Some New Books for December

Deep-Space Disco
by Erik Craddock

This graphic novel has spaceships, robots, and mistaken identity. One day while Stone Rabbit is playing a game with his friends, a shape shifter named Melvin takes his place and sends him off into space. There he is caught by intergalactic enforcers and faces the crimes that Melvin had committed. When he is found guilty, he is sentenced to a place where robots try to destroy him. Meanwhile, Stone Rabbit’s friends are in danger with Melvin. Will Stone Rabbit be able to get away from the robots? Will he be able to make it home and save his friends and stop Melvin and his plans to destroy Stone Rabbit’s home and planet?

Imogene’s Last Stand
by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Imogene has loved history since she was very small. In fact, her first words were, “Four score and seven years ago…” In school, she lectured about important women in history during show-and-tell. Imogene decided one day to, with the help of her father, clean up the Liddleville Historical Society that was in a old house that was not being used. She cleaned and organized all of the historical items she found in the house, and then waited to give tours to the people of Liddleville. Unfortunately, no one came. Then one day, Imogene finds that the city is going to tear down the house to build a shoelace factory. The mayor believes the factory “will put the town on the map.” Imogene decides to fight for her society building. Will she be able to stop them from tearing the house down? Can she stand against the other members of the town who believe the shoelace factory is the right way to go? At the beginning and end of the book is information about individuals that Imogene quotes to others.

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle
by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, and Mary Nethery

There was a dog that lived at a fort in Iraq who had his ears cut to make him a dog of war. This dog was the leader of a pack of wild dogs. Then one day a marine named Major Brian Dennis and ten other Marines arrived at the fort. Major Dennis became friends with “Nubs,” which he named the dog. Nubs liked the belly rubs that he got from Major Dennis, and Nubs stayed with Major Dennis during his turn at guard duty. Soon Major Dennis had to leave, and Nubs could not go with him. When they came back again, Major Dennis saw that Nubs had been hurt, and the Marines helped him to get better. One time after they left, Nubs decided to follow the Marines. It took him two days and seventy miles, but he found Major Dennis. Nubs stayed with the Marines, until someone else told about the dog. Major Dennis was ordered to make Nubs leave. Major Dennis then decided to send Nubs to the United States. It would cost $2,000, though, and Major Dennis and his men worked to raise the money. Was Major Dennis successful in getting Nubs sent to the United States? Where is Nubs now?

The Circus Ship
By Chris Van Dusen

One day, while on a boat traveling to their next show, fifteen animals are stranded in the water when the boat they are riding in smashes into a ledge that no one could see in the fog. The animals manage to swim all night to an island beach. The walk to the village nearby and the people in the village are very surprised to see them. The animals start creating problems for the people in the village by eating their flowers or playing with their laundry. Then one night, there is a fire, and the tiger, which is used to jumping through fire, saves a little girl. The people and the animals get along just fine after this. Then the people hear that the mean owner of the animals is coming to take them away. The people come up with a plan. Will the animals be able to hide from their owner? Will they be able to stay in the village with the people they like so much?

First Day of Winter

First Day of Winter is December 21st!

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder
By Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson, Ph.D. and illustrations by Nora Aoyagi

This nonfiction book talks about snowflakes and how they are made. There are lots of little “specks” in clouds, and one of these “specks” is needed to create a snowflake. The book discusses the step-by-step process of the creation of a snow crystal. The book also tells how snow crystals all have different shapes, and what the different shapes are. The book also tells how many sides a snowflake has, and why it can only have that many sides. Finally, the book tells what happens to a snowflake after it falls to the ground. There are pictures of snowflakes throughout the book that have been enlarged by a microscope in order to see what they look like. At the end of the book, there are tips on how to catch your own snow crystals.















Here Comes Jack Frost
by Kazuno Kohara

A little boy lives in a house in the woods, and he has no one to play with, because his friends are all hibernating. Then one morning he sees strange patterns on the window. He goes outside to see who is making those patterns, and sees a white figure putting frost and ice on his house. The boy asks who the figure is, and the figure replies that he is Jack Frost. Then Jack Frost runs away, and the boy chases after him. The boy ice skates across the pond, and then he sleds over the hill after Jack Frost. Then he and Jack Frost have a snowball fight. The boys ask if Jack Frost will play with him, and Jack Frost will. He tells the boy not to mention anything warm, though, or he would have to leave. Will the boy remember not to talk about anything warm? Will Jack Frost stay and continue to play with him?














Chaucer’s First Winter
by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Henry Cole

Chaucer was a curious bear who liked to look at everything around him. Then one day his friends, Nugget and Kit, tell him that they will miss him during the winter. He asks why, and they tell him that bears usually sleep during the winter. Chaucer’s parents tell him that it is true, but he is not convinced. When his parents went to sleep, Chaucer was not sleepy, so he went outside. He catches snowflakes on his nose and tongue, and as they melt away, he thinks they are magic. Nugget and Kit are surprised to see, and they decide to teach him about snow. They slide down the hill over the snow and slide around on the frozen pond. Chaucer loves winter. One morning, its starts to snow and the wind blows really hard, but Chaucer builds them a safe place to stay. Soon the spring comes, and Chaucer is very disappointed. He goes to tell his parents all about winter, but he soon falls asleep.












Winter is the Warmest Season
By Lauren Stringer

A little boy believes the winter, not summer, is the warmest season. During the winter, he wears warm coats, hats, boots, and mittens. The animals and plants of summer are sleeping under the snow, but the snowmen he builds wear warm scarves. He eats grilled cheese sandwiches, pies, and breads, and he drinks hot chocolate and soup that warm him up inside. During the winter, the radiators keep his house nice and warm, and cats like to sleep in people’s laps instead of the windowsill. There are also fires in the fireplace and candles to help keep the house warm. During the winter, he takes hot baths, and his pajamas have nice warm feet. There are lots of blankets on his bed to keep him warm, people sit closer together to read stories together. This is why he believes that winter is the warmest season.

Sweets

The Kids’ Holiday Baking Book: 150 Favorite Dessert Recipes from Around the World
by Rosemary Black

In this recipe book there are hundreds of recipes for desserts for all occasion from around the world. At the beginning of the book, the author lists the different equipment, cooking terms, basic ingredients, and safety tips that children will need before they start making any of these delicious desserts. At the beginning of each holiday, the author provides some facts about the holidays and some history, too. She also tells you about how different people around the world celebrate these holidays. There are recipes for fun drinks, as well as the desserts. Some of the recipes include: Pretty in Pink Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake for Valentine’s Day, Emerald Isle Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick’s Day, Italian Easter Pie, Patriotic Pound Cake with Three Berries for Independence Day, and Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cranberry Glaze for Thanksgiving.

All for Pie, Pie for All
by David Martin and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev

One day, Grandma Cat makes an apple pie. After everyone has a slice, there is one slice left. The Cat family takes a nap after eating their pie. The Mouse family smells the apple pie. After everyone is a piece, there are some crumbs left over. Then the Mouse family takes a nap after eating their pie. The Ant family smells the apple pie. After everyone in the Ant family has a crumb, there is one crumb left. Then Baby Ant woke up and took the last crumb of the pie. Grandma Cat wakes up hungry and asks everyone if they would like another pie. The reply from everyone, even the Mouse family and Ant family, is yes. Everyone helps to make the pie, and then everyone helps eat the pie.

The Chocolate Cat
by Sue Stainton and illustrated by Anne Mortimer

There is a chocolate maker who lives alone with his cat and never smiles. His shop is starting to look worn and his chocolates are piling up, as no one really ever stops to buy any. The people thought his cat was lazy, and the cat did not like the people very much. Then one day the chocolate maker makes some chocolate mice with pink-sugar tails. The cat thinks he sees one of the mice move, and then he tries part of a tail. The chocolate made the cat happy. So he takes one of the mice to the greengrocer. Eating the mouse makes the greengrocer come up with an idea, and he takes some fruit to the chocolate makers and dips it in raspberry syrup and chocolate. This did not make the chocolate maker smile, and cat decided to try again. He takes a mouse to the baker. The baker makes some delicious cakes at the chocolate makers. The chocolate maker still does not smile. Cat takes one mouse after the other to different businesses around town, and each person goes to the chocolate shops to make something special. The man at the hardware store also fixed up the chocolate store. After this, the children come and give them chocolate maker ideas. He makes all kinds of different chocolate for them, and one day, the chocolate maker sees one of the mice move, and he tries it and has a great idea. Will this idea cause the chocolate maker to smile again? How will his chocolate shop do in the future?

This Little Bunny Can Bake
by Janet Stein

Class is about to start at Chef George’s famous dessert school. Students have come from all over to study with Chef George. Chef George shows them all about how to create desserts, but the students do not understand. So he decides to start from the beginning. He shows them a pot, spoon, egg, stove, and some of his recipes. Then he tries to teach them to train their noses by covering their eyes and having them figure out what kind of food they have. Then it is time to bake. He tells them to measure carefully, work as teams, concentrate, and make the dessert smell good. He also tells them to keep the kitchen neat as they cook. How will the students do? Will they be able to follow his advice and cook some delicious desserts?

December is National Hi Neighbor Month

December is National Hi Neighbor Month!

Ruby and the Sniffs
by Michael Emberley

One day when Ruby and her babysitter Mrs. Mastiff are reading, they hear a loud sound coming from the apartment above them. Ruby is convinced there are cat burglars, but Mrs. Mastiff does not want to go and check it out. Ruby decides to play hide and seek. While Mrs. Mastiff is counting, Ruby disappears upstairs. Soon she meets her new neighbors, the Sniffs, and she tells that about the burglars. The Sniffs see that someone has been stealing their food. Ruby hears a noise coming from the door. When she opens it what will she find? Will she be able to help her new neighbors find their missing food?














Heron & Turtle
by Valeri Gorbachev

Heron and Turtle are neighbors, and they are also good friends. One day Turtle invites Heron to go for a walk with him. Heron’s legs are much longer than Turtle’s, and soon she is walking really far ahead of him. So he decides to go on for a ride in his boat instead. Then on another day Heron decides to pay Turtle a visit at his house. He decides to make them both a delicious lunch. Heron worries that Turtle is going to too much trouble for her, but Turtle does not mind. Finally, one evening both Heron and Turtle sit on a log by the lake. There they talk about all the things they love about their lake, especially spending time together as friends.














Eddie’s Kingdom
By D. B. Johnson

King Eddie decides one day to draw a picture of the people that live in his kingdom. He does not usually like to draw people, because they are not nice to him or each other. He goes to every neighbor that he has in the building. Each neighbor is unhappy about something that the other neighbors do, such as leaving trash in the hallway and playing their music too loud. He tries to solve each problem as he goes from door to door, and he says he is sorry to each of his neighbors, even when he is not the one to make them mad. Finally, he decides to show his picture to all of his neighbors. Will they like his picture? Will they learn to be nicer to one another and to Eddie?
















The House of Joyful Living
by Roni Schotter and pictures by Terry Widener

The little girl, her parents, and their neighbors all call their building The House of Joyful Living. Her family and her neighbors liked to be on the roof of the building where there were gardens, sculptures, and the buildings that were all around them. They would also enjoy listening to music and dancing. One of her neighbors is sculpting a surprise for someone in the building, and the little girl hopes it is her. Soon it is the Roof Party that the building has every year, and everyone makes some good food to bring to the party. Her neighbor gives his sculpture to her mother for the new baby. The little girl believes that everyone will pay attention to the baby and forget about her. Will her parents be able to convince her that they will not forget her and neither will her neighbors? Can the little girl be happy about the new baby?

Some New Books for November

Tiger Pups
by Tom and Allie Harvey

This nonfiction book is about Isabella the dog and how she decided to take care of three baby white tiger cubs. The tiger cubs were born on July 27, 2008, but their mother, Sassy, decided not to take care of them. The owner’s of the wildlife park, Allie and Tom Harvey, know that the tigers need help, and they decide to take them home. Isabella, their dog, decides to take care of the tigers, and they become tiger pups. Then we they are old enough, the tigers start to play with one another and Isabella, Sonny, and Sadie. Playing teaches the tigers how to be tigers. The tigers’ names are Nasira, Anjika, and Sidani. Along with the story of Isabella and the tiger pups, there are pictures of the three tiger pups, Isabella, Sonny, Sadie, and of Allie Harvey.

Pennies for Elephants
by Lita Judge

When they decide to retire, Mr. and Mrs. William Offord offer to sell the elephants to the city of Boston for the zoo. However, Boston could not afford to pay for the elephants. The Orfords agreed to give the children of Boston two months to raise $6,000 to pay for the elephants. Children like Henry and Dorothy gather up all the coins they can find and donate to the city in order to keep the elephants. They also work doing various chores and jobs to make money to donate. Every day a reporter lists the amount of money that different children donated. Will the children be able to give $6,000, or will the elephants be bought by another zoo?

Would I Trade My Parents?
by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by James Bernardin

Did you ever want to trade your parents for someone else’s? A young boy looks at his friends’ parents and all of the cool things they can do. He also talks about things that their parents let them do that he does not get to, such as letting him watch T.V. until eight and have chocolate milk before dinner. Then he looks at his parents and the cool things they can do, and then he thinks about all the cool things they do for him. Will he decide to trade them?

Don’t Be Afraid, Little Pip
by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman

Little Pip was going to learn how to swim, but she decided that she would rather fly than swim. She tells her mom and dad that she is a bird, and birds fly. They tell her that penguins don’t fly, they swim. When the other penguins line up to learn how to swim, Pip walks away. She soon meets a Snow Petrel. The Snow Petrel tells her to flap her wings, lift up her beak, and leap. When she tries, Pip falls down instead. She soon comes to a Giant Albatross. The Albatross tells her to stand on a ledge, jump, spread her wings, and glide. When Pip tries, though, she falls again. Will Pip be able to fly or will she decide to try swimming instead?

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Thanksgiving Door
by Debby Atwell

It is Thanksgiving day and Ann has just burned the dinner. What will she and Ed do for Thanksgiving now? Ed decides that they should go see if the rest down the street is open, and once they get there, they find that the doors are open. The family in the restaurant tries to get rid of Ann and Ed, but Grandmother tells them that they should share their meal with the couple. So Ann and Ed celebrate the family’s first Thanksgiving together at the New World Café. Then the family asks Ed and Ann to join them in dancing. Ed and Ann really enjoy dancing with the family. The two groups thank each other for a great Thanksgiving. When they get home, Ed and Ann both agree that they are thankful that Ann burned the dinner.

The First Thanksgiving
by Jean Craighead George

Along with beautifully painted illustrations, this nonfiction book tells the story of both Squanto and how he came to know English and the pilgrims and how they all came to be at Plymouth. The book also discusses how they worked together to make sure that there was enough food for everyone and the upcoming winter. In fact, the Pilgrims were able to grow and collect so much food that the Pilgrim planned to have a big feast and invited the Indians that had been so much help to them. This feast that they had together later became a holiday known as Thanksgiving.

The Squirrels’ Thanksgiving
by Steven Kroll and illustrated by Jeni Bassett

The night before Thanksgiving while sitting in front of the fire, Buddy and Brenda’s parents start listing the things they are thankful for, including their family. Buddy and Brenda, though, are not thankful for one another, but their parents really want them to be. The next day, Buddy and Brenda meet their aunt and uncle and their cousins, Penny and Chuck. Penny and Chuck are really mean to one another and to Buddy and Brenda. So Buddy and Brenda realize that they are thankful for each other, and that they do not act like Penny and Chuck.

The Can-Do Thanksgiving
by Marion Hess Pomeranc and pictures by Nancy Cote

Dee decides to buy some peas for the Thanksgiving Can-Do Food Drive for her class, and she pays for them with her own money. Dee puts a note on her can so she can find out where her can goes. Dee does not believe she will find out where her peas went, but the next week, her teacher announces that a church downtown got their cans and wanted their help at their soup kitchen. A little boy named Tyler is there to eat Thanksgiving dinner, and he sees Dee and hopes she can be his friend. While handing out napkins, Dee notices that Tyler also wears glasses, like she does, and she hopes that he could be her friend. Suddenly, someone dropped the green beans on the ground, and they needed more vegetables. Dee suggests that they make a vegetable medley with the vegetables they have left, like she does with her dad. Tyler helps her get the vegetable medley ready. Then they bring the vegetable medley out for everyone to eat. Everyone then gets something good to eat.

Family

My Family is Forever
by Nancy Carlson

This little girl tells about her family and how she came to be adopted and become part of her family. She sees how other children look like their parents, but although she knows she looks different than her parents, she knows she is loved. Many other families do not always look alike, too. She does all kinds of things, like play catch, cook, and dance with her parents. She sometimes wonders about her birth parents, but hopes they know they know they gave her to a loving family. No matter what happens, she knows that her family will always be there, because “families are forever.”

Part of Me
by Kimberly Willis Holt

This book goes over four generations of one family and how they are affected by one another and books. The story begins with Rose’s story. After her father leaves her family, her mother is forced to move them from their home outside Amarillo back to her home town of Houma, Louisiana. Rose soon gets a job as the bookmobile driver and goes with the librarian delivering books over the area. Then second story is about her son, Merle Henry. Merle Henry really enjoys trapping with his dog, Blue. His mother still has them go to meet the bookmobile every week, and the family reads a lot. Merle Henry is much more interested in trapping, though. The third story is about Merle Henry’s daughter, Annabeth. Annabeth and her brother, Ryan, are staying with their grandmother Rose while their father is looking for work. Annabeth is glad that she will be in a new school and really wants to be popular, and she is working on how to become popular while staying with her grandmother. Rose also takes her grandchildren with her to the bookmobile every week. When she gets back to school, she does not get the popularity that she wanted, but she learns to stand up for herself. The final story is about Annabeth’s son, Kyle. Kyle is more interested in rock music than getting a summer job like his father wants. Then Kyle gets a job helping out in skits at the library. He is still more interested in his music than reading, but one day he picks up Harry Potter, and finds he really enjoys it. Then Rose finds out that an editor had read an article she had submitted to a magazine and wants her to write about her life. Then on the day they celebrate her new book, her family has her deliver the books on the bookmobile to the area libraries.

Kitchen Dance
by Maurie J. Manning

One night two children hear noises coming from the kitchen, and they know that their parents are washing the dishes. Then they hear a strange noise. They decide to go see what is happening. They see their parents are singing and dancing together as they put up the dishes. Then their father dips their mother and catches her. Then their mother and father notice that they are watching, and they bring the children in to dance with them. The children dance and sing with their mother and father. Then when the children get sleepy, their mother and father carry them up to their room and put them back to bed again.

Families
by Sarah L. Schuette

This nonfiction book discusses families, and that there are all kinds of families. Some families live close together and some live far apart. Families do like to spend time with their brothers and sisters, grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, and cousins. Families love and take care of each other.

Turkeys

Turkey Surprise
by Peggy Archer and illustrated by Thor Wickstrom

Two pilgrim brothers are on a hunt for a turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner. A turkey is terrified that they will find them and tries to hide. Unfortunately, he is not very good at hiding, but his is lucky that the younger little pilgrim does not want to eat turkey for dinner. Every time the little brother sees the turkey, he directs his brother in another direction. Will the turkey’s luck continue, and he will avoid the two pilgrims. Will the little pilgrim brother continue to pretend not to see him? What if the pilgrims are unable to catch a turkey for dinner?

I’m a Turkey
by Jim Arnosky

This book is also a song that was written and performed by Jim Arnosky. Tom the Wild Turkey introduces us to his family and flock of 102 other turkeys. He also talks about talking to other turkeys, flying, strutting, and avoiding the animals that would like to eat them. Tom even says to gobble at him if you see him, and he’ll “answer back with a gobble or two.”

Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey
by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Miguel’s dad drives an eighteen wheeler all over the country, and sometimes, he sends packages to Miguel. One day, Miguel’s dad sends him a turkey that his wants him to feed and get ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Miguel decides to call the turkey, Gracias. He and his grandfather build a cage for Gracias for the backyard. Miguel also learns how to take care of his turkey from a book at the library, and he even takes Gracias out for walks. Miguel decides that he does not want Gracias to become Thanksgiving dinner. He wants to keep her as a pet. One day, though, someone steals Gracias from the backyard. Will Miguel get Gracias back? Will his family let him keep her if he does?

Turk and Runt
by Lisa Wheeler and pictures by Frank Ansley

Turk was the biggest, strongest, and most graceful turkey on the farm, and his parents were very proud of him. His brother, Runt, knew that this could lead him to become someone’s Thanksgiving dinner, but no one would listen to him. In November, people would come to pick out a turkey, and Turk would practice every day by dancing and practicing his football moves. One day a ballet instructor showed up at the farm to pick a turkey. Turk did a beautiful dance routine for her, but Runt threw himself on the ground a had a fit, then chased the lady out of the yard. Then a football coach came to pick out a turkey. Turk showed off his football moves, but Runt pretended to be sick and the coach left. Then an old lady comes to the farm and picks out Runt. Will Turk be able to save his brother like Runt had saved him?

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers' Month

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month

Peanut Butter Party: Including the History, Uses, and Future of Peanut Butter
by Remy Charlip

This nonfiction book is full of ideas for holding a peanut butter party. There are tips on different shapes to make out of the bread, other toppings and condiments that go well with peanut butter, activities for using peanut butter, such as making edible art, and what materials will be needed in order to create these works of art. The book also tells you how to make peanut butter play dough, so you can make peanut butter creatures, and gives some peanut butter riddles, games, and tricks to use at your peanut butter party.

Mystery at the Club Sandwich
by Doug Cushman

Nick Trunk is a detective that works for peanuts and finds things. One day a lady named Maggie Trouble comes into his office and asks him to find her boss’s, Lola Gale, marbles. These marbles are Lola’s lucky marbles, and she really needs them back. She believes that they were stolen from her dressed room at Club Sandwich. The clues that Nick finds are a feather and a peanut butter smudge on the door. The next night he goes to the club and watches as a magician tries to make a peanut butter jar disappear, but a feather appears, instead. Is the magician the thief? Nick also wonders whether the chef might be the thief, as he cooks with the same kind of peanut butter that was in the dressing room. Or is the thief Maggie Trouble? Will Nick Trunk be able to find the thief and return Lola’s marbles to her?

Peanut Butter
by Arlene Erlbach

This nonfiction book contains all kinds of information about peanut butter. The book tells you how peanut butter is made from the peanuts being grown on the farm, to being harvested, being shelled and blanched, being grinded, then being placed into the jars that you can buy in the store. The book even says who invented peanut butter and when it was invented. There are facts about how peanut butter is good for you, and the book even tells you how to make your own peanut butter. There are also some peanut butter recipes.

The Peanut Butter Cookbook for Kids
by Judy Ralph and Ray Gompf and illustrated by Craig Terlson

This cookbook contains many different kinds of recipes that include peanut butter as an ingredient. There are also facts about peanuts and peanut butter and its history and how peanut butter is good for you. There are instructions on how to grow your own peanuts and how to make your own peanut butter. There are also some instructions on how to use a microwave, break an egg, use a measuring cup, and how to make sure that something is done. The recipes include snacks, soups, dressing, nachos, pizza, muffins, pinwheels, cookies, and brownies. There are drawings throughout the recipes that show you what to do. Try not to get too hungry while reading this book.

Pumpkins, Scarecrows, and Costumes

Miss Smith and the Haunted Library
by Michael Garland

Miss Smith takes her class to the library one fall day to meet the librarian and hear spooky stories, and she takes her Incredible Storybook with her. The librarian, Ms. Creeper is not what the students expected, but she starts reading them a story from the storybook. Suddenly, the different characters from those stories appear in the library. The students are frightened at first, but soon they are having fun with the different characters. Then Ms. Creeper remembers that it is time for the seniors’ book club. Will they be able to get the characters back into the book and clean up the library before the seniors see?

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
by Steven Kroll and illustrated by Jeni Bassett

One day two different mice see the same pumpkin and want it to grow very big. Clayton wants to win the grand prize at the pumpkin contest, while Desmond wants to make the biggest jack-o-lantern in the neighborhood. Clayton takes care of the pumpkin by watering it, using fertilizer, and giving it sugar water. The pumpkin keeps getting bigger and bigger. Then one night when it gets cold, both Clayton and Desmond run out to cover the pumpkin in blankets. They both see that having both taken care of the pumpkin is why the pumpkin is so big. Will Clayton and Desmond be able to share the pumpkin? Will the pumpkin win the contest or become a jack-o-lantern?

Waltz of the Scarecrows
by Constance W. McGeorge and illustrated by Mary Whyte

One day Sarah is awoken by the sound of her grandfather looking around in the attic. When he comes down stairs, she sees that he is carrying clothes. After breakfast, he tells her that the clothes will be used to make scarecrows. Sarah wonders why the scarecrows will be wearing dress clothes. Sarah’s grandparents explain that the people of the town once scared off the crows from their crops by wearing their best clothes during a party. After that, the people in the town starting putting those best clothes on their scarecrows to keep the crows away every year. Her grandfather also tells her that some people have seen the scarecrows having a waltz in their nice clothes. Sarah then sends an old party dress to her grandparents. Why do you think she does this?

Captain Nobody
by Dean Pitchford

With a superstar football playing brother Chris, Newt is used to not being noticed. Even his parents tend to ignore him as they conduct their everyday business. Then Newt’s brother is injured during the Big Game and goes into a coma. Newt’s friends, JJ and Cecil, talk him into dressing up as Captain Nobody for Halloween in some of his brother’s old clothes. Then as Captain Nobody, Newt starts helping people and feeling more confident about himself. But will Captain Nobody be able to help the person who needs it the most?

Some New Books for October

Sensational Human Body Science Projects
by Ann Benbow and Colin Mably and illustrated by Tom Labaff

This nonfiction book has ways to investigate how things about the human body. These things include how well you hear things, feel things, taste and smell things, how fast your reactions are, what the most common eye color is, and how finger prints are similar and different. There are ideas for science fair projects after each investigation. There is also a list of books and websites that could also be consulted for ideas for science fair projects and further information about health and the human body.

Ready for Anything!
by Keiko Kasza

Raccoon and Duck had planned to go on a picnic, but Raccoon no longer wants to go. He ask Duck what would happen if certain things, like being attacked by bees or get stuck in a storm occur. Both Duck and Raccoon agree that picnics can be dangerous, but duck asks what if they find butterflies instead of bees and there is a light breeze instead of a storm. They then decide to go on the picnic, but raccoon wants to be prepared for anything. Will they be able to have a picnic? Will that picnic go smoothly?

Peeny Butter Fudge
by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison and illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Mom has to go and leaves grandma to watch the kids. Grandma and the kids have fun while following the schedule that their mom left for them. After lunch they all lay down for naptime followed by story time. Then they all have fun in the backyard. Next is snack time and then more time for playing doctor. Then grandma and the children do some dancing together and work on a puzzle. Before their mom comes home, grandma wants to make some Peeny Butter Fudge. What will Mom say when she gets home?

The Kingdom Keepers
by Ridley Pearson

Disney transforms Finn Whitman and four other children into holograms (or DHI forms) that were created to show people how to get around in the parks of Disneyworld. One night, though, Finn finds himself, in his holographic form (or is he?), inside the Magic Kingdom. Finn is told by Imagineer, Wayne that the Magic Kingdom is in danger. Maleficent, and other Disney characters, are called the Overtakers, and these Overtakers are plotting to destroy Disneyworld and maybe even more. Can Finn and the other kids defeat the Overtakers and save the park?

Scarecrows

Benito’s Sopaipillas/ Las Sopaipillas de Benito
by Ana Baca and illustrations by Anthony Accardo

A grandmother tells her granddaughter that she is going to show her how to make sopaipillas and that it will rain. Then she tells her a story about her great-grandfather, Benito. Benito’s family was in trouble, because there had been no rain and the crops were dying. Benito had taken water when it was not his turn to have water. As punishment, he had to plow up his neighbors’ fields. It was when he was plowing that he passed out, and when he woke up a scarecrow asked for his help in saving the crops. The scarecrow tells him how he can help make it rain. Will Benito be able to make it rain? Does it rain when the girl and her grandmother make sopaipillas? The book is written in both English and Spanish, and there is a recipe for sopaopillas in the back of the book in both English and Spanish.

Scarecrow!
by Valerie Littlewood

This nonfiction book goes over the purpose and the history of the scarecrow, which has been used since the time of ancient Egypt. It discusses the different types of birds that feed on the crops, the different scarecrows that farmers create, stories about scarecrows, and instructions on how to make your own scarecrow.

Farmer Ham
by Alec Sillifant and illustrated by Mike Spoor

The crows on Farmer Ham’s farm sit all day and eat his corn and are very happy. Farmer Ham tries to get rid of them, but they just come back again and call him “Silly Old Farmer Ham.” But was he really? One day Farmer Ham starts fishing some boots, a hat, a scarf, and a jacket and trousers out of the pond. The crows just laugh at him and call him “Silly Old Farmer Ham!” Then he takes these things with him into his barn. What do you think he is making? Do you think it could be used to scare the crows away?

Scarecrow
by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Did you ever consider what a scarecrow’s “life” is really like, as he stands out there on his post in the field? Do you know what the birds think about him? Do you think he knows what is going on around him? Do you think he likes staying up on the pole and watching everything? This book has some insight into what a scarecrows life is like and what he might be thinking.

October is National Popcorn Poppin' Month

October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month

The Popcorn Book
by Tomie DePaola


Tony and Tiny decide to have some popcorn after seeing a popcorn commercial on television. Their mother tells them it is in the refrigerator. They both wonder why she keeps the popcorn in the refrigerator. Tiny decides to look up the answer in a book and explains to his brother not only why the popcorn is stored in the refrigerator, but he also describes where popcorn came from, how it was made and used throughout history, and how much popcorn is eaten in the United States. Will they be able to successfully make popcorn? See for yourself how the popcorn turns out for the two boys. There is also two different ways of making popcorn listed at the end of the book.

Aliens for Lunch
by Jonathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner and illustrated by Steve Björkman

Richard and Henry decide to have a snack of popcorn one day, and out of the bag of popcorn pops a little alien named Aric that Richard had previously helped in Aliens for Breakfast. Aric once again needs their help. Aric’s home planet of Ganoob had sent a very special package on a cargo ship to the planet Threll, but that ship had been stolen by the Graxians. If the package is not recovered, the desserts of Threll will not taste good, and the people of Threll will then attack Earth and steal all of the desserts. Can Aric, Richard, and Henry get the package back, deliver it to Threll, and save all of the desserts on Earth?

Popcorn!
by Elaine Landau and illustrated by Brian Lies

This nonfiction book has lots of fun facts about popcorn, such as October is National Popcorn Popping Month, but the book also discusses how and where popcorn is grown, how it pops, the history of popcorn, and how popcorn is good for you. There are also suggestions to make your popcorn taste even better and lists of websites and other books that are about popcorn.

The Popcorn Dragon
by Jane Thayer and illustrated by Lisa McCue

Dexter finds out one day that he can blow smoke. The other animals see him blow smoke, but they find that they cannot blow smoke like Dexter. Dexter then shows off by blowing smoke rings and doing other tricks with the smoke. The other animals get jealous and decide they do not want to play with Dexter. Sadly, Dexter lay down in among some cornstalks. Can you guess what happens next? Will Dexter be able to get his friends back?