Pamela Martinez

Picture books, with their incredible illustrations, drawings, or computerized renditions, come together with the words on the page to create a work of art. Please check out these books from our “New Books” section of the Young Readers’ Room: 

“WHEN I WAKE UP,” written by Seth Fishman and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley, will have your imagination running wild as you read the text and take in the illustrations. Muted and subdued colors fill each page with the softness of nature, human faces, and the wonderment of childhood. A book filled with ideas of what the narrator might do once they wake up…what will you do after you wake up tomorrow?! 

The next book’s author will be familiar name to many in the children’s literature field, Leo Lionni. A newly re-published book, “Mouse Seasons,” will take the reader through each of our four seasons through the eyes of a mouse family by asking a question on each page. The answers to the questions are located on the following pages! Simplistic artwork decorate each page with distinctive color and life-like drawings. I hope this book, first published in 1967, will bring you joy as it did for me! 

My next suggestion for your checkout pleasure is written by world-renowned author Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by our next Family Day guest, Rafael Lopez, “The Year We Learned to Fly.” Siblings take their grandmother’s advice one stormy, spring day. She suggested they embrace the day, even though the weather was not agreeable for outside play. Boredom will take a backseat for youngsters after reading this book! Ideas of creative thinking will take precedence as their imagination begins to develop fun with good dreams to come! 

“Close Your Eyes,” written by Robyn Wilson-Owen, is a precious bedtime story for all to enjoy. Five toddlers fill each two-page spread with their cuteness in hiding under the covers, exploring the outdoors, or finally falling asleep! This adventure story will tuck in your little ones and (hopefully!) help them to sleep! Large drawings and extra large text make this a perfect and quick bedtime story! 

To finish up my book suggestions, I’d like you to check out “Dad Bakes” by Katie Yamasaki. This is a story of a dad who is also a baker. This book shows the relationship with dad at the bakery and later, with his daughter and how they work and play together. At the end of the book, the author shares insight into rehabilitation programs for incarcerated parents, and how the time away affects the children involved. This book is a warm story of affection, love and family, and the joy we can bring to each other. 

The Young Readers’ Room offers a non-fiction section of books that spans just over 25 bookshelf spaces! That is A-LOT of information to soak up! There are so many subject areas to learn about; it may be hard to choose where to begin! Fear not! The Youth Services Crew is here to help guide you to the perfect book!

We’ll begin with a new series we have available titled, “Who Would Win?” by Joseph Pallotta and illustrated by Rob Bolster. One of the titles in the series we’re spotlighting this week is “Ultimate Ocean Rumble.” This particular title encompasses many of the creatures found under the water, such as Great White Shark vs. Giant Manta Ray. This book series highlights qualities of each subject and determines which animal would win the battle. You can find this book under the call number, J591.77 P179u.

The next book selection for you to ponder is “What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures,” written by Heather L. Montgomery and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. This biography/nature book will have kids turning page after page to see if they can guess who the child turned out to be as a famous adult! The illustrations help speed along the adventure. You can find this book under J508 M766w.

Our next selection for your consideration is “We All Play = Kimêtawânaw” by author and illustrator Julie Flett. The author learned many of the animal habits from her father, a Cree Native American tribe member. This book is arranged in a picture book format, and at the end of this book you will find the Cree names of each of animals mentioned in the book. Please find this book under the call number of J591.5 F638w.

“How To Vanquish A Virus” written by Paul Ian Cross and illustrated by Steve Brown is filled to the last page with eight chapters breaking down viruses in kid lingo. Great illustrations, almost cartoonish, to go along with the text makes for a learning atmosphere of literature. Find this title under J616.24 C884h.

Volumes 4, 5, and 6 of the graphic novel series “Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly,” written by Jordan Quinn have arrived in the Young Readers’ Room! “Ice Dragon” is volume 6 and it’s about the Ice Festival, which is to be an amazing event. The Ice Dragon himself, who is thousands of years old, will make an appearance at the Ice Festival! Do you think Ruskin and his friends will be able to guarantee a safe event for all? Check this latest volume out soon to find out! You will find this series of books in our Graphic Novel section of books under J741.5 Q44d6.

We look forward to having you visit the Youth Services Department as soon as possible to check out some fabulous books!

Can you believe 2021 is over? I am so excited to start a fresh, New Year as well as gearing up to read some amazing, new books! Please consider these titles to begin your New Year with the subject of…”Kindness.” Just think, if we all did one, two, or even three acts of kindness each day…what would our city be like?!

“Chicken Soup for Little Souls, The Goodness Gorillas,” written by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen and illustrated by Pat Grant Porter, will have your kids eager to start their own guerrilla goodness club at school, or even just in the neighborhood! Join in on the fun of doing an act of kindness, just like the students in Mrs. King’s class. This book can be found in our “Oversize Picture Book” area under JE McCourt.

Many students know something about being a “Peacekeeper.” Check out “Being a Peacekeeper” by Pam Scheunemann and learn a new, fun way to engage others at being a peacemaker! You can find this title in our non-fiction area at J 177.44 Sch29b.

Todd Parr is an excellent writer and illustrator who has been gracing our library shelves for years with phenomenal stories. May I suggest to you: “The Kindness Book” that he wrote in 2019 which can be found in the picture book section. Filled with his colorful depiction of characters, both four-legged and two, this vibrant book of kindness can get the wheels turning on new ideas you can engage in, right now!

“Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition” by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a chapter book for fourth – sixth graders that will inspire not only the reader, but also the folks to whom the reader reaches out! Trevor, a 12-year old student accepts the challenge from one of his teachers to ‘design a plan to make his world a better place.’ You will find this title in the chapter book area. Hmmm, I would love to hear your ideas too! Please email, write a letter, give us a call, or just come in and tell our Youth Services Crew what your “Pay It Forward” plan will be! We are anxiously awaiting!!

The last title for this article is (we do have sooooo many more ‘kindness’ type books) “Kindness is a Kite String – The Uplifting Power of Empathy” written by Michelle Schaub and illustrated by Claire LaForte. You can find this title in the picture book area under the author’s last name. This special story will give the reader so many new ideas and help to nurture a kindness plan that could have a trickle effect on your family, neighbors, friends, and, perhaps our entire city! Check this one out right away and let’s get to doing some extra kind things together!

It has been a privilege and an honor to be your Youth Services Librarian for so many years! You have all been so kind to my staff and me by checking out books, attending our programs, and bringing us great suggestions for new titles! I’m excited to begin 2022 with an act of kindness and to continue the path for the entire year! Happy New Year from the Youth Services Crew to you!

Halloween has arrived, so have you been scared enough yet? All over town, folks have decorated their yards with extremely scary, spine-tingling scenes which may yield a scream or two! Let me take this opportunity to give you a good, old-fashioned fright with some scary book recommendations for your young readers!

First on our recommended list is “The Doll in the Hall and Other Scary Stories” by Max Brallier, the first volume in the series of “Mister Shivers.” This book will have your young reader turn page after page to get to the end of each of the spine tingling tales.  Will your young reader be able to finish all five of these scary stories before dark?! Written for younger readers with large print and pictures interspersed throughout the book, this spooky book may need to be read over and over again!

The second chilling book recommendation for your youngster is “Attack of the Vampire Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales” written by David Lubar. This foreboding book has not five, not 10, not even 20, but 35 terrifying tales to read! Short, but not sweet, stories of creepiness and eye-rolling adventures that will deepen the trance your young reader will be under as they navigate through each tale. Let us know which tale scares you the most!

Our next suggestion for a day or night of frights is part of the “Eerie Elementary” series by Jack Chabert, “The School is Alive.” Were you a school monitor when you were in elementary school? I remember being able to wear the important vest to signify that I was the monitor for the day! In our featured, hair-raising book list, this title will most likely end up on top! Let Sam and his friends help you decide if his school is really alive! Then when your youngster arrives at their school on Monday, they can decide if their school could be alive as well?!

You’re not afraid of a few zombies walking around town…are (say “are” for 10 seconds) you? When is the last time your sleepover had a zombies invasion? In “The Zombie Chasers” Zack and his buddies found out the hard way how to eliminate the zombie attack: with a little brain power and with his werewolf buddy assisting, maybe the sleepover can resume tomorrow night? This unnerving story will elicit a few giggles throughout the pages, intermingled with a lot of goosebumps!

Speaking of a book giving you goosebumps, you’ll need to come right over to the library and check out ”Only If you Dare, 13 Stories of Darkness and Doom” by Josh Allen. This book has 13, nightmare-bringing stories for your youngster to read and get chilled to the bone!  Let us know which one of these 13 tales keep lurking in your brain after you have read each and every evil tale!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Who says picture books are just for kids, hmmm? Certainly nobody we know! Please feast your eyes on these picture book treasures on our New Book shelf!

“Oh Look, a Cake!” by J.C. McKee is a hilarious book about being greedy, to a degree. When two friends find an unattended cake, they begin to wonder whom they should invite to share this delectable delicacy! As the list of potential invitees comes and goes, there is a surprise development when the owner of the cake meanders by. Check this one out today to find out what did happen to the cake!!

Remember when you used to be asked “What Will You Be,” or “¿Qué Serás?,” when you were a child? It was fun to imagine the different careers or fields we would love to work in when we grew up! Well, with this new title by Yamile Saied Méndez, the young star of the book explores many different careers that she could pursue. The final sentence of the book will warm your heart! Check out this title soon so you can find out what she decided!

Our next two selections for you are all about friendships. Please check out “El Toro and Friends: Training Day” by Raul the Third. This is the second book of the series. This is a very colorful story about how Toro is being trained by his friend, Kooky Dooky, to defeat “The Wall.” If your little ones enjoy wrestling, this picture book is the book for them!

A friend is always near when we need them the most. In “Jenny Mei is Sad,” written by Tracy Subisak, that is just what happens. Jenny Mai has a great friend who is patient and by her side when Jenny Mei just needs time to heal her sadness. Check out this book to share with your child who may have a sad day, or may be the friend who helps soothe the sadness away.

When you think of the word ‘cape,’ what was the first thought that came to mind? Go ahead…say the word out loud…’cape’…and, ‘Superhero’ was your first thought, right (if not, let us know what you did think of!!)? Our final selection for you today is written by Marty Kelley, entitled “A Cape!”. This is a sweet bonding story for a son (the wearer of said cape, of course) and his daddy. Imaginations run wild for kids, which is a good thing by the way, and this story does not disappoint! You will enjoy reading about all of the scenarios in which this cape-clad child finds himself involved. The final page will leave you smiling from ear to ear, and if you are a father with a son nearby, you will have an activity starting shortly! You’re welcome!