Great Holiday Book Ideas from the OPL

By Jennifer Evans,  Children’s Librarian at the Hazeldean Branch of the Ottawa Public Library

A Big Guy Took My Ball! By Mo Willems (2013).

Gerald and Piggie are back for more adventures in this silly but relatable story. Piggie finds (and quickly loses) a most excellent bouncy ball – can Gerald get it back? Fans of the Elephant and Piggie series will delight in their 19th outing. This is a great series for early readers, as it features lots of word repetition amidst wacky story lines.

Clementine and the Spring Trip by Sara Pennypacker, with illustrations by Marla Frazee (2013).

I recommend Pennypacker’s Clementine series every chance I get, so I think it would be wonderful if it made its way onto some shopping lists this holiday season! Clementine is this generation’s Ramona Quimby. She is smart, silly, creative beyond words, and always seems to find herself in outrageous situations. For new readers to the series, start with Clementine. The newest addition to the series is Clementine and the Spring Trip, in which Clementine unravels the secret rules of Grade 4 and tries to find a way to survive The Cloud on Bus 7.

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman (2013).

Gaiman won the prestigious Newbery Medal for another children’s book (The Graveyard Book), so you can’t go wrong picking up this story, which is geared towards younger readers. While going out to buy some milk for his children’s cereal, a father is abducted by aliens (I know what you’re thinking: typical Monday). As a result, the father is taken on a wild journey through the space-time continuum, meeting up with pirates, space aliens, dinosaurs, and volcano gods. This makes a great read-aloud for children ages 7 and up. Check out the author reading an excerpt here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMEC87U1gT0

Frog and Toad Storybook Treasury by Arnold Lobel (2013).

If you often find yourself doing some last-minute holiday shopping, you’ll want to keep this title in mind (it won’t be released until December 23rd). However, Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad are worth the wait. This treasury brings together many of our favourite Frog and Toad tales, including Frog and Toad Are Friends and Frog and Toad All Year. This would be a lovely addition to anyone’s personal library, young or old.

LEGO Play Book: Ideas to Bring Your Bricks to Life by Daniel Lipkowitz (2013).

For the builders in your family, you will want to get a copy of this colourful guide to everything “LEGO”. The recently published LEGO Play Book suggests ways to improve building techniques, provides fun timed challenges, and features ideas from some of LEGO’s biggest fans. With easy, medium, and more difficult challenges, this book will appeal to builders of all skill levels.

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson (2013).

If you loved Herve Tullet’s Press Here, you’ll want to add this book to your holiday shopping list. In Tap the Magic Tree, readers are asked to help a tree move through the four seasons by tapping, rubbing, and wiggling the pages. Children will love the chance to participate in helping the story unfold – simply put, it’s pure magic.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants Now in Full Color by Dav Pilkey (2013).

Everything old is new again with Captain Underpants, as the formerly black-and-white series gets a blast of colour. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, it tells the story of two fourth-grade boys who hypnotize their school principal to run around town as the hero of the comic books they’ve written (enter Captain Underpants). Silly? Oh yes. But its popularity can’t be denied. The action, humour, and blend of text and pictures all come together to create something truly special.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, with illustrations by Oliver Jeffers (2013).

Like many young children, Duncan loves to colour and draw. However, his crayons have a few complaints about how they’re being used, and leave him a stack of letters outlining their protests. This is a delightful and funny picture book, with expressive illustrations provided by the always enjoyable Oliver Jeffers. This story is sure to appeal to a wide age-range.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, with illustrations by Barbara Reid (2013).

While there are dozens of versions of this quintessential children’s Christmas story, this is my new favourite. Barbara Reid has lent her creativity to the story, providing beautiful and intricate Plasticine illustrations alongside the classic text. Read this story with family and friends, and don’t forget to spend ample time poring over the pictures – Barbara Reid likes to hide lots of little details to reward the attentive reader. Watch the book trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rl4HEuxV8A

Who Goes There? By Karma Wilson, with illustrations by Anna Currey (2013).

Snuggle up with your little ones to read this cozy book by Karma Wilson. Lewis Mouse has moved into a lovely new nest just in time for winter, but something seems to be missing. Before he can figure out exactly what his new home is lacking, he starts to hear mysterious noises outside his nest. Will Lewis be able to figure out what’s making all this noise? A lovely surprise will help him to make his house a home. The story is comforting and feels familiar, which makes it a perfect story to share on a cold winter night.

"Go - Bon Voyage" to the Ottawa Public Library this summer (part 2)

By  Xiao Feng Xing - Youth Collections Librarian at the Ottawa Public Library  Here's part 2 of this year’s Summer Reading Club. The “Go – Bon Voyage” travel theme encourages children to go on their reading journey to places near and far and explore anywhere or anything.

Cocca-Leffler, Maryann: A Vacation for Pooch, Henry Holt, 2013

Violet felt very sad. She can’t bring her dog with her on her vacation to Florida. Her dog has to stay behind on vacation at her grandfather’s farm. Before she leaves on her vacation, she packed two bags: one for her dog and the other for herself. But Violet accidentally takes her dog’s bag. Will Violet and her dog both be okay for their vacations? This book describes the emotions that come with separation from a loved one.  You could pair this with a book from the Toot & Puddle series by Holly Hobbie.

Smith, Mike: The Hundred Decker Bus, Macmillan, 2013

You might have taken a ride on a double-decker bus in Ottawa. Can you imagine what would happen when you take a ride on a hundred-decker bus? The giant fold-out bus at the end of this book will give you a big surprise too!

Koolen Maayken: The Kidnapping of Mona Lisa,  Clavis, 2012

Fans of Where’s Waldo will enjoy this super searchable book that has a great mystery detective plot. Five thieves have stolen Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting the Mona Lisa. Join officer Rat and officer Wolf who chase the thieves through the most beautiful cities in the Europe: Paris, Berlin, Rome, London, Barcelona, and Amsterdam. You’ll see lots of famous buildings and landmarks as you solve the mystery in this wordless giant book.

Gravett, Emily: Meerkat Mail, Macmillan, 2006 

Sunny is a meerkat, a squirrel-size member of the mongoose family, who lives in the desert in Africa. Of course it’s very dry and very hot in the desert. Sunny’s family motto is “Stay safe, stay together." However, Sunny wishes he could live somewhere else. So he packs his suitcase and goes on a trip to visit his mongoose relatives - from Monday to Saturday - to search for the perfect home. He sends postcard to his parents every day during his trip. The text and illustrations on the postcards are full of humour and delight.  In the end, Sunny realizes that his own family is the best, and that there’s no place like home.Children will love how most of the story is told through flip-the-flap postcards featuring stamps and postmarks.

Falconer, Ian: Olivia goes to Venice, Atheneum Books, 2010

In this book, Ian Falconer tells the story of a little pig, Olivia, and her family, and their travels to Venice. They enjoy gelato (ice-cream), taking a gondola ride, and looking for the perfect souvenir to remember Venice. Olivia takes a stone from the Bell Tower as her perfect souvenir, causing the monument to tumble down!

Familiar drawings of Olivia and family as well as photos of the real Venice are digitally combined to create a fresh illustration experience. Pair this one with Froggy goes to Hawaii to see how your favourite characters spend their vacations.

Come into one of the Ottawa Public Library’s 33 branches and bookmobiles to sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club all summer long. Pick up your “passport” and activity book as well as delightful stickers. You can also enter your sticker codes at www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca  to reveal rewards.

“Go – Bon Voyage” to the Ottawa Public Library this summer (part 1)

By  Xiao Feng Xing - Youth Collections Librarian at the Ottawa Public Library  This year’s Summer Reading Club “Go – Bon Voyage” travel theme encourages children to go on their reading journey to places near and far and explore anywhere or anything.

Library branches across the city will offer exciting programs featuring travel theme too. Here are a few suggested books we hope you and your child will enjoy reading together.

Luciani, Brigitte: How Will We Get to the Beach? North-South Books, 2000

Roxanne wants to take five things (a book, a ball, a turtle, a beach umbrella and a baby) to the beach. Her car is broken; she has to use a different transportation method. But the problem is that each alternate form of transportation can only carry four items with it. Children will enjoy this interactive guessing-game.

You could pair this book with The Big Trip by Valeri Gorbachev

Zion, Gene: Harry by the Sea, Harper & Row, 1965

This is my favourite book in the Harry the Dirty Dog series. In this book, Harry the white dog with black spots went to the beach and got separated from his family. Suddenly he was completely covered with seaweed by a big wave. He didn’t look like a dog anymore. People thought he was a sea serpent, a giant sandworm, or a sea slug. People tried to catch it and take it to the aquarium.

Will little Harry find his family? Your child will be captivated by this little dog and his hilarious adventures, and will ask you to read this timeless story again and again.

Kasza, Keiko: Ready for Anything, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2009

Keiko Kasza is the author and illustrator of multiple award-winning books for children. Her book My Lucky Day has won numerous U.S. awards. All of her books feature simple and interesting story plots and humorous characters. The dialogue is lively and fun to read aloud.

In Ready for Anything! Duck and Raccoon plan a picnic together. Raccoon worries about everything, and always thinks of the worst possible scenarios. Duck on the other hand, is very positive and always thinking of fun thing for each challenge. It’s an entertaining story of friendship, sharing feelings, and overcoming fears. You could pair this with a book from Scaredy Squirrel series by Melanie Watt.

Dusen Chris Van: A Camping Spree with Mr.Magee, Chronicle Books, 2003 

Mr. Magee and his dog are off on a camping trip. But when a bear accidentally unties Mr. Magee’s camper from his car, the camper gets stuck on a rock above a fifty-foot waterfall. Will Mr. Magee and his dog be rescued?

This book has it all: charming illustrations, smooth-flowing rhymes, and an action-packed adventure plot. You’ll find it a great read for you and your family while at your camp site. You can download the e-book or watch animated and narrated e-books directly from the TumbleBooks library at Ottawa Public Library website. You could Pair this book with Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee by the same author.

That's part 1 of our summer Reading Club Book selections. You can find more TD summer reading lists on our library website.

Come on in to one of the Ottawa Public Library’s 33 branches and bookmobiles to sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club. You can pick up your “passport” and activity book as well as delightful stickers. You can also enter your sticker codes at www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca  to reveal rewards.

Great Listens for your Summer Road Trip

Kristal Craig from the Centennial Branch of the Ottawa Public Library shares some great audio selections for your summer road trips. 

Skippyjon Jones

An overactive imagination is what Skippyjon Jones has. He is a Siamese cat who takes you on all types of silly adventures and you never know where you will end up. Fun  for the whole family.

 Jamie Lee Curtis Collection

Relive days gone by with your little ones while listening to these stories by Jamie Lee Curtis.  You will laugh and giggle and want to hear them again and again.

Puff the Dragon

We all remember the song of this magical dragon. Puff will have you and your children inspired to travel to the land of Honah Lee or any land of their choice. This lovely illustrated book will have your children mesmerized and humming right along. Delightful!

Jillian Jiggs

Jillian Jiggs has boundless energy and imagination, one minute she is putting on plays, the next minute she's a tree. How could it be possible for Jillian to make time to clean up her room when, there are so many wonderful things to make and do? What will she think of next!

 The Uglified Ducky

Think you know the story of the Ugly Duckling?  Think again!  When this “Uglified Ducky”, a young moose,”blunders away” from home, he is mistaken for a baby duck and he tries to learn to waddle, quack, swim and fly.  In the end, he finds his true “family”, who help him appreciate his own beauty.  Wonderful storytelling by Willy Claflin.

Audiobooks for older children 8 and up

Because of Winn Dixie

New to the town of Naomi, Florida,  ten-year-old Opal  tells us about her first summer and how new and exciting things happen to her because she gets herself a dog named Winn-Dixie.

The Night Fairy

A night fairy is shocked to find herself wingless after a terrible encounter with a bat. Grounded and living in a garden, Flory works at becoming a day fairy. Finding a way to make friends and a new life, she discovers that there's more to life than flight.

Savvy

At the age of thirteen, all of the children in the Beaumont family receive a “savvy” or unworldly power.  One brother can create hurricanes, the other makes electricity…. and now it’s Mibs' big day.  But something happens to her Poppa, and her mother and her big brother have to leave Mibs to adjust to her “savvy”, all on her own...

The Ulysses Moore

Jason, Julia, and Rick have discovered one of the secrets of Argo Manor -- the Door to Time. A mysterious land of labyrinths, riddles, and secrets. Hidden somewhere in the past, Jason and Rick have to find the map to Kilmore Cove, but where?

Gregor The Overlander

Gregor, an 11 year old boy, falls down a grate in his laundry room into a strange new world called the Underland. There he becomes an unwilling warrior and leads an alliance of Underlanders on a quest to rescue a fellow Overlander.  Gregor’s adventure will change everything for himself, the Underlanders, and may solve the biggest mystery of his life.

The Unwanteds

Wanted or Unwanted - 13-year-old twins Aaron and Alex ponder their fate.  What will society decide for them...  Aaron is sent to University, “Wanted” and Alex to be eliminated, “Unwanted”.   But being “eliminated” holds unknown surprises for Alex, who finds himself in a remarkable world where he can show his abilities and learn magic.

 Join the TD Summer Reading Club at any branch this summer - pick up your reading kit and join some fun programs!

Bugs and Birds: Spring Into Spring with the Ottawa Public Library

  By Aileen Latulippe Children's Programs and Public Service Assistant Hazeldean Branch

Bugs and Birds:  Spring is here and kids of all ages are curious about birds and bugs in evidence. Check out these new books at the Ottawa Public Library.

That's Creepy! By Kate Riggs (2013) is a sturdy board book that uses bright, expressive illustrations to introduce curious children to wonderful creepy crawlies like centipedes, spiders, and worms. The text is simple and rhythmical for young learners and each page highlights a different insect. A hit for the toddler who like to examine bugs up close.

Bugs Galore by Peter Stein and illustrated by Bob Staake (2012) is a rhyming picture book that’s fun all the time! Bugs of all shapes, colours and sizes aren’t named but are pictured doing the things that bugs do: “some bugs fly in loop-de-loops, some bugs land smack dab in soups.” Not an informational book, but your kids will want to read this one over and over again to examine the illustrations.

This is a perfect book for your independent reader with an interest in bugs. From the ‘All About Nature’ series, Can You Find These Bugs? by Carmen Bredeson (2012) highlights common North American bugs like ants, crickets, ladybugs, dragonflies, mosquitoes, stink bugs, earwigs and honey bees. The text is large, easy to read, gives clear information and the photos are bright and clear.

Tom Jackson’s Spot the Bug (2013) is the perfect introduction to bug hunting for young nature lovers. It’s a colourful and fun beginner’s book aimed at 5 to 10 year olds and introduces kids to bugs in the backyard and the neighbourhood. Here’s where they can discover more than 100 best-known insects, from leaping grasshoppers to battling stag beetles. They’ll soon be telling you all the interesting facts: where bugs live, what bugs eat, and how to tell bugs apart.

DK Publishing’s Pocket Genius is a small encyclopedia of bug information, recommended for children 8 and up. The 160 pages in BUGS: Facts at your Fingertips  (2012) includes countless kinds of insects and other bugs, from beetles, butterflies to spiders and scorpions. Curious kids can find out all about them, what they eat, where they live, and which ones are poisonous.

It’s impossible to list bug books without including my favourites, the Very Insect series by Eric Carle, the best known of which is The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1981). It has delighted millions of children, and introduced them to a world of bugs, counting and foods.

Under a moon, on a green leaf, a small egg is laid. A caterpillar is born and over a week a large and varied amount of food is eaten. After a final binge, he forms a cocoon and goes to sleep. Toddlers follow the caterpillar’s diet by placing their fingers through the die-cut pages, count the food items, days of the week, and celebrate his transformation into a beautiful spring butterfly.

Puffin Peter by Jonathan and Martha Horacek (2013) is a bright, colourful picture book about a best friend puffins Peter and Paul. They keep each other laughing until Peter is lost in a storm.  After the storm, a whale rescues Peter and offers to help find Paul. Peter’s description of Paul as “funny and noisy” lead the pair to several islands and different birds before Paul is found. This is a reassuring book for preschoolers about being lost and found, having an older or larger presence in the search, and fun facts about funny, noisy birds.

Busy-busy Little Chick by Janice Harrington (2013) and is the retelling of a central African folktale. Mama Nsoso's baby chicks complain that they are cold and damp in their nest every night. Mama assures them that they'll get to work building a more sturdy ilombe (home), but every day Mama and the chicks are distracted by the good things to eat. All except one … Little Chick stays busy gathering sticks and mud to build the house. Your preschoolers will love the repetition and see what’s coming, cheering for the youngest chick hero.

Can you be different and still be friends? If you have children sharing a bedroom, a playroom, or a classroom, they’ll enjoy goslings Jasper & Joop by Olivier Dunrea (2013). Jasper likes to be neat. Each morning he tidies his nest and puts on his cap and bow tie. Joop likes to be messy! Each morning he rumples his nest and musses his feathers. Despite their differences, Jasper and Joop are two very good friends – birds of a feather! But what will happen when one friend gets into trouble with some busy bees?

Do your children love being in on a secret? Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why by Lita Judge  (2012) decodes the fascinating and funny things birds are saying to one another. One of 28 birds kids will enjoy is the large gray Palm Cockatoo described as ‘a regular one-man hard-rock band.” With rosy cheek patches and a burst of top-knot feathers, he whistles, bobs his head, then breaks a stick and bangs it against a tree to deliver the message, “Stay away! This is my tree!”

Another book for your independant 6-8 year old interested in nature is Can You Find These Birds? by Carmen Bredeson (2012). Four to seven sentences on the right face a full-colour photo of nine easily-identifiable species on the left. Birds include cardinals, house sparrows, blue jays and robins.

Bird Guide of North America by Jonathan K. Alderfer (2013) is subtitled ‘The Best Birding Book for Kids from National Geographic's Bird Experts’ and it’s certainly fun and informative. Every day is a birding adventure with this guide - your backyard, farm, the city or anywhere you go. Organized by region, you and your kids can learn the sounds of 100 birds, what they eat, and where they like to hang out. Tips are included for building bird feeders, nests, and bird baths.