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Post by adcooper on Jul 15, 2007 20:20:47 GMT -5
I suppose I could post children's books that I like; I do see a few every now and then.  Let's start with picture books (Probably for ages 4-7, but I know YOU would like them, too!): Albert, by Donna Jo Napoli--One day when Albert is at his window, two cardinals come to build a nest in his hand, an event that changes his life. Illustrations by Jim LaMarche, one of my favorites. The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant--A happy, rumpled, humorous family reunion. Timothy Cox Will Not Change His Socks, by Robert Kinerk--Timothy Cox, who is good at following through on ideas, decides to wear the same unwashed socks for one month, ignoring the objections of his dachsund, Walt, and everyone else around him. Illustrated delightfully by Stephen Gammell, who also illustrated The Relatives CameMy Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World, by Gilles Bachelet--An artist describes his "cat," who can usually be found either sleeping or eating. You must see the illustrations to appreciate this book's hilarity! Wolves, by Emily Gravett--When a young rabbit checks out a library book about wolves, he learns much more about their behavior than he wanted to know. Again, you have to see the illustrations to appreciate this slightly warped but very funny book. Probuditi, by Chris Van Allsburg--On his birthday, Calvin and his friend Rodney see a magician perform, then copy him by hypnotizing Calvin's little sister, but the joke is on them when they are unable to snap her out of it. Van Allsburg is wonderfully weird. Toot & Puddle, by Holly Hobbie--Toot and Puddle are awfully cute pigs and best friends with very different interests, so when Toot spends the year travelling around the world, Puddle enjoys receiving his postcards. |
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Post by Kim on Jul 15, 2007 20:54:08 GMT -5
Aww, those sound cute! I'll have to make a trip to the library before I babysit for the demon children!  Hey Ad, I've been wondering about this, and you're a librarian, you'll know! You and Claire LV were saying that your libraries bought like 175 copies of Harry Potter for the system...do you guys keep all those copies, or sell some after the wait dies down? I've always wondered what libraries did with all those extra copies.... |
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Post by adcooper on Jul 15, 2007 22:08:47 GMT -5
Well, Kim, a lot of those books die a natural death. They circulate until they fall apart. We discard them when they are worn, or if circulation drops off, we withdraw them and put them on the sale table. Actually, our library is experimenting with shipping them off to a place that sells used books on line. I weed books all the time to keep the collection nice. Or I try to!
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Post by Lynne on Jul 16, 2007 7:00:22 GMT -5
WOW! What a great list and perfect timing! I'm on a hunt for books for my "niece" who is two. She's not really my niece, she's my best friends little girl but she calls me Aunt Lynne and I've been buying books for her since before she was born. She needs some new, wonderful stories!
When I saw her last weekend she had one called??? Alber Shrinks??? Something like that. The story wasn't all that endearing but the illustrations told so many more stories. I loved them.
Thanks again!
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Post by adcooper on Jul 16, 2007 7:28:08 GMT -5
Lynne, for your little one, the Bachelet book would be best of the lot above. Also The Napping House, by Audrey Wood, or A Good Day, by Kevin Henkes. Both are really good!
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Post by johnnysauntie on Jul 16, 2007 7:48:39 GMT -5
Ad - I could use your advice on some books for my niece. She's in 3rd grade ... but reads at the 8th grade level. To give you some reference, she read the entire Little House and Nancy Drew series while she was in first grade, and tackled the Harry Potter books when she was in second.
We're looking for challenging books that aren't stuffed with mature content.
I've started plumbing old Newberry winners (e.g Island of the Blue Dolphins, King of the Wind). But wondering if you have some other ideas ....
Thanks!
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Post by Megan on Jul 16, 2007 8:04:15 GMT -5
Has she read the Black Stallion series?
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Post by johnnysauntie on Jul 16, 2007 8:58:21 GMT -5
I've given her "The Black Stallion's Filly" and the rest of the series is what plan on giving her for her birthday. I should have mentioned that those particular books were already on the radar screen. THx!
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Post by adcooper on Jul 16, 2007 15:34:58 GMT -5
JA, I've got a "Mysterious Lunch Bunch" program for kids this summer--they're 4-6th grade, good readers, and we're reading mysteries. Here are a couple of the titles we've enjoyed:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick--strongly recommended. It's got a unique format--lots of pictures that carry the narrative at times, and good historical fiction about an early filmmaker in Paris. Sounds dry, but good suspense and fine writing. The kids in my group loved it.
Chasing Vermeer, and The Wright Three, by Blue Balliett--Smart mysteries with interesting kids. Again, my readers really like these, and they are intriguing mysteries. Set in Chicago, with familiar landmarks, themes of art and architecture, if that's of any interest.
Other authors you might investigate:
Sharon Creech
Virginia Hamilton
Richard Peck
Patricia Reilly Giff
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Post by Kim on Jul 16, 2007 15:57:44 GMT -5
JA, Your niece sounds a lot like I was at that age. I read David Copperfield in first grade, and learned my first swear words I was a die-hard horse lover, so anything with horses got my attention. |
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Post by alisonph on Jul 16, 2007 17:38:19 GMT -5
Lynne,
Have you gotten her the Helen Oxenbury series? There are 3 or 5 board books. FANTASTIC! I love them. When I was an au pair, I used to read them to the baby every day. I would buy those books just to have on my shelf.
Well, I'm also one of those crazy people who would have a fully stocked nursery just 'cause I like the stuff and wouldn't even have a baby in it............
Please don't alert my husband. I've scared him enough this week.
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Post by adcooper on Jul 16, 2007 18:54:55 GMT -5
Kim, no way! You read David Copperfield in 1st grade? The whole thing? You're clearly a genius, and I salute you!
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Post by elizabeth_h on Jul 16, 2007 19:54:31 GMT -5
Lynne - One of my favorites as a tyke was "Bread and Jam for Frances". It is an oldie but goodie about a little badger who was a picky eater and only wanted bread and jam. I really related to Frances as a picky eater. |
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Post by Kim on Jul 16, 2007 21:09:28 GMT -5
Oh, but I'm not, Ad However, the look on my mother's face when I said "This DAMN shoe just won't go on!" was PRICELESS! |
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Post by Allison - on Jul 24, 2007 8:10:21 GMT -5
I was one of "those" reading above the 12th grade level all though elementary/secondary school readers too, I read anything that said horses....including Clan of the Cave Bear and Valley of the Horses by Jean Auel in the 3rd grade...I also did a lenghlthly book report on it. ;D My mother almost had heart failure when the teacher called (I got an A) and said maybe they should look at more appropriate books for me. ROFL
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