Casey
My Shelf
The moth keeper
by O'Neill, Kay (Cartoonist), author, illustrator.
jGRAPHIC NOVEL O'Neill
Graphic Novels, Fantasy
Kit is excited to prove her worth as a Moth-Keeper, a protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year, but she quickly finds that life as a Moth-Keeper is not what she imagined it would be.
Catside up, catside down : a book of prepositions
by Anna Hrachovec
jE Hrachove
Picture Books, Animals
In this charming introduction to prepositions, a collection of cozy, knitted cats find themselves in silly situations and PAW-sitively hilarious positions.

Catside Up, Catside Down, is an adorable picture book featuring knitted cats in hilarious scenes! I'm looking forward to reading this one aloud in Storytime soon. -Casey
I am dog!
by Peter Bently
jE Bently
Picture Books, Animals, Humor, Poetry
A day in the life of a dog--told from the dog's point of view! A funny rhyming picture book from Peter Bently and Chris Chatterton. Have you ever wondered just what goes on in a dog's head? Now you can find out in this funny rhyming story!

I Am Dog, sure is great. Get this book, don't hesitate! This book rocks! This dog is fun! Share this book with everyone! -Casey
10 dogs
by Emily Gravett
jE Gravett
Picture Books, Animals, Humor
Bursting with energy and fun, young children will love to count the dogs and the sausages, as well as looking out for all the funny details on each page. The book explores numbers one going up to ten, and ten going down to zero, touching on several simple concepts like half, all, more, less along the way.

Emily Gravett's follow-up to "10 Cats" is just as delightful and original. Be sure to look out for all the hidden doggy details, especially the endsheets! -Casey
Giraffe math
by Stephen R. Swinburne
j513.2 Swinburne
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Science
"Told through the voice of Twiga the giraffe, this picture book shares knowledge about giraffes through math, using measurements, graphs, fractions, time, elemental geometry, and percentages."--

Giraffe Math is wonderful and so fun! Add this to the ever-growing list of fabulous picture book nonfiction. -Casey
Bunny & Tree
by Balint Zsako
jE Zsako
Picture Books, Early Chapter Books, Fantasy, Adventure
"Bunny, who's looking for his rabbit friends, convinces Tree that it's time to uproot and see the world."

This is a beautiful long-form, wordless picture book debut! I'm hopeful we see more like it from Balint Zsako. -Casey
In the night garden
by Carin Berger
jE Berger
Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Kids
"A collage-illustrated bedtime read about the often mysterious and always beautiful experiences to be found in nighttime spaces"--

Yet another gorgeous picture book title from Carin Berger! Pair with Ashley Wolff's "Only The Cat Saw" for a fabulous nighttime cat-themed storytime. -Casey
The hidden world of gnomes
by Lauren Soloy
jE Soloy
Picture Books, Nature, Fantasy
"A delightful collection of gnome facts, featuring Lauren Soloy's gnome wisdom and gorgeous artwork."--

The Hidden World of Gnomes is stunning! A long-form picture book without chapters, this is an excellent choice for newly independent or graphic novel exclusive readers and confident lap-sitters. Pair with Phoebe Wahl's Little Witch Hazel for a magical long-form storytime. -Casey
Simon and the better bone
by Corey R. Tabor
jE Tabor
Kids, Picture Books, Animals
One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him. And that dog has a bone just like his, only better! How will Simon ever get him to trade, when the other pup knows all the same tricks?

I love books that play with book structure, and this one features a cute dog! The innovative formatting of this title makes for a spectacular lap-sit or storytime read. Pair with Tabor's Mell Fell or Suzy Lee's Wave series for a fun book-gutter-themed storytime. -Casey
Over and under the waves
by Kate Messner
jE Messner
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
"A girl and her parents paddle into the bay. Over the water pelicans fly; under the water all kinds of sealife go through their daily life. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest and all the fascinating creatures living just over and under the waves."--

This series is a storytime favorite! I'm excited to add this to our program collection and take it to preschool classes soon. If you like the other titles in Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal's Over and Under series, check this one out! -Casey
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!
by Bill Martin
jE Martin
Kids, Picture Books, Music
Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep! This old car has been everywhere from the backyard to the sky, from the hills to the water. Bouncing between the mud in the ground and the clouds up high, the old car is loved by a clever young boy ... --Publisher.

This old car it's so fun, It's a hit with everyone! With a "Bing! Bang! Chugga! Beep!" You'll surely sing along, This great book's based on a song! -Casey
Awake, asleep
by Kyle Lukoff
jE Lukoff
Picture Books, Kids
"From sunup to sundown, a young child's day is bursting with discovery and wonder-filled moments."--

Looking for a quick, sweet bedtime read? Look no further than Kyle Lukoff's latest title, "Awake, Asleep" which is bound to be a storytime favorite. -Casey
We might see
by Charlie Mylie
jE Mylie
Picture Books
"Against this lively rhyming narrative text, readers will find a splash of first words on each spread, inviting little ones to identify things they might see in their own backyards. And some unexpected things, too!"--

If you take walks with a little person, then this book is for you! Just right for sharing in a lap-sit setting, "We Might See" is equal parts rhyming narrative, seek and find, sight-word recognition, and all rainbow fun! -Casey
Zap! clap! boom! : the story of a thunderstorm
by Laura Purdie Salas
jE Salas
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
What starts as a blue-sky day begins to turn into rolling thunder as a storm brews.

I've been sharing "Zap! Clap! Boom!" with outreach sites this month, and it is a HIT! This nonfiction picture book is gorgeously illustrated, features a fabulous rhyme scheme, and includes a fun repeating phrase for storytime enjoyment. Calling all aspiring meteorologists and their caregivers, this one's for you! -Casey
We are branches
by Joyce Sidman
jE Sidman
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
Branches are all around us: in butterfly wings, on gecko toes, in flowers, frost, and mud. Whether as electricity moving across the sky or rivers flowing to the sea, branches are nature's most efficient way to spread and to connect. They are even found inside our own bodies, helping us reach and grow with each breath and heartbeat. Branches--strong, hopeful, beautiful--are the shape of life. How many can you find?

Yet another soft picture book nonfiction title that is perfect for storytime sharing, don't miss this one! -Casey
Mother of sharks
by Melissa Cristina Márquez
At la Playita del Condado in Puerto Rico, Meli meets a crab, Jaiba, who takes her on a dreamlike underwater adventure, teaches her about the importance of shark conservation, and reveals Meli's ultimate destiny--to become the Mother of Sharks.

I cannot wait to see this book! Just look at that gorgeous cover... -Casey
The moon tonight : our moon's journey around earth
by Chang-hoon Jung
j523.3 Jung
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science, Nature
"Astronomer Jung Chang-hoon provides easy-to-follow scientific explanations of first- and last-quarter Moons, ebb and flow tides, where the new Moon goes, and more."--

Another new picture book nonfiction title! "The Moon Tonight" is gorgeously illustrated, and the breadth of information is perfect for sharing with younger elementary students. I'm excited to try the included science experiment at home as well! Don't miss this title if you like creative nonfiction or have a little one interested in celestial bodies. -Casey
A gentleman in Moscow
by Towles, Amor, author.
FICTION Towles Amor
Fiction, Literary Fiction
From the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility--a transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel

This is the book in 2023 that I am determined to tackle. It's been on my list for at least four years and I have multiple family members who adore this title. I'm coming for you, Amor Towles! -Casey
Hell bent
by Leigh Bardugo
SCIENCE FICTION Bardugo, Leigh
Fantasy, Horror
"Alex Stern returns in #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo's Hell Bent, another tale of murder and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite."

Hell Bent was worth the wait! If you enjoyed Ninth House or the Grishaverse series I highly recommend Hell Bent. -Casey
Wild blue : taming a big-kid bike
by Dashka Slater
jE Slater
Picture Books
"Kayla loves riding her pink pony, a three-wheeled bike, up and down the street, day after day. But then Daddy announces that it's time for a big-kid bike, one with just two wheels. At the store, Kayla selects her mount, but when she tries to ride it, she is thrown-again and again. Can she tame this intimidating set of wheels? Or is the new blue bike just too wild?"--

This book is perfect for everyone who has or has yet to tame a big-kid bike. -Casey
The tree and the river
by Aaron Becker
jE Becker
Picture Books, Nature, History
"In an alternate past--or possible future--a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change..."--

Aaron Becker is back with another fabulous wordless title--don't miss it! -Casey
Two color quilts : 8 inspiring designs
by
746.46 /Two
Nonfiction, Crafts

I want to try making all of these quilts! They're beautiful, simply presented, and easy to follow for semi-experienced and newer quilters like me. If you're in need of some sewing inspiration this might be the book for you! -Casey
When the sky glows
by Nell Cross Beckerman
j551.565 Beckerman
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Science
"Sunrises and lightning storms, rainbows and volcanoes, meteors and fireflies-these beautiful, and sometimes frightening, events that light up the sky might seem like magic. But there is a scientific explanation for each natural phenomenon. Find out the science behind the magic in this beautiful and enlightening nonfiction picture book"--

When the Sky Glows is gorgeously illustrated, is the perfect length, and has just the right amount of information for budding meteorologists. Add this to the rapidly growing shelf of fabulous nonfiction picture books. -Casey
Firefighter Flo!
by Andrea Griffing Zimmerman
jE Zimmerman
Picture Books
The phone rang! The bell went clang! Firefighter Flo was ready to go!

Firefighter Flo is the best! I can't wait for the next in this new series, Crane Jane. -Casey
The evil secret society of cats
by author Pandania
jMANGA Pandania Evil
Graphic Novels, Humor, Animals
"Under the direction of the purple-caped Feline Commander, the Evil Secret Society of Cats schemes against humanity in a series of humorous stories as adorable as they are diabolical. After all, the complex nature of cats is part of their charm"--

"Fall into depravity, vile human!" And get ready to laugh out loud with this hilariously adorable manga. The easy-to-read, simple panel layout makes this a great first manga experience for young readers as well. The Evil Secret Society of Cats is for anyone and everyone who enjoys animal humor and especially fans of other cat comics like the Chi series, Housecat Troubles, and Yokai Cats. -Casey
Beneath
by Cori Doerrfeld
jE Doerrfel
Picture Books, Kids, Nature
Finn is in a bad mood, so his grandfather takes him on a walk in the forest, and tells him about all the things that are beneath the surface of plants and animals--and even people.

Beneath this cover is a touching story about recognizing what we cannot see in our world and in one another. Cori Doerrfeld's illustrations and prose make for an emotional yet healing read. Readers will be rewarded by spending some time with the endsheets and exploring what lies beneath the dust jacket as well. -Casey
The real Dada Mother Goose : a treasury of complete nonsense
by Jon Scieszka
jE Scieszka
Classics, Humor, Picture Books, Kids
"The classic nursery rhymes we know and love--upside-down, backward, in gibberish, and fresh out of bounds--as only Jon Scieszka could stage them. Mother knows best, but sometimes a little nonsense wins the day. Inspired by Dadaism's rejection of reason and rational thinking, and in cahoots with Blanche Fisher Wright's The Real Mother Goose, this anthology of absurdity unravels the fabric of classic nursery rhymes and stitches them back together (or not quite together) in every clever way possible."

The Real Dada Mother Goose is a delight! Anyone well versed in Mother Goose owes this one a perusal. -Casey
The flamingo
by 1983- author Guojing
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Guojing
Graphic Novels, Animals, Nature
From a highly acclaimed illustrator comes a stunning graphic novel filled with adventure and wonder about an imaginative girl and her obsession with flamingoes. A little girl arrives, excited for a beachy vacation with her Lao Lao. The girl and her grandmother search for shells, chase crabs, and play in the sea, but when the girl finds an exquisite flamingo feather in her grandmother's living room, her vacation turns into something fantastical.

This mostly wordless graphic novel is a stunner! Guojing's use of texture, color, pacing, and framing are all lovely in this touching intergenerational story. Guojing's art and storytelling just keep getting better! -Casey
Seen and unseen : what Toyo Miyatake, Dorothea Lange, and Ansel Adams' photographs reveal about the Japanese American incarceration
by Elizabeth Partridge
j940.547273 Partridge
Nonfiction, Literary Nonfiction, Picture Books, History, Art / Art History
"Legendary photographers Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams all photographed the Japanese American incarceration, but with different approaches and different results. This nonfiction picture book for middle-grade readers examines the Japanese-American incarceration and the complexity of documenting it through the work of these three photographers"--

Seen and Unseen is a must-read. An incredible marriage of photography, literary nonfiction, scrapbooking, illustration, survivor stories, and US History, Partridge and Tamaki use various media to bring Japanese American incarceration to light. This is suggested reading for all families, middle-graders, young adults, and adults, especially those interested in or affected by WWII. Seen and Unseen would be a great gift as well! -Casey
Bluey 5-minute stories.
by
jE Bluey
Picture Books
"Go swimming with BLUEY, spend the day with Bingo, play charades with Muffin, and more! This collection includes 6...stories with BLUEY and her family that are prefect for reading in a jiffy."--

Even more Bluey! Ous! -Casey
Bluey. At home with the Heelers.
by
jBOARD BOOK Bluey
Board Books
"Meet the Heelers - there's Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli! Learn all about the family, explore their home and discover the games they like to play".

I could be biased because my family is also at home with a heeler. But I think Bluey is the best TV show and has something for animation fans of all ages. If you've yet to check out life with The Heelers, well it's simply "Gotta be done!" -Casey
The queen in the cave
by Júlia Sardà
jE Sarda
Picture Books, Fantasy, Adventure
Once upon a time there were three sisters: Franca, Carmela, and Tomasina. This is their story of adventure and discovery. A tale of hidden mysteries and new wonders, of finding a strange world beyond home and unlocking the secrets inside themselves.

I cannot wait to share this ethereal long-form picture book at home. Look for this title on an upcoming list of great gift books! -Casey
The wolves and moose of Isle Royale: restoring an island ecosystem
by Castaldo, Nancy F. (Nancy Fusco), 1962- author.
j599.77 Castaldo
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature
"On Isle Royale, a remote island national park surrounded by frigid Lake Superior, a thrilling drama is unfolding between wolves and moose, the island's ultimate predator and prey. For over sixty years, in what has been known as the longest study of a predator-prey relationship in the world, scientists have observed the importance of wolves to Isle Royale's unique ecology. But due to illness and underlying factors, the population of wolves on the island has dropped while the number of moose has increased, putting the Isle Royale ecosystem in jeopardy."--

This is a fascinating read for young environmentalists! -Casey
I'm a unicorn
by Helen Yoon
jE Yoon
Picture Books, Humor, Fantasy, Kids
"See?" cries the calf. "Uni means one, and corn means horn!" Even their baby picture proves it: they were born with one horn! But as the eager little calf continues their research, a budding identity crisis arises...

Potty humor AND unicorns?! Get ready to repeat this read. -Casey
Brown is warm, black is bright
by Sarah L. Thomson
jE Thomson
Picture Books, Nature, Read Woke
Illustrations and text celebrate the colors brown and black, demonstrating the many positive assocations with these two colors.

This lovely picture book is everything you want in a fall read-aloud, beautiful, touching, and repeatable. I cannot wait to share it at preschools and in-house storytimes! -Casey
Expedition backyard : exploring nature from country to city
by Rosemary Mosco
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Mosco
Graphic Novels, Nature, Adventure, Fantasy
Mole and Vole always venture out into the world to see what nature they can find, but after an accidental move from the country to the city, the best friends have to learn to discover new plants and animals in their new environment.

Onward adventurers! This adorable graphic novel is perfect for the season, newly independent readers, and family sharing. Simply lovely! -Casey
My Lists

About Me
Hi, my name is Casey. I am a Librarian in the Children's Department. You can generally find me downtown at the Children's Desk, StoryJAMing, helping with programming, or doing storytime at one of our community preschools. When I'm not out and about, I'm behind the scenes ordering books for our youngest readers.
I enjoy reading books of all shapes and sizes but have a particular interest in picture books, board books, early chapter books, graphic novels, manga, and young adult literature--basically, if it's written for young people, I'm there! Other reads I enjoy include gardening, cooking, crafting/DIY, nature, art, humorous memoirs, horror, and fairytale retellings.
Fans of the Tea Dragon Society will love this new title from Kay O'Neill! -Casey