COCO THE THE CARROT!

Coco, the carrot was living in a cold, small vegetable bin and she hated every minute of it. All of the other vegetables in the bin were as miserable as she was. But no one was as brave as Coco. She decides to take off and travel to Paris. Her journey takes a rocky turn when the chef of the ship decides to use her in his soup. However, she is able to escape and land to her dreamt destination. Coco the Carrot becomes an icon in the town. Designing beautiful hats for people all over the world...This is a fashionable, charming and creative story that will inspire you...COCO THE CARROT by STEVEN SALERNO is a runaway smash.

A PERFECT SEASON FOR DREAMING/UN TIEMPO PERFECTO PARA SONAR

Octavio Rivera is an old man who enjoys the most beautiful dreams. At first Octavio tells no one, but as his dreams becom more vivid, he is eager to share them with somebody.... but who? He dares not to tell anyone in the family for fear they think he's going crazy, until finally he realizes that there is only one person that would understand and who loves dreams as much as he does, his granddaughter Regina.

Bilingual edition, written by Benjamin Alire Saenz, illustrated by Esau Andrade Valencia. Best for grades 2-3.

SNACKTIME READERS FOR AUGUST

The group met last night to talk about Norton Juster's Phantom Tollbooth. This was probably the most highly rated of title of any in the group's history. Here's what they thought:

Tamar 10+++ Whenever I just read a chapter, I just read more and more.

Crystal 9 I highly recommend this. I found it wonderfully imaginative.

Michael 300 Million This is a real good book. It is good for your brain.

Celena 10 I thought that it was funny. It is something I am going to make my sister read.

Allisyn 10 It is my all-time favorite book. The story goes beyond all expectations.

Jamie 10 It is a page turner. I could read it a hundred times and not get tired of it.

Brittany 9.8 I really love that it got my imagination going even though it was slow at first.

Shannon 9 It took my imagination to another level and me look at things differently.

Josie 10

Snacktime Readers will meet on September 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Children's Room at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA 91205. We will be reading the Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. For additional information please call (818) 548-2035. See you there!

For grades 4-8.

EEK-TASTIC!

Who is Samuel? Is he a child? Is he a Frenchman? Is he a thief? Citizens of MacOongafoondsen want to know! When a ship washes up near this small town of 21 people, many questions arise, such as why don't the people of MacOongafoondsen know how to swim and why does the bailiff have a dead sparrow on his hat? MONSIEUR EEK by David Ives is a silly yet philosophical story about perception with a clear message woven into this short but sweet tale. For grades 4 and up.

EVERYTHING IS NOT FINE

Much like Ann Dee Ellis's last book, EVERYTHING IS FINE leaves a lot to the imagination at first. Mazzy's mother has been in bed for over a month. Her father is nowhere to be found. To top it off, Mazzy, who tells the story, seems to have some serious mental issues herself. The story unravels through little windows into Mazzy's life, with a cast of characters helping the plot along. Mazzy has discovered art to help her deal with the madness of her life. She ties her different emotions to different art mediums, such as when a boy she likes is being a jerk, she calls it "chalk on paper" or if it's something she feels good about, it's "oil on canvas." Not everyone will like this book, but there is a shocking secret that explains everything. For grades 6 and up.

MARCO FLAMINGO

MARCO FLAMINGO/MARCO FLAMENCO

Marco Flamingo lives in a tropical paradise but he gets curious about why snowbirds migrate south in the winter. He resolves to flies north and see what winter is all about.
This book is part of The Marco Flamingo Series. Very nice illustrated. The story itself is very cute and easy for children to follow especially if they love birds. Bilingual read-aloud written and illustrated by Sheila Jarkins.
Kindergarten, ages 4-8.

PENNY FOR A PENCIL IN PAKISTAN

This is an adapted version of the adult book for younger readers. While not as fluid as the original book of the same title, it still has the power to inspire readers with Greg Mortenson's determination to honor his promise to a village and bring schools to remote sections of Pakistan & Afghanistan.

This version of three Cups of Tea features more photgraphs & a Q&A with Mortenson's daughter, Amira, as she follows in her father's footsteps in promoting Pennies for Peace and the Central Asia Institute, which help raise funds to build and maintain these schools.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World.. One Child at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

For readers 4th & up.

AUTISM FROM THE INSIDE

Many of us see people with autism, and they are different in some ways. They may scream out in school or flap their arms or bang their head against a wall. This might seem strange to some, but what must it be like for the person who has autism? How do they see themselves? What goes on in their heads? ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL by Nora Raleigh Baskin tells the story of a 12-year-old boy with autism from HIS perspective. How he feels when he starts getting wound up, what causes him to do certain things, and what it is almost like to fall for a girl online who doesn't know he's autistic. This story will show you what it is like to be autistic in a way that will keep you turning the pages until you've finished the book. For grades 5 and up.

HAUNTED IN JAPAN

Hannah's Winter by Kierin Meehan

Hannah's mom decides to do research on Japanese horticulture ( fancy word for gardening) and is dragging Hannah with her. Staying with old acquaintances may be fun for her mom, but she doesn't know these people. The worst of it is that Hannah thinks the house is haunted! Fantastic! She's living in a foreign country with strangers being haunted by a little boy from hundreds of years ago. Yes, she will certainly never forget this trip.

For readers in grade 6 & up.

HUMAN VS. FAERIE

Imagine a world where fairies/faeries actually exist. Now imagine the faeries and the humans have a big war with each other and destroy parts of each others worlds. It's dangerous to be a human. Most people don't even leave their villages (formerly big cities). When they do venture out into the world, it's almost as if all of nature is out to get them. But Liza is different. She has a little faerie in her blood, and sets out on an adventure that will create a bridge between faeries and humans once again. Good story for 5th-8th grade.

NEW BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOK SERIES

If you like Star Trek, and all things space and science fiction, then you will love Julian Rodriguez. This boy believes he is from outer space disguised as a human boy and sent to Earth to learn how humans live. He's on an undercover mission and must live with these two "parents".

Not so fast, Julian. You've got to go to school, eat your oatmeal and take out the trash. Alas, Julian, you are just a boy.

Julian Rodriguez: Episode one: Trash Crisis on Earth by Alexander Stadler

For readers in 2nd & up.

THE FANTASTIC JACQUES COUSTEAU

Dive into the life of Jacques Cousteau who was a world famous explorer of the sea. His inspiring story is truly amazing. Being a sickly boy growing up, he had very few options. Until one day his doctor suggested him to start swimming in order to strengthen his muscles. His life as he knew it changed drastically... he fell in love with the ocean and the undersea. His attempt to create a colonized ocean fell short because people need sunlight to live a happier lives. However, he dreamt other dreams and was one of the best advocates for ocean life. This particular book called THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU by DAN YACCARINO is a beautiful book with some wonderful illustrations. It's a short, beautiful story that will make you want to run to the ocean.

For grades 2nd and up.