SQUISH, THE SUPER AMOEBA IS HERE!

Squish is a science wiz who enjoys eating Twinkies and reading his comic-books.  When his teacher announces that a science exam is coming up, it becomes clear to Squish that not all of the students are prepared to take it.  Squish is likable and would be willing to help others prepare for the exam.  But his generosity is tested when a classmate insists that he should help (or else!).  What would you do if you were an amoeba named Squish?  

The is the first adventure of Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer and Matthew Holm.

EVA'S TREETOP FESTIVAL

Hoot Hoot! Eva’s Treetop Festival is a cute and quirky early chapter book about an owl named Eva.  Eva’s adorable; she is in Owlementary and decides she wants to organize the Bloomtastic Festival in one week.  Well, what’s an owl to do with such little time? Eva turns to her classmates for help but there’s one girl she dreads asking for help, Sue Clawson (a.k.a. Meany McMeanerson). However, Eva knows she must ask everyone, including Sue for assistance in order for the festival to go on.  Find out if Sue was willing to help out and will the Spring Festival go on? 

This book is the first book in the Owl Diaries Series by Rebecca Elliot.  The book uses a diary-approach to tell a story and it is aimed at newly independent readers.  The pages are filled with easy to read text and illustrations that complement each other.  Elliot covers topics such as friendship and helpfulness.

For grades 2-3 

TWO DOGS GO DRIVING

Digby and Percy are great friends. They enjoy spending time together, especially out driving in Digby's car - his prize possession. His neighbor Lou Ella gets a new car every year, but Digby loves his car even if it's not perfect. When a big race is announced, from Didsworth to Dodsworth, Digby and Percy cannot wait to sign up - but will Digby's car survive the race? DIGBY O'DAY IN THE FAST LANE by Shirley Hughes and Clara Vullaimy is the first book in what is shaping up to be a delightful series for readers just graduating into beginning chapter books.  

For 2nd - 4th grades.  

SEPTEMBER 2014

A MAMMOTH IN THE LIBRARY

A child asks his librarian, Ms. Reeder, if he can bring Woolly the mammoth to the library. Woolly can help with so many things at the library if only he would not create a chaos. For instance, Woolly could help with the shelving if he would not get stuck between the shelves causing a big mess, throwing all the books on the floor, or if he could make less noise when he walks. When Mayor Pinchpenny comes with overdue books and refuse to pay all fines, Woolly would grab him by his legs and turn him  upside down and shake him until all the coins come out of his pocket.

This hilarious story is full of funny illustrations. Children will not only enjoy Woolly, but also learn rules and practices of a library such as how to acquire a library card, how to behave in the library, and how important the library is to its community. For Ages 5-8. Can I Bring Woolly to the Library, Ms. Reeder? is written by Lois G. Grambling and is illustrated by Judy Love.

ANOTHER TOY STORY

From Vivian the children's librarian at the Casa Verdugo Branch Library:

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Class Pet by Ruth Ohi

Three adorable toys lend a helping hand to a class pet hamster who has escaped from his home.  Ruth Ohi’s illustrations bring these toys to life, and old and new fans of this series will want to share this over and over again with a young audience.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD SUPER SHOES?

Who could have sent Freddie the awesome purple shoes with silver wings? With them he could run faster than a train! He's got ZAPATO POWER! They make him feel like a superhero able to help anyone. Was it his fabulous uncle? Or his hard working mom?

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules is a great beginning chapter book for readers in 2nd to 4th grade.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU FOUND CRAZY GLUE OR SUPER MEGA GONZO GLUE?

The junk drawer is one of Roscoe Riley's favorite off-limit places. With his mother's permission, Roscoe goes through the drawer and tries to find supplies that he could bring to school for his teacher, Ms. Diz. First grader, Roscoe Riley is a lovable character. He is charming, and he tries to help out whenever he can. But even helpful kids make bad decisions. Inside the bag of supplies for Ms. Diz lies the Super Mega Gonzo Glue. Unfortunately, when Roscoe uses the glue in the class program, his plan to help Ms. Diz backfires and the program ends with fingers pointing at Roscoe Riley.

A fun new read by Katherine Applegate, author of the Animorphs series. Readers in the third grade and older will cheer or giggle, knowing that there's a Roscoe Riley in every classroom.