Fast Five Fiction: Pajama Party edition

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Our next Pajama Storytime is coming up on Monday so today's roundup features pajama and bedtime books!

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Captain Pajamas: Defender of the Universe by Bruce Whatley

Brian's Techno-Robotic-Alien-Communicator light is flashing! The aliens are on their way. Brian must save his annoying older sister and the entire universe. But how can one small boy defend the entire planet from being overtaken by aliens? By transforming into . . . CAPTAIN PAJAMAS, Defender of the Universe!

Will Brian be able to save his sister and capture the alien invaders? And what does his trusty dog, Shadow, have to do with it all?

Pirates in Pajamas by Caroline Crowe

Pirates in Pajamas is a hilarious rhyming romp – perfect for bedtimes and little pirates everywhere. Beautifully illustrated by Tom Knight, this book is packed full of piratey humor, jazzy jim-jams and a cozy-dozy ending. Bedtimes will never be boring again.

Pillow Places by Joseph Kuefler

An imaginative picture book about the joys of pillows and play.

Pillows are not just for sleeping. Pillows are for dreaming . . . of forts, ships, and alien worlds among the stars.

Pillow Places is a tender exploration of the power of friendship and imagination, especially on those first sleepover nights away from home.

Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues by Kim Dean

Pete the Cat and his friends are having so much fun playing and surfing in the sun, they don't want the day to end. Pete has an idea—how about a sleepover? Groovy! As the night gets later, it's time for bed. This cool cat needs to catch some ZZZs, but Pete's friends aren't ready to go to sleep just yet. Then Pete has another idea. . . . Will it work?

Good Night, Good Night by Sandra Boynton

The sun has set not long ago.....So begins one of the most widely loved children's books ever made.

The Going to Bed Book was first published in 1982 and has been a cherished part of many millions of bedtimes ever since.

Good Night, Good Night is the larger and longer version, now redrawn by the author for a fabulous new generation. 

Happy Friday, and happy reading!

Nonfiction Spotlight: The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book

It's time for another Nonfiction Spotlight and as October is National Cookbook Month, I couldn't help but share one of the library's newest cookbooks. If you attended Miss Alex's Create Your Own Cookbook program last week, the recipes in this book would be perfect to add. 

The Facts:

Title: The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book    Author: Maile CarpenterPhoto Director: Alice AlbertPublisher: Hearst Home KidsPublication Date: July 27, 2021

Target Audience: Grades 3 and up

Summary:

Who wants dessert? This cookbook, from the editor's of Food Network Magazine, is filled with more than 100 great recipes - plus photos and tips to help you make your best treats ever. 

You'll discover more than just recipes inside: You can also take a baking quiz, dye your own sprinkles, turn cookie dough into an edible jigsaw puzzle and so much more. Flip through and pick a project ...it's time to bake!

The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book also includes food trivia, tips, food crafts, and other fun activities.

The Experts Say:

"A visual recipe index at the beginning of the book provides a miniature photograph of each completed dish with the recipe’s name and the corresponding page number......Many of the recipes offer “design-your-own” options to circumvent picky eaters and spark creativity....This accessible and visually stunning cookbook will delight and inspire home cooks of all ages and get families cooking together.

—School Library Journal

“This book is a must-have for all the bakers out there! It’s filled with so many fun ideas, tasty recipes and my favorite—tons of sprinkles!” 
—Natasha Jiwani, Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship Winner Season 5
 
“I love it when cookbooks are created just for kids! ‘Adult’ cookbooks can be intimidating, and kids may be nervous to start baking, but this book allows them to jump in and be creative.” 
—Trevin Alford, Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship Winner Season 7

Miss Kate Says:

Many people don't think about cookbooks being nonfiction books but there are so many things you can learn from them. From learning math lingo (one-third, one-fourth) to following directions, to the importance of accurate measurements, there are lots of skills that can be learned. And who doesn't love having a tasty treat to eat afterward. Cookbooks allow children to learn new skills in the kitchen that will carry them into adulthood. 

This highly visual cookbook is perfect for those starting out or wanting to hone their skills. The photo recipe index makes it easy to choose what looks good and each recipe includes pictures. The design your own option allows for flexibility and creativity while the recipe tips give useful hacks and make baking fun.  Sprinkled throughout are informative "Did you know" segments that even had me learning something new. 

If you'd like to read more, check out this article from Scholastic on improving reading skills from cookbooks, this article on How to Read a Recipe (for Kids), search our online catalog, or come on in and browse the stacks. You just may find something to cook for dinner tonight, a new favorite recipe, or have a good conversation with your kids in the kitchen. 

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. This week at our Creative Writing Club we learned about Graphic Novels and got to design our own graphic novel pages. We had so much fun exploring Graphic Novels I thought I'd share five to new to our shelves this week. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Bedhead Ted by Scott SanGiacomo

Ted has always had one giant problem: his hair. No matter what he does, nothing can tame his unruly mane. Starting fourth grade is going to bring BIG obstacles, especially with teasing from bullies. That’s how he got the name Bedhead Ted after all. But Ted has his best friend, Stacy, to distract him. So when Stacy becomes obsessed with Brookside’s mythological Beast—a giant raccoon terrorizing the town—Ted is ready to help him unravel the mystery.

But when new friends enter the mix, Ted’s friendship with Stacy gets a little rocky. And when Stacy gets the idea to search for the Brookside Beast on his own, only Ted and his unruly hair can save him. For the first time in his life, Ted wonders if his hair might just be a gift rather than an epic curse.

Goldilocks: Wanted Dead or Alive by Chris Colfer

When we first meet her in The Land of Stories:The Wishing Spell, Goldilocks is a beautiful and tough-as-nails outlaw. Discover her origin story and more in this brand new, lushly illustrated full-color graphic novel, as she takes you on adventures where she may or may not break a few laws along the way.

Once upon a time, the kingdoms of the fairy-tale world lived in perfect harmony under the guidance of the Happily Ever After Assembly. But not all creatures and territories have been invited to this peaceful union. Monsters and criminals have found refuge in the Dwarf Forests, a land without rulers or law. When a plot by the Charming brothers is unveiled and threatens to push society's unwanted from their homes, the fairy-tale world's harmony and Goldilocks' home are put in jeopardy . . .

Trubble Town: Squirrel Do Bad by Stephen Pastis

Wendy the Wanderer has lived in Trubble Town her whole life but never had the chance to go exploring. For this reason, she thinks she was definitely misnamed. Her dad likes to know where she is to make sure she’s safe, so she’s never been anywhere on her own. Then, her dad leaves on a trip and the babysitter doesn’t reinforce all the usual rules. Or any of the usual rules! Suddenly, Wendy is free to do what she wants, and what she wants is to live up to her name…and find Trubble.

Turns out, there’s lots going on in Trubble Town. As she encounters endearingly goofy animals and hilariously hapless townsfolk, Wendy’s very first adventure takes more twists and turns than she could have ever expected. She learns some really valuable life lessons and even teaches a few of her own.

Barb the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo

Barb is a Berzerker, one of a group of warriors sworn to protect the land of Bailiwick from the scourge of monsters that plagues it. But the fearsome crew seem to have met their match in the nefarious Witch Head. Using power from his magical sword, he tricked the Zerks and took them captive. Only Barb was able to escape—and she took Witch Head’s Shadow Blade with her.

Now it’s up to Barb to free her fellow warriors so they can stop Witch Head from taking over Bailiwick. On the way, she’ll battle vampire goat fiends, snot goblins, and a giant with serious foot odor issues (but don’t mention that to him—he’s very sensitive about it). Luckily, she’s got her best friend, Porkchop the yeti, to help her.

But the power of the Shadow Blade has a mind of its own, and the deeper Barb gets into her quest, the harder it is to keep the blade’s awesome power under control.

 

Cuphead: Volume 1 by Zack Keller

Revisit the colorful characters of the Inkwell Isles in this collection of brand new Cuphead and Mugman tales!

Prone to unexpected predicaments and thrilling adventures, Cuphead and Mugman feature front and center in a series of short but sweet side stories that reimagine the world of the all-cartoon magical wondergame. This original graphic novel features all-new original tales, authentically drawn to match the glorious, award-winning vintage animation style of Cuphead!

Happy Friday, and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Cooking!

 It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. October is National Cookbook month and we'll be hosting a Create Your Own Cookbook program on October 20. To get in the mood for cooking, today I'll be sharing five books & series that focus on cooking or baking. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Love Sugar Magic series by Anna Meriano

Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival.

Leo hopes that this might be the year that she gets to help prepare for the big celebration—but, once again, she is told she’s too young. Sneaking out of school and down to the bakery, she discovers that her mother, aunt, and four older sisters have in fact been keeping a big secret: they’re brujas—witches of Mexican ancestry—who pour a little bit of sweet magic into everything that they bake.

Leo knows that she has magical ability as well and is more determined than ever to join the family business—even if she can’t let her mama and hermanas know about it yet.

And when her best friend, Caroline, has a problem that needs solving, Leo has the perfect opportunity to try out her craft. It’s just one little spell, after all…what could possibly go wrong?

Cupcake Diaries series by Coco Simon

Middle school can be hard…some days you need a cupcake. Join Katie, Mia, Emma, and Alexis as they form the Cupcake Club—and fast friendships—and navigate the trials and tribulations of middle school in these sweet stories.

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

When eleven-year-old Jingwen moves to a new country, he feels like he's landed on Mars. School is torture, making friends is impossible since he doesn’t speak English, and he's often stuck looking after his (extremely irritating) little brother, Yanghao.

To distract himself from the loneliness, Jingwen daydreams about making all the cakes on the menu of Pie in the Sky, the bakery his father had planned to open before he unexpectedly passed away. The only problem is his mother has laid down one major rule: the brothers are not to use the oven while she's at work. As Jingwen and Yanghao bake elaborate cakes, they'll have to cook up elaborate excuses to keep the cake making a secret from Mama.

All You Knead is Love by Tanya Guerrero

Twelve-year-old Alba doesn't want to live with her estranged grandmother in Barcelona.

But her mother needs her to be far, far away from their home in New York City. Because this is the year that her mother is going to leave Alba's abusive father. Hopefully. If she's strong enough to finally, finally do it.

Alba is surprised to find that she loves Barcelona, forming a close relationship with her grandmother, meeting a supportive father figure, and making new friends. Most of all, she discovers a passion and talent for bread baking. When her beloved bakery is threatened with closure, Alba is determined to find a way to save it—and at the same time, she may just come up with a plan to make their family whole again.

Confectionately Yours series by Lisa Papademetriou

Confession: My life is soooo not sprinkles and sunshine...Hayley's world is far from perfect: Her parents have divorced, her mom has lost her job, and she and her sister Chloe are stuck sharing a bedroom in their grandmother's apartment. Luckily, Hayley has a knack for baking cupcakes -- and cupcakes always make life just a little sweeter! But when she and her best friend Artie start drifting apart, she realizes that it's going to take more than sugar and spice to make things nice.

Confession: Hayley's in another sticky situation . . .Hayley and her little sister, Chloe, have just moved into their grandmother's house with their mom, who recently divorced their dad and now runs the family's tea shop. With her knack for baking, Hayley helps out too, but her newfound talent seems to have cost her her best friend, Artie. Now Hayley's crushing on someone who might just be Artie's new boyfriend. This mess really takes the cake!



Happy Friday and happy reading!

Nonfiction Spotlight: Listified

It's time for another Nonficiton Spotlight! I don't know about you but I am one of the people who LOVES a good list, book related or not. Today I wanted to share a little bit about a book new to our shelves, Listified. 

The Facts:

Title: Listified: Brittanica's 300 Lists that will Blow Your MindAuthor: PettieIllustrator: Andres LozanoPublisher: Britannica BooksPublication Date: 9/7/21

Target Audience: Ages 8 and up

Summary:

Ever wondered which 10 dinosaurs were the largest, and what they weighed…in cats? Or how much of your DNA you share with other animals…and bananas? Enter the listiverse and get ready to see the world in a whole new way. Listified! takes the best and most amazing parts of the universe —erupting volcanoes, medieval machines, jumping spiders, exploding stars, and everything in between — and organizes them into quirky list form for curious kids and their friends and family to enjoy.

Brought to life by imaginative and hilarious artworks, each list presents subjects from new and unexpected angles. So let Britannica's Listified! take you on a journey through 300 lists that illuminate everything from the human body, to prehistoric creatures, planet Earth, outer space, and the mysteries beyond. Here are three mind-blowing facts from Listified! to get you started…

• A Tyrannosaurus rex could swallow 15,000 hamburgers in a single bite.
• A bolt of lightning is the width of your thumb and five times hotter than the surface of the Sun.
• If you tied all your hair together into a single cord, it could support the weight of 18 cows.

An utterly absorbing compendium of amazing facts and trivia that will keep children aged 8+ entertained for hours!

The Experts Say:

"This nonfiction book brings all kinds of information to life with its cool lists and fun drawings." - The Week Junior Book of the Week

"The book is filled with cartoon illustrations, maps, charts and diagrams, in a bright color palette, featuring men, women, and people of various races, ages, and abilities. Really, there’s no boring pages!" - Youth Services Book Review

"If you are looking for the perfect book for that kid (or adult) who is simply interested in everything, look no further. This book is chock-full of the most interesting facts, with over 300 lists that cover, well, just about everything." - San Francisco Book Review

Miss Kate Says:

This book is full of interesting facts and fun trivia, there's something for everyone to enjoy. From space to Dinosaurs, the human body to inventions these lists will delight readers of all ages. Each list has been fact-checked for accuracy and the combination of photographs and illustrations are so fun to look at. This book is definitely one where you don't have to read the whole book from front to back, cover to cover. Feel free to browse areas that interest you and skim over those that don't. It would be a great book for a class discussion or to read with a friend or family member. You could browse through this book for a year, and then start over again at the beginning. 

If 300 lists aren't enough. for you, you can check out 1000 Interesting Facts from Factsite or browse the numerous lists on Listverse. Or try making your own list, you can get some guidance from this Scholastic article.

Fast Five Fiction: Spooky Stories

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Some spooky decorations have made their way to the children's department this week so today I'll be sharing five spooky books (or series) to put you in the holiday mood. 

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

You're Invited to a Creepover series by P.J. Night

Go to sleep…if you dare, because you’re invited to a creepover! This middle grade horror series combines two things that kids love—sleepovers and scary stories.

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

The Night Gardener follows two abandoned Irish siblings who travel to work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house. But the house and its family are not quite what they seem. Soon the children are confronted by a mysterious spectre and an ancient curse that threatens their very lives. With Auxier’s exquisite command of language, The Night Gardener is a mesmerizing read and a classic in the making.

The Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales by Mary Downing Hahn

The author of wildly popular ghost stories, Mary Downing Hahn has created a group of tales for fans of her "scary but not too scary" books. Even the stories without actual ghosts are spooky. Each tale turns something ordinary—a pigeon, a white dress, a stranger on the bus, a puppet—into a sinister link to the supernatural. For the human characters, secrets from the past or careless behavior in the present can lead to serious trouble. All the stories have a young person as the central character, so all will resonate with young readers who enjoy the eerie, the creepy, and the otherworldly. In a concluding note, the author talks about how she came to write ghost stories.

Scary stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker

The haunted season has arrived in the Antler Wood. No fox kit is safe.

When Mia and Uly are separated from their litters, they discover a dangerous world full of monsters. In order to find a den to call home, they must venture through field and forest, facing unspeakable things that dwell in the darkness: a zombie who hungers for their flesh, a witch who tries to steal their skins, a ghost who hunts them through the snow . . . and other things too scary to mention.

Spirit Hunters series by Ellen Oh

Spirit Hunters, a high-stakes middle grade mystery series about Harper Raine, the new seventh grader in town who must face down the dangerous ghosts haunting her younger brother.

A riveting ghost story and captivating adventure, this tale will have you guessing at every turn!

Harper doesn't trust her new home from the moment she steps inside, and the rumors are that the Raine family's new house is haunted. Harper isn't sure she believes those rumors, until her younger brother, Michael, starts acting strangely.

The whole atmosphere gives Harper a sense of déjà vu, but she can't remember why. She knows that the memories she's blocking will help make sense of her brother's behavior and the strange and threatening sensations she feels in this house, but will she be able to put the pieces together in time?

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Disney's 50th Anniversary Celebration

It's Friday and time for Fast Five Fiction! Each week I share five fiction books: new books, notable books, books around a common theme. Today kicks off Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebrations. On Monday we're hosting a DIY Mickey Mouse Halloween Ears program and there's still space available, you can register here. To celebrate, today I'll be sharing some great series brought to us by Disney.

Click the title to be directed to the book in our catalog. Book descriptions are from Goodreads.

Disney Chills series by Vera Strange

Disney Chills is a  middle-grade anthology horror series in the vein of Goosebumps. Each book in the series focuses on a child making a deal with a Disney Villain, such as Ursula, Dr. Facilier, or Captain Hook, and the terrible price they pay for having their wishes granted.

The books feature moral lessons on social issues kids face, including popularity versus true friendship and not compromising yourself to fit in, and how making supernatural deals isn't the way to go. 

Wizards of Mickey Graphic Novels by Disney

When a sorcerer steals a powerful magic crystal from the ancient wizard Nereus, apprentice Mickey Mouse travels to the capital of Grandhaven to reclaim it before Nereus realizes it's gone. His search leads him to the Grand Sorcerers Tournament, which he enters with two young wizards he meets along the way-Goofy and Donald Duck. Little does he know, a far more sinister plot is unfolding in the shadows of the competition...

Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson

The Kingdom Keepers series, follows the adventures of five teens who, by day, are holographic hosts in the Disney Theme Parks. By night, they battle Disney Villains to keep them from taking control of the parks, the Disney entertainment empire, and the world. 

Twisted Tales series by Various Authors

What if Aladdin had never found the lamp? What if Belle's mother was the one who cursed the beast? What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula? What if the Evil Queen had poisoned the prince? What if Anna and Elsa never knew each other? 

Twisted Tales are an anthology series of books based around alternate "what-if" spins on familiar animated Disney films written by various authors, here are currently 12 books with more books coming next year. 

Descendants series by Melissa de la Cruz

Evil tree. Bad Apple?

Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost―a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world.

Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon’s Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She’ll just need a little help from her “friends.” In their quest for the Dragon’s Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain’t so bad.

Happy Friday, and happy reading!