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

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

Hands to Heart

Picture Books

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

Picture Books

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

Betty Before X

by Ilyasah Shabazz

jFICTION/Shabazz Ilyasah
Kids

Raised by her aunt until she is six, Betty, who will later marry Malcolm X, joins her mother and stepfamily in 1940s Detroit, where she learns about the civil rights movement.

Added by Karen

I like it when--

by Mary Murphy

jBOARD BOOK Murphy
Kids

A lovable little penguin discusses and describes all the things he likes to do the most--from playing peekaboo to holding hands--in a new board book edition of the charming story.

Added by Karen

The Night Gardener

by Jonathan Auxier

jFICTION/Auxier Jonathan

Irish orphans Molly, fourteen, and Kip, ten, travel to England to work as servants in a crumbling manor house where nothing is quite what it seems to be, and soon the siblings are confronted by a mysterious stranger and secrets of the cursed house.

Added by Karen

Here we are : notes for living on planet Earth

by Oliver Jeffers

jE Jeffers
Kids

In this salutation from Earth, the chronicler gives a tour of the planet and introduces those who call it home.

Added by Karen

One

by Kathryn Otoshi

jE Otoshi
Kids

A number/color book reminding us that it just takes one to make everyone count.

Added by Karen

The darkest dark

by Chris Hadfield

jE Hadfield
Kids

"Young Chris loves pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploiring the universe. Only one problem--at night, he's afraid of the dark. Only when he watches the moon landing on TV does he realize how exciting the unknown can be. Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield"--

Added by Karen

War horse

by Michael Morpurgo

jBOOKS ON DISC Morpurgo, Michael.

Joey the horse recalls his experiences growing up on an English farm, his struggle for survival as a cavalry horse during World War I, and his reunion with his beloved master.

Added by Karen

Singing away the dark

by C. Hendrika Woodward

jE Woodward
Kids

As a little girl walks to catch the school bus on a dark and windy winter morning, she finds that by singing, the woods aren't as scary, the walk isn't as long and the wind isn't as cold.

Added by Karen

The mysterious howling

by Maryrose Wood

jFICTION Wood, Maryrose
Kids

Fifteen-year-old Miss Penelope Lumley, a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, is hired as governess to three young children who have been raised by wolves and must teach them to behave in a civilized manner quickly, in preparation for a Christmas ball.

Added by Karen

To kill a mockingbird

by Harper Lee

FICTION Lee, Harper
Fiction

Added by Karen

Miss Rumphius

by Barbara Cooney

jE Cooney
Kids

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.

Added by Karen

Nikki & Deja

by Karen English

jFICTION English, Karen
Kids

When an arrogant new girl comes to school, third-graders and best friends Nikki and Deja decide to form a club that would exclude her but find the results not what they expected.

Added by Karen

The Penderwicks : a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy

by Jeanne Birdsall

jFICTION Birdsall, Jeanne
Kids

While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.

Added by Karen

Bink and Gollie

by Kate DiCamillo

jREADER DiCamillo, Kate
Kids

Two roller-skating best friends--one tiny, one tall--share three comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion.

Added by Karen

Raymie nightingale

by Kate DiCamillo

jFICTION Dicamill Kate
Kids

Hoping that if she wins a local beauty pageant her father will come home, Raymie practices twirling a baton and performing good deeds as she is drawn into an unlikely friendship with a drama queen and a saboteur.

Added by Karen

Mercy Watson to the rescue

by Kate DiCamillo

jREADER DiCamillo, Kate
Kids

After Mercy the pig snuggles to sleep with the Watsons, all three awaken with the bed teetering on the edge of a big hole in the floor.

Added by Karen

The bear and the piano

by David Litchfield

jE Litchfie
Kids

"A bear finds a piano in the woods, learns to play it, and travels to the big city to become rich and famous, but ultimately discovers that his old friends in the forest back home are still the best audience of all"--

Added by Karen

The Night Gardener

by Terry Fan

jE Fan
Kids

Everyone on Grimloch Lane enjoys the trees and shrubs clipped into animal masterpieces after dark by the Night Gardener, but William, a lonely boy, spots the artist, follows him, and helps with his special work.

Added by Karen