Saturday, April 25, 2009

Books about using the Library & Books Ages 4-8

New to the Franklin County Public Library


"It started the summer of 2002, when the Springfield librarian, Molly McGrew, by mistake drove her bookmobile into the zoo."
In this rollicking rhymed story, Molly introduces birds and beasts to this new something called reading. She finds the perfect book for every animal--tall books for giraffes, tiny ones for crickets. "She even found waterproof books for the otter, who never went swimming without Harry Potter." In no time at all, Molly has them "forsaking their niches, their nests, and their nooks," going "wild, simply wild, about wonderful books." Judy Sierra's funny animal tale coupled with Marc Brown's lush, fanciful paintings will have the same effect on young Homo sapiens. Altogether, it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Wild about Books
By Judy Sierra, Marc Brown
Translated by Marc Brown
Illustrated by Marc Tolon Brown, Marc Brown
Edition: illustrated
Published by Knopf, 2004
ISBN 037582538X, 9780375825385
40 pages Ages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8



Come Along! on a rhyming trip through the library where endearing animals show readers how to quietly select a book that's JUST RIGHT!, using shelf markers and good book care along the way.
We're Going on a Book Hunt
By Pat Miller
Published by UpstartBooks, 2008
ISBN 1602130078, 9781602130074 32 pages
The Library Doors
By Toni Buzzeo
Illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
Edition: illustrated
Published by Highsmith Inc, 2008
ISBN 160213037X, 9781602130371
32 pages
These are available from Highsmith Upstart Books

A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to both obey the rules and help his librarian friend.
Library Lion
By Michelle Knudsen, Kevin Hawkes
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Edition: illustrated
Published by Candlewick Press, 2006
ISBN 0763622621, 9780763622626
42 pages
Knudsen and Hawkes pick a perfect ...
... setting to express the idea that breaking rules can sometimes be a good thing. When a lion wanders into a small town public library the Head Librarian, Miss Merriweather, brushes off the protestations of her realistically officious colleague Mr. McBee and allows it to stay—so long as it keeps quiet, doesn't run and makes itself useful cleaning books and licking envelopes while waiting for storytime to begin. Anxious-looking patrons of all ages quickly become accepting ones in Hawkes's soft toned watercolors, and if Miss Merriweather's hair and dress seem a bit stereotypical, occasional CRT monitors balance glimpses of rubber date stamps and a card catalog in his gracious, old style interiors. When Miss Merriweather takes a fall, the lion roars to attract help, then slinks out in shame—but McBee redeems himself by bustling out into the rain to inform the offender that Exceptions to the Rules are sometimes allowed. Consider this a less prescriptive alternative to Eric A. Kimmel's I Took My Frog to the Library (1990), illustrated by Blanche Sims—and it doesn't hurt that the maned visitor is as huge and friendly looking as the one in James Daugherty's classic Andy and the Lion. (Picture book. 6, 7, 8)
Kirkus Reviews Copyright (c) VNU Business Media, Inc.
PreS-Gr 2, Ages 4, 5, 6, 7 -Miss Merriweather, head ...
... librarian and decorum-keeper, first meets Lion when he saunters past his stone counterparts and into the stacks. Scowling circulation assistant Mr. McBee seems intent on having the enormous cat ejected, but his boss declares that as long as he breaks no rules, he is welcome. The beast does misbehave though, roaring loud displeasure when storytime ends. At Miss Merriweather's reprimand, the contrite-looking lion promises to reform. In fact, he becomes something of a fixture in the building, dusting with his tail, licking envelopes, and serving as a stepstool for small patrons. Everyone appreciates him-except Mr. McBee. When Lion lets out another tremendous "RAAAHHHRRR!," the man bursts into Miss Merriweather's office to snitch-and there he finds her in distress, having fallen from a stool and broken her arm. Lion, la Lassie, has saved the day, but he is so chagrined by his own rule-breaking behavior that he doesn't return to the library. People miss him. Even Mr. McBee. A feel-good ending and a reminder that "Sometimes, there is a good reason to break the rules" bring the story to its most-satisfactory conclusion. Hawkes's deft acrylic-and-pencil pictures have appeal for generations of library lovers. They are rich with expression, movement, and detail. The lordly, lovable lion is a masterful mix-regal beast and furry friend-and the many human characters are drawn with animation and emotion. This winsome pairing of text and illustration is a natural for storytime and a first purchase for every collection.-Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT




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