Happy New Year!

2012 is the year of the dragon

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A New Year’s Reunion: A Chinese Story, by Yu Li Qiong

Little Maomao’s father works in faraway places and comes home just once a year, for Chinese New Year. At first Maomao barely recognizes him, but before long the family is happily making sticky rice balls, listening to firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the streets below. Papa gets a haircut, makes repairs to the house, and hides a lucky coin for Maomao to find. Which she does! But all too soon it is time for Papa to go away again.

The holidays are here…

New this season…

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Home for Christmas, by Jan Brett

A wild little troll runs away from home because he doesn’t want to do his chores. Rollo tries living with various woodland animals, but he finds out that there is no place like home, and returns to his family just in time for “the best Christmas ever.”
Among the animals who take him in are an owl family, a mother bear and two rambunctious cubs, some playful river otters, a hungry lynx and a friendly moose family.
Jan Brett creates an irresistible, mischievous character that kids will recognize in themselves. Jan transports us to a glorious Scandinavian landscape where a beautiful fall turns into a magnificent snowy winter. Her signature borders depict the troll family missing Rollo, and animals as appealing as those found in “The Mitten.”
A warm, fun-loving Christmas picture book for families to share and love and laugh over together.

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Bad Kitty Christmas, by Nick Bruel

A HILARIOUS NEW HOLIDAY PICTURE BOOK ABOUT EVERYONE’S FAVORITE NAUGHTY FELINE “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city, not a creature was stirring…Except for BAD KITTY.” A greedy Bad Kitty didn’t get all the presents she wanted for Christmas, but after she goes on a Christmas caper across town and through multiple alphabets, she makes a new friend, finds an old friend, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Or not. Nick Bruel’s first picture book about Bad Kitty since the uproarious “Poor Puppy” in 2007 is full of rhyming mayhem… and Christmas cheer.

Fall is in the air….

…as it gets cooler, snuggle up with a good book!

That Pup!, by Lindsay Barrett George

After having fun digging up acorns, a little dog decides to bury them all again. In this fall-themed book, a cute pup discovers a new game–and an unlikely new friend.

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade, by Melissa Sweet

Who invented the first balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America–the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

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Back to School!

He is up to something new….

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Skippyjon Jones: Class Action, by Judy Schachner

Skippyjon Jones really wants to go to school. School is for dogs, his mama tells him. It’s where they go to get trained. But nothing can stop Skippy-once inside his closet, he finds himself on the playground of his imagination, surrounded by dogs of all kinds. He bays with the beagles, learns French with the poodles, and checks out a Chihuahua book from the library. And when a bully starts sending shiver-itos down the spines of the little yippers, Skippy saves the day and earns the biggest gold star.

 

 

 

 

Letters of Summer

Two new books showcase the art of writing letters:

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La Rue Across America: Postcards from the Vacation, by Mark Teague

Ike’s plans for a peaceful cruise with Mrs. LaRue are thwarted when their neighbor, Mrs. Hibbins, falls suddenly ill from heat stroke. Mrs. LaRue suggests that she and Ike care for her cats while Mrs. Hibbins is in the hospital, inviting them along on the cruise. But cats aren’t allowed, and Mrs. LaRue decides to take them all on a week’s vacation of road-tripping.

Ike begs and begs for bus fare in his letters to Mrs. Hibbins, but why does she not respond? As they drive farther and farther from the coast, his wistful dreams of a cruise fade into desperation over the desert horizon. Ike complains he is low on bones, and Mrs. LaRue is almost out of patience. It now seems that nothing short of an empty gas tank can bring this horror show of a road trip to a haulting stop. But then what?

Join Mark Teague on this wonderful romp of a road trip across America’s immediately recognizable tourist destinations. Teague masterfully drives us to the story’s very satisfying ending through his hilarious text and slyly smart paintings. We are left with one profound question: Can cats and dogs really be friends?

 

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Postcards From Camp, by Simms Taback

This fabulously creative book by Caldecott Award winner Simms Taback features handmade postcards and funny letters that readers will enjoy pulling out of their envelopes. Michael is new to sleepaway camp, and it’s not going so well. He thinks his counselor is an alien, his bunkmates are pranksters, and it’s constantly raining. So he sends his dad a series of urgent notes pleading for rescue. His dad is quick to reply, but encourages Michael to stick it out, reminding him that he met some of his best buddies at camp. Eventually there is a subtle change in Michael’s tone – and a mention of a friend or two. Before you know it, Michael’s a happy camper who’s planning a longer stay next time. Fans of “Griffin & Sabine” and “The Jolly Postman” will delight in the artistry of this book; the incredibly detailed cards and envelopes and amazing stamps. And they will enjoy taking part in a correspondence that reveals a deep affection between father and child, as Michael’s exaggerated pleas are answered by his father’s gentle jokes and advice. Here is a book that families and friends will enjoy together – and there’s even a classic campfire ghost story tucked into one of those envelopes

 

Happy 4th

Come celebrate at our Independence Day Sale July 1st- 3rd!

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We Are America, by Walter Dean Myers

“New York Times” bestselling author Walter Dean Myers and Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Myers celebrate the freedom dream that is America: our struggles, our ideals, and our hope that we can live up to them.

“What is it to be an American?  To live in a strange and beautiful land of complexity, with a tumultuous history of epic proportions, among the people who were here first, who came after, who will come tomorrow.  We were the youth that could not fail.  Planting our high ideals in virgin lands and eager hearts
Making vows forever brighter than the story we would live . . . ”

The lyrical free verse evocative of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and striking mural-like paintings are a testimonial to the heart and soul of our country: its ordinary and extraordinary people and the monumental events that have shaped our nation. With layered, sweeping panoramic paintings and text rich with historical allusion, this stunning picture book features passionate writings and vivid portraits of political Americans, from Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, to Abraham Lincoln to Jimi Hendrix.

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Curious George Parade Day board book with tabs

There’s nothing like waiting for something special and magical to happen. Today George is waiting for a parade to start. But before it does, this little monkey manages to find–and make–plenty of mischief. George is nothing if not willing to help remedy the situation but will saving the parade mean he misses a spectacular end to the day?

Book 2 of the Kane Chronicles!

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The Throne of Fire: Book 2 of the Kane Chronicles,  by Rick Riordan

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven’t given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.  And now their most threatening enemy yet – the chaos snake Apophis – is rising. If they don’t prevent him from breaking free in a few days’ time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it’s a typical week for the Kane family.  To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished.  First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?  Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

The final book of the Inheritance Cycle Announced!

The runaway bestselling series by Christopher Paolini will finish up with the last book due out this fall!

INHERITANCE, Book 4

On Sale

November 8th

Celebrate “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” March 20!

A new format just published this month:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Finger Puppet Book, by Eric Carle

Eric Carle’s most beloved character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, comes alive in this counting book that features a caterpillar finger puppet that peeks his head through each page. Read and count along as he munches his way through 1 delicious apple, 2 crisp pears, and 3 tart plums to become a beautiful butterfly at the end.

Celebrate March 18th

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A new book from a great non-fiction children’s author:

St. Patrick’s Day, by Anne Rockwell

On St. Parick’s Day, come dance a jig with the students in the classroom ALA “Booklist” calls “a lively place.”

Today in Mrs. Madoff’s class we all wore something green to school. Kate played the fiddle and we danced to Irish music. Then we learned about St. Patrick and many Irish tales and traditions. Now we know why there are no snakes in Ireland. Not every-one in school is all Irish like me, but we all can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together