New and Recently Released!

The plot chickens - Auch, Mary Jane

Publisher: Holiday House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780823420872
ISBN-10: 0823420876
Call Number: E AUCH

Henrietta the chicken loves to read so much that she decides to write a book herself, but first no one will publish a book written by a chicken, and then, when she publishes it herself and it gets a terrible review in "The Corn Book," Henrietta is devastated.

Martha doesn't say sorry - Berger, Samantha

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780316066822
ISBN-10: 0316066826
Call Number: E BERGE

Unwilling to say she is sorry for anything she does, stubborn Martha begins to see the error of her ways after she notices how positively others respond to a sincere apology and so decides to make a change that ends up giving her more joy than she could have ever expected!.

I Don't Want a Posh Dog - by Emma Dodd

Publisher: Little, Brown
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780316033909
ISBN-10: 0316033901
Call Number: E DODD

Taking her search to find the perfect dog very seriously, a savvy little girl describes in nimble, chuckle-worthy rhymes all the different types of dog she does NOT want. She doesn't want "a snappy dog. / A growly, never-happy dog." She also rules out dogs who are too speedy, needy, loud, itchy, or of the "bouncy [...] jump-up-and-pounce-me" persuasion. This fun catalog of misfit mutts is a real treat for dog lovers, and little ones will rejoice when the little girl at last finds the right dog for her.

Grizzly Dad - by Joanna Harrison

Publisher: David Fickling Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780385751742
ISBN-10: 0385751745
Call Number: E HARRI

One morning, Dad wakes up in such a grouchy, grumpy mood that he turns into an actual grizzly bear. His young son takes the transformation in stride, however, and the two of them have a wonderful day together that culminates in something that dads (grizzly or not) are great at: giving bear hugs! By the time mom comes home, Dad is back to normal...well, almost. For more tales of physical transformations brought on by strong emotion, check out Pija Lindenbaum's When Owen's Mom Breathed Fire or Thierry Robberecht's Angry Dragon (in which a ticked-off kid turns into a dragon).

Machines Go to Work - by William Low

Publisher: Henry Holt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780805087598
ISBN-10: 0805087591
Call Number: E LOW

With its big, bright pictures of large machines in action--such as a helicopter hovering above a traffic-clogged road and a tow truck rescuing a cement mixer with a flat tire--this book will please toddlers who are interested not just in the machines themselves but in what they do. And if displays of the machines' usefulness aren't enough to draw in junior gearheads, the sound effects written into the text ("WA-PA-PA-PA-PA-PA" for the helicopter, "P S S S S s s s s s" for the flat tire) and the dramatic fold-out flaps will be.

Sleepy Little Alphabet: A Bedtime Story from Alphabet Town - by Judy Sierra; illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780375940026
ISBN-10: 0375940022
Call Number: E KNOPF

It's sleepy-time in Alphabet Town, and the adults (upper-case letters) are rounding up their little ones (lower-case letters) to put them to bed. Some of the small letters try delay tactics--"f is full of fidgety wiggles / g has got the googly giggles"--and others are beyond ready for bed ("w is wobbly-woozy"), but all of them end up catching some "z"s. In addition to being funny, this book's illustrations feature items that begin with each letter pictured (in the bathtub, c has a toy car, d has a rubber duckie, and e has a toy elephant).

Focus on: Grandparents

When You Visit Grandma & Grandpa - by Anne Bowen; illustrated by Tomek Bogacki

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2004
ISBN-13: 9781575056104
ISBN-10: 1575056100
Call Number: E BOWE

In this "quiet, gently amusing story" (Horn Book Guide) that's cozily illustrated with soft lines and colors, a young girl fills her baby brother in on what to expect from a visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house. From the very long car trip--"take lots of books, three games, and all your crayons"--to the sort of fun her brother will have in each season (such as puddle-splashing in spring and pumpkin-carving in fall), she covers all the details. Most importantly, big sister asserts that "ANYTIME is the BEST TIME" to visit Grandma and Grandpa.

Abuela - by Arthur Dorros; illustrated by Elisa Kleven

Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1991
ISBN-13: 9780525447504
ISBN-10: 0525447504
Call Number: E DORRO

In this fantastical tale, a young girl named Rosalba goes all around Manhattan with her abuela (grandmother) and imagines what it would be like if they could fly. Colorful illustrations bustling with life and activity depict Abuela and Rosalba surrounded by birds in the park; soaring over buildings, people, factories, docks, and the Statue of Liberty; and resting un momento on las nubes, the clouds. Abuela "speaks mostly Spanish," making the integration of more than two dozen Spanish words and phrases into the primarily English text flow naturally (glossary appended).

Grandpa's Face - by Eloise Greenfield; illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Publisher: Philomel Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1988
ISBN-13: 9780399215254
ISBN-10: 0399215255
Call Number: E GREEN

Tamika's beloved grandfather is an actor, and while Tamika loves many things about him, she loves his magnificently expressive face best of all. But one day, Tamika sees Grandpa rehearsing for a play and making a horrible, mean face "that could never love her or anyone." She's desperately afraid that Grandpa might look at her like this someday--until a talk with him reassures Tamika that his love for her will never change. Illustrated in rich, realistic pastels, Grandpa's Face is an eloquent and moving story that illuminates a common childhood fear.

When I am Old with You - by Angela Johnson; illustrated by David Soman

Publisher: Orchard Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1993
ISBN-13: 9780531070352
ISBN-10: 0531070352
Call Number: E J

A young child can't imagine anything being better than the good times he has with Grandaddy--playing cards beneath an old tree, eating bacon for breakfast ("and that's all"), going fishing together, roasting corn on a fire, and more. In this sweet book, the boy poignantly tells his grandfather his plan: to keep on doing these things with him until they're both old together. Sumptuous watercolor illustrations fully convey the love between the two characters as well as the beauty of the simple joys they share.

My Little Grandmother Often Forgets - by Reeve Lindbergh; illustrated by Kathryn Brown

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2007
ISBN-13: 9780763619893
ISBN-10: 0763619892
Call Number: E LINDB

In this touching and respectful story, young Tom explains some of the problems caused by his grandmother's increasing memory loss--and tells how he's able to help her. Although she has trouble finding things and sometimes mistakes Tom for a younger version of his father, Tom's "little grandmother" is clearly very special to him, and he is patient and gentle with her. Based on author Reeve Lindbergh's experience with her own mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, this book will comfort and reassure families facing similar situations.

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In This Issue

New and Recently Released!
Focus on: Grandparents
Contact your librarian for more great books!

Events

...Around the World

Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15-October 15

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
• History Channel: Hispanic Heritage
• Smithsonian: Hispanic Heritage

Million Minute Family Challenge
September 1-December 31

Take the challenge! The goal is a national total of 1,000,000 minutes of families playing board games. Add your minutes to the total at

www.millionminute.com.

National Popcorn Poppin' Month

Check out cool info about popcorn, recipes, games, and nutrition facts.

Fire Prevention Week
October 4-10

Explore a fire truck, play a fire truck game, scroll through the photo gallery.

National Newspaper Week
October 4-10

Scholastic Kid reporter Jacob Wieseneck tells about his behind-the-scenes visit to the New York Times office.

Columbus Day
October 12

Read about the explorer for whom this holiday is named. Try the word search and crossword puzzles about Columbus Day.

National Grouch Day
October 15

Visit the homepage of Oscar the Grouch...the grouchiest Grouch of all!

Diwali
October 17

Facts about this five day Hindu festival, the Festival of Lights.

Teen Read Week
October 18-24

Read Beyond Reality @ your library...Read something out of this world, just for the fun of it!

Halloween
October 31

Play Smash-O-Lantern, download cool coloring pages and screen savers, and learn about Halloween safety!

International Magic Week
October 25-31

Astound your friends with these easy-to-do magic tricks!

Fun Day Trips in October:

State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Tx
September 25-October 18

Rides, food, entertainment and lots of fun!!

Fireant Festival
October 10

Crazy celebration of that mean and pesky critter in Marshall, Texas.

Hogeye Festival
October 24

Pig puns and fun for the whole family at the Hogeye festival in Elgin, Texas.

Texas Book Festival
October 31-November 1

More than 200 of the most accomplished writers from across Texas and the nation will be appearing at the 2009 Texas Book Festival in downtown Austin, Texas.

After School Zone!!!

Date: Monday-Thursday
Time: 03:00 PM
Library: Smith Neighborhood Library
Description: After school bring friends and play on our Nintendo Wii's, Play Station 3 and laptops every Monday-Thursday. We have a variety of books and board games to play while you wait your turn. There will be crafts and programs on certain days so stop by and check it out. Ages: 9-18. Bilingual.

Webkinz Mania!

Date: Saturday October 10th, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM
Library: Central Library
Description: Designed for kids just learning to use the computer, adopt your very own Webkin, share tips with your new friends, and learn the importance of Internet safety! Webkinz provided. Ages: Children.

Jeopardy Game Night

Date: Tuesday October 13th, 2009
Time: 04:00 PM
Library: Frank Library
Description: Game night using an electronic version of JEOPARDY to test YA on pop culture trivia and elementary knowledge.