This Librarian's Quick Picks: I'm Trying to Love Spiders

I'm Trying to Love Spiders
by Bethany Barton
Viking Books (July 7, 2015)
Nonfiction picture book

Summary:

I'm Trying to Love Spiders will help you see these amazing arachnids in a whole new light, from their awesomely excessive eight eyes, to the seventy-five pounds of bugs a spider can eat in a single year! And you're sure to feel better knowing you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than being fatally bit by a spider. 

Why You'll Love It:

• This is humorous nonfiction at its best! An unseen arachnophobe relates a series of fascinating facts about spiders  as she attempts to talk herself out of her fear after she encounters one.
• Solid material on spiders is cleverly woven into the narrative, and fun facts about different spider varieties are incorporated into the endpapers.
• Big, black brushstrokes give the illustrations and text the impact of still-wet pages, as if they'd just been completed.

Who Should Read It:

Great for K-2 as far as read alouds go, but I can see using this even in upper elementary as a mentor text for nonfiction writing.

What Else You Should Read:

• I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are by Bridget Heos
• Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle by Cheryl Bardoe 
• Aaaarrgghh! Spider! by Lydia Monks

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Fright Club

Fright Club
by Ethan Long
Bloomsbury (August 11, 2015)
Picture Book

Summary:

Each year, on Halloween eve, Fright Club meets to go over their plan: Operation Kiddie Scare. Only the scariest of monsters can join Fright Club-Vladimir the Vampire, Fran K. Stein, Sandy Witch, and Virginia Wolf have all made the cut. They've been practicing their ghoulish faces, their scary moves, and their chilling sounds. But when a band of cute little critters comes along asking to join in the fun, the members of Fright Club will find out who really is the scariest of all!

Why You'll Love It:

• I read this to a few classes one day last week and the book immediately had a hold list. 'Nuff said.
• The monsters make pathetic attempts at ghoulish faces and goofy dance moves. Kids will enjoy laughing at the delightfully not scary creatures, especially when the Fright Club is shown up by the cute little animals.
• Punchy dialogue and a range of characters offer opportunities for lively read alouds: “Awwwwwww, look! An adorable little bunny!” coos Vladimir, a vampire.
• Ethan Long’s illustrations, primarily in moody gray tones with washes of color, will appeal to those looking for a spooky book, while the humorous details, such as the bunny’s innocent, wide eyes, will make readers giggle. 

Who Should Read It:

Great for PreK-2, but even some of my fourth graders said it caught their eye on the bookshelf and requested it...also, here's the book trailer.

What Else You Should Read: 

• Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
• Peanut Butter & Brains by Joe McGee
• Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Hamster Princess

Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
by Ursula Vernon
Dial Books (August 18, 2015)
Graphic/fantasy hybrid chapter book

Summary:

Never a conventional princess, Harriet becomes an adventurer after learning she is cursed to fall into a deep sleep on her twelfth birthday, but after two years of slaying ogres, cliff-diving, and more with her riding quail, Mumfrey, things go awry at home and she must seek a prince to set things right. 

Why You'll Love It:

•  Vernon already has a following in our library with the Dragonbreath series, and those kiddos will love Harriet! Also a ready-made booktalk for lovers of Holm's Babymouse graphic novel series. 
• Shifting between prose passages and indigo-tinted cartoon sequences, Vernon upends fairy-tale conventions and gender stereotypes left and right.
• Harriet breaks all the "princess" rules. She's cursed from birth to prick her finger when she's 12 and decides she's got to make the best of it 'till then. There's a great twist that leaves Harriet scrambling to find a prince--not to kiss HER awake, but everyone else in the castle.  

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 3-5...and here's the book trailer.

What Else You Should Read:

• The Dragonbreath series (also by Ursula Vernon)
• Half Upon a Time by James Riley
• The Babymouse series by Jennifer Holm 

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Glamourpuss

Glamourpuss
by Sarah Weeks; illustrations by David Small
Scholastic (Feb. 24, 2015)
Picture Book

Summary:

A cat named Glamourpuss who likes being the center of attention fears she might fall out of fashion when Bluebelle the dog arrives.


Why You'll Love It:

•  What a personality! Glamourpuss doesn't lie down, she reclines! She doesn't stretch, she extends!
• I see myself using this book as a mentor text for vivid verbs and word choice. 
• The book jacket is pink and sparkly. Duh.
• This book is a great read-aloud and best introduced by an expressive reader. Even more fun would be introducing students to some of the influences behind the characters in the book -- Scarlett O'Hara & Carmen Miranda.

Who Should Read It:

A great read-aloud for K-3rd grade; even older for a minilesson on word choice/vivid verbs.

What Else You Should Read:

• Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page by Cynthia Rylant
• Fancy Nancy series by Jane O'Connor
• Bow-Wow's Nightmare Neighbors by Mark Newgarden

This Librarian's Quick Picks: The Terrible Two

The Terrible Two
by Mac Barnett and Jory John; illustrations by Kevin Cornell
Amulet Books (Jan.13, 2015)
Chapter Book

Summary: 

When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he challenges the local, mystery prankster in an epic battle of tricks but soon the two join forces to pull off the biggest prank ever seen.

Why You'll Love It:

• The humor is deadpan and slightly quirky. For example, the fictional town of Yawnee Valley is famous for one thing -- cows -- and random cow facts are peppered throughout the book.
•  The short chapters and fast pace build confidence in struggling readers. 
• It's a great new book to suggest to students who have already read all of your "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" read-alikes. 

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 4-6...and here's the book trailer:



What Else You Should Read:

• I Funny series  by James Patterson
  
• Timmy Failure series by Stephan Pastis
• Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School by Kim Baker

This Librarian's Quick Picks: The Book With No Pictures

The Book With No Pictures
by B. J. Novak
Dial (Sep. 30, 2014)
Picture Book -- kind of...

Summary:

A book with no pictures “probably seems boring and serious. Except . . . Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say." Genius!!!

Why You'll Love It:

• If you love yelling, singing, and being generally goofy while reading to kids (like I do), this book was MADE for you!
• Dynamic design, judicious use of color, and varied typeface and font size all work together to bring personality and expression to the story.
• The text is presented through artful typography that visually conveys its changing tone to guide oral readings.
• It has the words "Boo Boo Butt" in it. 

Who Should Read It:

I mean. Really anyone and everyone. But especially great for K-2 crowds. And here's a video...please watch!

What Else You Should Read:

There's really nothing else quite like this, but if I had to make a suggestion...

• This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne
• Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham
• The Pigeon books by Mo Willems