WINTER WHERE?

I think Gus Gordon just wanted to draw birds, lots of birds.  The end pages have illustrations of old suitcase advertisements so you get the sense that this is an unusual take on birds going south for the winter.  

It's winter and fowls of all sorts are going every which way, on all manners of transportation.  Some are even using travel agents to help them get to their destinations.

The only fowl not going anywhere is George.  He's too busy baking brownies, carrot cakes, and other pastries.  He tells Pascal, the bear, that there's also ironing to do and yoga to practice so that's a no to Paris. The Andes - Nah.  But Pascal really wants a warm place to stay, like the Carribean.  

After all the excuses, because that's what they are, excuses, George finally admits the truth.  Together Pascal and George form a plan to fly...somewhere else.  

I love this story. It's unexpected.  It's poignant.  

For pre-K and older readers of all ages.

TOUCAN STEW?!

The fun-loving fowl of Cockatoo, Too (reviewed here) are back with more lively language play, and this time they’re stirring things up with a new recipe. Yes, it’s a delicious toucan stew!

No, wait! Come back, toucans! I meant a “delicious two-can stew for toucans, too” not “toucan stew”! Oh, dear. (Or, perhaps, “old deer”?)

Full of wit and humor, author-illustrator Bethanie Deeney Murguia’s new picture book, Toucans, Too, follows a series of quite understandable misunderstandings involving cockatoos, toucans, two-can stews, canoes, gnus, and cuckoos, too. It’s a worthy sequel. (“See quail”? Maybe next time!)

Ages 2+

CAN YOU IMAGINE...

This book takes readers on an adventure into the life of a bird.  With the turning of the pages, readers are introduced to an array of birds of which they can pretend to be.  The beautiful and vibrant illustrations, accompanied by the creative rhyming text makes this book a wonderful read-aloud.  Children will also enjoy acting out the different behaviors of the birds.

Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins is a wonderful addition to any library.  This is appropriate for newborn to preschool age.  

APPLES AND ROBINS

All you need for apples are circles and the color red.

As summer ends, the apples in a tree hang just out of reach. What would you need reach the fruit? In this French import by Lucie Félix, cut-out shapes and bold colors ask and answer a series of questions to tell the story of an apple tree through the seasons.

The magic of this deceptively simple picture book is in the author’s ability to transform ordinary shapes and colors into tangible solutions. Six rectangles make a ladder. Two circles become an apple with a single missing bite. Three triangles, two circles, and an oval take flight as a red-breasted robin.

Apples and Robins invites young readers to exercise their problem solving abilities and imagine the potential in shapes. Pair with Christie Matheson’s delightful interactive book Tap the Magic Tree.

Ages 4+

TUTUED COCKATOOS CAN CAN-CAN, TOO

In Cockatoo, Too, two cockatoos meet two tutued cockatoos; then they want two tutus, too. The two pairs of tutued cockatoos soon join two pairs of tutued toucans can-canning.

Sparely written, Bethanie Deeney Murguia’s Cockatoo, Too is a simple story told in clever homonym wordplay and attractive watercolor illustrations. As the dedication indicates, it’s the perfect picture book “for word lovers and bird lovers.” Share it with older readers to exemplify the versatility of language, or share it with younger readers just for fun!

For another picture book featuring delightful word and punctuation play within a simple story, try Emily Gravett’s Orange Pear Apple Bear.

Ages 2 and up

A TRULY FABULOUS STORY

I'm not going to lie, Heather Vogel Frederick is one of my favorite authors of all time. She is the writer of the "Mother-Daughter Book Club" series (which you should read if you haven't already), so I was so excited to see she'd written something new! Her latest book ABSOLUTELY TRULY is true to Frederick's style. It takes place with a large family in New England, and there's a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, a little comedy, a little tragedy. This book has it all! The nice thing about all of Frederick's books, but especially this one, is that it paints a picture of how different families can be, and how similar people can be to one another. 

For grades 5 and up.

JANUARY 2015

SOARING AND OTHER MATTERS

If you like a bit of adventure, magic and the possibility of people flying on their own in your stories, then The Art of Flying by Judy Hoffman is for you. 

It all starts when Fortuna Dalliance’s mother sends the eleven-year-old off to help the very old and strange pair of ladies who live down the street. Not your typical neighbors, the live not only in a very unusual and creepy house but also may possess magic powers. Though this encounter with the sisters, or should we say witches, Fortuna becomes involved in a fantastical adventure that includes birds that have been transformed into boys, cats that are not what they seem and a question of friendship.

For readers in 5th-8th grades.

ONE BOOK ONE GLENDALE IS COMING

Our special ONE BOOK ONE GLENDALE for Younger Readers will be coming this Thursday, November 21, 2013.  This year's book is The Aviary by local author, Kathleen O'Dell.  Mark your calendar and join us for an evening with a great children and YA author. 

This book is for readers in 4th grade and up.  

I NEED A KID'S OPINION!!!

So, I read a book recently called SUMMER AND BIRD by Katherine Catmull, and I have to say I am not so sure kids will like it. The Accelerated Reader program has given it a 5th grade reading level, and I would say there aren't many words that are too difficult. But there are parts to this book that just don't make sense. It talks about a great swan who used to lead all the birds to a special place every year, kind of like when birds fly south for the winter. But the great swan hasn't been around for 13 years because a man fell in love with her, and they had two girls - Summer and Bird. One day, the parents disappear and Summer and Bird go on this strange adventure to find them. I would like to hear if any 5th graders have read this book, or maybe get some 5th graders to read this book, to see if it makes sense or if some crazy person in the land of publishing made a mistake. Is this book really for kids? Let me know... For grades 5 and up?

APRIL 2013

THE SILENCE OF NO BIRDS SINGING

SYLVIE AND THE SONGMAN by Tim Binding sounds musical and uplifting. But really it is about a world without music. That is, the music we take for granted - the birds whistling in the trees, the crickets chirping, the woof of the dog who's happy to see you are home. Sylvie is on a quest to find her father, who's been taken by the Songman. The Songman has taken many animals' songs, and there is no telling what other music he is out to destroy! Once the adventure begins in this story, it continues at a frenzied pace until the very last few pages. It introduces you to the animal kingdom as you've never known it before, taking you into their inner most thoughts. There's beautiful places and touching scenes, and there will be times when you just want to put the book down and not continue. But it is important to remember that even when things are uncomfortable, there might be something we need to learn. Grades 6 and up.

THE BABY BEEBEE BIRD

The zoo is a noisy place - during the day that is. But when this nocturnal bird becomes the zoo's latest edition, he must conform to their night-napping ways or be kept awake all day! Will any animals get any sleep ever again? THE BABY BEEBEE BIRD by Diane Redfield Massie is a hilarious NOISY story to read aloud to big groups or small, and definitely loved by kids from age 2-10.

GONZALO GRABS THE GOOD LIFE/LA BUENA VIDA DE GONZALO

After Gonzalo wins the lottery, he decides it’s time to leave the farm and grab the good life. The “Good life” of course, includes a mansion in Miami, a yacht, a fancy hot tub and live “la vida loca” in Hollywood. However, no matter where he goes or what he embarks on, Gonzalo does not find what he’s looking for. He feels as though something is missing, until finally he decides to return home because home is where the heart is! Very colorful. Tinny glossary of Spanish words in back of the book.
Ages 5-9. Written by Janice Levy and illustrated by Bill Slavin.

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.

FLIGHTS OF FANTASY

Who knew birds had their own Arthurian legend to speak of? At least that is what SWORD QUEST by Nancy Yi Fan seems to be. Wind-Voice leaves slavery through a number of miraculous escapes in search of a magical sword, one that can only be wielded by a great hero. He meets many good friends along the way, and narrowly evades capture and death at the "wing" of his enemies. Encrypted jewels throughout the world lead Wind-Voice and his companions to the island where the sword is kept. Hopefully, he will make it in time to save the sword before the evil Maldeor gets to it first! This is a prequel to Swordbird, and great for 4th grade and up.