Staff Selections Kids

Carol

Higgledy Piggledy Chicks

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Higgledy Piggledy Chicks
Barbara Joose


A great read-aloud for the youngest audience, Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks is a counting book, a guessing game, and an opportunity for the reader to show off vocal effects.  Best of all, it balances apprehension and reassurance as the chicks encounter the hazards of their barnyard world.

 

Mary

Ounce, Dice, Trice

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Ounce, Dice, Trice
Alastair Reid, illus. by Ben Shahn


In the tradition of A Hole Is to Dig, this charming New York Review publication explores the wilds of word usage, encouraging young readers and writers to play with words and enjoy the potential of language.  Ben Shahn’s character illustrations complement the individualist  sentiment of this book perfectly.

 

Tim

The Underneath

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The Underneath
Kathi Appelt, illus. by David Small


I read quite a bit of young adult fiction, but have never felt strongly enough about one of these to recommend it to everyone – until now.  Ms. Appelt’s first novel, nominated for a National Book Award, is so lyrical, so moving and so appealing that I could not put it down.  Set on the border between Texas and Louisiana, an abandoned and pregnant cat finds comfort and friendship with an abused bloodhound chained in the yard of a shack in the bayou.  This is a tale of love and revenge, good and evil, sorrow and happiness, and may be too overwhelming for pre-teens.  The writing is rhythmic, poetic and hypnotic.  If you haven’t tried a book meant for younger readers for a while, treat yourself to this one.

 

Victoria

Night Fairy

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Night Fairy
Laura Amy Schlitz, illus. by Angela Barrett


Just as night fairy Flory has learned to fly, a bat mistakes her for a moth and crunches her beautiful wings.  Dropped into a Giantess’s garden, Flory boldly takes up residence in a birdhouse, choosing to be a day fairy in order to survive.  No taller than an acorn, Flory discovers that by being kind and brave, she can make much-needed friends. Detailed, enchanting illustrations are sprinkled throughout this adventuresome, short chapter book, perfect for ages 5 – 10 as  a read-aloud or for independent reading.

 

Barb

Animal Crackers Fly the Coop

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Animal Crackers Fly the Coop
Kevin O'Malley


Animal Crackers Fly the Coop by Kevin O’Malley is a perfect picture book gift for punsters of all ages. It is based on the Bremen Town Musicians tale, but the main character is a hen who has seen the writing on the wall,; Fry-day is coming on her farm. She flies the coop to pursue her dream of being a comedi-hen. On the road she meets a dog, a cat and a cow, who all have similar tales of woe, and tag along.  All ends well when the jokesters trick the robbers who are returning to the abandoned farmhouse and vamoose.   A new comedy club is the result called Cow-Dog Kit–Hen and stand-up shows bring in animals from far and wide. (One of hens jokes: Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road? He didn’t have the guts.)  (You see what I mean????The hen will crack you up.)
Kevin’ O’Malley’s Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share is worth seeing as well.