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| Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry; illustrated by Juana Martinez-NealStarring: Capt. Swashby, a grumpy old salt who doesn’t need -- or want -- any friends except the sea.
What happens: After an exuberant girl and her granny move in next door to Swashby’s seaside cottage, the mischievous ocean alters Swashby’s curmudgeonly messages in the sand, turning his rebuffs into invitations.
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| Lift by Minh Lê; illustrated by Dan SantatWhat it’s about: After her toddler brother usurps her cherished task of the pushing the elevator button in their building, a frustrated girl claims a discarded button panel for her own and discovers that it can transport her to places far more awe-inspiring than any typical elevator could.
Why you might like it: Similar to the creators’ previous collaboration, Drawn Together, Lift uses few words, depending on vivid details and entrancing atmosphere to show action and emotion. |
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| Unstoppable by Adam Rex; illustrated by Laura ParkIt begins: with a crab and bird who decide to join forces, becoming an unstoppable Crabbird!
Things escalate: as the duo teams up with more animals, gaining new abilities and zany names (“Birdraburtlebear!”) every time. When their habitat is threatened by a mall, however, the amalgamated animals set their sights on a different kind of power.
Reviewers say: Readers of Unstoppable will “delight in the over-the-top absurdity, even while absorbing a nice lesson on cooperation” (Booklist). |
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| You Matter by Christian RobinsonWhat it is: a playful and inclusive look at how all living things -- from microscopic organisms to planets to people like you -- are important and valuable.
Why kids might like it: sprightly poetry and endearing illustrations offer a variety of perspectives, demonstrating how things can look different from another point of view.
Did you know? Kids who'd like to experiment with creator Christian Robinson's distinctive collage art style can participate in Making Space, Robinson's interactive online video series. |
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| Smashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha; illustrated by Dan YaccarinoStarring: wrecking-ball operator Mr. Gilly, who's ready to SMASH, CRASH, CRUMBLE, and TUMBLE old buildings so that new ones can be built.
Read it for: big machines. gleeful destruction, and a refrain ("Is the demolition done?") that encourages interaction (because kids love yelling "NO!").
For fans of: Mr. Gilly’s 1st outing in Trashy Town, or Sherri Duskey Rinker’s Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. |
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| Hangry by Drew BrockingtonWhat it's about: Hankering for hot dogs, a little lizard monster heads into the city, only to discover that the best hot dog joint is closed. Now the monster is both hungry AND angry, and as his temper grows, so does he, leading to a tantrum of epic proportions.
Who it's for: While everyone can enjoy Hangry's energetic, graphic novel-style artwork, the story will resonate with kids (and adults) who get cranky when they need a snack.
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| My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.) by Peter BrownWhat it’s about: Bobby and his teacher, Ms. Kirby, don't get along -- after all, Ms. Kirby is a mean, green, sharp-toothed monster! Bobby's behavior isn't perfect, but are a few paper airplanes a good reason for Ms. Kirby to stomp, roar, and take away recess?
What happens: A chance encounter at the park leads teacher and student to see each other differently.
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Go Away, Big Green Monster!
by Ed. Emberley
A scary green monster begins to disappear, piece by piece and page by page, in a die-cut picture book that lets youngsters take control of the monsters in their lives.
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| The Little Shop of Monsters by R.L. Stine; illustrated by Marc BrownWelcome to: a very unusual shop, in which a sinister narrator guides readers through cages filled with slimy, toothy, scaly, googly-eyed monsters.
Why kids might like it: Although the monsters are more goofy than gruesome, this story has an ominous undercurrent: "At the Little Shop of Monsters, you don’t choose a monster... a monster chooses YOU!”
About the creators: Author R.L. Stine has thrilled generations of kids with his popular Goosebumps books, while illustrator Marc Brown is best known for the beloved, bespectacled Arthur. |
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Bedtime for Monsters
by Ed. Vere
Children are introduced to an adorable monster who smacks his lips, making readers wonder if he is hungry for a bedtime snack, before revealing that he is actually hoping to receive a sloppy, monster-sized goodnight kiss.
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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Chester Library 250 W Main St. Chester, New Jersey 07930 (908) 879-7612
chesterlib.org
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