Dinosaur Thunder

A big thunderstorm is happening outside.  Big brother Chad is so excited by the storm that he dances in the middle of the living room floor.  Little brother Brannon, on the other hand, is so frightened of thunder that he looks for a place to hide.  It is only when Chad explains that thunder happens when dinosaurs start stomping around, that Brannon loses his fear, and the brothers do their "dinosaur thunder dance" for everyone.  Written by Marion Dane Bauer, with colorful imaginative illustrations by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, this will surely be enjoyed by young boys.

Beautiful Music For Ugly Children

High school senior Gabe Wilson has a lot going on.  Graduation is near, he's just started a new radio show, and he has a crush on his best friend Paige.  The only problem is -- everyone still knows him as Elizabeth. His parents don't acknowledge his desire to transition from girl to guy, and he is bullied at school.

Gabe loves music and his grandfatherly neighbor, John -- a former DJ -- is a big help in starting the radio show called Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. The show is successful and soon has its own fan club (The Ugly Children Brigade); until Gabe/Liz's true identity is revealed. 

This contemporary teen problem novel is for advanced high school readers due to the amount of sexuality topics included.  Written by Kristen Cronn-Mills, it made the Best Fiction for Young Adults list in 2013 and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award (young adult division) in 2013.

The Case of the Missing Donut

A young sheriff and his dog deputy have been given the task of bringing home a dozen donuts from the local bakery.  Please understand that the sheriff really loves donuts -- and when one powdered donut gets squished in the box, he can't resist eating it.  But then somehow, everyone knows he has eaten the donut -- and they look at him funny -- and ask snarky questions (like "how was that donut?") It is only when they get home, and look in a mirror that the case is solved. This humorous tale is written by Allison McGhee, and has spot-on illustrations by Isabel Roxas.  It will be great fun to share with young children, and early readers will enjoy the mystery too.

Not a Buzz to be Found; Insects in Winter

(I heard snow mentioned in the forecast today--time to add winter to our vocabulary again.)

In the warm weather, insects are everywhere. Where do they go during the winter? This book shows what twelve insects do to survive the winter; including for example, the Monarch butterfly who flys south, or the honeybees who huddle together in their hive. Written by Linda Glaser with illustrations by Jaime Zollars, this could be a classroom resource for insect units. Back matter includes additional information about each insect.

Perfect Square

Take a nice square of colored paper.

Now do something with it!

"What do you mean?",  you ask.           Do you need some ideas?

Check out this colorful picture book for the neatest possibilities for what to do with a square.

Maybe....make a fountain, or a garden, or a park.   Maybe....a bridge, or a river, or a mountain.

Don't think it's possible?

You have got to read this book by St. Paul graphic designer Michael Hall.  It will stretch your imagination.

Some Cat!

Poor Violet! She has been at the animal shelter for a very long time.  When someone approaches, she hisses and spats; and the visitors leave with a different pet.  Finally, a man and woman taker Violet home, but she doesn't get along with George and Zippy, the two dogs who already live there.  That is until three strag dogs chase her, and George and Zippy come to the rescue.  From the team that created One Dog Canoe (Mary Casanova and Ard Hoyt), we have another rollicking animal adventure for young readers.

Hannah's Way

Hannah's father has lost his job during the Depression, and the family must move to the Iron Range so he can help in Uncle Max's general store.  Hannah starts attending her new school, only to find that she is the only Jewish girl there.  This becomes a problem when a class picnic is scheduled on a saturday, but Hannah is not allowed to ride in a car that day in order to observe the Sabbath.  A solution is found when several of her new classmates volunteer to walk with her to the picnic.  Based on a real story, this picture book by Linda Glaser, with illustrations by Adam Gustavson, will add to students' understanding of the many ethnic and cultural groups that have made their homes in small towns as well as the large cities in Minnesota.