IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Blessings to you and yours this holiday season from all of us at the Lake County Public Library. Here are some books available to mark this wonderful season! Go to http://www.lcplin.org/ and with your library card number and PIN place a hold for easy pickup at your local branch. I'll see you in the New Year!

Ho-Ho-Happy Reading!
Miss Laurie

FLETCHER AND THE FALLING LEAVES by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke

Lexile.....AD650          Pages.....32          Ages.....3-6

AR Quiz No. 109976 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

The first thing I noticed about Fletcher and the Falling Leaves was the illustration - the watercolor paintings are beautifully done in stunning autumn colors.  Fletcher, a young fox pup, is one of the cutest things on four feet!

The story opens with Fletcher noticing the almost daily differences in the world around him - the changing colors, the crisper sounds as he walks around, and his favorite tree is getting dry and brown.  Fletcher is very worried about his tree and tells his mother that he thinks his tree is sick.  She tells him, "'Don't worry, it's only autumn.'"  Fletcher accepts this thinking it's something that will get better soon.  When it doesn't, and the leaves start falling off the tree, poor Fletcher gets more and more distressed, trying to "fix" the tree by tying the leaves back on.  Then the squirrel takes some of the leaves for his nest and the porcupine takes some to keep warm.  This causes Fletcher to become more upset.  "'Help! Help!  The wind, the squirrel, and the porcupine are stealing our leaves,' cried Fletcher."

As the story goes on the tree has lost all of its leaves and Fletcher is despondent, thinking he has failed his friend.  One morning, though, he gets out of bed and goes to check on the tree and it is covered in icicles, sparkling in the early morning sun.  "'You are more beautiful than ever,' whispered Fletcher.  'But are you all right?'"  Nodding with the breeze the tree answers, making the icicles tinkle together with a sound like laughter.  At last, Fletcher knows his friend is okay and his worry is over.

I am rather conflicted about this book.  On one hand, as I have said, the illustrations are both beautiful and friendly.  Also, there are good lessons a child can learn if the book is read with an adult.  There is the lesson of caring for others, doing your best to help them.  You could even, depending on the age of the child, get into the idea that sometimes even if you do your best it might not be enough, but that there is no shame in it if they know they've done their very best.  There is also the lesson of the changing seasons and the physical changes that take place in the world around them.

However, what disturbs me is that even though Fletcher is a pup and the others in the story seem to be adult - Mother, Squirrel, and Porcupine - no one explains to Fletcher, despite his apparent distress, that all of what is happening is natural and that his friend is just fine.  I am concerned some children, especially the more sensitive ones, may experience some distress of their own if left to read the book alone.

I like Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, I really do.  Maybe I'm being too sensitive myself, but I feel it is a book best read together, child and adult.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

You can find Fletcher and the Falling Leaves at the Lake County Public Library or click here http://tinyurl.com/7xt4cwa

 and with your library card number and PIN, reserve a copy for pickup at your local branch.

BIG WORDS FOR LITTLE PEOPLE by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell

Lexile    Not Rated          Pages    40          Ages     4-7

AR Quiz No. 127019 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.6 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

I loved this book! It's funny and it can be slightly irreverent, but each 2-page spread has a lesson within a lesson. Not only does it expand your child's vocabulary, the words chosen convey principles that our children need to learn in their journey to becoming productive members of society - privacy, consequence, cooperate, persevere, respect and inappropriate to name a few.

Ms. Curtis also explains how a little word can have a BIG meaning - "Love is your family, your siblings, your friends.  Love is your ocean without any end."  Not all big words are big!

Laura Cornell's illustrations are brilliant! While some might find them a little busy, if you look closely you'll find all sorts of fun. You can use them as a search and find puzzle - in the classroom scene on the page spread for "consequence" you'll find a sign for a missing frog and her seven tadpoles. Upon closer inspection you will find them hiding in various places around the room.  Some of the humor is geared more toward the adults - "'I'm RESPONSIBLE,' you say when you pick up your toys" and all parents should recognize the picture of toys, all marked as "mine" or "not mine." Sound familiar? : )

Big Words for Little People is the eighth book by the Curtis/Cornell team and I think it's a real winner! You can find it at the Lake County Public Library or with your library card number and PIN, you can click here http://tinyurl.com/7ms3m57 and reserve a copy for quick pick-up from the Circulation Desk at your favorite branch.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

TWEAK TWEAK by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

Lexile    Not Rated          Pages    40          Ages     3-6

AR Quiz No. 144013 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 1.9 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

Mama Elephant and Little Elephant go out for a walk, Mama telling Little Elephant, "Hold on to my tail. If you want to ask me a question, tweak twice."  Along the way they see a frog, a monkey, a songbird, a butterfly, and a crocodile. "Tweak, tweak!" With a child's typical curiosity, Little Elephant wants to know about each one. "What is that? What is it doing?" Mama patiently answers each question. "That is a frog. It is jumping," or "That is a butterfly flying high in the sky." Little Elephant then asks, "Can I do that?" while fantasizing himself jumping or flying or climbing a tree. Mama Elephant explains that no, he cannot do that because he is not a frog (monkey, songbird, etc.) BUT he can do THIS! She then proceeds to show him something he can do because he is an elephant and asking him how he likes it. The story closes with Little Elephant leading the way home full of confidence and happy with being himself.

I like this book because it shows children that not everyone is good at everything, but that everyone is good at something. I think that sometimes we parents push children to excel at everything. The truth is, some people are good at one thing while not being very good at others. And that is nothing to be ashamed of! I, for one, love to read and I am, and always have been, good at it. On the other hand, I have ALWAYS had a rocky relationship with math - hence the fact I work at a library, not an accountant's office! : )

Sergio Ruzzier's illustrations are cute, friendly and eye-catching. The "fantasy" pictures are rather reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, with purple trees, giant flowers, fish with noses and all other manner of imaginative things.

I would highly recommend Tweak Tweak as part of any one's permanent collection.

Happy Reading!
Miss Laurie

Tweak Tweak can be found at the Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/73j8u9z to use your library card number and PIN to reserve a copy for pick-up at your nearest branch.

WIN OR LOSE BY HOW YOU CHOOSE! by Judge Judy Sheindlin, illustrated by Bob Tore

Lexile    Not Rated

Pages    80

Ages     7-12

This is a great book for parents to read and discuss with their children. Written by Judge Judy Sheindlin of television fame (I love Judge Judy!), Win or Lose by How You Choose! presents moral and/or safety issues faced by today's children: "All your friends are smoking. They are making fun of you because you are not," or "You are home alone and someone knocks on the door." The scariest and I feel one of the most important issues she opens for discussion is, "You find a handgun in your father's closet." Yikes!

The questions are presented in a multiple-choice format with some of the answers laugh-out-loud funny. Usually the answer is obvious. But some of the questions get into a gray area where more than one answer may be appropriate, dependent upon the parents' rules or wishes. The simple line-drawing illustrations by Bob Tore give the book a friendly look, making it seem like fun rather than like a lesson.

Win or Lose by How You Choose! is not a book that will work well for children to read alone, and many of the 36 situations are geared toward the younger of the 7-12 age group. But as a tool to instill fairness, honesty, kindness and other desirable traits, you can't do much better than the good, common sense of Judge Judy.

You can find Win or Lose by How You Choose! at the Lake County Public Library or click here http://tinyurl.com/6qszm9h and with your library card number and PIN reserve a copy for pick-up at your nearest branch.

Happy Reading!
Miss Laurie

MANANA, IGUANA by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by Ethan Long

Lexile    AD370          Pages    30          Ages     4-8

 AR Quiz No. 80866 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 1.9 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP, RV, VP

This is a great book to introduce a first foreign language to your little ones.  Using a liberal sprinkling of basic Spanish words - days of the week, animals, and short, familiar phrases, the author weaves a Little Red Hen type tale that is not only fun but also carries a good lesson.

"On Monday, lunes, Iguana twitched her tail happily.  'Let's celebrate spring with a party on Saturday.'"  Her friends Conejo (rabbit), Tortuga (tortoise), and Culebra (snake) think it's a great idea - "Yes! Let's!"  But when Iguana asks who will help write the invitations, no one is willing.  "Yo no, Not I," say her friends, all giving excuses as to why they can't help.  "I'd do it too fast," says Conejo.  "I'd do it too slow," says Tortuga, while Culebra says, "I'll do it manana, Iguana, if I grow some arms!"   The same thing happens with all of the party preparations throughout the week, the excuse always being the same.

When Saturday (sabado) arrives all of Iguanas friends are excited.  "We're ready for our fiesta, let's go greet our guests!"

Iguana says, "NO!  I did everything, and now I, and I alone, will greet my guests at my fiesta!" and proceeds to do just that.  Everyone has a great time - everyone that is, except Conejo, Tortuga, and Culebra who go and hide, watching the festivities but not participating.

When the fiesta is over Iguana says, "I'm too tired to clean up.  I'll do it manana," and is soon asleep.

From his hiding place Conejo says, "Iguana's really worn out!" and Tortuga comes out of his shell saying, "She should be.  She did everything."  Her friends realize how hard Iguana worked while they did nothing but play and watch, expecting to reap the rewards of her hard work.  Ashamed, they work all night to clean up the mess from the festivities while Iguana sleeps.  When she awakens she is amazed.  "Gracias! Thank you!" she says.  "Who wants to share the leftovers with me for breakfast?"  They all answer, "Yo si! I will!" and they all sit down and enjoy together as friends should.

The artwork in Manana, Iguana is simply amazing.  Brightly colored and with a flavor of the Southwest, Ethan Long captures facial expressions to perfection, from everyone's excitement about the party, to Iguana's frustration at having to do everything, to her friends' shame at having done nothing. Children will laugh at the idea of animals playing Tic, Tac, Toe and drawing graffiti on a cactus (another lesson that could be discussed!)

The lesson of being rewarded only for what you work for is one that is being lost in today's world. I think we need to get back to the days when children learned about disappointment and frustration right alongside happiness and pride in a job well done, like Iguana's friends did. Manana, Iguana gets that lesson across in a fun and sometimes funny way. There is a glossary of the Spanish words used at the front of the book making it simple to translate the Spanish words used. I liked it so much I'm going to purchase a copy for my permanent collection!

Hard Work and Feliz Lectura!
Miss Laurie

Manana, Iguana is available at any branch of the Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/759tf6n and with your library card number and PIN reserve your copy for easy pickup at the Circulation Desk. In most cases, if we don't have a copy we can get it manana! : )

I LIKE MYSELF! by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow

Lexile    Not Rated

Pages    32

Ages     3-8

"Even when I look a mess, I still don't like me any less, 'cause nothing in this world, you know, can change what's deep inside, and so . . . ."

This little girl knows what's really important! I absolutely love this book from cover to cover - the message is something we need to instill in all of our children and the illustrations are colorful and fun. "I Like Myself!" is rated as being for ages 3-8 but I think it carries a message that is ageless. We all need to love ourselves just as we are - warts, wrinkles, and all!

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie (who likes herself! : ))

"I Like Myself!" is available through the Lake County Public Library. Visit any branch or click here http://tinyurl.com/74ropta to place a hold for pickup at your favorite branch.