This Librarian's Quick Picks: EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!

EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!
by Sally Warner; illustrations by Brian Biggs
Viking Books (October 16, 2014)
Chapter Book

Summary:

Third-grader EllRay dreads the upcoming Winter Wonderland school assembly in which he must emcee and sing "Jingle Bell Rock."

Why You'll Love It:

• I know I'm always looking for more holiday-themed chapter books. The kiddos can't get enough of them!
• I love that the main character is someone my boys can relate to.
• The quick pace, authentic dialogue, and cartoon illustrations scattered throughout are great for reluctant readers who need that extra nudge to get started on a great series.

Who Should Read It:

Perfect for grades 2-4...and here's the curriculum guide! 

What Else You Should Read:

• Other books in the EllRay Jakes series
• Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrik Henry Bass

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Santa Clauses

**I know, I know...it's not even Halloween yet, but I've been chomping at the bit to blog about this book since seeing a galley of it at ALA this summer. Also, if you work in an elementary library you know that kids NEVER stop checking out Christmas books ;)

Santa Clauses: Short Poems From the North Pole
by Bob Raczka
Carolrhoda Books (Sep.1, 2014)
Poetry

Summary:

Santa can fly a sleigh, squeeze down chimneys, and circle the globe in a night. But did you know he also writes haiku? These twenty-five short poems--composed by Santa himself--give you a peek into life at the North Pole. 




 Why You'll Love It:

• An engaging picture book that offers a fresh take on classic Christmas themes.
• The haiku form proves an effective and evocative vehicle for capturing both the snowy environs of the North Pole (“December 13th: Mother Nature trims / her trees with icicles, snow, / pinecones, and moonlight.”), and the wonder and magic of the holiday season (“December 4th: Sprinkling sand on my / snow-covered steps, thinking of / nutmeg on eggnog.”).
• Chuck Groenink’s artwork hits all the right notes. His warm, bright illustrations of life inside Santa’s house are intimate and lively, while his striking night scenes trade the homestead’s reds and browns for crisp, wintry whites and blues.
• A gentle sense of humor permeates a number of the poems: “December 20th: Workshop warning / in effect, heavy sawdust / accumulation.”
• Readers may be inspired to create their own winter- and holiday-themed haikus.

Who Should Read It:

Great for PreK-4th grade.

What Else You Should Read:

• The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (the Robert Sabuda pop-up edition!)
•  Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems by Paul Janeczko
• Little Santa by John Agee