Friends

Sophie Simon Solves Them All
by Lisa Graff with pictures by Jason Beene

As Sophie’s parents are walking her to the bus stop one morning, they tell her that they want her to try to make some friends. Sophie tells them she does not need friends, and her parents are worried. Sophie is very smart, but her parents want her to have more fun. The type of fun they believe she should have, and the kind of fun that Sophie likes, are very different. Sophie also believes that friends are a waste of time, but her parents decide that she needs to go to a classmate’s birthday that weekend. Then her parents find out that Sophie is studying calculus, and they get very upset. Sophie takes the time to ask them if they can buy her a graphing calculator for one hundred dollars, so that she can work some calculus equations. Her parents not only tell her no, but they also keep her calculus book. Sophie wishes she had parents that understood her. Daisy, a girl in Sophie’s class, also has a problem. Her parents want her to dance in a ballet recital. Daisy has told her parents that she does not want to be in the recital, and that her teacher is really mean. Daisy’s parents will not listen to her, though. They want Daisy to be a famous ballerina and not have to work all her life in their pet shop. Daisy would love to work in the pet shop forever, but her parents do not understand that. Daisy asks Sophie for her help, and Sophie tells her that she will help Daisy, if Daisy can help her get the calculator that Sophie wants. Owen is another student in Sophie’s class. On the bus ride home, he sits next to her and tries to get her help for his problem. His birthday party is that weekend, and his mother is having an eight layer birthday cake, high-dive contest, and old fashioned taffy-pull. Owen does not like any of those things, but his mother wants his party to be very exciting. Owen is really dreading his present, though. Every year, Owen’s mother gets him the exact opposite present than what he wants. This year, Owen wants a rabbit, but his mother tells Daisy’s parents that she wants a really “exotic” animal. Owen is afraid to find out what kind of animal it will be. When Owen tells Sophie that his friend Julia needs a story for the school newspaper, Sophie gets a great idea. Sophie knows that if she, Daisy, Owen, and Julia all work together, they can all get what they want. Sophie has a plan! Will Sophie be able to help Daisy, Owen, and Julia? What crazy ideas will she come up with? Will Sophie be able to make some friends in the process?

Pinky and Rex
by James Howe and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Pinky’s little sister, Amanda, wakes him up, and she is really excited to be going to the museum. She cannot wait to see the dinosaurs. Pinky and his neighbor, Rex, ask each other what to wear to the museum. Pinky tells Rex to wear her tyrannosaurus t-shirt, and Rex tells Pinky to wear his pink and blue checked shirt. Before Pinky leaves the house, he says goodbye to all of his stuffed animals. His pig, Pretzel, is last, because he is Pinky’s favorite. Rex tells her dinosaurs goodbye before going over to Pinky’s house. Amanda is coming with them to the museum, but neither Pinky nor Rex are happy about it. When they get to the museum, Amanda wants to go see the dinosaurs first, but Pinky and Rex like to save their favorite part for last. Pinky’s dad knows this, and he goes to other exhibits first. Amanda is not happy, though, and by the time they get to the dinosaurs, Amanda wants to go home. In the gift shop, all three children want the same item. What is the stuffed animal that all three children want? Who will end up with that stuffed animal? Do you think Pink and Rex will feel the same way about Amanda after this trip?

Home
by Alex T. Smith

Once there was a house that was home to four best friends: One, Two, Three, and Four. They are all very happy until the day that One wants to move and be pirates on the seven seas. The others do not want to be pirates. Two says that they should move to a mountain top and learn to yodel. The others do not want to do this, either. Three wants to live underground in a cave and collect insects. The others are not happy about this. Four wants to move to a city and party and dance all night long. One, Two, Three, and Four talk, argue, and then fight about where to move. They all decide to go separate ways and take part of the house with them. One took the door and went to the sea, while Two took the walls and went up a mountain. Three took the windows and found a cave to live in, and Four took the floor to the big city. The roof was left behind. Will the four friends be happy doing what they want to without their other friends with them? Will the four friends be able to find each other and make the house a home again? How will the friends change their home so that everyone can be happy?

Can I Play Too?
by Mo Willems

Piggy and Gerald decide to play catch, and they are having a great time. Then a new friend approaches and wants to play, too. The new friend is a snake. Gerald and Piggy do not know how to play with their new friend, because snakes do not have arms, and it is hard to play catch without arms. They tell the snake this, and he pretends to take it badly. Gerald and Piggy think that Snake is very funny. Snake tells them that he wants to try to play catch. Gerald throws the ball, but he ends up hurting Snake. Piggy tries with the same results. They need a new idea. They decide to use more balls, but that does not work either. Gerald and Piggy are determined to play catch with Snake, even though Snake does not believe he can play catch. Will Piggy come up with a great idea to play catch with Snake? Will Snake be happy with the way they play catch? Will Piggy and Gerald have a new friend?

President's Day

President’s Day
by Mir Tamim Ansary

This nonfiction book discusses the holiday of President’s Day, which is a day to honor our present and past presidents. First, there is discussion about the election of a president, and then a discussion on how President’s Day began. Many states used to celebrate George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd, and they also celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 15th. Then the author discusses the American Revolution and George Washington’s role, what kind of government was developed, and how George Washington decided to only serve two terms as president. Then he covers the Civil War, and why we celebrate Abraham Lincoln. Then the author discusses other presidents who did great things, and discusses another reason we celebrate President’s Day (democracy). At the end of the book there is a list of important dates, such as President’s Day beginning in 1968.

Woodrow, the White House Mouse
by Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes

Woodrow G. Washingtail is elected president by the mouse nation, and he will be the next one to live in the president’s house, the White House. Woodrow swears to serve and protect just like the human president on Inaugural Day. Then it is time for the Inaugural Ball, and Woodrow comes with his wife, Bess, and their eight children. The children include Truman, Franklin, Quentin, Kermit, Dolley, Millie, George, and Art. The children are watching the human ball from the chandelier, when George falls into one of the senator’s soup (people are very surprised). The president conducts most of his business from the oval office, and Woodrow has a desk on the bookshelf and also stays really busy. Then there is a discussion of the different jobs of the president, but there is also discussion of some of the fun the president and his family get to have, too. There is also discussion about different rooms in the White House, and what they are used for (and what Woodrow and his family use them for). At the end of the book are some historical notes, which include some fun facts about the presidents.

Wackiest White House Pets
by Gibbs Davis and illustrated by David A. Johnson

During the time of the White House, there have been around four hundred pets that have lived there. Some were brought by the presidents, some were found at the White House, but the most interesting were usually gifts from foreign kings, queens, and officials. The White House used to have farm animals, such as cows, horses, sheep, and chickens, to provide milk, food, and transportation to the president. The author writes about some of his favorite of the more interesting pets of the White House. George Washington did not live at the White House (there was no White House yet), but he had almost 40 hounds and gave them all names. Thomas Jefferson was given two grizzly bear cubs, and he had a pet mockingbird (Dicky) that he sang duets with. Dolley Madison owned a parrots, which she brought to parties at the White House. John Quincy Adams had Marquis de Lafayette stay at the White House, and Lafayette brought his pet alligator. Other pets include an elephant, turkey, mice, snakes, lion, zebra, sheep, a raccoon, and a goldfish (sent to Ronald Reagan through the mail by a little boy). At the end of the book, there are some more wacky pet facts, and a list of the presidents, their dates as presidents, nicknames, and a list of their pets.

Hail to the Chief: The American Presidency
by Donn Robb and illustrated by Alan Witschonke

This nonfiction book begins by discussing the election and duties of a president, and the first president, George Washington and the contributions he made to the country. Then there is discussion of presidents during war times, such as Abraham Lincoln, James Madison, James Polk, Lyndon Johnson, and also because of their participation in the wars, such as Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower. The author also discusses presidents that handled difficult times, such as Franklin Roosevelt. Some presidents, such as Dwight Eisenhower, have had to uphold laws that are unpopular. Other presidents have added to the size of the country, such as Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Pierce, and Andrew Johnson. There are also discussions of many other important things that the presidents have done for the United States, such as creating alliances with other countries. Other discussions include political parties, getting elected, removing a president, and the presidents’ families. At the end of the book, there is a list of the presidents, their terms in office, their political party, where they were born, where they were elected from, when they died, and which pages they can be found on within the book.

Love

Hopscotch Love: A Family Treasury of Love Poems
by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Melodye Benson Rosales

This is a collection of twenty-two poems of love expressed for friends and family. The poems show love for a friend that has moved away, giving a sweet treat to a love interest, a teacher who leaves a student’s valentine on the chalkboard, a Christmas “valentine” given to a mother from her son, a grandmother’s love expressed through pineapple upside-down cake, a dad sharing with his son that grades are not a reason for love, and many others.

Guess How Much I Love You: All Year Round
by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram

Spring:
Big and Little Nutbrown Hare find a little oak tree growing, a tiny tadpole swimming, a hairy caterpillar crawling, and a bird’s nest with eggs. Little Nutbrown Hare wants to know what all of these things will turn into, and Big Nutbrown Hare explains each one. Then Little Nutbrown Hare wonders what he will become. Big Nutbrown Hare thinks about it really hard. What will his answer be?

Summer:
When they are down by the river one summer’s day, Big and Little Nutbrown Hare notice all of the colors that are all around them. Little Nutbrown Hare asks Big Nutbrown Hare which is his favorite blue. Then Big Nutbrown Hare asks Little Nutbrown Hare which is his favorite green. Then Little Nutbrown Hare asks about a favorite red, and Big Nutbrown Hare asks about a favorite yellow. Finally Little Nutbrown asks about a favorite brown, and both hares smile at each other. What do you think is Big Nutbrown Hare’s favorite brown?

Autumn:
On a windy autumn day Big and Little Nutbrown Hare notice all of the leaves blowing and falling. They chase them around until Big Nutbrown Hare needs to rest. Little Nutbrown Hare finds a box, and starts to play with it. He jumps into the box. He hops over to Big Nutbrown Hare in the box, and tells him that he is a “box monster.” Big Nutbrown Hare is nervous about the box monster. When the box hops towards him, Big Nutbrown Hare jumps behind the tree. He wonders if he should run from the box. Will Little Nutbrown Hare let Big Nutbrown Hare know that he is the box monster?

Winter:
Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare go out into the snow on a winter day. They start playing a game of I Spy. Little Nutbrown Hare spies something that belongs to a tree. Big Nutbrown Hare spies something that belongs to a spider. Little Nutbrown spies something that belongs to a bird. Then Big Nutbrown spies something that belongs to the river and is wet. Little Nutbrown Hare spies something that belongs to him. Big Nutbrown Hare asks for a clue. Little Nutbrown Hare tells him it’s only there when the sun is out. What do you think it is? Finally, Big Nutbrown Hare spies something that belongs to him that is nutbrown and his favorite thing. Will Little Nutbrown Hare guess what it is? Do you know what it is?

Smelly Bill: Love Stinks
by Daniel Postgate

When Smelly Bill first sees Peachy Snugglekins, he falls in love. Smelly Bill walks up to Peachy with a rose, but then he sees that Peachy belongs to Great Aunt Bleach (who does not like him because he is smelly). Great Aunt Bleach tells him to go away. Smelly Bill cannot sleep that night, so he climbs on the garden shed, and howls for his love. The next day Smelly Bill wants a bath (his family is shocked). There is a “dog parade” in the park that day, and all the dogs are trying to win the “Best Dog” prize. Peachy is there, and Smelly Bill wants to try, too. The other dog owners make fun of Bill, and he leaves and is really sad. Then Vesuvius (a dog in the contest) starts to chase other dogs, and then he goes after Peachy. Peachy tries to run away into the swamp and sinks into the goo. Who will save poor Peachy? What do you think Great Aunt Bleach will do for the one that saves her Peachy?

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?

by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

A dinosaur wakes up in a bad mood and then is fussy and the breakfast table. Then the dinosaur blows kisses before leaving, and the parents love them even when they are upset. Another dinosaur throws sand in the sandbox and runs away from his parent. Then the dinosaur smiles an adored smile, and the parent loves them even when they are bad. What other mischief will the dinosaurs get up to? Will their parents still love them no matter what they do? How do dinosaurs say I love you?

Some New Books for February

ZooBorns: Zoo Babies From Around the World
by Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland

This nonfiction book is full of newborn zoo animals from zoos all over the world. Each page has a picture of the baby animal, the animal’s name, and an interesting fact about that animal. The animals include Beco the elephant, Radar Ears the fennec fox, Hoover the tawny frogmouth, Amani the aardvark, Hasani the gorilla, Rooby the kangaroo, Tahina the crowned sifaka, Matari the wombat, and many others. At the end of the book is a list of all the animals in the book, which zoo they are in, and other facts about the animals.

Amazing Cows
by Sandra Boynton

According to Sandra Boynton, her book is full of “stories, jokes, poems, comics, and udder absurdity for all ages up to a hundred and moo!” The book starts with a lesson on how to speak cow, so that you can have a conversation with them in their own language. There are also jokes about cows throughout the book, such as “How do cows pay for things?” What do you think the answer is? There are cow stories, notes on cow fashion, cow limericks, and even a cow comic. There are also plenty of pictures of cows throughout the book, with a few chickens, too.

Ponyella

by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans with pictures by Lynn Musinger

Ponyella is happy living on her small farm, and she loves to jump. Then one day she notices a “For Sale” sign on the front gate. Her owners move away, and the new owners bring their ponies, Plumpkin and Bun Bun to the farm. Plumpkin and Bun Bun are unhappy with the farm and with Ponyella. They both think that they are much prettier than Ponyella. The new owner puts Ponyella in a tiny, smelly stall, never lets her jump, and makes her pull a cart filled with coal. The coal turns Ponyella’s coat gray instead of white, and she was very unhappy. One day the horses see Princess Penelope’s car going by, and Bun Bun and Plumpkin tell Ponyella that Princess Penelope is going to pick the winner of the Tippington 25th Annual Grand Royal Pony Championship. On the day of the Championship, Bun Bun and Plumpkin are groomed and taken to the Championship in a fancy horse trailer, but Ponyella is left at home. When Ponyella starts to cry, her fairy godmare appears, makes a trailer out of a apple, a driver out of a mouse, and makes Ponyella beautiful with diamond horseshoes. The magic only lasts until noon, and Ponyella must left before then. Will Ponyella win the Championship? Will Princess Penelope be able to find Ponyella? What other story does Ponyella remind you of?

Molly the Brave and Me
by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Shelia Hamanaka

Beth thinks that Molly is braver than anybody in second grade. Molly stands at the top of the monkey bars on one foot, does not mind dead water bugs in her desk, and tells big kids who try to pick on her to “get lost.” Beth wishes that she was as brave as Molly. Then Molly asks Beth to come stay at her house in the country over the weekend. Beth is happy that Molly likes her enough to want her to come over, but she is scared to stay away from home for a night. She tells Molly that she is not sure if her parents will let her. When Molly’s mom calls Beth’s mom, her mom tells Molly’s mom that Beth can go. Beth tells her mom that she is worried that she will be scared, cry, and that Molly will not like her anymore. Beth’s mom tells her that everything will be okay. Beth tries very hard to be brave with Molly by letting Molly’s big dog lick her, staying in an old house, picking berries, and crossing a log to get across a stream to pick wildflowers. Beth decides that she is really enjoying spending time with Molly in the country. Molly’s dog runs in to a cornfield after a rabbit, and the girls go in after him. Will Beth find out that there is something that Molly is afraid of? Will Beth be scared to, or will she be able to help her friend?

Groundhog Day's Tomorrow

Groundhog Weather School
by Joan Holub and illustrated by Kristin Sorra

The groundhog does not see his shadow and predicts that spring has arrived. Rabbit goes outside and finds that the groundhog was wrong. He writes a letter to let the groundhog know that he needs to spread more groundhogs around, so that everyone can know when spring is coming. Groundhog puts an ad in the newspaper to start a Groundhog Weather School. The class tells Groundhog different facts about being a groundhog, such as how much they weigh and where they live. The class also writes reports on famous groundhogs, such as Punxsutawney Phil and Pierre C. Shadeaux. The students discuss other animals that can predict weather, seasons, and shadows. There is a test to see if the groundhogs are ready for graduation day. How do you think the student groundhogs did? Will they get to help predict the weather on Groundhog Day? Will Rabbit get an accurate forecast this Groundhog Day?

Substitute Groundhog
by Pat Miller and illustrated by Kathi Ember

On February 1st, Groundhog wakes up sick. Dr. Owl tells Groundhog that he has the flu and needs hot clover soup and two days of bed rest. Groundhog is supposed to come out to check for his shadow, and now he is needs to think of something fast. Groundhog decides to put up an ad for a substitute groundhog. There is a line of animals interested in giving weather predicting a try. Mole comes out of the hole well, but he cannot see anything. Eagle can see really well, but he cannot fit in Groundhog’s hole. Bear goes down into the hole, but he falls asleep and cannot check for his shadow. Squirrel is next, but she forgets to check for her shadow. Will Groundhog be able to find anyone to take his place so he can rest and get better? What is the animal that works best as a substitute groundhog? Does she have any great ideas for helping Groundhog get better?

Double Trouble Groundhog Day
by Bethany Roberts and illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley

The Groundhog family is enjoying a big meal before they hibernate for the winter. Greta and Gregory are twins that are not very good at sharing with one another. Their grandparents call them “Double Trouble.” Grampie Groundhog tells everyone that he has decided that one of the twins should take over checking to see their shadow on Groundhog Day. Both twins want to do it, so Grampie has them draw straws to see who wins. Gregory draws the longer straw, and he is really happy to take over for Grampie Groundhog. Greta is not very happy for Gregory. Gregory worries about the responsibility as he drifts off to sleep, and his worries lead to bad dreams. Gregory sleepwalks outside and leaves his glasses. Greta wakes up on February 2, but she has a hard time getting Gregory up. Will Gregory be able to handle Groundhog Day by himself? Will he need a little help from his sister?

Groundhog Gets a Say
by Pamela Curtis Swallow and illustrated by Denise Brunkus

Groundhog is not happy that everyone only pays attention to him one day a year. He believes that February should become Groundhog Appreciation Month. Groundhog tells us why he is special, such as his ability to whistle when danger is near and his ability to dig a lot of dirt. Groundhog also shares facts about the people who love groundhogs, called marmotophiles. Groundhog shares many other facts about what groundhogs can smell and eat and what groundhogs use their teeth for. Will the groundhogs be successful in getting Groundhog Appreciation Month?