New Children's Books

Looking for something fun to read over Winter Break? The new book shelf at the Peter White Public Library is filled with adventures, journeys, a monster or two and compelling non-fiction to snuggle up and enjoy in the next few days.  Check out Talking Leaves, Joseph Bruchac’s fictionalized tale about a Cherokee man who created the first Cherokee Syllabary in the days before the civil war and Where, Oh Where is Rosie’s Chick a new picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Pat Hutchins.

These other titles are also sure to please:  

Quit Calling Me a Monster by Jory John turns stereotypes on their ear in a fun, yet effective way. The monster in this book recalls all the times he’s been called a “monster”, comparing it to a name that represents something dark, menacing and well monsterish. But he contends that he’s in his own space – the closet, under the bed -  minding his business when the name calling happens and without any good reason. What would he rather be called? His name of course, Floyd Peterson. This book will start conversations about the labels we put on ourselves and others, helping kids understand that those names carry weight.

In Bridge to the Wild, author Caitlin O’Connell’s fascination with animals will appeal to young readers who want to know more about well-known zoo species such as gorillas and elephants; and less well known, such as the Ground Hornbill. Filled with color photographs and tips on how readers can be animal scientists in their own communities, O’Connell writes about the animals she meets on a four day behind the scenes trip to Zoo Atlanta. O’Connell, who has studied wild elephants for over two decades, offers a picture of intelligent creatures whom she hopes readers will learn to understand better.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, is a story of hope and strength. Yeboah, bicycled across Ghana in 2001 with the King’s blessing and with one good foot. Quite an accomplishment from the teen considered a curse by most people in his village, including his father who left after Yeboah was born. While society expected Yeboah to beg to to meet his daily needs, his mother encouraged him to choose a different path. After losing her as a teenager, Yeboah made plans for the cross-country bike trip.

Life Cycle of a Honey Bee by Grace Jones is a short, simple and of course sweet, honey filled book that explains the life cycle of one of nature’s hardest working animals for very young readers. Appealing photos magnify bees in every phase from egg to, larvae to workers and drones. Easy to read text makes this an accessible option for students working on school reports. Engaging facts might inspire new apiarists to start their own hives next spring.

The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne is a great middle-school story about a 12-year old girl who does not feel like she fits anywhere, school or home. A child of divorce, Fizzy’s parents are both in new relationships and her father’s new wife is expecting a baby. Her Aunt Liz is the only one who seems to remember she exists, and she offers fun suggestions to her niece on how to cope with the changes through cooking. Fizzy decides to enter the Southern Living cook off to prove to her parents and herself that she is worth noticing.

A face not even a mother could love. That is the baby described in Ugly by Robert Hoge, whose mother refused to see him for the first days of his life, leaving the hospital without him. In this raw biography Hoge shares an honest description of the world’s reaction to his misshapen face, from the early days filled with surgeries to remove the tumor and reset his eyes, to his reactions to the stares and comments. His mother emerges from her stunned state to become his fierce ally and protector as Robert navigates boyhood, then puberty. Audiences will cheer out loud in the last chapter as Hoge grapples with the decision to undergo another life-altering surgery. He wishes for a role model, someone whose physical appearance doesn’t deter them from living life.

And now he’s provided that for kids.

-Jenifer Kilpela, Youth Services