NOT YOUR AVERAGE GRANDMA

What would you do if your grandma was a ninja? Well for Ethan, it's all a reality. Not only does his grandma teach the other students karate moves, but Ethan and his grandma zip line to school while all the other children have to take the bus. The students find her pretty cool up until she accidentally deflates the team's soccer ball. Ethan and all the students get very upset and that's when he wishes his grandma was just normal. Can Ethan forgive her? Read this story to find out. 

"My Grandma’s a Ninja," by author Todd Tarpley and illustrator Danny Chatzikonstantinou is an interesting and funny story about a grandma who happens to be a ninja. This is a great story to be shared with a grandchild and it also makes for a good read-aloud for children ages 3 and up.     

CHILDREN'S ROOM HOURS NEXT WEEK!

We apologize for the inconvenience but the Children's Room at the Central Library will open at 2:30 pm next week, Monday-Thursday, May 2- 5 due to our renovation project. Our nearby branches will be open in the mornings for your library needs.  Below is the link to all other locations and their hours. Please call us at 818-548-2035 if you have any other questions. 

http://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/library-arts-culture/locations-hours

NEW PICTURE BOOKS WITH A MORAL

Louis I:  King of the Sheep  by Olivier Tallec

An accidental crown rolls onto Louis the Sheep's head and he becomes KING! This leads to all types of kingly things, like having a scepter, making speeches to his flock and hunting lions, until one day the wind blows off his crown and there ends his reign as King of the Sheeps. An unusual morality tale translated from the French original about how easy things come and go.  

Steve, Raised by Wolves:  The story of a wild boy and his first day of school by Jared Chapman

A boy raised by a wolf mom has a hard time adjusting to school, but his mom keeps encouraging him to be himself and all will be fine.  Howling while on top of the desk , pouncing on other students and drinking from the toilet bowl is just not good behavior when you're in school. But when the class pet hamster goes missing, his wolf skills lead the class on a search to find the missing rodent and he finally finds his stride with his classmates.   Simple clear illustrations make this a fun story.  

A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson illustrated by David Roberts 

Brown bear and black bear are two different types of bears you see in the woods and depending on which you encounter will determine your behavior.  Playing dead or running can have lethal consequences if you do the wrong thing with the wrong bear.  But what is a boy to do when he encounters BOTH,  a black bear AND a brown bear!  A treacherous yet hilarious walk for one little boy. What's the moral of this story i ask?!

These stories are great for readers from 3 and up. 

A JOB FOR FRANCINE

In this new Mercy Watson series spin off, Francine, fearless animal control officer, runs into an animal that even she may have difficulty with. When Francine is called to catch a raccoon from Mrs. Bissinger's roof, not only does she fail to catch it, but falls off the roof and ends up in the hospital with major injuries. While recuperating, she reevaluates her job and dedication to animal control and wonders if she's cut out for it at all.  

A fun adventure in The Deckawoo Drive series by Kate DiCamilo. Catch her previous one, Leroy Ninkler Saddles Up while waiting for the next book. 

For beginning chapter book readers in 2nd-3rd grades. 

I LOVE YOU ALREADY!

What happens when two friends have vastly different personalities and notions of friendship? Quiet and introspective, Bear would happily while away the day alone, while friendly and effusive Duck would prefer to do just about everything with his best friend.

Poor Bear! All he wants is a quiet morning to himself. With a cup of steaming tea, a selection of books, and a reclining chair, Bear is ready to start his relaxing day. His solitary plans are foiled, however, when his garrulous friend and neighbor, Duck, comes knocking at his door peddling conversation and exercise. Bear’s dismay is palpable throughout the story as he morosely responds to Duck’s ceaseless chatter. Though in the end it’s a bewildered Bear who reassures his friend, “I love you already!”

I Love You Already! by author Jory John and illustrator Benji Davies is an introvert’s nightmare. But it’s also a lighthearted reminder that, though we might express our feelings differently, we can still love our friends all the same. Read more about Bear and Duck in Goodnight, Already!

For another humorous tale of reluctant friendships, check out Peter Brown’s You Will Be My Friend!

Ages 4+

RE: THE DRAGON

Petsitting a temperamental creature is no easy task―especially when that pet happens to be a full grown, fire breathing dragon. When Eddie’s family agrees to care for his Uncle Morton’s unusual pet, they have no idea what to expect. They certainly aren’t prepared for burnt curtains, noxious poop, ravaged refrigerators, crisped petunias, and singed mailmen.
Eddie narrates the dragon’s escapades through, largely unanswered, emails to his Uncle Morton. The dragon’s bad behavior continues to escalate with each frantic message, and if you think dog poop on your bedroom carpet is bad, just imagine cleaning up after a vindictive dragon! Soon Eddie’s irate mother is appealing to local zoos, animal shelters, and even the fire department for help. Problematically, when you’re dealing with mythical creatures people tend not to believe you... or they think you’re crazy.
Josh Lacey’s The Dragonsitter is a humorous epistolary chapter book, told through fraught email exchanges and picture attachments.
The first in series for grades 2-4.

ROLLER GIRL COMING AT YOU!

Fans of Raina Telgemeier will cheer for Roller Girl, a fun and poignant graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson. When twelve-year-old Astrid discovers roller derby, she is instantly enamored. What's not to love about powerful women with cool names playing a tough and exciting sport? Especially the star of the Rose City Rollers, Rainbow Bite. Astrid can't wait to sign up for the summer Junior Derby Camp and assumes her best friend will too, but is in for a rude awakening when Nicole decides she'd rather be at dance camp with Astrid's longtime sworn enemy, Rachel. Roller Derby is a lot harder than she'd ever thought, especially without her best friend there for support. But rather than quit when things get hard, Astrid buckles down and focuses on her dream of becoming a real roller girl, like her idol Rainbow Bite. She faces more than a few embarrassing falls, bumps, bruises, and other assorted humiliations along the way, but she also finds out just how tough she really is. 

Readers will root for Astrid as she learns to skate, experiences her first real bout, picks her roller derby name, and discovers who she really is on her own. This entertaining graphic novel, which boasts relatable characters, exciting action, coming-of-age drama, and plenty of heart, will make a perfect read for fourth graders and up. 

WALDO IS PLAYING MINI GOLF IN THE LIBRARY!

What?! 
We can play golf at the library you say?  
In the Children's Room?  
No way!!  

Yes! 
Golf with us this Saturday.
Waldo will be waiting for you.

WHERE'S WALDO AGAIN!

National Library Week is Waldo + Fine Forgiveness Week

Hunt for Waldo and play all our Waldo games this week as we celebrate National Library Week with the ever popular Waldo in the Children's Room and at the branches. 
If you have fines we'll wipe them out during this week.  Bring in those books you've forgotten about under the bed or in the trunk of the car and no fines will be charged. Sorry, lost materials don't count.

April 11- 17
Library Hunts - different hunts throughout the week
Mini Library Golf - Saturday, April 16 10-5:30 pm
DIY Waldo Game (Fictionland)- Tuesday, 3:30 -5 pm

ALL KINDS OF PETS

In If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, DON'T! by Elise Parsley, Magnolia, wants to bring her alligator to school for share day, but learns the hard way that it can cause all kinds of chaos at school and the teacher might not be so impressed with your share and might send you to the principal's office after all. Note that Mr. Alligator has taped a construction paper halo above his head (wink).  

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev illustrated by Taeeun Yoo is visually appealing with muted colors and retroish style illustrations about a little boy who is turned away from a pet club because his pet is too unusual - it's a tiny elephant.  This sweet pet story with a moral would be a great read aloud or as a one on one to allow for a discussion belonging and friendship.

For ages 3 & up

HelloooOOOHHH! BUNNIES!!!

Tromping through the forest like a gleeful toddler, an endearing blue monster greets all the local sights: “Hello, tree. Hello, Clouds. Hello, Butterfly.” Suddenly, the monster chances upon a group of colorful “BUNNIES!!!” Understandably spooked, the bunnies speedily flee, leaving behind the despondent little monster, who soldiers on in hopes of catching the elusive “BUNNIES!! BUNNIES!! BUNNIES!!!”
Kevan Atteberry’s Bunnies!!! perfectly captures the emotional highs and lows of young children’s days, appealingly illustrating their unexpected fixations (and limited attention spans). It’s a lovely story to share with your own toddler friend.
For another simple story about toddlers’ emotional experiences, try Ed Vere’s Banana!
Ages 2+

THE MALONEYS' MAGICAL WEATHERBOX

The Maloney siblings Neil, Liz and Owen have a secret: their father is the Weatherbox keeper.  Right outside of the family's house is an old telephone booth.  Now this isn’t just any old telephone booth….this one is MAGICAL!  Mr. Maloney has a tough job.  Four times a year the phone rings and he must answer it to change the season, but when autumn comes and the phone doesn’t ring the Maloneys become anxious.

Will there still be a chance for the Maloneys to save the seasons? Maybe they should turn their attention to their new tourists.  After all, the chaos started after they showed up.  Or, maybe it’s the most mysterious character of all, Mrs. Fitzgerald, their neighbor.  Will the Maloneys and the rest of Midland Ireland be doomed forever?

The Maloneys’ Magical Weatherbox by Nigel Quinlan takes place in Ireland in this engaging tale full of unique characters all tangled up.  The book touches on gender bias, the climate and team work.

For ages 9-12

NOT YOUR AVERAGE TRAIN BOOK

I don't normally read train books or alphabet books, usually a quick glance through will suffice, but the cover art caught my eye. I noticed the power lines in the background are actually held up by letters. Very clever. I decided to take give it a more thorough look through and Alphabet Trains by Samantha R. Vamos and illustrated by Ryan O'Rourke is a delightful book filled with different types of trains from a to z. The main body of the book is written in short, single, informative sentences but the back two pages are a fount of information on the real trains that inspired this book. 

The author and illustrator have put together a great train and alphabet book that everyone will love to read. It certainly made me think about taking one of these train rides. Perhaps the next vacation will include a terrific train trip or a fabulous funicular field trip.

For ages 1 and up.  

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU'D OUTGROWN YOUR IMAGINARY FRIEND...

Jackson is big on facts. And these are the pertinent facts in his life at the moment: His family has fallen on hard times; there's barely enough money for rent; and they've had to get pretty creative about finding ways to procure free food. And, if something drastic doesn't change soon, Jackson, his little sister, and his parents, might have to go back to living in their minivan. 

So when Crenshaw, a giant cat who was Jackson's imaginary friend way back in first grade, suddenly reappears in his life, Jackson is sure he must be making things up, or just plain losing his mind. Fifth grade is way too old for an imaginary friend, especially when you know better. There's no way Crenshaw can be real, is there? 

Newbery-Medal winner Katherine Applegate's newest novel, Crenshaw, is a funny and poignant novel best for readers in 4th grade and up. This off-beat and original tribute to the power of friendship and family is certainly not to be missed.