Fast Five Fiction: National Picture Book Month

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. November is National Picture Book Month so today I'm sharing some laugh out loud picture books that recently arrived on our shelves.

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

Watch Out for the Lion

Readers beware--there's a ferocious lion in this book! The book warns that it has seen the lion already. First its bristly tail, then clashing claws, twitchy ears, fearsome fangs... and it's lying in wait to turn any unsuspecting passerby into a child cheeseburger or rugrat ravioli. But does a brushy tail always belong to a lion? When you touch the curvy claws, will they be attached to a paw? You never really know what might be lurking around the corner in this surprising story that challenges readers to face their darkest fears, and maybe even laugh about them.

Sheepwrecked by Ashley Belote

Set sail on a hilarious romp on the high seas with a group of pirate sheep and their big emotions! Join them as they bumble their way to a lost island and find the best treasure of all -- friendsheep!

Baa-hoy! Captain Hoof and his crew of sheep pirates are headed home with their treasure. Then -- SMASH! CRASH! BAM! -- the flock has been SHEEPWRECKED. They're cursed! They're lost forever! They'll never make it home! Until. . . a long-lost pirate helps the ragtag flock calm their nerves and see that things aren't all that bad.

All's wool that ends wool in this hilariously absurd, adventurous picture book from the creator of Witch & Wombat.

I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall

A spider sets out to make the most perfect, awe-inspiring web only to have her artistic efforts destroyed again and again in this delightful picture book about the creative process and perseverance.

As a spider, Kiara has always made webs to catch food, but one day, she discovers a web so beautiful that she's inspired to spin a masterpiece of her own.

So, Kiara starts creating, but even though she works hard on her webs, they are carelessly destroyed by others. How frustrating!

It's not until Kiara meets Orb, a spider who eats every web he weaves, that she gains a fresh perspective: the artistic process isn't about the destination but the journey and the friends you make along the way.

Chester Barkingham Saves the Country by Julie Falatko

A White House dog teaches lawmakers how to be better humans in this hilarious picture book told in presidential memos!

Good dog Chester Barkingham moves into his forever home--the White House!--when he's adopted by the president's daughter. The president sends memos to let everybody know about Chester joining the staff and, soon enough, the trouble he gets into.

The president has other things to worry about, though. Congress can't seem to get along, and bills are getting stalled as both sides argue and debate. Chester knows just what to do about the deadlock...if anybody would listen to him. When Chester starts sending memos of his own, Capitol Hill turns upside down--which may be just what everybody needs.

The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz

The heroic tale of a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for baked treats! A scrumptious picture book for fans of funny fairytales and fantastic beasts.

Ember has always been different from the other dragons. His fearsome roar sounds more like a polite sneeze, and when he breathes fire, the villagers just pat his head and say awwww.
Ember fears he’ll never collect a respectable hoard of gold until a chance encounter with a baker causes his fortunes to turn (and his stomach to grumble). As the little dragon soon discovers, the gold you make is way better than the gold you steal—and gold that is shared? That’s best of all.
Magic shimmers on every page of author-illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz's feel-good story that celebrates baked goods, dragons, and generosity in equal measure. Filled with adorable illustrations, this is a perfect read aloud for bedtime or brunchtime!

Happy Friday and happy reading!

What Should Oliver Read Next?

Hello, fellow furballs! Oliver here, ready to share my thoughts on Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey recommended to me by my friend, Seth. Now, I’ll admit, as a refined feline, I usually prefer the subtle elegance of a good yarn about cats. But I decided to give this book a chance, and wow, was it a pawsitive surprise!

The book stars Dog Man, a four-legged hero who is all bark and a whole lot of bite! His antics had me purring with laughter. Dog Man is a character with heart and a sense of justice that’s very admirable, even if he isn’t quite as refined as us cats. 

Petey the Cat on the other paw is a real hoot! He’s got a bit of a rebellious streak, which I can respect. Who hasn’t dreamed of causing a little mischief? I liked his interactions with Dog Man that put them in some purr-plexing scenarios that kept me on the edge of my cat tree.

Overall, Dog Man Unleashed is a tail-waggin’ good time! Even as a cat, I found myself rooting for our canine hero. So, if you’re looking for a book that’s sure to tickle your whiskers, this one’s a must-read. So make sure to check it out in the graphic novel section of our children’s department!

I look fur-ward to seeing you all again in my next review!  

Oliver

What Should Oliver Read Next?

 

Meowdy, fellow feline aficionados! I just finished reading my good friend Cindy’s recommended book, Don't Trust Cats by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt, and let me tell you, it was the cat's pajamas!

Right from the start, I was hooked—this book had me feline good with its charming illustrations and witty purr-spective on our not-so-innocent kitty kind. The story is all about the antics of cats, and as a seasoned cat myself, I can confirm: we are a curious bunch, often up to no good!

The humor had me laughing out loud (or should I say, “meow-ing” out loud?). Each page had a delightful twist that kept my whiskers twitching. The clever puns sprinkled throughout are paw-sitively delightful, making this a great read for humans and cats alike.

What I found most paw-some was how it captures the essence of our feline nature. From our sneaky little schemes to our regal attitude, it’s like looking in a mirror—albeit a funhouse mirror that exaggerates our majestic tails!

In summary, if you’re looking for a book that’s both entertaining and full of fur-tastic illustrations, Don't Trust Cats is the one for you. Trust me.

Until next time, Oliver out!

 

Fast Five Fiction: DiNovember

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. Each November, we celebrate Dinovember in the children's department so today I'm sharing some popular reads for the Dino lover in your life. 

We're hosting Paint by Sticker: Dino Edition, for kids in grades K-5, on Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 if you'd like to join us!

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

Dinomighty! by Doug Paleo

The first in a new graphic novel series, perfect for fans of Dog Man, Hilo and The Bad Guys.  

On their own, they are four mild-mannered dinos, but together they are . .  DINOMIGHTY!

Everything is pleasant and good in Dinotown . . . until Teri-Dactyl discovers a cryptic email that says the precious Golden Egglettes are in danger! Dinomighties unite! But can they spring into action fast enough to save these valuable jewels from evil baddies?

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night by Refe & Susan Tuma

Since Toy Story (and maybe since the very first toys!) children and their parents have wondered what it would be like if toys came to life. Refe and Susan Tuma take this wonder several steps further in What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night.

Every November, writer and social media master Refe Tuma and his wife, Susan, work into the night to bring their four children scenes from the secret lives of their toys—specifically the nighttime antics of their plastic dinosaurs. The dinosaurs wreck bathrooms, destroy vases, rock out, encounter terrifying hot irons, even do the dishes with hilarious, magical results. Each scene is photographed in meticulous detail, letting viewers joyfully suspend disbelief and think to themselves—just LOOK what the dinosaurs did last night?

Lost Time by Tas Mukanik

Jurassic World meets How to Train Your Dragon in this gorgeously drawn, adventure-packed middle grade graphic novel about a girl who gets trapped 65 million years in the past and must learn to survive with only her wits...and the pterosaur she befriends.

Twelve-year-old Evie didn't mean to get lost--especially in the Cretaceous period! Now she's alone, without her parents or anyone else to turn to for help. That is until she rescues a baby pterosaur and raises it on her own. As the baby grows into a giraffe-sized flying reptile, which Evie names Ada, the two manage to to find a way to survive in the prehistoric wilderness.

But Evie will have to risk everything when she makes a discovery that may just be her only chance of returning home. Putting Ada's flying skills to the ultimate test, the duo must embark on a journey halfway across the world--battling all nature throws at them, from fearsome dinosaurs to raging storms. Will Evie manage to overcome all the odds and find a way back to her family... or is she truly lost in time?

Dinosaur Club series by Rex Stone

Jamie is one of the biggest dinosaur fans ever. He's a member of the Dinosaur Club -- a network of kids around the world who share dinosaur knowledge. While exploring Ammonite Bay, Jamie meets Tess, a fellow Dinosaur Club member. Tess shows Jamie her favorite place -- a secret cave with fossils all over the walls. They see a strange tunnel at the back and go through it together. You won't believe what they discover next -- actual dinosaurs!

Learn all about dinosaurs and the prehistoric world in DK's new children's book series. A beautiful marriage of fiction and fact, Dinosaur Club is a modern revision of the popular Dinosaur Cove series fully updated for a new audience, featuring a brand new premise, new characters, totally new artwork throughout, and all the latest dinosaur information and discoveries.

At the end of each fictional book, you'll find "The Dino Files" which is a summary of all the scientific facts and discoveries made throughout the story. With fun illustrations, quizzes and a vocabulary list, the value of this educational book is outstanding and great for a classroom read!

Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel Jose Older

It's 1863 and dinosaurs roam the streets of New York as the Civil War rages between raptor-mounted armies down South. Magdalys Roca and her friends from the Colored Orphan Asylum are on a field trip when the Draft Riots break out, and a number of their fellow orphans are kidnapped by an evil magistrate, Richard Riker.

Magdalys and her friends flee to Brooklyn and settle in the Dactyl Hill neighborhood, where black and brown New Yorkers have set up an independent community--a safe haven from the threats of Manhattan. Together with the Vigilance Committee, they train to fly on dactylback, discover new friends and amazing dinosaurs, and plot to take down Riker. Can Magdalys and the squad rescue the rest of their friends before it's too late?

Happy Friday and happy reading!

Fast Five Fiction: Native American Heritage Month

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. November is National Native American Heritage Month so today's roundup features books by Indigenous authors in honor of this nation’s first people and their rich history.  

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

Remember by Joy Harjo

US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's iconic poem "Remember,"illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, invites young readers to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them, and to remember the importance of their place in it.

Remember the sky you were born under,
Know each of the star's stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun's birth at dawn,
That is the strongest point of time.

So begins the picture book adaptation of the renowned poem that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. In simple and direct language, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected. Michaela Goade, drawing from her Tlingit culture, has created vivid illustrations that make the words come alive in an engaging and accessible way.

This timeless poem paired with magnificent paintings makes for a picture book that is a true celebration of life and our human role within it.

The Misewa Saga by David Robertson

Readers looking for a Narnia-like adventure based on Indigenous legends will love this action-packed series from a member of the Norway House Cree Nation in Canada. It’s about two Native American children in foster care who bond over their shared heritage. They find a portal to another dimension and get swept up in an unforgettable journey of courage and survival.

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith

A collection of intersecting stories set at a powwow that bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.

In a high school gym full of color and song, Native families from Nations within the borders of the U.S. and Canada dance, sell beadwork and books, and celebrate friendship and heritage. They are the heroes of their own stories.

The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird

A middle-grade novel by James Bird about a boy sent to his Ojibwe family to straighten out his life.

Benjamin Waterfalls comes from a broken home, and the quickest fix he’s found for his life is to fill that emptiness with stuff he steals and then sells. But he’s been caught one too many times, and when he appears before a tough judge, his mother proposes sending him to “boot camp” at the Ojibwe reservation where they used to live.

Soon he is on his way to Grand Portage, Minnesota, to live with his father – the man Benny hasn’t seen in years. Not only is “boot camp” not what he expects, but his rehabilitation seems to be in the hands of the tribal leader’s daughter, who wears a mask. Why? Finding the answer to this and so many other questions prove tougher than any military-style boot camp. Will answers be enough for Benny to turn his life around and embrace his second chance?

Powwow Day by Traci Sorrell

In this uplifting, contemporary Native American story, River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again?

River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. In this uplifting and contemporary picture book perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.

Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. Author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrator Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.

Happy Friday and happy reading!