mrs. Chang’s first period Language Arts class is an insightful story for the reader. The students must come up with a name, from categories given, to give a gift to this person. The story is uplifting, and thoughtful, full of great ideas. If you’re a teacher, I can see this book making the rounds in the schools. If you’re a parent, this would be a great family read and activity. Be sure to check out this latest book from one of Miss Pamela’s favorite authors.

The final selection for today’s article is going to get you ready for the scariest month of the year, October. From “R.L. Stine’s Ghosts of Fear Street” series, “Stay Away from the Tree House” will have youngsters searching for the nearest tree house to explore. Friends Dylan and Steve decided to take a walk into the woods, because, well, why not? But not just any woods. These are the Fear Street Woods, where nobody usually is strolling through. Will Dylan and Steve be able to brave the walk through? What will they see? Will staying the night in the tree house be safe? Check out this book soon to find out if you think you are brave enough to saunter through the Fear Street Woods.

– Youth Services Senior Librarian Pamela Martinez

With spring upon us, we look forward to reading outside, in the sun, or curled up on the porch watching the sun set in the distance. Here is a list of books to read to your littles throughout the month. You will find all of these books in the New Book section of the Young Readers’ Room.

First up is a favorite online sensation, Ms. Rachel, and her newest book, Ms. Rachel and Bean and the Bedtime Routine – Encouraging a Calm and Comforting Good Night, written by Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron, and illustrated by Monique Dong. Ms. Rachel has such a gentle way online, and in her books, to help children cope and deal with situations ranging from friendship to bedtime. This story will help your youngsters speed up the routine and jump right into bed (that’s the plan!). If you would like to see more of Ms. Rachel, you can check out her website at: MsRachel.com.

Pete the Cat’s Cool New Ride, written and illustrated by Kimberly & James Dean, will have kids (and adults) ready to go out for a spin around the neighborhood, even if they don’t have a car as cool as Pete’s! Pages filled with rhyming text and bright, bold illustrations continue the turning of pages and the solution to Pete’s crowded car situation. Sometimes friends have such a special place in our lives that we make extraordinary decisions to include them in every moment possible.

Timothy Knapman wrote Oh No! Dinosaurs in the Supermarket with Sarah Warburton as the illustrator. Kids will enjoy hunting through the pages as the dinosaurs seem to disappear while the adults are searching for them. I’ve yet to witness any sort of dinosaur in any grocery store, but then I’m not looking for them through the eyes of a child! Beware on your next grocery outing!

A Cure for the Hiccups, written by Jennifer E. Smith and Brandon James Scott, is a tale that most of us will probably try the next time those pesky hiccups appear. Max has developed the worst case of hiccups that she can remember. She is not one to sit around and mope while the hiccups stick around…no…Max is on the move until Grandma has a cure for Max to try out. Page after page has Max quite busy, all the while fretting over the ‘what if’ questions like ‘what if the hiccups never go away?’ thoughts. Spoiler alert: there is a solution and a quiet ending to this tale.

Check out any or all of these April suggestions and let the Youth Services Crew know which one was your favorite!

~ Pamela Martinez, Senior Librarian, Youth Services

With the new year already full-speed ahead, the Young Readers’ Room has a selection of new, non-fiction books for youngsters to peruse. Please stop by the New Books shelf for the following titles and more.

“The Pokémon Encyclopedia” by Arnold Ringstad will have kids flipping through the pages non-stop! The colored pictures on each page present fascinating for Pokémon fans. The text of the book is written in an easy-to-follow pattern on each page. The content sections consist of Pokémon Generations, Other Pokémon Games, and Media and Merchandise. Within each of these sections are multiple sub-topics. I would venture to guess that a few Pokémon fans of an older age would like to check out this book as well! You can find this under the call number of J 794.8 R474p.

This next book selection will help kids learn how to deal with money to make change and figure out money math without using their fingers! “Making Change! Working with Money” by Bela Davis will have kids churning out answers to math and money questions in no time. Each page offers a scenario of a money math problem to solve with photos of adorable kids on the pages.  The answers to these questions can be found at the end of the book along with a mini-glossary. You can find this book with the call number J 513.2 D29m.

Spring Break is just around the corner, and here to help with traveling plans is a new series, “Iconic National Parks.” With seven park titles to choose from, you’ll have a park planned visit in no time. “Zion National Park” is one of the titles, written by Angela Lim. There are colored photographs taken from inside the park that will certainly give a thrill of excitement. If you’re thinking about a future trip you will find this title of the series at J 979.2 L628z.

Speaking of Spring Break, or any time of swimming in the ocean (California can be year-round!), we have a new series of books about sharks.  “Curious About Sharks” series offers eight different shark books for kids to learn about and read over and over. “Great White Sharks” written by Monika Davies may curb your desire to dive deep into the ocean. Colored photographs of these underwater beasts may cause a chill to run down your spine as you read through the text of the book learning about their behaviors, what they do all day and night under the waves, and a couple of questions in the back about staying curious and learning more. Find this title of the series at J 597.3 D288g.

The final book up for our new book collection in January is another in the “Curious About” series. “Coding with Lego” is found with the call number, J 005.13 Sh55cL. Building with Legos has gotten much more technical since I was a kid (just a few years ago). This book provides three chapters for curious kids with getting to know Lego Education, Building with Spike, and Build Beyond. At the end of the book is a question section and a short learning more segment. Robotics and coding can be used with Legos nowadays…kids can be quite scientific and explore some amazing paths through the art of play…start with a few Legos and watch with wonder as kids transform into engineers, scientists, and so much more with the help of books!

We hope to see you in the Young Readers’ Room soon checking out some great books!

Pamela Martinez is Youth Services senior librarian.