Summer Reading from Your Local Library

Summer Reading at Chesterfield County Public Library

By Rose Loren and Ginger Armstrong of Chesterfield County Public Library

PICTURE BOOKS
Tony Baloney by Pam Munoz Ryan; illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Stuck in the middle between Bossy Big Sister and the Bothersome Babies, Tony loves fish tacos, Little Green Walrus guys and his stuffed animal, Dandelion, but trouble brews when Dandelion behaves badly and Tony must say he’s sorry.

Holler Loudly by Cynthia Leitich Smith; illustrated by Barry Gott
Holler Loudly hasn’t been able to be quiet since the day he was born. As he grows up, he becomes louder which only gets him in trouble at school, in the library and at the movie theater, but can Holler save the day when a tornado threatens the state fair?

Look! A Book: A Zany Seek-and-Find Adventure by Bob Staake
Find the hidden items in these richly detailed pages of underwater worlds, haunted houses and tree-top worlds.

BEGINNING READERS
Pet Heroes by Nicole Corse
Here are 14 stories of truly amazing pet heroes, from service dogs to pot-bellied pigs.

JUVENILE NON-FICTION
My Favorite Recipes by Annabel Karmel
Try out these tasty, fun, easy to make recipes from cupcakes to potato mice! Just looking at the cover will make you hungry!

Biggest Bugs (Life-Size) by George Beccaloni
Have you ever wondered what a bug looks like up close and personal? Check out these amazing pictures of real life-sized bugs.

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
Determined to be the first woman to fly around the world, Amelia Earhart began her fateful journey on May 21, 1937. Days later, all contact with her plane was lost, and the most famous search in aviation history began.

JUVENILE FICTION
Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman
Twins, Coke and Pepsi, traveling cross country with their parents, try to come to terms with being part of The Genius File, a top-secret government organization, while trying to fend off some wicked assassins.

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
In this fifth installment of the Lunch Lady graphic novel series, Betty and the Breakfast Bunch try to find out who is stealing the yummy treats from the bake sale.

  
   Summer vacation and the summer reading program are just around the corner. The nine branches of the Chesterfield County Public Library system have a wonderful selection of books for every age and interest.
    Titles are added to the collection every month, so there’s always something new to check out.
Librarians at each branch will be happy to provide suggestions for finding the right book. You can also sign up for NextReads and receive newsletters featuring books for kids, tweens and teens. Book lists are available and often provide a brief description of titles included.
    Be sure to check out the library’s web site www.library.chesterfield.gov for online book lists and to get the latest updates on kids’ books added to the collection. Feel free to also browse the “New Books” displays in each of the branches for the latest arrivals. Here’s a sampling of new titles you’ll want to check out.
   Don’t forget to check out the Downloadable Digital Library for a variety of eBooks including the Disney Digital Book collection now available with 678 eBooks consisting of storybooks and chapter books. Picture Book readers may also be interested in the TumbleBook Library that offers animated storybooks for kids.


Summer Reading at Henrico County Public Libraries

Book list courtesy of Henrico County Public Libraries

PICTURE BOOKS
Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes
One bright spring day a little white rabbit sets out from home on an adventure. What does he find? Look! Everything is new. Anything is possible. . . .

Mini Racer by Kristy Dempsey; illustrated by Bridget Stevens-Marzo
Twelve little vehicles are lined up and ready to race. With speed bumps to jump and corners to round, who will take the lead? The winner just might surprise you. This rhyming text is filled with onomatopoeia sure to tickle the funny bones of little readers. Beep, beep!

Yoko’s Show-and-Tell by Rosemary Wells
When Yoko’s grandparents send her a beautiful antique doll all the way from Japan, Yoko couldn’t be happier. On Girls’ Festival Day, Yoko wants to show Miki to her class and tell them all about the Japanese holiday. Mama says not but Yoko can’t resist…What could possibly go wrong?

BEGINNING READERS
We Are in a Book! An Elephant & Piggie book by Mo Willems
Using vocabulary perfect for beginning readers, Mo Willems has crafted a mind-bending Elephant & Piggie story that is more interactive than ever.

ILLUSTRATED FICTION
The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Kevin Cornell
J.J. Tully is a former search-and-rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (who look like popcorn on legs), along with their chicken mom, show up demanding his help to track down their missing siblings. Driven by the promise of a cheeseburger, J.J. begins to track down clues. Is Vince the Funnel hiding something? Are there dark forces at work—or is J.J. not smelling the evidence that’s right in front of him?

FICTION
Fear Itself Part of Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School by Andrew Clements
As the new Keepers of the School, sixth-graders Ben and Jill must decipher a handful of clues written as maritime riddles to save their school from demolition by a greedy company.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Inspired by the author’s own childhood experience of fleeing Vietnam as a refugee and immigrating to Alabama, this tween novel told in verse is sure to capture young readers’ hearts and open their eyes.

Young Fredle by Cynthia Voigt; illustrated by Louise Yates
Fredle, a young mouse cast out of his home, faces dangers and predators outside, makes some important discoveries and allies, and learns the meaning of freedom as he struggles to return home.

GRAPHIC NOVELS
Babymouse Cupcake Tycoon by Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm
The school library is having a fund-raiser, and Babymouse is determined to raise the most money and WIN the GRAND PRIZE! Or . . . er, to help the school! The competition is fierce, but Babymouse will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even if it means outselling every last kid in school . . .

 

NON-FICTION
Tales of Famous Heroes by Peter Roop & Connie Roop; illustrated by Rebecca Zomchek
A perfect introduction to the lives and accomplishments of some of the most fascinating and admirable men and women from our history and today, including: Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, Sacagawea, Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall, Neil Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Florence Nightingale, and more. With lively art and photos and lots of fun facts, this book is sure to inspire the next generation of famous heroes!

  
    Summer vacation and the summer reading club are just around the corner. Stop your local library for these great selections or visit www.henricolibrary.org for other suggested titles, library locations, events and more.
   The theme for the 2011 Summer Reading Club is What’s Your Story? Stop by a library to register for the club beginning June 6. Kick-off events will be held at Tuckahoe on June 27 at 3:30pm; Dumbarton on June 27 at 6:30pm; Twin Hickory on June 28 at 6:30 and will feature hilarious singer songwriter Bill Harley.


Stories All Over The World from Pamunkey Regional Library

By Linda Gosnell, Youth Services Supervising Librarian, Pamunkey Regional Library

Parents, are you searching for good stories for your children this summer? Broaden your view and consider the wealth of stories from around the world! Children in other countries experience the same situations with school, friends and families as here in the United States just in a different setting. Here is a list of wonderful titles at your local public library - the Pamunkey Regional Library system - for enjoyable reading that will also count toward reading or listening for the library’s Amazing Tales Summer Reading Program:

Where in the world can you find Cinderella? Cinderella tales exist in many countries. Try The Egyptian Cinderella or Adelita, A Mexican Cinderella Story or Cenrillon, a Caribbean Cinderella besides familiar versions by the Grimm Brothers or Walt Disney. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal by Paul Fleischman even combines many versions into a single extraordinary tale.

Rock your little ones to sleep with Pio Peep! Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes in English and Spanish, Go to Sleep, Gecko! S Balinese Folktale or Hush! A Thai Lullaby.

Only got a minute? Short collections of stories work in a pinch such as Three-Minute Tales by Margaret MacDonald or One Voice Please by Sam McBratney.

Looking for something fun to do? Mix up the recipe for Cinderella’s pumpkin tartlets in Jane Yolen’s Fairy Tale Feasts. Play button soccer from Spain with directions in Play With Us: 100 Games From Around The World by Oriol Ripoll. Cool off by making an Antarctic snow craft in MaryAnn Kohl’s Global Art: Activities, Projects And Inventions From Around The World.

Looking for a good laugh? Noodlehead Stories by Martha Hamilton or African Trickster Tales featuring Anansi and Zomo by Gerald McDermott bring a chuckle.

Enjoy your summer reading and ask your friendly library staff for more suggestions.

  
    The Pamunkey Regional Library, serving Hanover, Goochland, King & Queen and King William counties announces the 2011 Summer Reading Club, Amazing Tales @ Your Library, for children of all ages. Sign-ups begin Saturday, June 4th and continue through the summer until August 13th. Earn prizes for books read or hours spent listening or reading, and visit the library for a chance at weekly paperback drawings. Mom and Dad, you can join our adult club too!
    Weekly programs for families include special story times, geo-caching, Lego building, bingo & other games, 4H pet show, movies and popcorn and ice cream socials.
    Teens! Enjoy programs like movies and pizza, dance lessons, gaming, Perfectly Pampered manicures and a book club.
    Kick Off Your Summer Reading at all branches, and join the fun the week of June 27th with local favorites - The Diggity Dudes - who combine music with audience participation. All programs are free and open to the public. Summer story times for preschoolers run June 6th through July 29th.
    For more information, call 804-365-6211 or visit www.pamunkeylibrary.org