Grumpy Bird

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard is just that; a story about a grumpy bird.  Poor, poor Bird woke up one day grumpy.  But no matter how much he grumbled at his friends, they still stuck around.

The simple drawings help to point out Bird's bad mood and his friends ignorance of this fact.  Maybe if more people ignored grumpy comments we would all experience more happy endings like Bird.

Favorite line: "You do it by placing one foot in front of the other." (Gotta love sarcasm.)

Pirates Go To School

Pirates Go To School by Corinne Demas and illustrated by John Manders is a great book.  Just imagine for a moment what it would be like to go to school as a pirate (or even with a pirate).  Some days I think this is what my boys must have felt about school (especially recess time).

The illustrations are awesome too!  I love the teachers reactions to these pirate kids.

Favorite line: Pirates learn their letters: X (marks the spot), Y, Z.

What REALLY Happened to Humpty? (from the files of a hard-boilded detective)

What Really Happened to Humpty? (from the files of a hard-boiled detective) by Joe Dumpty as told to Jeanie Franz Ransom and illustrated by Stephen Axelsen is a combination twist on a nursery rhyme and great mystery/detective story.  Detective Joe Dumpty is is on the case - the case of the fall of his brother Humpty Dumpty.  (Insert ominous music.)

I loved this book!  It puts all the classic nursery rhymes that I grew up with into one neighborhood and one story.  Plus, through the miracle of modern medicine, Humpty is on the mend! The only question left unanswered is, "Who did it?"

Favorite line:  Humpty Dumpty was pushed.

Grace for President

Grace for President written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham starts with the question, "Where are the girls?"  Grace asks this question when her teacher, Mrs. Barrington, rolls out a poster with all of the president's pictures on it.  Then after much thought, Grace announces she would like to be president.  And that's when the fun begins.

This is a great book on several different levels.  Not only does it demonstrate that we should all be picking our leaders based on who we think will do the best job (not just who is the most popular), but it also does a great job describing the election process.  (In the back is a description of the Electoral College.)

Favorite line: "No girl president? EVER?" Grace asked.

When I Grow Up

In When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic and illustrated by Wes Hargis, little Billy faces the dreaded question during show-and-tell, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  However, I don't think Billy dreads this question as much as his classmates in this hilarious children's book by first-time author Al Yankovic.  Instead, Billy poetically and long windedly tackles this question with some very crazy, but thoughtful answers.

Okay, I will admit, I am a "Weird All" fan and quite honestly, his book does not disappoint.  It is filled with the same off-beat humor and subtle lessons that made many of his songs famous. 

Favorite line: "Esteemed friends and colleagues and dear Mrs. Krupp, I know what I'm gonna be when I grow up..."

Sleepy Bears

Sleepy Bears by Mem Fox and illustrated by Kerry Argent is a great bedtime story.  It is filled with wonderful poems and beautiful pictures. I especially love the quilt everyone is snuggled up under.

When winter comes, bears sleep whether they are tired or not.  This family of bears is no different.  So, Mama bear tells a dreamy poem for each of her not so sleepy bears.  

Favorite line:  "Bedtime already?" cried the bears as they tumbled inside.

The Boy Who Cried Ninja

The Boy Who Cried Ninja by Alex Latimer is a funny twist on the classic tale of the boy who cried wolf.  Only in this version, Tim is telling the truth and still gets into trouble.  So, what is a boy to do when he gets into trouble for telling the truth and for telling lies?

I really liked the artwork in this book, especially the voice bubbles.  Not only does everyone get a speech bubble, but they speak with words and pictures.  I love it!

Favorite line:  Then he had an idea.

Interrupting Chicken

 

Have you heard the joke about an interrupting cow?  No?  How about an interrupting chicken?  That's okay, because David Ezra Stein has and he shares his version of this classic joke in Interrupting Chicken.  

In this wonderful tale Papa is trying to read a bedtime story to little red chicken and things are not going all that well.  Filled with beautiful illustrations and familiar bedtime stories (that are never finished) this is a book that will be enjoyed by cows, chickens, and people of all ages.

Favorite line:  "Let's try another story.  I'll be good!"

Tire Mountain

Tire Mountain by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Ken Condon is a wonderful story about a boy seeing beauty in unexpected places.  Aaron lives in the city across the street from his dad's tire shop.  Aaron loves it.  Mama wants to move.  She is tired of the noise and longs for a house in a beautiful neighborhood.  So, Aaron decides to change her mind.

Once again an author and illustrator have captured the creativity, imagination, and industriousness of a young person.  This is a beautiful story.

Favorite line:  "It's beautiful here," I whisper, watching the taillights fade in the fog.

Olivia

Olivia written and illustrated by Ian Falconer is a cute little story about a very busy little girl.  She sings, she dances, she builds sand castles and my favorite past time - she scares her little brother.  But above all else, she wears people out! 

I love the way the author capture the not just the business of a little girl, but her imagination as well.  Olivia doesn't just build a sand castle, she builds a skyscraper.  She isn't just a dancer, she is a prima ballerina.  She is strong, and beautiful, and opinionated.  She is Olivia.

Favorite line:  In the morning, after she gets up, and moves the cat, and brushes her teeth, and combs her ears, and moves the cat, Olivia gets dressed.

Lettice The Dancing Rabbit

Lettice The Dancing Rabbit by Mandy Stanley is a wonderful story about a little rabbit who wants to be a ballerina.  Filled with light and airy illustrations, Lettice is the perfect story all aspiring dancers.

I love how the story lets Lettice figure out that she can be a dancer and a bunny.  And that sometimes one must choose between the two.

Favorite line:  "Please may I join in?" asked Lettice shyly.

More Bears

At the request of a friend I bring you More Bears! by Kenn Nesbitt and illustrated by Troy Cummings.  And yes the book is about exactly what the title says it's about - adding more bears to the story.  So, the real question is how many bears is enough for you?

I have to admit this was a really cool story with an awesome plot twist at the end.  

Favorite line: Stop that!  How many bears do you want this story to have, anyway?

Really, Rapunzel Needed a Haircut!

Really, Rapunzel Needed a Haircut!  The Story of Rapunzel as Told by Dame Gothel by Jessica Gunderson and illustrated by Denis Alonso is a fun twist on a classic tale.  Forget Disney, forget the Brothers Grimm, Dame Gothel knows what really happened and it had nothing to do with true love.  (It was all about how much shampoo the girl was using.)

If you love fairy tales or the "true story" versions of fairy tales, then you love this.

Favorite line: You have no idea how much I spent on shampoo.

Silverlicious

Silverlicious by Victoria Kann is a very cute story in the Pinkalicious series.  The story starts with our heroine, Pinkalicious, losing her sweet tooth while the tooth fairy happens to be out of town.  This is definitely a little girl book that I enjoyed reading!  Just enough frill for a little girl and more than enough story to keep little boys reading.

Favorite line: "What am I going to do without my sweet tooth?"

Splat the Cat Back to School, Splat!

Rob Scotton created a cool series about Splat the Cat.  In this book, Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! written by Laura Bergen, Splat heads out for his first day of school this year only to discover homework.  Filled with great illustrations and witty dialog, we follow Splat as he recounts his summertime adventures in pursuit of the perfect show-and-tell item. 

I would recommend this story to any youngster starting school and facing a show-and-tell dilemma of their own. 

Favorite line:  But she tagged along anyway.  (Anyone with a younger sibling will appreciate this.)

John Willy and Freddy McGee

 

Guinea pigs can be the most delightful pets.  They are cute, curious, noisy, and fun.  John Willy and Freddy McGee are no different. In the book John Willy and Freddie McGee, Holly Meade has created a delightful story about two such ginea pigs.

John Willy and Freddie McGee get loose one day and find their way to the pool table.  This is where the real adventure begins.  Even though our guinea pigs have never been allowed the freedom to roam unchecked like John Willy and Freddy McGee, they have explored many rooms in our house under the watchful eyes of our two cats. 

Favorite line:  It is so perfect.  It is so BORING.

Tanka Tanka Skunk!

 

Have you ever tried to teach someone the rhythm of words called syllables?  I have and this is the perfect book to it with.  Tanka Tanka Skunk! by Steve Webb is all about rhythm and animals and hearing the beat.

The bright pictures only enhance the rhythm as you chant the names of different animals while listening to the beat and finding the syllables in each word.

Favorite line:  Say their names together, and hear the beat.

The Keeping Quilt

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco is a beautiful story about an heirloom quilt that was passed down through the generations.  The mostly black and white pictures only serve to enhance the beauty of the quilt.  By the end, this story begs to ask the question: What are you passing down to your children?

I believe that every one needs a keeping quilt - something to pass down to your children to help them remember where and who they came from.  I have two items, both made by grandparents, a quilt and a dollhouse. 

Favorite line: "We will make a quilt to help us always remember home," Anna's mother said.

Stephanie's Ponytail

Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch and art by Michael Martchenko is a cool story about the dangers of following the crowd.   Stephanie turns out to be a trend setter and this upsets her especially because she is teased about her hair before everyone decides to follow suit. 

This is a great book to read to kids of all ages.  I especially love the way Stephanie doesn't let the teasing get to her and she creatively teaches everyone not to be a copycat.

Favorite line:  Stephanie said, "It's my ponytail and I like it."

Not a Box

Do you have that kid that no matter how great the gift is, spends hours playing with the box?  If so, this is the book for you.  Not a Box by Antoinette Portis is a simple book about the simple joys of playing with a box.  From a race car to a plane to a boat this a great book that actually looks and feels like a box.

Favorite line:  It's NOT NOT NOT NOT a box!

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney is a very cute story about friendship and bullies.  I really enjoyed the fact that the author teaches children not just what bullies do, but how to stop bullying.  Then she takes it one step further by teaching children how to extend the hand of friendship even to those who have been mean. 

The artwork is just as wonderful as the story with bright colors and realistic animals.  The situation presented is real and the tips provided work.  I love this book and think every child should read it.

Favorite line:  Being bullied is no fun!

Fanny

Fanny by Holly Hobbie is an awesome book about a little girl who wants a "Connie" doll.  Since her mom won't get her one, Fanny decides to make her own and names her Annabelle.  Fanny is a great role-model for all little girls, demonstrating that glamor isn't everything.

I loved this book for many reasons.  First off it was written by Holly Hobbie.  (I have a Holly Hobby blanket from when I was a little girl so anything written by my favorite doll has got to be good.)  Second, my mom's name is Connie and of course my mom should be the most glamorous doll out there!  Lastly, I loved the way Fanny solved her problem - she sewed.  (Being a child of the '80's I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll and couldn't get one, so my grandma and I sewed one.  Today the Cabbage Patch dolls I eventually got are packed away, but the homemade one still sits out in my room in her homemade kimono.) 

Favorite line: All afternoon, Dr. Annabelle performed operations on every stuffed animal Tiffany owned - emergency after emergency - while the glamorous nurses assisted. 

I'm in Love with a Big Blue Frog

I'm in Love with a Big Blue Frog performed by Peter, Paul and Mary, words by Leslie Braunstein, and illustrated by Joshua S. Brunet is a cool book complete with a three song CD.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and the songs are cool.  However, the jury is still out on the story for me partly because it is a song.

Turning a song into a children's book can make for a great book ... or not.  Some songs are easily turned from beautiful sounds to beautiful pictures.  This particular song was one of the harder ones since it is not a traditional children's song.  (This is part of why I'm not sure I like this book.)  I do recommend this book to those who like Peter, Paul and Mary or just like silly songs and stories with an underlying message.

Favorite line: They'll be great lookin' 'cause they'll have my face, great swimmers 'cause they'll have his feet! 

The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale

"There is an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible, unbreakable red thread connects all those who are destined to be together." This is the beginning of a very beautiful story: The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale by Grace Lin.

Even though I did not adopt, I do have a foster daughter and have felt the tug of a red thread.  Children are precious and this story beautifully describes the love felt within an adoptive family.  A good bedtime story for all children, no matter where they came from.

Favorite line:  (Besides the first line listed above.)  They knew they were very lucky. 

Draw Me a Star

Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle is a beautifully draw story about a star and an artist.  It all starts with the simple request to draw me a star.  After that each item requests a new drawing anywhere from a house to a cat to the night and a moon. 

I picked this book up because a co-worker made a comment about one of the drawings.  Knowing it was Eric Carle, the beloved author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I was intrigued.  The story was good, but the artwork was better, but the personal letter at the end was the best. 

Favorite line: I do not have a line.  I have a picture.  It is the picture in the middle of the book with no words, just everything the artist was asked to draw - a rainbow, a house, people, animals, and butterflies. 

Have I Got a Book for You!

Think about every commercial and infomercial you have ever seen in your entire life.  Did some of them make you chuckle?  If so, you will love this cheesy commercial for a book in Have I Got a Book for You! by Melanie Watt.  I giggled my way through this very entertaining book.

Our salesman in this book tries every trick out there to get you to buy this book.  He uses customer reviews, buy this get this free, and my personal favorite - before and after pictures!  (Be sure to read the fine print though.)

Favorite line: Well, this is your lucky day, my friend!!!  (Read like the old car salesmen that would shout into the TV.)

Vacation's Over! Return of the Dinosaurs

I wanted to read this book last week, but so many other goods ones were calling my name.  But that's okay since this seems to be a better week to remind students everywhere that Christmas vacation is truly over! 

Vacation's Over! Return of the Dinosaurs by Joe Kulka is another great dinosaur book.  Based on the premise that dinosaurs never went extinct; they just went on vacation.  The cruise is over and now it is time to return home.  I won't tell you just how well that goes.  I'll leave it to you to read and find out what all happens.

Favorite line(s):  Staring out at the rain forest, a dinosaur just sighs.  His lawn grew way out of control with weeds that reach the sky.

Fancy Nancy Puppy Party

For all the girls out there I give you: Fancy Nancy Puppy Party written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser and Carolyn Bracken.   I really wasn't sure what to expect when I read this book.  I haven't read any of the other Fancy Nancy books in the series, but I'm not sure if I want to read any more either.

The illustrations are very colorful and detailed. They definitely play up the theme of a very girlie little girl.  The story is good, but I'm not sure I liked the way Nancy explained all her fancy words.  (Kinda felt a little insulted.)  I know that it is suppose to be part of Nancy's personality and all that, but still...

Overall, I do get why some girls will like Fancy Nancy.  However, I am not one of them.  (Just another reason I am glad I have boys.  We get to play with bugs and dinosaurs instead of ribbons and jewelry.)

Favorite line: I am almost positive she's barking in French.

Blackout

Today we got a little more snow.  So what do I do?  I grab a book about summertime!  Blackout by John Rocco is a beautifully illustrated story about what one family does when the lights go out.  This book gently re-enforces the idea that time spent together as a family is time well spent. 

In this book, the words are few, letting the pictures do most of the talking.  So, finding a favorite line is a little hard, but I do believe I found one.

Favorite line:  And then... the lights went out.

Open This Little Book

This is a cute book!  I loved it.  Open This Little Book byJesse Klausmeier and illustrated by Suzy Lee is about the little books that each animal opens and reads.  The physical layout of the book is the most impressive part.  So, instead of trying to describe it in words, I will do the one thing I hoped never to do in this blog - show the inside of the book.

Isn't that cool?  As the reader, you open each animals little book and read the story inside!  Genius!

Favorite line:  The last line in the book.  (Which you will have to read for yourself.)

Truck Stop

 

Truck Stop by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Melissa Iwai chronicles the morning activities of a local truck stop.  Even though the pictures are bright and colorful, the story is a little bland making this less than a favorite book for me. 

The most interesting part of the book was all the different trucks.  The way every truck and its driver is introduced and named reminded me of Bob the Builder.  And because of that, I think some little boys might like this book.

Favorite line:  Green Gus is the old green pickup that rattles and clanks as it rolls - but always gets there. 

Ding Dong! Gorilla!

Have you ever had a gorilla show up at your front door?  No? Really?  Well then, you better read Ding Dong! Gorilla! by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Leonie Lord to find out just how much mischief one gorilla can make.

It all starts with a pizza and some bad news.  You see, when the doorbell rang and the little boy answered it, there was a gorilla standing outside instead of the pizza boy.  And well, as you might guess, gorillas like to play and are not necessarily neat. 

I really enjoyed this book and after reading it, wonder if a gorilla hasn't shown up at my doorstep once or twice.  Definitely a good read for families with boys.

Favorite line:  By now the gorilla was getting really hungry.  I was a bit scared, but he wasn't interested in me. 

Math Potatoes

Okay, I read the title of this book as it came across the circulation desk and immediately started singing to myself, "One potato, two potato, three potato, four..."  However the poems in this book go far beyond simple counting rhymes.  Math Potatoes by Greg Tang and illustrated by Harry Briggs is filled with challenging mental math problems.

There are many really cool math books that are picture books.  This is one of the better ones for older students.  The pages are filled with opportunities to stretch the readers computational skills not just with adding and subtracting, but also with multiplying and dividing.  Oh, and forget needing to find some scratch paper.  All the problems can and should be solved in your head.

If you enjoy these poem problems, be sure to check out Greg Tang's other books in this series.  I know this math geek will be reading the rest of them.

Favorite line: Oh, what tangled webs we weave, when flies and bugs we do deceive.

Once Upon A Cool Motorcycle Dude

Once Upon A Cool Motorcycle Dude written and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley and illustrated by Carol Heyer, and illustrated by Scott Goto has everything a good fairy tale needs (minus the evil step-mother).   It's got a princess, a giant, a motorcycle dude, spun gold, an epic battle, and of course everyone lives happily ever after.

Not only is this a cool fairy tale, but it is an excellent example of cooperative storytelling.  Two kids are assigned to tell their favorite fairy tale and since they couldn't agree on one, they made one up.  The new fairy tale offers both a girl's perspective and a boy's perspective on what makes a fairy tale great.   I totally loved the final product!

Favorite line:Favorite lines (one for the boy and one for the girl): 
     Boy:  Please...don't call him Buttercup.  Call him Ralph or something.
     Girl:  Volcanoes? Where'd the volcanoes come from?

I Don't Want a Cool Cat!

 

This is a really cool book for animal lovers especially cat lovers.  I Don't Want a Cool Cat! by Emma Dodd is about a little girl's description of the not-so-perfect cat.  The simple illustrations compliment the simple text beautifully.

Cats are the most uniquely wonderful and infuriating animals on the planet.  They definitely have a mind of their own and so care must be taken in order to find the right one.  I think that's why I like this book.  The little girl in the story knows exactly what kind of cat she wants and is able to describe it perfectly.    

Favorite line:  Or a slinky, dinky, twinky cat.

Bear's New Friend

Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman is a cute story for very young readers.  The illustrations are bright and colorful, filled with the greens of spring and the story rhymes and repeats as most stories written for the very young.

In Bear's New Friend, Bear hears a sound and wonders who it could be.  His friends join him as he searches for the source and together they soon find a new friend.  If you enjoy Bear, be sure to check out Karma Wilson's other books about Bear and his woodland friends. 

Favorite line: Come look if you dare!

One

I picked up this book at the library because it is a 2014 Monarch Award Nominee and looked like a cool counting book.  It is sooooo much more! 

One by Kathryn Otoshi is a beautifully illustrated story about self worth.  The water-color illustrations are simple and meaningful.  The words paint a picture full of emotion that go well beyond teaching colors and numbers.  It is one of those rare books that can be read and enjoyed by a preschooler one day and used as a teaching tool in a junior high class room the next. 

Favorite line:  But One stood up straight like an arrow and said, "No."

In honor of the snow storm followed by a polar vortex I bring you Snow Day! by Lester L. Laminack and illustrated by Adam Gustavson.  Yes, yes, all the parents out there are groaning about having a snow day or two added onto the already too long Christmas break.  But for everyone who ever, at any point in their life, wished for a snow day, this is the book for you.

Just imagine it.  No alarm clock ringing.  Staying in your PJ's.  Sipping hot chocolate while snuggling under a blanket.  Building snowmen, snow forts, and lots of snow balls,  Sounding good yet?  Who doesn't want a snow day? Who needs a snow day? You will have to read the this highly entertaining book to find out how this snow day goes.

Favorite line:  Okay I can't share my favorite line without giving away the ending of the book.  So instead I'll tell you it is the last two sentences before the last page.  If you want to guess or think you know, send me a message and I'll tell you if you're right. 

Mommy's New Tattoo: a bedtime story for people

Mommy's New Tattoo: a bedtime story for people by Levi Greenacres is an unusual children's book.  I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book, but the artwork is colorful and reminiscent of tattoos and the story is a rhyming narrative about the authors first time in a tattoo parlor. 

I will say that even though it is not my first choice in a book to read to my children, it did have a good message for kids about choices.  The author talks about the fact that tattoos are permanent and the decision to get one should be made carefully.  In fact, the authors message is my favorite line.

Favorite Line: Whether or not your decisions leave a scar behind you'll always be the happiest making up your own mind.

 

Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble

After watching it snow all day and knowing that tomorrow will probably be the coldest day of my life, I thought it would be fun to visit Egypt with my favorite Siamese kitty boy.  And of course Skippyjon Jones didn't disappoint.

In Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble by Judy Schachner, Skippyjon goes on another adventure with his Chimichangos pack through his closet and into the Under Mundo.  This time his adventure is filled with a Great Finx, some peas, and three sneaky goddesses.  And no story would be complete without a few songs along the way.  (My students loved to clap along to the songs.)  So, if your looking for a bouncing good time, pick up this or any other of the kitty boy's books.

Favorite line: "Not to the underwear!" exclaimed Skippito.

Dino-Wrestling

Dino-Wrestling by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Barry Gott was great!  Having two teenage boys, I have read, and enjoyed, many dinosaur themed books.  This one ranks right up there with best of them.  It had everything little boys (and their moms) like: rhyming, dinosaurs, wrestling, and a set of mischievous twins.

Okay, so there is not much of a traditional conflict/resolution plot. Although there are a lot of great wrestling moves.  The author has creatively described different wrestling styles while entertaining an active dino-sized imagination.  

Favorite line: Well, I don't have a favorite line.  I have a favorite picture this time. At the end of the sumo wrestling match is a picture of the security dino staring down at the pterodactyl twins dressed in a sumo wrestling outfit.  (Not sure what it is called.)  The twins look just like my boys when they were being mischievous. 

P.S. If you like this one, check out the rest of Lisa Wheeler's sports themed dino books.

A Squirrel's Story

Today's book is a new true story written from the perspective of a mother squirrel.  The story was a little long for young readers, but very interesting.  Having spent years watching, yelling, and even shaking my head at the squirrels in my yard, it was cool to read a story written by someone who loves squirrels. 

A Squirrel's Story: A True Tale by Jana Bommersbach and illustrated by Jeff Yesh is the creative retelling of events that took place in Rudy and Willie Bommersbach's backyard.  I really enjoyed having the narrator be a squirrel instead of a human.  It was reminiscent of Diary of a Worm by Dorene Cronin.  Being a realistic story also means that it is full of good information about squirrels and their habits. (Like I always wondered how squirrels remembered where they buried all those nuts.)  At the end of the book are several ideas for parents and teachers to take kids beyond the story.

Overall, this is a great book for a classroom or someone who loves leaning about animals.

Favorite line: "Start acting like a squirrel."

The Library Dragon

This year I am going to read a picture book a day and then write about it here.  Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have a list of some really great children's books.  The first book is this blogs namesake: The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Michael P. White.

Miss Lotta Scales is the new school librarian at Sunrise Elementary.  She replaces all the old, yucky books with new ones.  The problem is she doesn't want the children to mess up her pretty, new books.  So, she works to protect these books from the kids in the school forgetting that, "the Library belongs to the children."  That is until one girl finds a way to remind Miss Lotta Scales that children belong in the library. 

This is a witty story full of medieval play on words.  The illustrations enhance the story filling in all the extra details.  I loved this book because of the story line, the dragon, and the illustrations.  I have worked as a teacher and now work at a public library.  The desire to keep all the pretty, new books looking pretty is hard to balance with the excitement of sharing a cool, new story with a young person. 

So, this blog is dedicated to all those Library Dragons out there.  It's time to share the books.

Favorite Line: But then, every librarian needs to be a little bit of a dragon - or else, who would guard the books?