New & Noteworthy

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB by Marion DaneBauer, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully, Holiday House, 2011. What a delightful, rhythmic book to read out loud with a child. Where you live, did March come roaring, tumbling in like an exuberant lion? How shall March tip-toe out?  With sheepish rhymes filled with sunshine and… Read more »

Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli

“Plant a tree!” Celebrate spring. Share the activity of planting a tree and reading this book:  MAMA MITI by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  Mama Miti is the beloved name of Wangari Muta Maathai the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize – just one of Mama Miti’s many “firsts.”  This… Read more »

Chronal Engine by Greg Leitich Smith

If ever there were a smartly-written, fascinating, action-packed, high-stakes mystery Chronal Engine is the one.  Greg Leitich Smith’s fast-paced prose, paired with Blake Henry’s graphic novel-like illustrations, will wow even the most dire of reluctant readers. An intriguing time travel adventure, cleverly crafted characters which appeal to both genders, and dinosaurs! Reader, you can’t go wrong with Chronal… Read more »

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

When her husband, William Harkness, set off for China in hopes of bringing the first live panda to the U.S, Ruth Harkness had no idea how this dangerous expedition would change her life. Working as a dress designer in New York, Mrs. Harkness hadn’t intended to join the treacherous journey to the mountains of China… Read more »

Here Come the Girl Scouts by Shana Corey

Here Come the Girl Scouts celebrates the vision of the one of the most influential feminists of all time, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. Author Shana Corey tells the 100 year-old-story of a young woman’s vision to establish an organization that developed a girl’s character through physical activity, a love of nature, and public… Read more »

Read Across America!

It’s Read Across America Day, and classes all over the country will be celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday by sharing their love of reading. In honor of the day, Sylvan Dell Books is offering free access to all their ebooks. Here’s the info from the publisher: “Sylvan Dell Publishing will be participating in Read Across America… Read more »

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Winners Announced!

It was an honor to serve with the other judges on the 2012 committee and a pleasure now to announce: WON TON–A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin (Henry Holt,2011) has won the 2012 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award!  Creatively structured and exquisitely conceived,  WON TON is a book… Read more »