New Picture Books

The Bear in the Book - Kate Banks
 At the end of the day a little boy falls asleep as his mama reads about a bear hibernating.

A is for Musk Ox - Erin Cabatingan
Musk Ox takes over an alphabet book, explaining to his friend Zebra why almost every letter can be used to describe musk oxen.

Snow Day for Mouse - Judy Cox
On a snowy day, Mouse is swept outside where he plays in the snow, ice skates on a frozen puddle, and makes sure his friends the birds get something to eat.

Little Cub - Olivier Dunrea - A young bear cub, who is alone in the world, and Old Bear, who is grumpy and tired of living alone, meet and discover what they have been missing.

Mice on Ice - Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley
Colorful mice go ice skating and are unexpectedly joined by a feline friend.


Fish Had a Wish - Michael Garland - Fish wishes to be all sorts of animals because each one is special, then realizes there is something good about being a fish, too.

It's Snowing! - Gail Gibbons
Introduces readers to snow and discusses topics such as different types of snowstorms, regions where snow falls, and how to prepare when a snowstorm approaches. (nonfiction)

Ladybugs - Gail Gibbons
Using simple text and colorful illustrations, this book describes the physical attributes, habits, and life cycle of the ladybug. (nonfiction)


The Reader - Amy Hest
 A boy and his dog hike to the top of a very tall, snowy hill where they play, enjoy a snack, and then share their favorite book before sledding home.

Zero the Hero - Joan Holub
Zero believes that he is a hero, but the counting numbers think he is worthless until they get into trouble with some Roman numerals, and only Zero can help.

Ralph Tells a Story - Abby Hanlon
Although his teacher insists there are stories everywhere, Ralph cannot think of any to write.

Spike the Mixed-up Monster - Susan Hood

While Spike, a tiny axolotl salamander, practices being the monster he believes he is, other animals call him cute and funny but when a Gila monster arrives and the other creatures hide, Spike shows his true nature.

Christmastime - Alison Jay

Illustrations and single words present different aspects of Christmas, and the pictures hide links to Christmas songs and carols.

This Moose Belongs to Me - Oliver Jeffers
A young boy learns that moose do not always follow the rules of proper pet behavior.



The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - William Joyce
Morris Lessmore loves words, stories and books, and after a tornado carries him to another land, dreary and colorless, he finds a single book in color that leads him to an amazing library where, he learns, the books need him as much as he needs them.

Good News, Bad News - Jeff Mack
While on a picnic, Bunny and Mouse see everything that happens to them from opposite points of view--Bunny sees only the good, while Mouse sees only the bad.


  Black Dog - Levi Pinfold
"When a huge black dog appears outside the Hope family home, each member of the household sees it and hides. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the black dog, who might not be as frightening as everyone else thinks."-- Provided by publisher

The Case of the Incapacitated Capitals - Robin Pulver
Capital letters are being so neglected in Mr. Wright's classroom that they are nearly incapacitated, and a medical team must be summoned to perform CPR-- Capital Posture Repair.

Minette's Feast: the Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat - Susanna Reich
While Julia is in the kitchen learning to cook up elaborate, delicious dishes, the only feast Minette is truly interested in is that of fresh mouse. Includes biographical information about Julia Child.

Spoon - Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Spoon's always been a happy little utensil. But lately, he feels like life as a spoon just isn't cutting it. He thinks Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks all have it so much better than him. But do they? And what do they think about Spoon?

Skippyjon Jones Cirque de Olé - Judy Schachner
Skippyjon Jones, the Siamese cat that thinks he is a Chihuahua dog, wants to perform his high-wire act in the circus.

Splat Says Thank You! - Rob Scotton
When Splat the Cat's mouse friend Seymour isn't feeling well, Splat tries to make him feel better by listing the reasons why he is thankful for their friendship.

Wild About You! - Judy Sierra
Joining the new baby animals at the zoo are the much-loved pengaroo and the pandacat.


Abe Lincoln's Dream - Lane Smith
When a schoolgirl gets separated from her tour of the White House and finds herself in the Lincoln bedroom, she also discovers the ghost of the great man himself.

Waterloo & Trafalgar - Olivier Tallec
In this humorous, wordless picture book with die-cut pages, two soldiers, red and blue, discover the pointlessness of hostility.

Listen to My Trumpet - Mo Willems
When Piggie plays her new trumpet for Gerald, the elephant decides he must be honest in his response.


Bear Says Thanks - Karma Wilson
Bear thanks his friends for bringing food dishes to his dinner party and finds a way of sharing something of his own.

Pop-up and Board Books

The Happy Little Yellow Box: A Pop-up Book of Opposites - David A. Carter
This highly interactive novelty book follows a friendly yellow box as he journeys high and low, near and far until finally resting in a spot that is "just right." This fun, engaging read introduces the first concepts of colors, counting, shapes, and opposites through the use of pop-ups, pull-tabs, and more! -- from the Publisher

Five Little Monkeys Jump in the Bath - Eileen Christelow
When five little monkeys eat some ice cream and play in the mud, they become icky, sticky monkeys . . . and Mama says it's time for a bath! But even after those silly little monkeys scrub themselves clean, they find a way to get mucky all over again. Toddlers will giggle over the wild monkey antics, rhyming refrains, and expressive, up-close monkey art in this brand-new board book.--Description from Amazon.com

Llama Llama, Nighty-night - Anna Dewdney
What's the best part of bedtime? Stories with Mama! Before cuddling, Llama Llama must splish and splash in the tub, then put his red pajamas on. Dewdney's catchy rhymes, effortless rhythm, and adorable artwork can now be enjoyed by even younger audiences. --from the Publisher

Spot the Animals: A Lift-the Flap Book of Colors - illustrated by Steve Jenkins
What's hiding there? This charming novelty book, created with the experts at the American Museum of Natural History, is an irresistible first-concept book, combining colors and animals. Peek-a-boo holes in the flaps reveal a bit of a brightly hued creature hiding underneath, making a fun guessing game for preschoolers. Readers can lift the flaps to discover six animals cleverly camouflaged in their natural habitats, from rainforests to coral reefs. --from the Publisher

New Teaching Aids

Algebra Tiles Classroom Kit
Kit contains 30 Algebra Tile Students Sets, each of which includes a 35-piece, two-color set of Algebra Tiles; a 70-piece overhead set of Algebra Tiles; and an instructional booklet. Grade 8 and up.

Blink: The World's Fastest Game!
A fast-paced card game in which players race to be the first to play all of their cards as they try to match the shape, count, or color on their cards. For 2 players. Grade 2 and up.

Calculators
Set of 25 DG560 calculators. Each 56-function calculator has a 10-digit display; statistic and memory capability; safeguarded memory; decimal, hexadecimal, binar and octal calculation; and auomatic shut-off. Instruction manual included. Comes with a protective cover.

Order of Operations Flash Cards: Pre-Algebra
Use to practice order of operations - an important pre-algebra skill. Includes 100 flash cards. Excellent for classroom review and individual practice. Grade 5 and up.


Stopwatch Set
Set of 6 Ultrak 310 timers, one each of blue, purple, red, green, orange, and yellow, with landyards.  Features start, stop and reset.

New DVDs

Chinese New Year

Shows the sights and sounds of a traditional Chinese New Year celebration.


Christmas Around the World
Shows the customs, foods, songs, and stories with which people around the world celebrate Christmas.

George Washington
"From military scout, to colonial farmer, to General, to President of the United States, George Washington set the standard for what it means to be an American. In George Washington, kids will examine the life of the man whose leadership helped transform 13 colonies into a brilliant new country. From leading the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War to helping to shape the young nation, kids will get an up-close look at the man whom many refer to as the 'Father of Our Country'"--Container

Hanukkah/Passover
Two Jewish celebrations--Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and Passover, a holiday celebrating freedom and renewal--are presented to children through illustrated stories, puppets, and songs. At a Hanukkah celebration, youngsters learn about the miracle of the Menorah as they light candles, play games, and sing songs to commemorate the holiday. As part of an introduction to Passover and the traditional Seder meal, a group of children visit a matzo bakery where they mix, squish, roll and flatten dough to create their own matzo.

Heroes of Freedom: The Stores of Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks
A look at the life and times of two remarkable women, and how their childhood experiences helped shape their strong feelings to fight inequality and discrimination. Go back to 1830 and the cotton fields of a southern plantation. Experience what life was like for an enslaved person. Then go to 1955 and a bus stop in Montgomery, Alabama where the unfairness of segregation led to the beginning of reform.

The Hunger Games
Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.


March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World...and more stories about African American HistoryChildren will learn and celebrate African-American history through this animated collection of stories based on popular children's books. In the lead story written by Martin Luther King Jr.'s sister, Christine King Farris, she recalls the day she heard him deliver his "I have a dream" speech. Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport introduces the ideas and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. using some of his own words. Rosa, by Nikki Giovanni, recalls Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Henry's Freedom Box: a True Story From the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine tells of a slave who mailed himself to freedom.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Kids will take an in-depth look at the life of this civil rights leader and learn about his commitment to nonviolence in the pursuit of social change. From his days as a minister in Alabama to his role in the battle for equal rights, discover how Americans responded to the actions and words of the most influential leader of the Civil Rights Movement." --Container

The Night Before Christmas...and More Classic Holiday Tales
A compilation of seven stories that celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa: The Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, - In the month of Kislev by Nina Jaffe, -- Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney, -- Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, -- Max's Christmas by Rosemary Wells -- Morris's Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells -- The Little Drummer Boy by Katherine Davis, Henry Oronati and Harry Simeone.

The Polar Express
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.


Presidents Day
Students find out how Presidents Day is celebrated today and learn about the history of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Through stories, songs and crafts, students learn more about how the president is elected, his or her responsibilities, and the nation's most famous home, the White House.
   
The Story of Ruby Bridges
Harvard professor Robert Coles recounts the story of six-year-old Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans in the 1960s.

Tale of Despereaux
Once upon a time in the far away kingdom of Dor lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Despereaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend Roscuro. The two go on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness.


The Wright Brothers
Animated biography of the Wright brothers, two men who ignored all those who said it couldn't be done and became the first to manage powered flight.

New Picture Books

Santa from Cincinnati - Judi Barrett
A baby in Cincinnati whose first words are "ho ho ho" grows up to become Santa Claus.

Nightsong - Ari Berk
Chiro, a young bat, is nervous about flying into the world for the first time without his mother, especially on a very dark night, but he soon learns to rely on his "song" to find his way and stay safe.

Who Built the Stable? - Ashley Bryan
A shepherd boy apprenticed to his carpenter father builds a stable and then welcomes two weary travelers from Nazareth.


Seed by Seed - Esme Raji Codell
Recounts the life of John Chapman, the legendary Johnny Appleseed.


All the Awake Animals are Almost Asleep - Crescent Dragonwagon
Illustrations and rhyming text portray an alphabet of animals as they prepare to go to sleep.


The Ant and the Grasshopper - Rebecca Emberley
In this version of the classic fable, a weary ant is energized by the swinging sounds of a grasshopper and his "buggy" band.


Noah Webster and His Words - Jeri Chase Ferris
A portrait of the man who wrote the first U.S. dictionary traces his youth as a bookish Connecticut farm boy and his twenty-year effort to write the all-American dictionary that was published in 1828 when he was seventy years old.


Boot & Shoe - Marla Frazee
Boot and Shoe are dogs that live in the same house, eat from the same bowl, and sleep in the same bed but spend their days on separate porches until a squirrel mixes things up.


What's the Time, Mr. Wolf? - Debi Gliori
Mr. Wolf has a busy day. Starting his daily routine at seven o'clock, his schedule is packed from breakfast to bedtime. At nine o'clock the mail arrives, and he goes shopping at noon. Four o'clock is naptime, and surprise!...At six o'clock there is a big party in Mr. Wolf 's honor. Special guests include Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, the Cat and the Fiddle and many more characters readers are sure to recognize. Huffing and puffing new life into favorite nursery rhymes, this charming story introduces telling time while showing readers that the Mr. Wolf isn't so big or bad after all. --From the publisher


I Have a Dream - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
An illustrated edition of Martin Luther King's famous "I have a dream" speech. Includes a CD with official recording of the speech.

Cold Snap - Eileen Spinelli
A cold snap has everyone in the town of Toby Mills feeling down, until the mayor's wife thinks of a way to warm things up again.

Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art - Jane Breskin Zalben
Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured.

New Middle Grade & YA Titles

Middle Grade Fiction

Chickadee - Louise Erdrich
In 1866, Omakayas's son Chickadee is kidnapped by two ne'er-do-well brothers from his own tribe and must make a daring escape, forge unlikely friendships, and set out on an exciting and dangerous journey to get back home.

Liar & Spy - Rebecca Stead
Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building.

YA Nonfiction

Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town - Warren St. John
American-educated Jordanian Luma Mufleh founds a youth soccer team comprised of children from Liberia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkan states, and elsewhere in the refugee settlement town of Clarkston, Georgia, bringing the children together to discover their common bonds as they adjust to life in a new homeland.

The Bronte Sisters: The Brief Lives of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne - Catherine Reef
The Brontë sisters are among the most beloved writers of all time, best known for their classic nineteenth-century novels Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne). In this sometimes heartbreaking young adult biography, Catherine Reef explores the turbulent lives of these literary siblings and the oppressive times in which they lived. Brontë fans will also revel in the insights into their favorite novels, the plethora of poetry, and the outstanding collection of more than sixty black-and-white archival images. --From the publisher

 

New Poetry & Nonfiction

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs that Squeak, Soar, and Roar! - edited by J. Patrick Lewis - Combines photography with lyrical text celebrating the animal world, in a compilation that includes works by such poets as Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and Rudyard Kipling.

The Giant and How He Humbugged America - Jim Murphy

A description of the Cardiff Giant mystery in which a man in upstate New York buried a ten-foot-tall, petrified model of a man, which was discovered by well diggers a year later, and set into motion a money-making spectacle.

Where Do President's Come From?: And Other Presidential Stuff of Super Great Importance - Michael Townsend
Shares wacky and engaging facts about many of our nation's leaders. Traces the history and powers of the presidency, and offers insight into the job's daily routines, benefits, and challenges.