Here There Be Dragons . . .

This week, we're sharing picture books featuring one of our favorite creatures --- Dragons!  Here's a few of our favorites . . . .

Waking Dragons by Jane Yolen

In the morning, dragons wake up, tumble out of bed, and get ready to fly into the sky.

Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio

We all know dragons are terrible, but this one is especially terrible. He scribbles in books. He steals candy from baby unicorns. He even burps in church. Seriously, who does that? Dragon, that's who. The king, the knights, and the villagers are desperate to take down this beast once and for all. But sometimes it's up to the unlikeliest of heroes to tame a dragon this terrible.

How to Dress a Dragon by Thelma Lynne Godin

A small child helps his reluctant, toddler-like dragon get dressed.

Oh So Brave Dragon by David Kirk

Dragon knows he is supposed to be brave, because that's what dragons do. He's so brave and valiant, he's ready to try out his fearsome roar! But when he hears something that scares him, he turns to his forest friends to find the noise, and to help him be brave.

More Books --

Ace Dragon Ltd. by Russell Hoban

Again! by Emily Gravett

Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman

Being Friends With Dragons by Katherine Locke

Dear Dragon by Josh Funk

Dragon's Extraordinary Egg by Debi Gliori

The Dragons Are Singing Tonight by Jack Prelutsky

Dragons Are the Worst! by Alex Willan

Dragons Eat Noodles on Tuesdays by Jon Stahl

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Fergal and the Bad Temper by Robert Starling

I Will Not Eat You! by Adam Lehrhaupt

King Arthur's Very Great Grandson by Kenneth Kraegel

King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently

The Loathsome Dragon by David Wiesner

Loveabye Dragon by Barbara Joosse

Old MacDonald Had a Dragon by Ken Baker

The Paperbag Princess by Robert Munsch

The Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann

The Sons of the Dragon King by Ed Young

There's a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

The Truth About Dragons by Jaime Zollars

Where Is the Dragon? by Leo Timmers

Step Into a Fairy Tale World

 Fairy Tales and fairy tale reimaginings are a popular genre of teen books.  Here are some of our favorites . . .

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell.

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
When Sunday Woodcutter, the youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week, kisses an enchanted frog, he transforms back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland--a man Sunday's family despises.

Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

Recasts the tale of Snow White, setting it in West Virginia in the 1940s with a stepmother who is a snake-handler.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede
Bored with her proper, circumscribed life as a princess, Cimorene runs away to join a powerful, fascinating dragon named Kazul and encounters a host of adventures along the way.

More Books --

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult

Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore

Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

The Seventh Raven by David Elliott

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
Tithe by Holly Black

The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Twice Upon a Time . . . . Fairy Tale Retellings for Teens

 This week, I'm sharing fairy tale retellings for teens.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

When Sunday Woodcutter, the youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week, kisses an enchanted frog, he transforms back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland--a man Sunday's family despises.

Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

Recasts the tale of Snow White, setting it in West Virginia in the 1940s with a stepmother who is a snake-handler.

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

A retelling of the tale of twelve princesses who wear out their shoes dancing every night, and of Galen, a former soldier now working in the king's gardens, who follows them in hopes of breaking the curse.

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde

The author presents six alternative versions of the familiar story of a boastful miller and the daughter he claims can spin straw into gold.

More Fairy Tale Retellings --

Beast by Donna Jo Napoli

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

A Curse So Dark and Lovely by Brigid Kemmerer

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore

Dead Upon a Time by Elizabeth Poulson

East by Edith Pattou

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Once Upon a Dream by Lisa Braswell

The Princess and the Fangirl: A Geekerella Novel by Ashley Poston

Princess of Thorns by Stacy Jay

Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas

Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Spindle by E.K. Johnston

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Towering by Alex Flinn

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through October 9, 2020.

Once Upon a Time . . . Fairy Tales for Teens

I love to read re-imaginings of fairy tales -- whether it is a strict retelling with more character development or a fractured tale.  Here are some of my favorite fairy tales for teens . . . .

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
When Sunday Woodcutter, the youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week, kisses an enchanted frog, he transforms back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland--a man Sunday's family despises.

Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen
Recasts the tale of Snow White, setting it in West Virginia in the 1940s with a stepmother who is a snake-handler.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
Based on the fairy tale Rapunzel, the story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Zel, her mother, and the prince, and delves into the psychological motivations of the characters.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell.

Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
Having escaped from the Wild and the preordained fairy tale plots it imposes, Rapunzel, along with her daughter Julie Marchen, tries to live a fairly normal life, but when the Wild breaks free and takes over their town, it is Julie who has to prevent everyone from being trapped in the events of a story.


More Fairy Tales for Teens --
Curse of the Thirteenth Fey by Jane Yolen
Dark Shimmer by Donna Jo Napoli
The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley
East by Edith Pattou
The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman
Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses by Ronald Koertge
Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell
Mira, Mirror by Mette Harrison
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas
Roses by G.R. Mannering
The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
Toads & Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson
Towering by Alex Flinn
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through December 30, 2016.

Time for School!

The kids are starting back to school this week -- so I'm sharing some of my favorite school stories for children.

Minerva Louise at School by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Out for an early morning walk, a chicken wanders into a school that she mistakes for a fancy barn.

Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard
The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a vile substitute.

One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Presents vocabulary words and life lessons, with cookie-baking as the theme of the book.

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School by Jane Yolen
Illustrations and rhyming text depict dinosaurs as they ride the bus to school, jump on top of their desks, read their favorite books, and have fun on the playground with all of their friends.

The Orange Shoes by Trinka Hakes Noble
Delly Porter enjoys the feel of soft dirt beneath her feet as she walks to and from school, but after a classmate makes her feel ashamed of having no shoes she learns that her parents and others, too, see value in things that do not cost money.


More School Picture Books --
Axle Annie by Robin Pulver
Baloney (Henry P.) by Jon Scieszka
Bedhead by Margie Palatini
Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea
The Frog Principal by Stephanie Calmenson
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
I'm Not Ready! by Jonathan Allen
Jeeper's Creepers: A Monstrous ABC by Laura Leuck
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Little Rabbit Goes to School by Harry Horse
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Judy Finchler
Moses Goes to School by Isaac Millman
Mr. President Goes to School by Rick Walton
The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Score One for the Sloths by Helen Lester
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polaaco
We Share Everything! by Robert Munsch
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
You Can't Go to School Naked! by Dianne Billstrom


Check out these books and more at the Arnold Branch.

School Time

With the start of school this week, I thought I would share some great picture books dealing with the school experience for kids . . .

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School by Jane Yolen
Illustrations and rhyming text depict dinosaurs as they ride the bus to school, jump on top of their desks, read their favorite books, and have fun on the playground with all of their friends.

Preschool School Day Hooray! by Linda Leopold Strauss
Rhyming text and illustrations describe a young child's activities during a day at nursery school.

Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping by Eileen Christelow
Five little monkeys go shopping for school clothes with their mama, but in spite of her warnings about not wandering off, things quickly get complicated.

David Goes to School by David Shannon
David's activities in school include chewing gum, talking out of turn, and engaging in a food fight, causing his teacher to say over and over, "No, David!"

You Can't Go to School Naked! by Dianne Billstrom
A little boy's parents warn him of the dangers of going to school naked, and he eventually agrees to wear clothes, but only if he can pick his outfits.

More Books About School --
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
I Am NOT Going to School Today! by Robie Harris
Mr. President Goes to School by Rick Walton
Back to School for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos
Jeepers Creepers: A Monstrous ABC by Laura Leuck
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Superhero School by Aaron Reynolds
Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson
Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class by Eileen Spinelli
I.Q. Goes to School by Mary Ann Fraser

Happy Valentine's Day

For the past week I have been asked constantly for picture books to share for Valentine's Day.  Unfortunately, most of the Valentine's Day books are already checked out.  Here are some great "love" themed picture books that are great to share for the holiday . . .

Love Monster by Rachel Bright
A googly-eyed misfit struggles to find a place among the adorable and fluffy residents of Cutesville, an effort that compels him to search high, low, and middle-ish to find a friend who will accept him just the way he is.

Will You Be Mine?  A Nursery Rhyme Romance by Phyllis Tildes
An illustrated collection of Mother Goose rhymes, arranged to create a narrative story about a romance between a cat and a poodle.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen
Illustrations and rhyming text present some of the different ways dinosaurs can express their love, from cleaning up after making a mess to smiling sweetly instead of roaring.

What the Baby Hears by Laura Godwin
Rhyming text reveals the loving sounds baby animals hear from their parents, from the "nuzzle, nuzzle, nuzzle" heard by the colt to "I love you" heard by a human baby.

Shhhh! It's Time for Bed

Are you looking for a new book to read to your child before bedtime?  Check out one of these great books . . .

Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson
After wandering out at night to watch a magical star shower, a polar bear cub returns home to snuggle with her mother in their warm den.

Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Little Hoot wants to go to bed early, like all of his friends do, and he is hopping mad when Mama and Papa Owl insist that he stay up late and play.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen
Mother and child ponder the different ways a dinosaur can say goodnight, from slamming his tail and pouting to giving a big hug and kiss.

Again by Emily Gravett
At bedtime, Cedric the dragon wants his mother to read his favorite book again, and again, and again.

Happy Hanukkah!

Check out these great books for Hanukkah . . .

Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel
On the first night of Hanukkah, Old Bear wanders into Bubba Brayna's house and receives a delicious helping of potato latkes when she mistakes him for the rabbi.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen
Illustrations and rhyming text present some of the different ways a well-behaved dinosaur can celebrate the eight days and nights of Chanukah.

Hanukkah Lights by David Martin
Simple text and illustrations depict the traditions associated with Hanukkah, including lighting a menorah, spinning a dreidel, and more.

A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm by Jon Koons
The villagers of Chelm, in the rabbi's absence, send a messenger to a nearby village in order to be reminded how to prepare for the coming Hanukkah.

It's a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook by Stephanie Spinner
Every night of Hanukkah Grandma tells a story at bedtime. Includes the Hanukkah legend, blessings, and a glossary.

Once Upon a Time . . .

I have always loved to read fairy tales.  The adventure, magic and romance combine together to make compelling stories.  Here are three of my favorite fairy tale novels for teens.

Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen
Recasts the tale of Snow White, setting it in West Virginia in the 1940s with a stepmother who is a snake-handler.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
A girl travels east of the sun and west of the moon to free her beloved prince from a magic spell.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
Based on the fairy tale Rapunzel, the story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Zel, her mother, and the prince, and delves into the psychological motivations of the characters.