Book A Day: Day 17

Today's book has beautiful eye-catching illustrations by author Anita Lobel (which is part of the reason who I was drawn to it because I love anyone named Lobel!)

Nini ventures out and and away from her warm house to explore the interesting sights and smells of the outdoors. It's a great adventure until night comes and Nini is scared by the other animals lurking in the woods - "This is not so nice anymore," thought Nini. Of course she eventually makes her way back to her cozy home, but you get the idea that this won't be the last time she runs away from home. Any child who has exercised their independence be it through sleeping alone or visiting Grandma will see themselves in Nini! Found with other picture books on the New shelf. Ms. Eileen

Book a Day: Day 16

Yet another snow-day, but the library is open (at least it was last I heard). So for today a controversial selection for our review: "Monsters Eat Whiny Children" by Bruce Eric Kaplan. While no actual children are consumed in this book, the plot centers around monsters who kidnap two whiny kids intending to eat them and deciding upon the best recipe. In the end, of course, as Hansel and Gretel do, the children turn the tables on the monsters and make their getaway. The book has edge, that's for sure, but I found it funny. Opinions among the library staff are mixed and from reading reviews I would say that you either find this book darkly funny or inappropriate. Definitely not for the youngest children, but I think certain kindergartners and older kids will find it amusing. It's worth noting that Kaplan is a frequent cartoon contributor to the New Yorker and his illustration style isn't altered much for the younger audience. He has also been a television writer for "Seinfeld" and "Six Feet Under". You can use those cultural references to help you decide if this book might be for you and your children. For me, this book has a fairy-tale, slightly Maurice Sendak, quality to it, and I think sometimes a little darkness in a picture book is refreshing. This book has the call number JE Kaplan.

Program for Families: Question

Ms. Eileen and I are having fun with our Book-A-Day project and we hope you're enjoying learning about some of the great new books at RML. Besides excellent materials, though, we try to offer great programming and we're always thinking about how to better serve our community. Recently Eileen and I have been mulling over the positive reception that our Family Ornament Making evening received and we're trying to think of a spring program that might have a similar quality***. While performances are always fun (and we have some terrific ones planned!), we also think our RML families enjoy a time to get together with kids and grown-ups and share an activity. We're looking for suggestions. We discussed perhaps a container planting event or some sort of craft. What ideas can you share with us? You know Ms. Eileen and I; we're willing to try anything!

***And yes, by "similar quality" I mean chaos, Ms. Eileen and Ms. Patty slightly frantic and covered in glue and melted substances, kids laughing, parents chatting, and a big mess.

Book A Day: Day 15

"Sneaky Sheep" by Chris Monroe, a new picture book, is today's selection. Chris Monroe is the author/illustrator of a comic-strip as well as few earlier picture books (the wonderfully named "Monkey with a Tool Belt") and her comic-strip sensibilities are shown off in this delightful book. Rocky and Blossom are sheep who live along with 147 other sheep and a dog named Murphy, but Rocky and Blossom aren't content with the sheep life; they want adventure! They've also been known to make bad choices, such as running with the bulls and playing poker with dogs. They are determined to leave their meadow for another meadow high on the mountain but are thwarted by Murphy at every turn, until one day... Mischievously fun with a happy ending, this book will have parents identifying with the put-upon Murphy as he tries to keep his high-spirited wards safe. I can't wait to share this one in storytime. Ms. Patty

Book A Day: Day 14

Today's selection is a real show-stopper! Teruyuki Komiya, acclaimed wildlife photographer, visited Japan's top zoos, photographed the animals and put together "Life-Size Zoo". The book is literally filled with life-size photos of zoo animals ranging from the close-up face of an 10,400 pound Asian Elephant, to the full body of a Four-Toed Hedgehog. Accompanying each remarkable photo are facts about each animal, as well as (when known) information on the animal model him or herself. The text is not an afterthought but instead is rather funny and quite interesting. This book has been awarded the Parent's Choice Gold Award and is truly special. Komiya has followed it up with "Life-Size Aquarium" (also in our library) and his newest, "More Life-Size Zoo" (coming soon). I would recommend that you save this book for school-age children (or brave preschoolers) as the very large pictures of very real animals may frighten younger and more sensitive children. (I think the camel's close-up may give me nightmares!) The book is on the new shelf with call number JE 590 Komiya. Ms. Patty

Book A Day: Day 13

Today's picture book offering is just perfect for the freezing cold morning we had! Soup Day follows a little girl as she helps make Snowy Day Vegetable Soup with her mother.

From counting the vegetables that go in the pot, to slicing them up in different shapes, your little ones will enjoy watching the soup come to life and may learn a few things too!

This is the first time author Melissa Iwai has been both author

and illustrator, and the sturdy pages make it seem like this one has just graduated from board book to picture book!

The illustrations are a charming mix of paint and collage...and

of course, yummy soup! Ms. Eileen

Book A Day: Day 12

Today's choice is just perfect all around! I can't say enough about this easy reader addition - and apparently neither can the critics! Says School Library Journal in their starred review, "...simple sentence structure, repetitive text, and straightforward illustrations that reinforce new vocabulary words, will put this easy reader in the same category as Arnold Lobel's Frog & Toad books." Wow! That's high praise!
Your early readers must check out the sweet stories about these two Chinese-American twins. They may look alike and spent time together, but not everything is "exactly the same"! Author Grace Lin is a favorite who does everything well and with style. Congrats for Ling & Ting! Ms. Eileen

Book a Day: 11

Another snow day for Richmond Memorial Library, but we're still reviewing our book a day. Today, another superlative selection from the non-fiction category; "Today and Today", with haiku by Kobayashi Issa, and illustrations by G. Brian Karas. Issa, as the poet is known, was a Japanese Buddhist priest who lived from 1763 to 1828. He wrote over 20,000 haiku and is considered one of the foremost masters of the form. Karas uses 22 select poems from Issa to tell the life of one family throughout the year from Spring ("Once snows have melted the village soon overflows with friendly children.") to Spring again ("As simple as that, spring has finally arrived with a pale blue sky.") In my opinion, although this book is cataloged with the poetry, it is really a picture book with wonderful illustrations, evocative and sweet, that tell a story along with the haiku. The central story, told with extreme subtly through the illustrations, is of the loss of the grandfather. It's done so gently that unless you're pointing it out it can be overlooked. A simply beautiful book worth checking out. Call number is J 811 Kobayashi (which is confusing and may be changed), but is now located on the new shelf. Ms. Patty

Book A Day: Day 10

Today's book can also be found on the New Shelf at RML, but
after that will be found in the section we call - JE non-fiction.
Just like you would find informational book in J non-fiction,
these books are in a section for our youngest patrons. They
often look like they could be a picture book, but are more
informational and of course, non-fiction! This is a great place
to find books and is sometimes overlooked. If you have young patrons between the ages of 2 and 8, you should definitely check out JE NF!
So when does 1+1=5? When you're talking about the wacky
equations in David LaRochelle's new book, that's when!
1 set of triplets + 1 set of twins =5! And didn't you know that
1 + 1=14? 1 ant + 1 spider =14 legs! And that's how it goes in this fun and colorful book where your kiddos might actually learn something! I'll leave you with one to ponder - when does 1 + 1=0? Check out this book and find out!
Ms. Eileen

Book a Day: Day 9

Another picture book for today's selection: "Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth!" by Marie-Louise Gay. A spunky little bunny takes on the task one day of digging the biggest hole on earth but she is slowed down by the animals she encounters on her way. Later, with the help of her dad, she finds a good use for the hole. The illustrations in this book are delightfully unique. Torn-paper, watercolors, and other mixed media are used to create the lively world of Roslyn. I love seeing what clever things she is digging up along with the dirt. My children were hole diggers, always attempting to dig the biggest hole on earth (at one time our backyard was pock-marked with holes big and little!), and they loved Margaret Wise Brown's "Diggers". I'm thrilled to see another author capitalize on the seemingly universal childhood dream, to dig to China or Australia or the South Pole. Join Roslyn on her adventure. This book is with the new picture books with call number JE Gay.