Staff Picks- Winter 2017-18

The weather outside is getting colder. It is a great time to curl up with an awesome book. If you are struggling with ideas about what to read we have some great suggestions from our amazing Youth Services Department.

Leslie’s Picks:

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner  E BUE

Have you ever wondered what your snowman does after you go to bed? Pick up this book and discover their nighttime secrets.

The Bravest Dog Ever: the True Story of Balto              by Natalie Standiford  ER STA

In 1925, the town of Nome, Alaska was taken over by a deadly illness called diphtheria. The only way to cure people was to get medicine from over 650 miles away. Teams of sled dogs began to help carry the medicine until a storm made it impossible to get through. How did the dogs and owners survive?  What made Balto the bravest dog of all? Enjoy different medias to experience this story: chapter book, audiobook, or dvd.

Bad Kitty Does Not Like Snow by Nick Bruel E BRU

Kitty is curious about snow and goes outside to explore the winter white. Will Kitty like the snow? This book is great for early readers.

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

J M WAR

If you are looking for a young reader series, this one’s for you. Four young children, left to fend for themselves after parents’ death, find an abandoned train boxcar. They begin their new life in the boxcar and uncover a fabulous secret.

Paddington Bear by Michael Bond E BON

Take a wild journey with a talking bear named Paddington. He has many curious adventures with the Brown family, from eating on the table to flooding the house. Step into the pages of this beautiful book and enjoy your adventure with Paddington the Bear.

Ghosts: Truth and Rumors by Lori Shores J 133.1 SHO

Are ghosts real? Do they haunt graveyards, old mansions, and objects? Learn how to hunt for ghosts and find evidence of their existence.

The Marvels by Brian Selznick  J SEL

Don’t let the size of this book scare you. Open it up to find a fantastic story in pictures. This imaginative story takes you on an adventure about a famous acting family. As you begin your journey, another story will unfold that will leave you speechless.

Liz’s Picks: 

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz E SCH

What do you get when you cross martial arts and the three pigs? This awesome fractured fairy tale!

Snowman Magic by Katherine Tegen E TEG

After a heavy snowfall, George builds a snowman who comes to life!

Where Do Fairies Go When It Snows?

By Liza Gardner Walsh E WAL

This fanciful tale questions what fairies do during the winter months.

Baking Day at Grandma’s by Anika Denise E DEN

A sweet rhyming story about three bear cubs who tromp through the snow to grandma’s for a day of baking.

Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon J VER

Cursed soon after she is born, Harriet will prick herself on a hamster wheel when she turns 12. At 10, she learns of her fate but thinks it’s great and takes off across the country to experience adventures. Why not? Nothing can happen to her until she is 12. Upon returning home, she meets the evil fairy that cursed her and something unexpected happens. Harriet is a strong female role model that you will enjoy in any of her books.

No Passengers Beyond This Point 

By Gennifer Choldenko J CHO

This is a strange story of three siblings who are on their way to Colorado to stay with an uncle who they do not very well. On the way, their plane ends up in a place called Falling Bird, where the kids are treated like celebrities, but quickly turn into fugitives.

Sheena’s Picks:

The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear  E MAC

Charles believes there is such a thing as a wish tree and he’s determined to find it, despite what his brother and sister say. Along with his trusty sled, they brave the wintry wonderland and search high and low. They meet some furry friends on their journey, but does Charles ever find his wish tree? This is a sweet story about kindness and how wishes come true in the most unexpected ways.

Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar  E LAZ

Little Red Gliding Hood’s ice skates are worn-in and worn-out. As she skates her way to grandma’s house, she sees an ad for a skating competition to win a new pair of skates, but there’s just one problem- she has no partner. Goldilocks, the Gingerbread Man, and Humpty Dumpty, among others were all taken. Turns out Big Bad Wolf wants to enter the competition and is need of a partner, too. In this fun, humorous tale, we see that maybe Big Bad Wolf isn’t so bad after all.

Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children by Ginger Carlson PC 153.35 CAR

Kids are naturally curious and creative beings, but in today’s fast-paced, technology driven world, sometimes curiosity and creativity can be stifled. This book will give you the tools to provide an environment that encourages your child to play, imagine, create, and explore. In doing so, it will help their creativity bloom, and at the same time, help your child develop cognitively and emotionally.

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh J B THA

Even as a little girl, one of the most important female scientists, Marie Tharp, loved maps. Not only did she think they were beautiful, but she felt as though they called out to her- “have an adventure!” What an adventure she had! In this gorgeous illustrated biography, we learn about the first person to ever successfully map the ocean floor and her journey was not easy, but inspirational.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu  J URS

An equal mix of magical and realistic elements, this retelling of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Snow Queen, ” is about the friendship between Jack and Hazel. When Jack disappeared into the woods one day, Hazel feels it is up to her to rescue him. Despite her insecurities, will she survive the journey and save Jack from the witch dressed in white.

A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle  E 598.47 MAR

In this beautifully written text, we follow the daunting journey of an emperor penguin as she goes on a quest to find food miles and miles away from her newborn chick and her mate. She faces some major obstacles, from the harsh wintry landscape to dodging sneaky predators. Will the mother make it back to her baby?

Jen’s Picks:

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick  J SEL

Brimming with gorgeous black and white artwork, this book tells two stories told 50 years apart. One story is told in words. The other story in pictures. Ben is a 12 year old in 1977 Minnesota and Rose is the same age, living in 1927. Both kids are feeling lost and looking for something to feel connected to and both end up finding their way to New York. The kids discover along the way that we are all a cabinet of wonders. This illuminating book also offers a very insightful look into the world of the deaf.

Kringle by Tony Abbott  J ABB

No one ever thinks about Santa ever being a boy but long, long ago there was a young orphan boy named Kringle who fought for good at a time when things seemed to be at their darkest. Fantasy lovers and Narnia fans will eat this up as Kringle encounters elves, pirates, goblins, and flying reindeer.

Who Were the Brothers Grimm? by Avery Reed J B GRI

Discover the world of the brothers who are considered to be the fathers of fairy tales. Where would “Once Upon a Time” be without them? Explore all of the “Who Was?” series of books to read all about some of your favorite famous people throughout history.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland by Richard B. Smith

E SMI

The classic song about exploring the winter world around you comes to life in this whimsically illustrated book that celebrates the joy of snow.

Where is Stonehenge? by True Kelley  J 936.2 KEL

Uncover the mysteries of Stonehenge. Did you know Stonehenge is as old as the Great Pyramids in Egypt? Who made it? Did aliens build it? What was it used for? If your inquiring mind is curious, try to solve the mystery yourself by reading all about it in this book.

Manga Claus: The Blade of Kringle 

by Nathaniel Marunas  J G MAR

When Fritz, the angry, disgruntled elf creates an army of evil ninja teddy bears. Santa must break out his ancient samurai sword to save Christmas.

COMING SOON: YOUTH SERVICES STAFF PICKS 

PART TWO!