MARCH LIKE A DINOSAUR!

Well, it seems that Laurie Berkner has gone and done it again: she has taken another of her beloved songs, We Are the Dinosaurs, from sheet music to illustrated picture book. If you've ever been to this reviewer's storytime, you are probably aware of the song from Berkner's Whaddaya Think of That? album--and what a crowd pleaser it is. This new picture book is much more than just lyrics on a page--illustrator Ben Clanton's bright and cheery illustrations combine with the catchy song to create a rollicking volume sure to be a hit with toddlers, whether it be in storytime or at bedtime. Used with the song or standing on its own, this title is perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts from babies to preschoolers. 

This is just one of many fun and infectious songs by the popular children's musician, so be sure to check out some of Laurie Berkner's many albums. And, to find out more about any of our early literacy storytime programs, contact the Children's Room at (818) 548-2036, or stop by any of our branches to pick up a copy of our latest Family Events!   

MUSICAL MAGIC

From Theresa, Children’s Librarian, Central Library: 

In her multilayered novel Echo, Pam Munoz Ryan, author of Esperanza Rising, takes us on a journey across time and geographical boundaries following a very unique harmonica, one that not only changes owners but lives as well. The first owner Otto is given the instrument when he was lost in the forest.  He is rescued by three sisters who were trapped there by a witches spell until they saved a life, coincidentally the girls were also characters in a book Otto bought from a gypsy. He promises to help them escape and carries their spirits out of the woods in the enchanted mouth harp. From there the harmonica travels to three different children, an aspiring Jewish conductor in pre-World War II Germany, two very poor orphaned brothers in Pennsylvania and the daughter of migrant workers in California. This special mouth harp works its magic on those it comes into contact with and they discover not only a love but an exceptional talent for music.  Each child’s story gives the reader a good picture of their time, circumstances and location and while the stories seem to end badly, please keep reading. 

For grades 5-8

A VIOLIN FOR ELVA

When Elva was a young girl, she heard beautiful music. Unfortunately, her parents couldn't hear what she had heard, so they are quick to deny her request for a violin.  Although downhearted, this doesn't stop Elva from listening to the music that played in her heart and soul.  As she gets older, she continues to listen to music on the radio to fill that special something that is missing her life. Elva finally decides that it's never too late to enjoy music, so she gives herself the gift that will last her a lifetime.

A lighthearted story about a young girl who grows into adulthood, and never lets go of something that meant most to her.  A story to warm the heart. A Violin for Elva by Mary Lyn Ray is for adults and children, K-3rd grade, to enjoy together.

MUSIC, WORDS AND NAIL POLISH

In Sarah Weeks' new novel, instead of a cat, she writes about a dog plus the usual friendship between a girl and a boy set in a small town with seemingly random characters and unrelated stories. 

There are 100 colors of nail polish created by BB, the new beauty shop owner in Royal, Indiana.  Melody and her friend Nick are off to the new beauty parlor to find out who her father is calling "Honey" over the phone.  Her mother died when she was born and life has just been about Melody and her father since then.  

Has he found a wife finally?  Who could it be? She desperately wants her father to be happy and has been making the same wish on her birthday for as long as she could remember but is her dream about to burst when she hears that her awful math teacher is also getting married?!  Could her father be marrying her?!!

Honey is a magical tale of loss, love and the search for a happy ending for everyone.  A solid and lovely story as good as Pie that's perfect for a summer read. 

For readers in 4th - 6th grades.  

MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC

A review by Theresa: 

With school soon to start, Lewis Blake, the main character in Eric Gansworth’s If I Ever Get Out of Here, decides to do something drastic and take another shot at making friends. As the only kid from the Tuscarora Indian Reservation in the brainiacs track at school, Lewis had spent the past six years not fitting in with the other kids. His solution is to chop off his braid and to hide the fact that he is on the free lunch program. Of course, it’s not that simple, the school bully starts torturing him, his classmates still ignore him and if anything he is on a downward spiral until he meets the new kid. They were an unlikely pair, George a middle class kid from an Air Force family and Lewis the poor kid from the reservation who bonded over a shared love of the Beatle’s music. 

The author paints a very realistic and likable story of two kids who stretched both cultural and economic boundaries to become friends. 

For grades 6-8.

TINSEL TREES, DANCING DREIDELS AND SANTA ELVIS

A book review from Mr. B. at the Grandview Branch: 

Once upon a time, teachers in children’s books were nearly perfect people. In The Last Holiday Concert, Andrew Clements portrays choir director Mr. Meinert as a troubled teacher facing a budget-induced layoff. So troubled is Mr. Meinert, he turns his last holiday concert over to his 6^th graders; who elect most popular student (and no fan of Mr. Meinert) Hart Evans as their director. It’s far from smooth sailing for Hart as he loses favor for actually “directing” while his classmates vie for the spotlight and Mr. Meinert just watches from his desk. In a conclusion worthy of a 6^th grade GLEE Christmas episode, it comes warts-and-all together at the “Winterhope” concert.  This seasonal romp with a message of peace and hope makes good reading any time of the year.

RL: 5-6 ; age: 10-12

OPPOSITES ATTRACT?

Antonia is excited to be a peer counselor. But when she's paired up with Jazz, she's not so sure it's going to be a very good match. How can Antonia, a "nerdy" over-achiever, have anything that she can relate to with this drugged-out punk-rock girl? As it turns out, Antonia and Jazz have more in common than one would expect, and it turns out they both end up helping each other through some pretty tough situations. The content in DEFINE NORMAL by Julie Anne Peters is more appropriate for middle school, grades 6-8. 

SEPTEMBER 2012

DUCK AND COVER

Franny has a lot of problems.  Her best friend is being mean to her.  Her sister is receiving secret letters in the mail and won't tell her about them.  Her brother is Mr. Perfect.  Her Uncle thinks he is still in World War II.  And, as if growing up a normal kid wasn't hard enough, her country is in  the middle of the Cold War.  Its 1962 and Franny is constantly afraid of a nuclear bomb falling from the sky.  The only thing that can get her through everything is listening to music and taking life one day at a time - since she never knows which day will be her last.

Using mixed-media such as song lyrics, photographs, speeches, and other snippets from 1962, Countdown by Deborah Wiles creates a world which children in grades 5 and up can easily relate to while also learning about the Cold War and its effects on an everyday family.  

For 5th grade and older. 

WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BE POPULAR!!

How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston is all about Kacey Simon and how she was the queen bee, until her eyes got infected from her cool new contacts which made her trip and chipped her teeth.  Kacey's amazing weekend resulted with her getting braces AND glasses AND a lisp all in the same weekend. Her fall from queen of mean, giving what she thought was well meaning advice on her weekly school television broadcast, hits her hard and fast, especially when a former best friend tells her like it is.

For readers in 6th-8th grade who enjoy a fast paced rom-com.

NEW ORLEANS GETS A HARD HURRICANE HIT!

Hurricane Katrina just seems like a bad dream for those of us who saw it on the news. But Saint Louis Armstrong Beach was IN THE HURRICANE! It's all because his dog Shadow won't show up when the town is being evacuated. Saint's a good boy, who always does what he's told, but he loves that dog more than anything (except maybe his neighbor Mona Lisa). Saint loves the dog so much that before the hurricane, he goes down to the French Quarter with his clarinet to play music for money. Music he spends on a collar, leash and food for Shadow. But sometimes a leash just can't keep a dog from doing what a dog does. SAINT LOUIS ARMSTRONG BEACH by Brenda Woods is a good, quick read that factors in all the culture and excitement of New Orleans, and the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina. For grades 4 and up.

A NEW SPY ADVENTURE

Q, short for Quest, and his newly minted stepsister are quickly thrown into a world of spies and lies when their parents' honeymoon/music tour turn into an adventure in dodging agents from the Mossad, the Israeli spy agency. Angela has been led to believe that her mother, a secret Service agent, died protecting the United States. All that is being questioned now as foreign spies follow them in order to track down her mother, believed to be still alive and one of the world's most deadly terrorist.

I.Q.: Book One: Independence Hall by Roland Smith is a fast pace thrilling spy adventure for readers in 7th-9th grade. A new spy series.

WHAT IS THE MOZART QUESTION?

Journalists, reporters and writers all over the world are in search of the never before answered question... Here is a compelling story about a boy who discovers his love of music while learning about his family's painful history.
Paolo Levi has become a world famous violinist, traveling the world and mesmerizing audiences all over with his beautiful music. However, he never plays the music of the famous composer Mozart, people that ask him never get to find out the answer. Until one woman gets to find out by simply not asking it.
THE MOZART QUESTION by MICHAEL MORPURGO and the illustrations by MICHAEL FOREMAN.

For grades 4th and up.

SEE THE RHYTHM OF A PEOPLE

Spirituals, ragtime, blues. Jazz roots, soul expressions, gospel prayers. A wide history of music brought from Africa to the United States makes up an entire culture of life and music. Poetry intertwines with visual art to create the most vibrant, lyrical portrayal of African American music history. Literally without missing a beat, the poems rhythmic flow sound like music in your head, while at the same time describe the different musical genres that are rooted in this diverse history. i see the rhythm, written by Toyomi Igus includes vivid, colorful paintings by Michelle Wood illustrating the text. Reading this book means more than looking at words on a page - it means experiencing history, hearing the paintings, and seeing the music. For grades 4 and up.