Dana’s Picks:
Cork & Fuzz: Spring Cleaning by Dori Chaconas ER CHA
Cork loves to clean, and his friend, Fuzz, would rather play. When Cork tries to boss Fuzz into helping with the Spring Cleaning, it creates some problems they must work out.
When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes E HEN
Henkes describes how the dark world of winter develops into the bright and blooming world of spring.
How Do You Know It’s Spring? by Ruth Owen J 508.2 OWE
In this non-fiction title, the author describes the various ways spring makes itself known to us, from budding flowers, to longer days, and to the birth of baby animals.
Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur E SCH
Schnur uses acrostic poetry, a poetry form in which the first letter of each line spells out a word, to describe spring.
The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins E B SES
In this picture book biography, we learn about Katherine Olivia Sessions, who brought trees to San Diego, California and is credited with developing what eventually became Balboa Park.
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart E STE
Told through letters, Lydia Grace goes to live with her uncle after her father loses his job. Lydia Grace is a gardener and brings that with her, always hoping to bring a smile to her uncle’s face.
Liz’s Picks:
The Night Gardener by Eric Fan and Terry Fan E FAN
Awesome illustrations! This is an excellent book about a man who works at night to transform trees into beautiful topiaries. One night, young William follows the Night Gardener to the park and is invited to help him.
My Wiggle Makes Me Giggle by Scott Simons J CD MYWI
Fun Songs that encourage healthy habits.
The Littlest Bigfoot by Jennifer Weiner AUDIO CD J F WEI
Alice struggles with being comfortable in her own skin and does not fit in anywhere. Shipped off to a new school each year. Alice saves Millie, who is a Bigfoot, from drowning in a lake. A friendship blossoms. Elsewhere, Jeremy, a lonely boy, believes there are Bigfoot in the forest and tries to expose them. This is a wonderful story about friendship, acceptance, and standing up for others.
If you Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson E NEL
A story about kindness and reaping what you sow. The illustrations are wonderful!
Stormstruck by John MacFarlane J MAC
A fast paced read about a boy who tries to protect his dog from being euthanized. They embark on a sailing trip, only to find themselves caught up in some very dangerous situations.
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy
J 398.2 DEE
Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha was a beautiful cockroach. When she was old enough to marry, her Abuela (grandmother) gave her some shocking advice. She should spill coffee on her suitor’s shoes to see how they react. Read this humorous story to find out if the coffee test works.
Carolyn’s Picks:
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck J P PEC
Joey and Mary-Alice go to visit their grandmother every summer in rural Illinois. The kids think it will be boring, but things don’t always turn out the way you expect. Each summer has its own chapter and is a fun and touching read.
The Night World by Mordecai Gerstein E GER
A little boy and his cat discover the world of shadows at night. It is dark, but soon “something” is coming!
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen JP PAU
Brian’s plane crashed, and he has to learn to survive in the wilderness by himself. He has a hatchet and not much else. What dangers will he have to face? Will he be rescued or is this his new life?
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin J MAR
Rose has a dog named Rain. Rain is a homonym for Reign, and Rose loves both Rain and homonyms. Her love of homonyms makes her different. The other kids don’t understand her and even her father has a hard time accepting her. One stormy night, Rain goes missing and Rose has to overcome her own challenges to find her.
Hidden by Helen Frost J FRO
This novel in verse tells the story of two girls who share a secret from their past. One summer they meet at camp and must learn to deal with the secret that they have kept for so long.
Ah Ha by Jeff Mack E MAC
How many ways can our frog friend combine the letters A and H? What do the words mean? This is a fun, colorful book with a lot of action.