Kids' Corner

SUMMER  2009

Be Creative @ Your Library is the theme of our Summer Reading Program this year.  Many kids (and adults) have picked up a Summer Reading Packet, and are busy reading.  We also have lots of free programs for all ages, many of which do not require registration.  And we hope you can come to our Summer Celebration at 2:00 on Friday August 7!

Here are some good books filled with creative characters and situations that I think you will enjoy:

The Pink Refrigerator  by Tim Egan
Dodsworth the mouse’s dull and lazy life is changed forever by daily notes left on an old refrigerator that urge him to try many creative activities.     For preschool – grade 2

Weslandia  by Paul Fleischman
Wesley spends his summer vacation creating a self-sufficient civilization (complete with a staple food crop!) in his backyard.
For ages 5 – 11

Dinotrux    by Chris Gall
Millions of years ago DINOTRUX (part truck, part dinosaur) ruled the earth!    For ages 4 – 8

Woolbur   by Leslie Helakoski
Woolbur is a sheep with a mind of his own, and his list of do’s and don’ts is unlike anyone else’s!   For ages 4 – 8

The Origami Master  by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Shima makes beautiful animals out of folded paper, but a bird creates even more wonderful ones.  Directions for making an origami bird are included.  For preschool – grade 3

Savvy   by Ingrid Law
For generations, each member of the Beaumont family has received a “savvy”, or special power, on his or her 13th birthday.  A quirky and creative cast of characters surrounds Mibs as she approaches her magical age.  It is a 2009 Newbery Honor book.  For ages 9 – 14

How Oliver Olson Changed the World  by Claudia Mills
As they create a Solar System diorama for their 3rd grade class project, Oliver and  Crystal learn a lot about space – and about themselves.     For grades 2 – 4

Any Which Wall   by Laurel Snyder
Four bored children, wishing for the kind of magic that happens in books, discover a gigantic stone wall that can take them to any place and any time.     For ages 8 – 12

The Mysterious Benedict Society     by Trenton Lee Stewart
The newspaper ad asking “Are you a gifted child looking for Special Opportunities?”  attracts 4 orphans who must use all of their creativity to battle evil forces.  The sequel is The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.  For grades 4 – 7

Adventures in Cartooning:How to Turn Your Doodles into Comics
by James Sturm
The Magic Cartooning Elf helps a knight  search for a missing princess, while the princess learns to create her own cartoon.  This is an adventure filled with action and humor, which by the way is full of information about cartooning!  For preschool – grade 6

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree   by Lauren Tarshis
Totally logical (think Spock from Star Trek) Emma-Jean is the smartest- and definitely the strangest- girl at her middle school.  The sequel is Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love.  For grades 5 – 7

Ms. McCaw Learns to Draw   by Kaethe Zemach
Her class thinks Ms. McCaw knows everything – until she tries to draw a face on the blackboard!   For ages 4 – 8

Happy Reading!
Ellen Xydias, Children’s Librarian