Packed with gems of wisdom about plants, and the interconnectedness of nature, the reader is taken back to the days of George Washington Carver.  Told from the point of view of an elementary school aged girl, Sally, this fictionalized account of the famous plant scientist’s visit to her school unfolds, carrying you along with the story without realizing how much you are learning about the natural world.  Concepts such as how plants will tell you want they need if you listen and observe, how you never change or destroy something until you “understand why it exists and its relationship with the rest of nature”, how plants, like people, need nutritious food (in the soil) to help them grow, and how re-using cast off treasures is a sustainable practice.  (He made test tubes, lamps and tools for his laboratory, gleened from the dump.)  On weekends, Dr, Carver used an old wagon pulled by a mule to teach folks in the Alabama countryside.  His “moveable school” idea was adapted in places as far away as China and India.  Enlivened by  bright, friendly watercolor illustrations, the story will be enjoyed by young and old alike.  Dr. Carver is an inspirational and important figure in America’s scientific history.  I’m grateful this book made it’s way to my library!

Author, Ouisie Shapiro, has gathered 13 stories ( 8 from boys and 5 from girls) of schoolyard bullying. The stories convey the message to students that they are not alone in being bullied.

There are no real solutions given because there isn’t any ONE cure all for bullying.  While this may be true,” Dorothy Espelage [who] is a professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign… and has appeared on TV as a bullying expert” gives her input on each of the thirteen individual stories.

6 Tips on dealing with Bullies are included at the end of the book.

In this sequel to the graphic novel series – Princess Candy- Sugar Hero*, Halo once again transforms into Princess Halo – Super Hero to help her classmate, Doozie Hiss, escape from the SuperVillain Green Queen’s revenge for Doozie’s littering.

Don’t miss at the back of the book:

1) Green Queen Super Villain information card,

2) Aunt Pandora’s Princess Puzzlers mini-quiz,

3) Discussion questions, and

4) Writing prompts

* For better understanding read Princess Candy – Sugar Hero first

As Halo NIghtly rides in her Grandmother’s taxi cab she is given a mysterious 11th birthday gift from her Aunt Pandora.  Bottles of candy pills : “fuego” and “agua” to name just two which transform Halo into Princess Halo – SUPER HERO!

Don’t miss the added features at the back of this book:

1) Doozie Hiss Super Villain information card,

2) Aunt Pandora’s Princess Puzzlers mini-quizz,

3) Discussion questions, and

4) Writing prompts.

Gavin does not like his school bus or the boy, Max, who bullies him on it daily. Things change for Gavin after “Max had a bike accident.” (pg 16) Max’s days as a bully end once Gavin visits Max at his house because Max has been telling people Gavin is his “best friend.”

As a part of the new series – My 1st Graphic Novel, this book contains large illustrations and opens with “How to Read a Graphic Novel”,  a  page of instructions and diagrams for people, like me, who did not grow up reading comic books.

Here is a dog book that has kid appeal written all over it! First of all there is page upon page of large adorable glossy photographs of Shih Tzu’s in different scenarios…a visual feast!  Each two page spread answers a question or covers a concept in the choosing of, typical behavior of, and care for this miniature breed from Tibet.  For example, What are Shih Tzus?, Tiny Puppies, How Big Do Shih Tzus Get? Shih Tzus Helping People. I appreciated that people of color were represented in the photographs.  The book is designed to appeal to a primary audience with over sized print  and snappy page layout.  I prejudged this book, as it appeared to potentially be a portfolio of fluff with little substance.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn a lot about these little powerhouse dogs.  With their short legs, four blocks is far enough for a healthy walk.  They are good pets for people with allergies, since they do not shed much.  They don’t like to get wet.  You carry them like a football. Mixed breeds have health problems and can be harder to train.  Males are easier to house train than females…etc.  One issue I did have was with the map of the breeds origin, Tibet/China.  China and Tibet are presented, out of context, without any bordering countries or water to orient us.  All the numerous provinces of China are colored and labeled.  Nowhere on the map is the word, “China”!  That said, kids may be more forgiving of the map makers, and simply devour this book.  I will consider purchasing more of this “Top Dog” series.

Nearly 200 years ago, in South Carolina, there lived a potter named Dave.  Dave was a slave whose owner allowed him a rare opportunity for a black person at that time… and that was to develop a skill. (Usually owners feared that slaves who developed a skill, such as blacksmithing or pottery, would start demanding more rights.)  Dave also could read and write, as he wrote short poems with dates, which he inscribed on the side of many of his pots, many of which have survived to today.  This book pays tribute to this artist through lovely lyrical language and bigger than life watercolors in browns, blacks, and whites.  The book’s design is award quality, with small subdued color photos subtly, and artfully incorporated in the background of the bold watercolor.  On the opposite page, the minimal text sits in the middle of a large expanse of monochromatic watercolor paper, giving a feeling of serenity and peace.  The serenity and intensity play off each other, on the two page spread, creating something quite striking.  Back matter includes more information about Dave such as…”Dave was one of the only two known potters at the time who could successfully make pots that were larger than twenty gallons, sometimes as large as forty gallons. To do this he had to wrestle more than sixty pounds of clay on his turning wheel.”  Whether students are studying black history or merely exploring with clay, this remarkable book is a must for an elementary school collection.

From the author of “Snowflake Bentley” comes a true story of environmental compassion and risk-your-life courage.  Sheep can be sheared for their wool.  But the one-of-a-kind Tibetan chiru, looking like a small antelope and related to wild goats and sheep, are killed for their wool, “the king of wools, the finest in the world”.  Chiru would die in the bitter cold, if they were sheared.  But at the rate they were being poached, they were soon to become extinct.  A caring scientist, George B. Schaller, made two attempts to discover the chiru’s secret calving area so that it could be protected. Then four mountain-climbing men offered to dedicate their summer to the 200-mile trek to find the birthing grounds, which they did.  The trekkers’ efforts resulted in the Chinese government protecting the threatened chiru.  The accounts of this adventure were purposefully vague about the exact location of the secret spot so the chiru will remain hidden.  Back matter include photographs of the people, animals, and the high Tibetan terrain.  This is an amazing adventure story, told in elegant poetic language, and illustrated in bright colors and gentle strokes of the watercolor brush…all of which is simply riveting to the reader.

Maria Luz and her family represent part of the two billion people around the world who are not “food secure”…which means they do not grow enough food to feed themselves and make extra money for medical needs, education, and clean water.  They are poor Honduran farmers trying to farm in soil depleted of nutrients. Here enters the teacher, Don Pedro (Don Elias Sanchez in real life.), who introduces the concepts of composting, terracing, natural insect repellents, and cash crops.  Maria’s family and their neighbors implement these concepts and simply turn their life around.  Each two page spread chronicles a part of the story lavishly illustrated in bold, bright Honduran sun filled colors.  Back matter includes more information about the real life people represented here. Also included are concrete ideas on how we can help to improve food security in our neighborhoods and in the world.  The author also wrote another book, “One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a big Difference”.  There is a website related to this book that is for teachers, librarians, and parents interested in teaching children through microfinance stories,  financial responsibility, and giving back.  As we become more of a global community, the above books are important ones to purchase for our libraries so we can inspire our students to become global citizens.

The story cleverly unfolds as you turn each page to read either a letter, document, newspaper article, etc. All of the aforementioned were written over the course of one summer relating to quite unusual events which occurred in a large old house located at 43 Old Cemetary Road.  A popular author, Ignatius B. Grumply, moves into the Victorian mansion to find some peace and quiet to help him break out of his writer’s block.  Unfortunately, for him, there are already three others living there…an eleven year old boy, his cat and a cranky ghost named Olive.  Skillful readers will find their brain getting stretched and teased trying to follow the humorous antics of these colorful character’s through the letters they write to each other, plus the various newspaper articles, and delightful drawings peppered throughtout.  Exquisite character development made it a gem of a read.  Will my patrons be dying to meet a new style of storytelling?  Will they chuckle at the sophisticated humor, as I did?  We will see!