Geo Librarian

It's always interesting to me to see what topics seem to be popular in picture books during any given year. Sometimes these topics are a surprise (whales) and sometimes they are not.  The topic I'm looking at today isn't really a surprise, at least to those of us who work with young children. HOW TO TRAIN A TRAIN by Jason Carter Eaton, illustrated by John Rocco Candlewick Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-7636-6307-0 Picture Book Grades PreK and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Finding advice on caring for a dog, a cat, a fish, even a dinosaur is easy. But what if somebody’s taste in pets runs to the more mechanical kind? What about those who like cogs and gears more than feathers and fur? People who prefer the call of a train whistle to the squeal of a guinea pig? Or maybe dream of a smudge of soot on their cheek, not slobber? In this spectacularly illustrated picture book, kids who love locomotives (and what kid does...

Thanks for joining me today as I welcome Laurel Snyder to my blog for an interview. Laurel recently won a Sydney Taylor Gold Medal for her book, THE LONGEST NIGHT: A Passover Story . The Sydney Taylor Award is defined as follows by the Association of Jewish Libraries: The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. Gold medals are presented in three categories:Younger Readers, Older Readers, and Teen Readers. Honor Books are awarded silver medals, and Notable Books are named in each category. THE LONGEST NIGHT:  A Passover Story by Laurel Snyder,  2013 ISBN: 9780375869426 Picture Boo k ABOUT THE BOOK Here's a picture book for all Jewish families to read while celebrating Passover. Unlike other Passover picture ...

Scenes From a Book Tour  by Guest Blogger Stacy McAnulty In October, my debut picture book, DEAR SANTASAURUS, was released. Since then, I’ve been visiting schools and bookstores. It’s been great meeting hundreds of kids and families. It’s also been funny and emotional. Here are some of my favorite moments. I went to visit my nephew’s school. The 2 nd  graders knew that I was related to their classmate, but one little girl couldn’t remember how. She pointed to my nephew and asked me, “Are you his grandma?”  I’m only 30-something. I guess that’s not too young for gray-covering hair dye and wrinkle cream. I got some on the way home. At that same school, a boy asked me, “Are you famous?” I told him no, not really. He wanted my autograph anyway. “In case you get famous someday.” I find preschool visits to be a fun challenge. The 4 and 5 year olds can’t sit still very long, and I’m also distracted by all the nose picking. (I guess it’s a habi...

MR. TIGER GOES WILD by Peter Brown Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-316-20063-9 Picture Book Grades K-2 Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Are you bored with being so proper?  Do you want to have more fun?  Mr. Tiger knows exactly how you feel. So he decides to go wild.  But does he go too far?  From Caldecott Honor artist Peter Brown comes a story that shows there's a time and place for everything...even going wild. ACTIVITY KIT HOLIDAY FUN ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peter Brown has always loved telling stories. Growing up in New Jersey, he told stories by drawing whimsical characters and scenes from his imagination . Then, as a teenager, he fell in love with writing, and told his tales with words. While studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, Peter’s love of both words and pictures led him to take several courses on chil...

FOSSIL by Bill Thomson Two Lions/Amazon Publishing, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-47784-7-008 Picture Book K and up Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK When a boy and his dog go for a hike, the boy trips on a fossil, and it comes to life, revealing an ancient plant. The boy is so intrigued that he breaks two more fossils and they too come to life - showing a prehistoric dragonfly and a pterodactyl. The dog jumps on the pterodactyl's back, and the boy, desperate to get his dog back, figures out a way to make things go back to normal. Using original art, this "wordless story" will surely spark imagination and creativity. Common Core Educator's Guide Kid's Activity Guide ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bill Thomson lives in Southington, Connecticut with his wife, Diann, and their three sons, Billy, Nik, and Ethan. Bill has illustrated Karate Hour, Building With Dad, Baseball Hour, and S...

TRICK OR TREAT ON MONSTER STREET written by Danny Schnitzlein illustrated by Matt Faulkner Peachtree, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-56145-465-5 Picture Book Grades 1-3 Reviewed from copy sent by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. REVIEW Told in rhyme, a young boy tells all about how he overcame his fear of monsters and got back at his brother for their mean tricks.  He explains how one Halloween everything changed when he ended up on Monster street after losing his brothers while trick or treating.  He discovers to his surprise that monsters are afraid of humans and bunnies and puppies, but they like to dress up as human children.  At first he is terrified that he will be discovered, but slowly he relaxes and even makes some friends.  The end is rather poeticly just as his brothers get their comeuppance. Strengths : Plenty of gross humor and wacky monsters makes the book quite enjoyable. The creative way the boy...

MITCHELL GOES BOWLING by Hallie Durand, illustrated by Tony Fucile Candlewick Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-7636-6049-9 Picture Book Grades K-2 Reviewed from copy provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Battle on! Head to the lanes for another hilarious, high-energy story as four-year-old Mitchell and his obliging dad strike a winning deal. Mitchell liked to knock things down. That’s just how he rolled. One Saturday, when Mitchell almost knocks down his dad, his dad catches him and puts him in the car. And when they step into the bowling alley, Mitchell feels right at home. Pizza! Giant crashing noises! Special shoes! But as Mitchell picks up the biggest ball and quickly learns the word gutter, and when Dad does a little kick with his leg and earns a big X on the scoreboard, Mitchell starts to get peevish. How can Mitchell get a chance to do a steamin’-hot-potato-dance too? With wit, warmth, and comed...