Karen
My Shelf
Nana in the City
by Lauren Castillo
A young boy is frightened by how busy and noisy the city is when he goes there to visit his Nana, but she makes him a fancy red cape that keeps him from being scared as she shows him how wonderful a place it is.
Grandma's Purse
by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, her granddaughter cannot wait to see what treasures she has hidden in her purse.

Added by Karen
Drawn Together
by Minh Le
A boy and his grandfather cross a language and cultural barrier using their shared love of art, storytelling, and fantasy.

Added by Karen
My Grandparents Love Me
by Claire Freedman
A visit to Gran and Grandpa's house is always a special and fun time for a child.

Added by Karen
Encyclopedia of Grannies
by Eric Veille
An offbeat, humorous book that answers all your questions about grandmas-especially the ones you never thought to ask: Why do grannies always tell us to speak up? Why do they have creases on their faces? Are grannies flexible? How do you cheer up a sad granny? Exactly how old are grannies anyway?

Added by Karen
The truth about grandparents
by Elina Ellis
A child relates strange things that might be heard about grandparents but concludes that they are amazing.

Added by Karen
A Stopwatch from Grampa
by Loretta Garbutt
A sensitive portrayal of loss and grief, told through a grandchild's inheritance of a stopwatch that belonged to Grampa. In this touching debut picture book about the loss of a beloved grandfather, author Loretta Garbutt explores the stages of grief with a delicate hand. The story opens with our narrator inheriting a stopwatch. For the grandchild, the object carries many cherished memories. "Grampa used to time everything. He timed me when I ran to the end of our street and back. Best speed, 24 seconds." As the year passes, and the seasons change, our narrator slowly moves through the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). At first, the stopwatch is a painful reminder of Grampa. But in time, our character finds a special way to honor Grampa and carry forward his traditions.

Added by Karen
Our Favorite Day
by Joowon Oh
Follows Papa and his granddaughter as they spend another Thursday together.

Added by Karen
Finding Grandma's Memories
by Jiyeon Pak
A little girl helps her grandma with her memory.

Added by Karen
Where Are You From
by Yamile Saied Mendez
"When a young girl is asked where she's from--where she's really from--she's no longer as she was. She decides to turn to her dear abuelo for some help with this ever-persistent question. But he doesn't quite give her the answer she expects."

Added by Karen
Hey Grandude!
by Paul McCartney
Grandude brightens a dreary weekend for his visiting grandchildren, Lucy, Tom, Em, and Bob, by using his magic compass and postcards to take them on adventures around the world.

Added by Karen
MY Hippie Grandmother
by Reeve Lindbergh
A young girl describes all the things she likes about her grandmother, including the purple bus she drives, growing vegetables, picketing City Hall, and playing the banjo.

Added by Karen
Nana Akua goes to school
by Tricia Elam Walker
Zura is worried about how her classmates will react to her Ghanaian Nana's tattoos on Grandparents Day, but Nana finds a way to show how special and meaningful they are.

Added by Karen
I'll be the water : a story of a grandparent's love
by Alec Aspinwall
jE Aspinwal
Picture Books
Joshua and his grandfather love being together. More than anything else they love fishing. But Grandpa gets sick and is in the hospital a long time. When he gets out, he and Joshua share one more fishing adventure, and Grandpa promises Joshua that he will always be near. "Think of it this way," Grandpa says. "Today, you and I are like two fish swimming together in this lake. When I die, things will be different. I won't be a fish anymore, but I'll become something even better. My love will be like the water in the lake. You might think I'm not with you, but we'll be closer than ever because you'll be surrounded by my love."

Added by Karen
Someday we will : a book for grandparents and grandchildren
by Pam Webb
jE Webb
Grandparents and children anticipate their next visit by imagining all of the wonderful things they will do together, such as playing games, reading library books, and riding bicycles.

Added by Karen
Little Owl's bedtime
by Debi Gliori
jE Gliori
Little Owl cannot sleep--his pillow is lumpy, his quilt too hot, and he hears strange noises--until Mommy Owl says that tomorrow, and his grandparents' visit, will come sooner if he sleeps.

Added by Karen
A day at the museum
by Christine A. Platt
jREADER Platt Christin
Early Readers
"It's a surprise visit! Ana & Andrew are excited when Grandma comes to visit. While she is there, the family tours the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and learns about important African American achievements"--Page [4] of cover.

Added by Karen
Coquí in the city
by Nomar Perez
A heartfelt picture book based on the author-illustrator's own experiences, about a boy who moves to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico and realizes that New York City might have more in common with San Juan than he initially thought.

The cover art is so colorful! I'm looking forward to reading this one. Book is on order -Karen
Creepy carrots!
by Aaron Reynolds
jE Reynolds
Picture Books
The carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field are the fattest and crispiest around and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist pulling some to eat each time he passes by, until he begins hearing and seeing creepy carrots wherever he goes.

If your kids like scary but not too scary, they will love this book! -Karen
Hands to heart
by Alex Bauermeister
jE Bauermei
Picture Books
"With a gentle reminder for children to breathe and to connect their bodies, this beautifully illustrated picture book contains a sweet cast of animal friends to guide young readers from one yoga pose to the next. From reaching your hands up to the sky to stretching like a cat to pressing up like a cobra snake, each posture helps to control breathing, engage in the present moment, and ultimately lead towards calmness and peacefulness. The soothing, rhythmic text paired with illustrations that offer a lot of sweet humor make this book perfect for young readers ready to interact with yoga poses and practice mindfulness."--Amazon.

During these stressful times, kids need more than ever to manage their own stress. This book teaches kids to slow down, breathe, and connect to their bodies. Illustrations are lovely and pair well with the soothing text. -Karen
One
by Kathryn Otoshi
jE Otoshi
Picture Books
A number/color book reminding us that it just takes one to make everyone count.

I love this book. Kids learn about numbers, counting, and colors, and they also learn about accepting differences in others. For preschool to first grade. -Karen
Hands to Heart
by Alex Bauermeister
jE/Bauermei
Picture Books
With a gentle reminder for children to breathe and to connect their bodies, this beautifully illustrated picture book contains a sweet cast of animal friends to guide young readers from one yoga pose to the next. From reaching your hands up to the sky to stretching like a cat to pressing up like a cobra snake, each posture helps to control breathing, engage in the present moment, and ultimately lead towards calmness and peacefulness. The soothing, rhythmic text paired with illustrations that offer a lot of sweet humor make this book perfect for young readers ready to interact with yoga poses and practice mindfulness.

During these stressful times, kids need more than ever to manage their stress. This book teaches kids to slow down, breathe, and connect to their bodies. Illustrations are lovely and pair well with the soothing text. -Karen
Don't worry, little crab
by Chris Haughton
jE Haughton
Picture Books
"Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they're going for a dip in the big ocean. 'This is going to be so great, ' says Little Crab, splish-splashing and squelch-squelching along, all the way to the very edge. Then comes a first glance down at the waves. WHOOSH! Maybe it's better if they don't go in? With vivid colors, bold shapes, and his trademark visual humor, Chris Haughton shows that sometimes a gentle 'don't worry, I'm here' can keep tentative little crabs sidestepping ahead--and help them discover the brilliant worlds that await when they take the plunge."--Amazon.

My grandson loved this book! It’s a sweet story about bravery and overcoming fear. Preschool to first grade. -Karen
The snowy day
by Ezra Jack Keats
jE Keats
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

This is my favorite winter book. I read this book every winter during outreach storytime visits. -Karen
The cool bean
by Jory John
jE John
Picture Books
Everyone knows the cool beans. They're sooooo cool. And then there's the uncool has-bean ... Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd--until one day the cool beans show him how it's done.

A clever story about how to teach kids coolness for good. -Karen
In the middle of fall
by Kevin Henkes
jE Henkes
Picture Books
"Introduces concepts and vocabulary of fall--autumn colors, changes in plants and animals ... and wind, which soon leads to the next season"--

I love Kevin Henkes's books. This is a gentle story that teaches young children about the transitions from fall to winter. Great for preschool. -Karen
Miss Rumphius
by Barbara Cooney
jE Cooney
Picture Books
As a child Great-aunt Alice Rumphius resolved that when she grew up she would go to faraway places, live by the sea in her old age, and do something to make the world more beautiful--and she does all those things, the last being the most difficult of all.

When my kids were young, I read this book to them many times because of its message. "Find something to make the world more beautiful." A beautiful book about a woman wanting to make the world a better place, and she does. -Karen
The hike
by Alison Farrell
jE Farrell
Picture Books
"The Hike is a plucky and sweet adventure story about three intrepid young female explorers set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest. Here is the best and worst of any hike: from picnics to puffing and panting, deer-sighting to detours. This spirited picture book is filled with lyrical language that captures the majesty of the natural world, coupled with a fun narrative throughout. Features a glossary and scientific backmatter. Includes a sketchbook by one of the characters that highlights aspects of the hike. Abundant labels throughout for scientific learning. The Hike is about how fun it can be to explore nature in your own backyard. This book is a must-have for budding scientists, best friends, and all adventurers in preschool and kindergarten." --

This is a sweet book about three young explorers who set out to explore their local forest. -Karen
I believe I can
by Grace Byers
jE Byers
Picture Books
"From the New York Times bestselling creators of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child's limitless potential. I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves"--Amazon.com.

Grace Byers does a wonderful job inspiring a child to believe in being whatever they want to be. A positive read with beautiful illustrations. -Karen
Miss Rumphius
by Barbara Cooney
jE/Cooney
Picture Books
As a child Great-aunt Alice Rumphius resolved that when she grew up she would go to faraway places, live by the sea in her old age, and do something to make the world more beautiful--and she does all those things, the last being the most difficult of all.

A beautiful book about a woman wanting to make the world more beautiful, and she does by planting lupins. -Karen
Beverly, right here
by Kate DiCamillo
eBOOK
Kids
Resolved to leave her home for good, young runaway Beverly is determined not to depend on anyone else, but as she settles in her new home and job, she forms connections with the people around her that alter her perspectives about life and herself.

This is a beautifully touching and funny book to add to your reading list, and since it’s part of a trilogy, you can look forward to triple the reading enjoyment. -Karen
The tiger rising
by Kate DiCamillo
eBOOK
Kids
Rob, who passes the time in his rural Florida community by wood carving, is drawn by his spunky but angry friend Sistine into a plan to free a caged tiger.

Will they free the tiger? Will freeing the tiger free them from the grief they are feeling? You’ll have to read the book to find out, and, believe me, you’ll be glad you did. -Karen
The list of things that will not change
by Rebecca Stead
eBOOK
Kids
Despite her parents' divorce, her father's coming out as gay, and his plans to marry his boyfriend, ten-year-old Bea is reassured by her parents' unconditional love, excited about getting a stepsister, and haunted by something she did last summer at her father's lake house.

The beauty of this story is that it displays the kind of love that doesn’t ask you to be anything but who you are, the kind of love she wishes everyone had. -Karen
Fish in a tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
eAUDIO
Kids
"Ally's greatest fear is that everyone will find out she is as dumb as they think she is because she still doesn't know how to read"--

Think about a teacher you had who made a difference in your life. This is a story about Ally and a teacher who cared. The message? Don’t judge or label someone before you get to know a person. Celebrate the different gifts and talents of others. And remember that all great minds don’t always think alike. -Karen
New kid
by Jerry Craft
eBOOK
Kids
After his parents send him to a prestigious private school known for its academics, Jordan Banks finds himself torn between two worlds.

This is an honest look at how Jordan feels around mostly white and wealthy kids. It is also about Jordan’s journey in navigating his new school and friendships. Craft does a wonderful job weaving in lots of heart and moments of humor. -Karen
Full of Beans
by Jennifer L. Holm
jBOOKS ON DISC Holm, Jennifer L.
Ten-year-old Beans Curry, a member of the Keepsies, the best marble playing gang in Depression-era Key West, Florida, engages in various schemes to earn money while "New Dealers" from Washington, D.C., arrive to turn run down Key West into a tourist resort.

Added by Karen
My Lists

About Me
I'm Karen, and I work in the Children's Room. You can find me at the Children's Desk, or out and about town delivering outreach storytimes at community daycares and preschools. I also lead the Book Babies program on Friday. Kids books are my speed. I love the stories, and I appreciate the art and creative concepts found in picture books and board books. I love listening to kids' books on CD or eAudio while driving to and from my way to work. I have two Irish Wolfhounds, Nuala, and Caiomhe (Kee-va). They are snugglers and they win a prize for being the biggest lap dogs. Speaking of lapdogs, I recently added a real lap dog to my pack, a Coton de Tulear, Sailor, who is a funny white puffball of a dog and who likes to think he's as big as his sisters.
In my free time, I like to travel, garden, bake, hike with my dogs, teach kids yoga, and spend time with my family and seven-year-old grandson.
Added by Karen