Geo Librarian

  TO SEE AN OWL written & illustrated by Matthew Cordell Random House Studio, 2025 ISBN: 978-0-593-64989-3 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK An endearing story about a girl’s efforts to spot an owl from the Caldecott Medal winning creator of Wolf in the Snow. This gorgeous picture book that encourages patience and perseverance will resonate with readers of all ages who have longed to see one of these elusive creatures in the natural world. When will I find you? Where could you be? What will it take? To see an owl. Silent and wide-eyed, owls are hidden creatures of the night. Janie has always dreamed of finding one. She searches everywhere for signs of an owl – on the open prairie for short-eared owls, on the beach for snowy owls, and for great horned owls in the woods near her home. But months go by, and she sees no owls. She wonders, what will it take to ...

TATE'S WILD RESCUE written by Jenny Turnbull, illustrated by Izzy Burton Crown Books for Young Readers, 2024 ISBN:978-0-593-56907--8 Source: publisher through Blue Slip Media Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary & author/illustrator information provided through Blue Slip Media. ABOUT THE BOOK A sweet, funny picture book about an animal-loving girl who invites wild animals to live in her house and be her best friend--with mixed results! Back matter also offers ideas for children on how they can help both wild and companion animals! Tate loves animals, but she worries about the ones who live in the wild—aren’t they cold? Hungry? Lonely? She is determined to help and comes up with the perfect she’ll offer one a better life and they will be best friends! To her surprise, none of the wild animals she invites to live with her are impressed with her offerings—Orca is not interested in the kiddie pool, and Tiger would rather hunt than settle for c...

MARY HAD A LITTLE PLAN by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton Union Square Kids, 2022 ISBN: 978-1-60582-260-0 Source: publisher for review (ARC) Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, summary, & author/illustrator photos courtesy of the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK Mary had a little plan that sprouted on the spot. It all began the day she passed a drab, abandoned lot.    Fashion-forward Mary is known for adding flair everywhere she goes. When she spots an abandoned lot in her neighborhood, Mary knows she can use her stylish talent to spruce it up. Soon she’s rallying neighborhood shops and calling on her friends to help. With Mary leading the way, this group carries out her little plan that has a big impact on her community! ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Tammi Sauer is the author of more than thirty picture books including Mary Had a Little Glam, Your Alien, and Lovebird Lou. She is a former teacher and library media specialist wh...

RESCUE AT LAKE WILD by Terry Lynn Johnson Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021 ISBN: 978-0-358-33485-9 Source: Blue Slip Media Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In this funny and moving animals-in-peril adventure, a twelve-year-old girl and her two best friends determine to rescue two orphaned beaver kits—and soon find themselves trying to solve a local environmental crisis.  Everyone knows that twelve-year-old Madison “Madi” Lewis is not allowed to bring home any more animals. After she's saved hairless mice, two birds, a rabbit, and a stray tom cat that ended up destroying the front porch, Madi’s parents decide that if they find one more stray animal in the house, she won’t be allowed to meet Jane Goodall at an upcoming gala event. But when Madi and her two best friends, Aaron and Jack, rescue beaver kits whose mother was killed, they find themselves at the center of a local conspiracy that’s putting the beavers and their habitats in danger. As Madi an...

TOAD WEATHER written by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez Peachtree Publishing, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-56145-818-9 Picture book Ages 4-8 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK There's nothing to do on a rainy day, Ally thinks. But Mama says shes seen something amazing, so despite Ally's misgivings, she sets out with her mother and grandmother. On her journey, she sees all sorts of things: dripping awnings, splashing cars, storm drain geysers, and oil slick patterns. They turn the corner, just in time to see a big crowd. Whats happening? ABOUT THE AUTHOR   Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book , IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in New Zealand. You can vi...

THE CAMPING TRIP THAT CHANGED AMERICA Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 ISBN: 978-0-8037-3710-5 Picture Book (historical fiction) Grades 1-3 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Caldecott medalist Mordicai Gerstein captures the majestic redwoods of Yosemite in this little-known but important story from our nation's history. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt joined naturalist John Muir on a trip to Yosemite. Camping by themselves in the uncharted woods, the two men saw sights and held discussions that would ultimately lead to the establishment of our National Parks. REVIEW While based on true events, the author explains that little is actually known about what was said and done by Roosevelt and Muir during their trip together through Yosemite.  So of necessity, some of this story is fictionalized.  But it ...

LOST IN THE RIVER OF GRASS by Ginny Rorby Carolrhoda LAB, 2011 ISBN: 978-0-7613-8498-4 Grades 7 and up Copy received from author during giveaway. Opinions expressed are solely my own. A science-class field trip to the Everglades is supposed to be fun, but Sarah's new at Glades Academy, and her fellow freshmen aren't exactly making her feel welcome. When an opportunity for an unauthorized side trip on an airboat presents itself, it seems like a perfect escape—an afternoon without feeling like a sore thumb. But one simple oversight turns a joyride into a race for survival across the river of grass. Sarah will have to count on her instincts—and a guy she barely knows—if they have any hope of making it back alive. Lost in the River of Grass takes on the classic survival genre using one of the country's most unique wild places as a backdrop. In this tense, character-driven thriller, Sarah must overcome prejudice and the unforgiving wilderness in a struggle to...

This is my first Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post, but since I love middle grade as a genre, it will not be my last. WOLF STORM by Dee Garretson Harper, 2011 ISBN: 978-0-06-200032-3 Grades 4 and up Reviewed from copy received from author in giveaway. All opinions here expressed are solely my own. This is Stefan's big break.  He's on location in the mountains far from home for his first movie role, filming a blockbuster sci-fi adventure.  The props, the spaceships, and the trained wolves on set should add up to a dream job, but acting turns out to be much tougher than he ever imagined, and he feels like his inner loser is all that's showing through.  From the way his famously stuck-up co-star, Raine, treats him, he's pretty sure she thinks so too.  And worst of all, no one will believe his claim that there are wild wolves haunting the forest around the set. When a blizzard strikes, isolating the young co-stars and bringing hungry feral wolves into the ...

THE ORPHAN, THE SOULCATCHER, And the BLACK BLIZZARD by Kimberlee Ann Bastian Self-published, 2011 ISBN-13: 978-1105066337 Grades 8 and up Reviewed from copy provided by author. All opinions expressed here are solely my own.     Most of his life, Charlie Reese has been surrounded by a loving family and all the comforts of home. But when a house fire claims them, he and his cousin, Jimmy are sent to an orphanage in the heart of ‘Depression Era’ Chicago. A year later, Charlie’s life is shaken by yet another tragedy and with it comes the mysterious introduction of a secretive runaway, named Bartholomew. As Charlie begins to discover more about his new companion, he unknowingly becomes a participant in a two-hundred year old secret. Come the morning of the Black Blizzard, Charlie finds he must make a choice - flee the destiny laden at his feet or take on his responsibility and follow a path full of supernatural wonders. This book was quite a bit darker tha...

SUPER ZOMBIE JUICE MEGA BOMB by MJA Ware CG Press, LTD, 2011 ISBN: 9781466355019 Grades 4-8 Reviewed from copy provided by author. All opinions expressed are solely my own. Summary is from Goodreads. When life gives you lemons, kill zombies -- turns out lemon juice neutralizes the undead. After a failed attempt at running away, best friends Nathan and Misty return home expecting to face angry parents. Instead, they discover the military has destroyed the bridges out of their rural town and everyone's fled--except a small horde of the living dead. The stress of flesh-eating zombies may be more than their already strained relationship can handle. Even with the help of the town geek and lemonade-powered Super-Soakers, there's not enough time to squeeze their way out of this sticky mess. Unless the trio eradicates the zombie infestation, while avoiding the deadly zombie snot, the military will blow the town, and them, to pulp. Their only shot is something with ...

Goodness, it's been a whole week since I've added a new post.  Mostly this is because last week was crazy at school.  Testing is starting and everyone is stressed out.  Plus I had a workshop to attend dealing with the new Common Core.  It was quite interesting, but more about that later.  This week I'm hoping to finish up my Top books lists and post a giveaway, offering one of my readers any three books from any of my top lists.  We'll see if it actually happens. Today, I'm posting about a couple of books by one of my favorite nonfiction writers for children.  My school was lucky enough to have a Skype visit with Sandra Markle a couple of weeks ago.  She did some really awesome science experiments that the students really enjoyed.  Unfortunately, I had trouble with the technology. ARGGGGHHH! Sigh. Such is life.  Anyway, here are a couple of books that would be great to use as supplements to units on the history of exploration. Animal...

EXPLORE TITANIC: Breathtaking New Pictures, Recreated with Digital Technology by Peter Chrisp, with illustrations by Somchith Vongprachanh Barron's, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4380-7159-6 Grades 3 and up Reviewed from purchased copy. Boys and girls will be enthralled by this dramatic pictorial history of the great ocean liner "R.M.S. Titanic, " and its fateful sinking in the North Atlantic. Approximately 125 photos and illustrations in color and black and white--including 12 astonishing 3D-rendered graphics--tell the "Titanic's " story, from its 1911 launching at the Belfast shipyard to its tragic destruction on April 15, 1912 during its maiden Atlantic crossing. Young readers will see faithful reproductions of both exterior and interior ship's details, from the Boiler Room and Engine Room far below decks to the luxury passengers' cabins and the ship's grand ballroom. Among the 3D-rendered artworks are two remarkable double-gatefold illu...

IT'S A SMALL WORLD words and music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman illustrations by Joey Chou Disney Press, 2011 ISBN: 978-142314689-6 32 p. Grades PreK-1 Reviewed from personal copy. Originally created for the 1964 World's Fair, the song "it's a Small World" quickly worked its way into the hearts of millions.  Nearly half a century later, its simple and poignant message still rings true.   Joey Chou's bright, colorful illustrations accompany the words, taking us on an international tour from the mountains of China and Russia to the plains of Africa and the Americas and more.  Plus there's a CD that features a wonderful recording of the song.  Through its poetic text, charming illustrations, and bonus CD, this book reminds us that it really is a small world, after all.  This book is adorable with it's childlike simplicity.  I  loved the bright colors and energetic design.  I found lots of things in the book to talk about wh...

ALL THE WATER IN THE WORLD written by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4169-7130-6 32 p. Grades K-2 Reviewed from personal copy.  Illustrations come from Amazon.com and are copyrighted material. BLURB : All the water in the world is all the water in the world. We are all connected by water, and this message is beautifully, lyrically delivered from poet-musician-author George Ella Lyon. Where does water come from? Where does water go? Find out in this exploration of oceans and waterways that highlights an important reality: Our water supply is limited, and it is up to us to protect it. Dynamic, fluid art paired with pitch-perfect verse makes for a wise and remarkable read-aloud that will resonate with any audience. This is a wonderful book, full of poetic language and gorgeous illustrations.  In fact, the book flows rather like its subject, water. I love the way the water cycle is introduc...

Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish written by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Joan Paley Henry Holt and Company, 2011 ISBN: 978-0-8050-9073-4 unp. $16.99 5 stars Grades K-5 Reviewed from library copy. BLURB : With the ocean her home, an ochre sea star hunts for her morning meal.  She folds over her rays and grips the rocky shore with sticky feet as she feasts on shellfish.  When she takes too long, the tide flows back without her and Sea Star becomes easy prey.  But she is built to survive and eventually makes her way back to the sea, although with one less ray than before.  This inspiring story informs young children about the important role of a small but fascinating sea creature. Not only is this book gorgeously illustrated but very informative as well. The book follows a single day of a sea star struggles to survive as both predator and prey. The reader watches as the sea star makes her way out of the water toward a group of musse...

The Humming Room written by Ellen Potter Feiwel & Friends, 2012 ISBN: 9780312644383 192 p. $16.99 To be released on February 28, 2012 Grades 3-6 Reviewed from ebook provided by publisher through NetGalley . BLURB : Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life. As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth. Despite the best efforts ...