Storytelling at the Fairy Tale Ball

Hello all,

During the Fairy Tale Ball a group of intrepid volunteers read stories in different areas of the library.  If you attended the ball and enjoyed the stories, or just want to know what they were, here are some of our costumed volunteer storytellers and a few of their favorite books from the Fairy Tale Ball.

 

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

by Eugenois Trivizas

 

Princess Super Kitty

 by Antoinette Portis

 Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude 

by Kevin O'Malley

 

Me and My Dragon 

by David Bierdzycki

 

Snoring Beauty

by Bruce Hale

Valentine's Day

Are you looking for an unusual book to share this Valentine's Day?  Try Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Scott Campbell.  The author / illustrator combination for this story is fabulous.  DiPucchio's storyline features Mortimer, who is having trouble wooing human girls.  In desperation, he finally places an ad and waits at the punch bowl during the Cupid's Ball for his answer.  Funny, sweet (without being saccharine) and unusual, this book is a treat to share with your own valentines.  -Elaine B.

Bushel of Picture Books

A recent article in the The New York Times declared "Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children." My question is, why didn't they speak with public libraries when they researched their article?  For instance, our picture books one of our highest circulating items, with 75% of our new picture books circulating at any given time. Parents and children alike come to the department to discover old favorites or something new. Here are some great examples of the bushel of fabulous picture books that have come across our desks recently:

Biblioburro: a True Story from Colombia by Jeanette Winter, sharing the story of a donkey-driven bookmobile told through Winter's simple text and bright acrylic style, and perfect for reading-aloud.

Ellen Stoll Walsh brings back her curious mice with Balancing Act.  Fans who loved Mouse Paint will not be disappointed with this fun exploration of equilibrium straight from a child's playground.

Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt allows the reader to help the jungle animals get ready for bed - by turning the page.

Speaking of bedtime, don't miss A Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker, when Bear's unwanted visitor doesn't take no for an answer, again.

Nini Lost and Found by Anita Lobel stars the tabby from Nini Here and There chronicles Nini's journey after the cat takes advantage of an open door.  Much like a wandering child, Nini discovers she loves the comforts of home most of all.

The sister team of Kate and M. Sarah Klise collaborate again for a fascinating story about Ella Kate Ewing, who didn't stop growing until she was eight feet tall in Stand Straight Ella Kate.

Finally, Nic Bishop doesn't disappoint with his newest photographic feast - this time focusing his lens on Lizards.  Last fall when he visited Champaign-Urbana, he shared his struggles with photographing these quick and sometimes obstinate, creatures.  Enjoy!  -Elaine B.

Books for Clever Girls with Two Very Different Nannies

If you have some girls who enjoy tales of creatures with magical powers or orphans who are off to seek their fortune I have just the books for you.
First is Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell. Emmy used to have loving parents and the three of them lived happily in a small apartment over the used bookstore her parents owned. All of that changed when her uncle died and left his sizable fortune to her parents. They hired a nanny who seems to have somehow tricked her parents into nearly forgetting poor Emmy and even worse seems to have evil intentions upon Emmy herself. Emmy must try to figure out the nanny's plan with the help of some very special rodents before it is too late.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Book #1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood has a very different nanny. Fifteen-year-old Penelope applies for a nanny job that specifies the new nanny "must like animals". It turns out that her new charges are 3 children that were raised by wolves and found by the owner of the estate. She must use all her skills to try to bend the children into proper English children who prefer sitting still and sipping tea to chasing after squirrels on all fours. This is a very funny book with an undertone of mystery. Elaine and I impatiently await the sequel.

These would also make great family read-alouds!
--Rachel

Arrrr, Me Mateys!

There really can never be enough pirate books in the world. Don't miss A Pirate's Guide to First Grade by author James Preller and illustrated by Greg Ruth. Listeners can join the narrator and his Hearties for the first day of school. There is even a glossary to practice pirate lingo. And don't forget to bring your fellow Buccaneers to the children's department double quick for an hour of pirate fun on Sunday afternoon, September 19 at 2 p.m. to celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day". -Elaine

Read With Me!

You read to me, I’ll read to you is a four books series written by Mary Ann Hoberman. Besides the simple rhymes, delightful stories and funny cartoon-style illustrations, these books also include the fun of reading with a partner! With these fun and interactive books, reading becomes playtime!

Here is how to use these books: you and your partner (mom, dad, sister/brother, a friend, a teacher, etc.) take turns reading according to the color of the text. When you get to the color blue, you read together! Try these books: You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together, You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together, You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Mother Goose Tales to Read Together, and You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Scary Stories to Read Together. You will discover the joy of reading on every page!

Is there any better way to learn to read than by reading together with a partner? If you like the idea of reading with a partner, you may also like to check out a new service offered at the Children’s Department: Read with me! will be offered by Angela, a University Laboratory High School Senior, in the Children's department at 2:45 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

To earn her Girl Scout badge, Angela will be contributing her time this year to improving children's literacy. You can bring your own books or just show up and she will introduce you to good books from our collection.

Read with me! welcomes children 5th grade and under. You'll have lots of fun reading together with Angela!

Shih-Mei C.

Waiting for Winter

Squirrel has never seen snow - white and wet and cold and soft. This will be the year, decides Squirrel. In his attempts to stay awake for the snow, he wakes Hedgehog and Bear. They begin searching for winter in the woods - white and wet and cold and soft - with hilarious results. Sebastian Meschenmoser tells this story with broad pencil sketches, accented with color at just the right moments for impact, and minimal words. While we might be tired of the white and wet and cold and soft stuff, adults and kids alike will revel in the miracle of the first snow. Come to Toddler Time tomorrow at 10:30 to enjoy, or check-out a copy for home. -- Elaine B.