Every Picture Tells a Story...and Guys Do Read!

Look What's New in Children's Books:

Wordless books hold a special place for children in early literacy and in early writing.  By "reading" a wordless book with a young child you open their imagination to the description and allow them to use their own words, building their vocabulary.  For older children just exploring the idea of putting words to page, a wordless book can spark a creative project. 

The Farmer and the Clown, by Marla Frazee, is a new title that wordlessly illustrates the relationship of a little clown who falls from a passing train and the lonely farmer who brings him home. Muted tones perfectly capture the wide, open prairie and without a word it is easy to see the friendship that develops.

Jerry Pinkney is a Caldecott medalist whose detailed illustrations fill many pages of well known children's titles. The Grasshopper and the Ants is the third in a series of Aesop's fables following The Lion and the Mouse and The Tortoise and the Hare. Pinkney brings these tales to life with his beautiful, detailed paintings and few words.
In this fable the lively grasshopper is always ready with a song and some fun while the ants are busy preparing for winter.  Be sure to find the pages with the ants underground and the grasshopper, outside in the snow.  




The next title, Sequoia, honors Arbor Day and Poetry Month, with words by Tony Johnston and paintings by Wendell Minor.  Simple verse gives life to this great tree and follows it throughout the year.  Additional information on the tree is given at the end with thanks to Stephen C. Sillett and Marie E. Antoine of Humboldt State University, researchers whose photos were used by the artist for illustrations.











Tall trees inspire tall structures and engineers are constantly trying to top the tallest buildings around the world.  In 1889 the Eiffel Tower was the world's tallest building.  George Ferris, a mechanical engineer from Pittsburgh, was determined to build a taller structure for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.  Mr. Ferris and His Wheel tells the story of this project and its success.  

Sidebars give details to the project and the new inventions of the time, including the use of electricity. Read this book and imagine the excitement as a new century was about to begin.




Yes, guys do read!

Often a short story is all you need, if time is limited or you don't want to get into a longer novel. Jon Scieszka is well know know for his earlier picture books, including The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, the Time Warp Trio series for older readers, and the beginning reader Trucktown series.  

Scieszka has championed reluctant readers with an emphasis on boys on his website Guys Read. He is now editing a series of books that collect short stories by well known authors, including  M.T. Anderson, Walter Dean Myers, Anthony Horowitz, Steve Sheinkin and Candace Fleming, to name a few.

These collections follow a theme, beginning with "Funny Business" and as the title implies it is loaded with stories that will keep you laughing.  "Thriller" is the second volume and includes tales of mystery and suspense. Volume 5, "True Stories" brings non-fiction to life with biographies, essays, travel stories and more by some of the best authors for youth. 

Pick one up and check out the website for links to Jon Scieszka's bio, his blog, and reviews of more great books.

The Art of Berkeley Williams Jr.

From 1920 to 1975 the Richmond Public Library clipped and indexed every newspaper article it could find on local art exhibitions. The library may have stopped cutting and pasting, but the clippings, in 36 binders, are still available for perusal at the main library’s reference desk. The articles provide an immediate sense of the RVA art scene of the early 20^th century and can uncover fascinating, unheard of artists, sending you on a chase through the library’s collections.

After a quick thumb through one of the binders I stopped on this striking image:

The illustration--a sinister-looking dandy stalking the streets with cape and cane--is by Berkeley Williams, Jr., and it accompanied a review of Williams work shown on East Franklin Street in 1927. The write-up is glowing, almost equaling its subject in style: “whether one be artist or bootblack, poet or porter, one cannot look upon the pictures without getting the hunch that there is glamor in this living business.”

Williams, it turns out, makes a few appearances among the library’s early clippings. In 1930 Williams showed thirty of his paintings in Richmond, still-lives and landscapes painted in Southern France. A review of that show explained that Williams, a Richmond-native, studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before spending 18 months in France. He then returned home with his work, giving Richmond one of its first tastes of modern painting. Another article just under two years later declared: “Mr. Williams has reached the point where he is convincing in everything he does.”

Portrait of Hunter Stagg (1931)

Still curious, I switched over to the library’s old file of local obituaries. With the help of a reference librarian I discovered that Williams died in 1977 at 72 years old. He attended St. Christopher’s School in Richmond and the University of Virginia. He married Alta Murdoch “Jerry” Williams, the garden columnist for the Times-Dispatch. And his creative output did not stop with the early 1930s paintings. Williams went on to work as an illustrator for children’s books, collaborating on two collections of Appalachian folk tales, both held by the library, The Jack Tales and Grandfather Tales.

So far I had learned about Williams’ drawings, paintings, and children’s book illustrations, hopping from one collection to another. But I wanted to see the artist himself, and a quick internet search retrieved not only a photo of Williams but brought me right back to First and Franklin. A 1936 Times-Dispatch article preserved online explained that Williams once kept a studio in what was then called Richmond’s Greenwich Village, four brick houses rented out to artists and standing opposite the main library.

For Richmond history, sparkling criticism, and arresting images, stop by the reference desk to see the library’s collection of exhibition clippings. And if you happen to have more information about Berkeley Williams, Jr. please drop us a line or a comment below. We’d love to keep filling in this portrait of a Richmond artist.

BLOGtober: Not-too-spooky Tales for Children

Days are shorter, the wind blows cooler, and sounds fill the night...It's time for spooky stories! The Richmond Public Library is full of great books whose tales will give you a few goosebumps. Check out the titles below, and keep your flashlight handy!

Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming
Pounding feet, dragon tails, blood-red nails...what is coming down the street?!  This is a great, night story with wonderful images of glowing windows, a yellow moon and smiling pumpkins.  You might even get an idea for the perfect costume!






Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam; Illustrations by Lane Smith
This ABC book is not for beginners:  it's in the poetry section!  Pick a letter, read a poem out loud, and use your creepiest voice.  Each poem has its own picture by a favorite illustrator.  Stinky cheese, anyone?



The Case of the Graveyard Ghost by Michele Torrey.
This thriller is part of the Science Detectives series with Doyle and Fossey solving the mysteries of science.  Read along as they save a friend from a laundry chute and creep up on a local ghost...or is it?  If you like this one, check out another, and try the science experiments!
For grades 3-6

Short stories have been told over and over for centuries, including some with extremely creepy characters and events.  Check out these two for tales that will tingle your spine: 

Scared Witless:  Thirteen Eerie Tales to Tell by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "eerie" as "so mysterious, strange, or unexpected as to send a chill up the spine."
These are perfect folktales from many parts of the world, with tips for telling and reading aloud.  Grab a friend and share. Ages 8-12.

Dare to be Scared:  Thirteen Stories to Chill and Thrill
by Robert D San Souci
Ghost stories, supernatural thrillers, science fiction and dark fantasy are all included in this collection of tales.  For ages 8 and up.
If you like these, you might want to try Double-dare to be Scared: Another Thirteen Chilling Tales.


For more scary stories and a chance to win some for your own library, go to All Hallows Read and enter.

Happy Reading!

Kids' Summer Reads

Finding the right book is not always easy.  It takes reading the "blurb" inside or on the back of the book, skimming a few pages, and trying a few chapters.  Once you find a book you like it's easier to find more.
Here are some great summer titles available at your library.  Find one that you can enjoy!


Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein.
Ready for adventure?  Some kids dream of having no parents around to make them do their chores or brush their teeth.  These kids are divers and sailors whose parents are missing. They really know how to find trouble.  Best of all there is a map leading to sunken treasure, too!

Lulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay.
Lulu and her family have rented a summer house by the sea and Lulu's best friend comes with them for vacation.  The cottage isn't perfect and it sits right by the sea. One of the first people they meet is the cottage owner who warns them about "that dog" who runs free in the dunes.  Lulu discovers there is more to the dog than what the woman tells them, and more to the beach, including a little bit of danger.






Nick and Tesla's High Voltage Danger Lab by "Science Bob" Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith.
Our Summer Reading theme is "Fizz, Boom, Read!" and there are plenty of great science themed books at your Library.  Nick and Tesla are part of a series with science ideas, exciting characters and mysteries to solve. High Voltage Danger Lab includes electromagnets, burglar alarms and gadgets you can build yourself. Try one!

Gloria Rising by Ann Cameron
Have you ever had a teacher that you just couldn't please?  When Gloria meets astronaut Dr. Grace Street at the store she can't wait to share the news in a school report.  Her fourth-grade teacher challenges the truth of the story. Gloria is determined to prove her honesty while maintaining her character and learns a little about her teacher along the way.






Can you believe that summer is almost half over?  Sometimes long, summer days become boring and too quiet.  Here are two titles to spark your interest, and there are more at your Library!




The Kids' Summer Fun Book by Claire Gillmand and Sam Martin
Help fill your days with these topics:  On the Water, Out of Doors, Sports and Games, Crafts and Activities...just some of the fun things you can find inside to keep away boredom!







Oh, Yuck!  The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty by Joy Masoff
Nothing better on a hot day than to stay cool inside and share a gross-out with a friend.  This book has more than enough disgusting pics and articles, from acne to zits, and bats to worms.

FIZZ, BOOM, READ! and Spark a Reaction! Summer Reading recommendations for children and young adults

Summer Reading 2014 kicks off this weekend at the Richmond Public Library so a few of us got together to bring you a list of librarian-approved must reads for kids, teens, and the young at heart for the summer. Need something fun to do with the whole family this weekend?  Check with your neighborhood branch to see what festivities are planned, then swing by with the family pick up some books and get registered for Summer Reading!  You could win prizes!  

Children

The Bell Award is given annually to 5 picture books, one from each of the categories Read, Write, Sing, Talk, and Play, which represent the five practices to develop early literacy skills.  The following list are the shortlist nominees and winners for 2014.

Bell Award Winner, Read category: 

Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier

Other notable "read" books:
Again by Emily Gravett
I’m Not Reading by Jonathan  Allen

Open Very Carefully: A Book With A Bite by Nick Bromley

The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman

Bell Award Winner, Write category:

The Things I Can Do by Jeff Mack

Other notable "write" books:
Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter

Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin

My First Touch and Trace: First ABC by Tiger Tales

The Line by Paula Bossio

Bell Award Winner, Sing category:

Nighty-Night, Cooper by Laura Numeroff

Other notable "sing" books:
Lullaby by Langston Hughes

Marc Brown’s Playtime Rhymes by Marc Brown

Maria Had A Little Llama by Angela Dominquez  (English and Spanish)

Sing by Joe Raposo

Bell Award Winner, Talk category:

Moo! by David LaRochelle

Other notable "talk" books:
Diggers Go by Steve Light

I Like Berries, Do You? by Marjorie Pitzer

Rain by Linda Ashman

Which is Round? Which is Bigger? by  Mineko Mamada

Bell Award Winner, Play category-

Nino Wrestles the World by Yuri Morales

Other notable "play" books:
Hooray Parade by Barbara Joose

Wiggle by Taro Gomi

The World is Waiting for You by Barbara Kerley

Windblown by Edouard Manceau

For more information about the Bell Awards, visit: http://clel.org/content/bell-awards  

Young Adults

Here are some excellent reads for teens to help them decided what to read for the start of the summer reading program. More great YA titles that was picked by the Young Adult Library Association for 2014 can be found at: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2014-best-fiction-young-adults

September Girls
Bennett Madison  

Zero Fade
Chris L. Terry 

Crossover
Kwame Alexander

 Fault In Our Stars
John Green

Drama
RainaTelgemeier

FanGirl
Rainbow Rowell

 Texting the Underworld
Ellen Booraem

Fake ID
Lamar Giles

Twenty Boy Summer
Sarah Ockler

  

Fat Angie
e.E Charlton-Trujillo

Follow the Campaign: "We Need More Diversity in Children's Literature"

The Richmond Public Library is participating in #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign because we also agree that more diverse books are needed in our youth's hands. The message is simple and is explained down below.

Recently, there’s been a groundswell of discontent over the lack of diversity in children’s literature. The issue is being picked up by news outlets llike the NYT, CNN, EW, and many more. But while we individually care about diversity, there is still a disconnect. BEA’s Bookcon recently announced an all-white-male panel of “luminaries of children’s literature,” and when we pointed out the lack of diversity, nothing changed.

Now is the time to raise our voices into a roar that can’t be ignored. Here’s how:

On May 1st at 1pm (EST), there will be a public call for action that will spread over 3 days. We’re starting with a visual social media campaign using the hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBooks. We want people to tweet, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, blog, and post anywhere they can to help make the hashtag go viral.

For the visual part of the campaign:

• Take a photo holding a sign that says “We need diverse books because ___________________________.” Fill in the blank with an important, poignant, funny, and/or personal reason why this campaign is important to you.

• The photo can be of you or a friend or anyone who wants to support diversity in kids’ lit. It can be a photo of the sign without you if you would prefer not to be in a picture. Be as creative as you want! Pose the sign with your favorite stuffed animal or at your favorite library. Get a bunch of friends to hold a bunch of signs.

• However you want to do it, we want to share it! There will be a Tumblr at http://weneeddiversebooks.tumblr.com/ that will host all of the photos and messages for the campaign. Please submit your visual component by May 1st to weneeddiversebooks@yahoo.com with the subject line “photo” or submit it right on our Tumblr page here and it will be posted throughout the first day.

• Starting at 1:00PM (EST) the Tumblr will start posting and it will be your job to reblog, tweet, Facebook, or share wherever you think will help get the word out.

• The intent is that from 1 pm EST to 3 pm EST, there will be a nonstop hashtag party to spread the word. We hope that we’ll get enough people to participate to make the hashtag trend and grab the notice of more media outlets.

• The Tumblr will continue to be active throughout the length of the campaign, and for however long we need to keep this discussion going, so we welcome everyone to keep emailing or sending in submissions even after May 1st.

On May 2nd, the second part of our campaign will roll out with a Twitter chat scheduled for 2 pm (EST) using the same hashtag. Please use #WeNeedDiverseBooks at 2 pm on May 2nd and share your thoughts on the issues with diversity in literature and why diversity matters to you.

On May 3rd, 2pm (EST), the third portion of our campaign will begin. There will be a Diversify Your Shelves initiative to encourage people to put their money where their mouth is and buy diverse books and take photos of them. Diversify Your Shelves is all about actively seeking out diverse literature in bookstores and libraries, and there will be some fantastic giveaways for people who participate in the campaign! More details to come!

We hope that you will take part in this in any way you can. We need to spread the word far and wide so that it will trend on Twitter. So that media outlets will pick it up as a news item. So that the organizers of BEA and every big conference and festival out there gets the message that diversity is important to everyone. We hope you will help us by being a part of this movement.-- This information came from We Need Diverse Books

Back to school we go!

Are you ready?

PICTURE BUZZEO Adventure Annie goes to kindergarten by Toni Buzzeo	PICTURE MORROW Panda goes to school by Tara Jaye Morrow	PICTURE CARLSTR It's your first day of school, Annie Claire by Nancy White Carlstrom
PICTURE DEWDNEY Llama Llama misses Mama by Anna Dewdney	PICTURE CARLSON First grade, here I come! by Nancy Carlson	PICTURE GANTOS Back to school for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos
JUV DVD CURIOUS Curious george back to school [DVD]	JUV DVD BACK-TO Back-to-school stories [DVD]	JUV DVD FIRSTDA The first day of school [DVD]
EASY HERMAN I've got the back-to-school blues by Gail Herman	EASY HOBAN Arthur's back to school day by Lillian Hoban	EASY MCCOURT Ready for kindergarten, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
EASY MCNAMAR The first day of school by Margaret McNamara	EASY WILHELM I love school! by Hans Wilhelm	JFICT FRIEDMA Back to school, Mallory by Laurie Friedma
JFICT SEULING Robert and the back-to school special by Barbara Seuling	JUV FICTION GREENE Princess Posey and the first grade parade by Stephanie Greene	JFICT PENNYPA Stuart goes to school by Sara Pennypacker
JUV 371 GUILLAI My first day at a new school by Charlotte Guillain	JUV 372.12 RADABAU Going to school by Melinda Beth Radabaugh	JUV 371.8 CHAMBER School days around the world by Catherine Chambers