Geo Librarian

CLARA AND DAVIE The True Story of Young Clara Barton Founder of the American Red Cross by Patricia Polacco Scholastic Press, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-545-35477-6 Picture Book Nonfiction Grades 2 and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK From bestselling author Patricia Polacco's family tree -- the true story of young Clara Barton. Animals and flowers were Clara's best friends. She had a special way with critters and found joy in the beauty that sprang from the soil. But whenever Clara talked, her words didn't come out right. As hard as she tried, she could not get over her lisp. Clara's older brother Davie understood that his sister was gifted. When folks made fun of Clara's stilted words, Davie was always at her side reminding her that she had a talent for healing creatures.  Davie told his sister, "Some day you are going to be a very great lady." And that's exactly what happened. Clara Barton bec...

Well I've reached the end of this enjoyable journey. I'm sad it's over to be honest. I would love to keep reading about Sophronia and her friends, but I have to wait for the next book to come out.  Here are my final thoughts on the third book. Class is back in session... Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.  Gather your poison, steel tipped quill, and the rest of your school supplies and join Mademoisell...

ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Beach Lane Books, 2014 ISBN: 9781442453364 Picture Book ABOUT THE BOOK Count and share withunderwear! Come along on a zany adventure with hilarious pictures from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site . What's one thing that two bears, three yaks, four goats, and six cats have in common? They hate to share. But look out here comes a pack of twenty pigs ready to prove that sharing makes everything twice as fun! This seriously silly picture book with artwork by the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site irresistibly combines the concepts of counting and sharing. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Laura Gehl is the author of  One Big Pair of Underwear , illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, which released from Simon & Schuster in September 2014. She is also the author of four other upcoming picture books:  An...

HANDLE WITH CARE An Unusual Butterfly Journey by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz Millbrook Press, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-7613-9342-9 Picture Book Nonfiction Grades 2-5 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Some farms grow vegetables or grains, and some raise cows, sheep, chickens, or pigs. But have you ever heard of a butterfly farm? How do you raise a butterfly? REVIEW There are many different kinds of farms out there, but this is the first time I've heard of butterfly farms.  It makes a great deal of sense that there would be such a thing, I've just never thought about it before now. This book beautifully describes what happens on a Costa Rican butterfly farm, how the butterflies are raised and transported to places around the world.  The photographs do a wonderful job of illustrating what the author is describing.  The extra information at the end is very useful, explaining the insect life ...

THE FARMER AND THE CLOWN by Marla Frazee Beach Lane Books, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-4424-9744-3 Picture Book Grades K and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Whimsical and touching images tell the story of an unexpected friendship and the revelations it inspires in this moving, wordless picture book from two-time Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee. A baby clown is separated from his family when he accidentally bounces off their circus train and lands in a lonely farmer's vast, empty field. The farmer reluctantly rescues the little clown, and over the course of one day together, the two of them make some surprising discoveries about themselves and about life! Sweet, funny, and moving, this wordless picture book from a master of the form and the creator of  The Boss Baby  speaks volumes and will delight story lovers of all ages.   REVIEW To be honest when I first heard about this book I thought it sounded kind of s...

Here are my thoughts on the first half of WAISTCOATS & WEAPONRY. Class is back in session... Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.  Gather your poison, steel tipped quill, and the rest of your school supplies and join Mademoiselle Geraldine's proper young killing machines in the third rousing installment in the New York Times bestselling Finishing School Series by steampunk author, Gail Carriger. PARTIAL ...

  About the Book Title: A Year in the Life of the Secret Garden | Author: Valarie Budayr | Illustrator: Marilyn Scott-Waters | Publication Date: November, 2014 | Publisher: Audrey Press | Pages: 144 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 99 Book Description: Award-winning authors Valarie Budayr and Marilyn Scott-Waters have co-created A Year in the Secret Garden to introduce the beloved children’s classic, The Secret Garden to a new generation of families. This guide uses over two hundred full color illustrations and photos to bring the magical story to life, with fascinating historical information, monthly gardening activities, easy-to-make recipes, and step-by-step crafts, designed to enchant readers of all ages. Each month your family will unlock the mysteries of a Secret Garden character, as well as have fun together creating the original crafts and activities based on the book.Over 140 pages, with 200 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and fr...

STRONGHEART The World's First Movie Star Dog by Emily Arnold McCully Henry Holt & Company, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-80-50-9448-0 Picture Book Grades K and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Strongheart may have been a movie star, but he wasn’t always famous. He started out as a police dog who could sniff out criminals and march like a soldier, but he didn’t know how to have fun. Larry Trimble was a Hollywood director who wanted to put Strongheart in his movies—not just as a pet but as the lead actor. Larry taught him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog. In his films, Strongheart brought audiences to tears. He was a sensation! But when Strongheart's military training led to trouble, was his career over? Set in the early days of silent movies, Emily Arnold McCully's extraordinary story about a real-life hero will capture the hearts of dog lovers and movie fans everywhere. REVIEW Mankind's love affai...

SNOWFLAKES A Pop-Up Book by Jennifer Preston Chushcoff, illustrated/engineered by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya Jumping Jack Press, 2010 ISBN: 978-1605805634 Pop-up book Grades K and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The intricate beauty of snowflakes is fully revealed in this amazing pop-up book. An enchanting explanation of the uniqueness of snowflakes supplemented by information about the real life Snowflake Man, Wilson A. Bentley, who was the first to photograph snowflakes, engages readers of all ages. Each of the seven spreads features fully illustrated pop-ups and delicate mixed media that are sure to surprise and delight. REVIEW Pop-up book are always fun, although once you put them in a child's hands they don't tend to last very long.  Which is why I can't put them in my school library.  I got this one to share with my kindergartners though when I talk about snow and winter.  There is basic text...