Navigating the

West Nyack Free Library

with Lois and Myrna

Finding your way around the library is really easy once you've learned a few "secrets." Books are divided into fiction and nonfiction. Fiction books are arranged in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Nonfiction books are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System, a system that arranges books by putting them in one of ten subject categories. These ten are then divided into smaller groups. Each category has a number. For example, if you were looking for a true book about dinosaurs, its "call" number would start with 567.

Whether you are in the children's or adult room, your school or public library, New York or Florida, you would always find dinosaur books starting with 567. That's pretty handy! For more information on Melvil Dewey, visit Do We Really Know Dewey, a website created to teach both kids and adults about the Dewey Decimal System.

Lois and Myrna are about to take you on a trip around the Children's Room. Lois will introduce you to some of the kinds of fiction (genre) to be found on our shelves. and Myrna will lead you on a nonfiction tour 100 numbers at a time. So grab your library card and let's get started.
 

Encyclopedias, Newspapers, Almanacs & More

The numbers up to 100 are used for computer science, information and general reference. Some books Myrna suggests you might like to read from the category are:

• Internet for Kids by Ted Peterson and Francis Moss. This is a beginner's guide to surfing the net. Cyber Sarge and the Gang show you everything from getting online to turning your computer into a jukebox with MP3s. If you're a parent or teacher who's feeling nervous about all this technology, chapter nine is for you - it will show you how to teach kids to drive safely on the cyberspace freeways.
  J 004.678
  
  

• Reading in Series. Are you a fan of animal fantasy who's trying to find a series to read? Do you want to read the Something Queer books in order but you don't know which one is next? This book, located in reference, can be your guide for selecting your next book.
  J 016.813 Rea
  
  

• World Book Encyclopedia. Encyclopedias are great places to start when you're looking for information on a topic. Sometimes you can even use them to help you decide what portion of a topic you want to do more research about. Did you know that we have encyclopedias that you can borrow for seven days?
  J 031 Wor
  
  

• World Almanac and Book of Facts. Published yearly, this is the book to use to find populations, election facts, award winners, sports scores and lot of other interesting facts. Our most recent copy can be found in reference. If you'd like to take it home, last year's copy circulates.
  J 031.02 Wor
  

• Top Ten of Everything by Russell Ash. Are you a trivia lover or just someone who thinks facts are fun? In this book, you'll find thousands of astonishing and fun facts on every subject from weather extremes to first names to largest libraries to youngest Oscar winners to Olympic winners to pets in the U.S. to...I guess you get the idea! You'll have a great time with this book.
  J 031.02 Top
  
  

• Side by Side by Leonard S. Marcus. How do authors and illustrators work together to produce the picture books we love? Five favorite picture-book teams share their secrets of doing the job. Some were friends who chose to work together; some were put together to create a book and became friends (or didn't!). Go behind the scenes and discover how the job was done.
  J 070.573 Mar
  
   

• Loads of Codes and Secret Ciphers by Paul Janeczko. Secret codes often make us think of modern day spies, but their use goes all the way back to ancient Sparta and have been used throughout history. This book teaches you how you can make and send secret codes back and forth with your friends. Once you've figured out all the examples given, you'll be ready to come up with some new ones of your own.
  J 001.5436 Jan
  
   

• Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists by Joanna Sullivan. Found in the reference section, this book will be helpful to anyone looking for lists of a particular type of book. Three main sections list books by grade. Within the grade, the books are further divided into different categories. Whether you're looking for a book that will fit a school assignment or just looking for one to fit your interests, this title will be helpful to you in your search.
  J 011.62 Sul
  
   

• Cool Sites: Homework Help for Kids on the Net by Lisa Trumbauer. When people are looking for information on line, they often start with a search engine like Google or Ask Jeeves. The problem with these is that you sometimes get too many hits and have to sort through to find what you want. This book helps you to narrow your search with specific sites for homework help, reference, math, science or history. And best of all, the sites are all specifically for kids.
  J 025.04 Tru
  
   

• Inside-Outside Book of Libraries by Roxie Munro. Roxie Munro has looked at many different places from two points of view - how they look on the outside and on the inside. In this book, she takes her special look at all kinds of libraries from the Library of Congress to a prison library to a tool lending library to a Braille library and even more. Enjoy the wonderful inside-outside drawings of all kinds of libraries.
  J 027.073 Mun
  
   

• What? What? What? by Lyn Thomas. If you're looking for astounding, weird, wonderful or just plain unbelievable facts, start with this book. The facts are divided into nine chapters ranging from your own body through animals and weather to spooky mysteries. Plus, all along the way, there are jokes, puzzles and riddles. You'll find lots of interesting things while browsing through the pages.
  J 031.02 Tho
  
   

• It Rained All Day That Night by Lillian Morrison. Did you ever take a look at your parent's or even your grandparent's school yearbooks or autograph albums? Chances are some of the messages you read in them are the same ones students are writing today. Lillian Morrison has compiled many of the favorite verses over the years…they can be yours till Niagara Falls!
  J 081 It

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Feelings, Logic, Making Friends & More

• A Young Person's Guide to Philosophy by Jeremy Weate. A philosopher is someone who is puzzled by the world, and then asks questions about it. Philosophy suggests ideas about what is not known; when answers are found, that's science. The first section of this book is a journey through the history of Western philosophy. The second half examines the work of some great philosophers and others who shared similar ideas.
  J 100 Wea
  
  

• Ghost in the House by Daniel Cohen. Some people believe that the spirits of the dead can appear at the places where they lived and died. This book includes nine stories about some of the best-known haunted houses in the world including the Octogon in Washington, D.C., and the Weir House in Edinburgh, Scotland. Whether you believe or not, don't read this when you're alone at night.
  J 133.122 Coh
  
  

• In the Days of the Salem Witchcraft Trials by Marilynne K. Roach. In 1692, only three generations after British colonists settled the New England shores, nineteen people were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. How could the people who had come here seeking religious freedom do such a thing? Read about the events of the time that could make ordinary people behave in an extraordinary way.
  J 133.43 Roa
  
  

• Walter Wick's Optical Tricks by Walter Wick. How we perceive things is one of the categories in the 100's. Walter Wick takes us into a puzzling world where your eyes see things that your brain misunderstands. You'll find puzzles to challenge your powers of observation and clues as to how illusions work. At the end are more clues to why we were tricked.
  J 152.148 Wic
  
  

• The Feelings Book by Lynda Madison. When you were little, your emotions were simple, but now they're much more complicated. You might even feel as if you're on an emotional roller coaster. The author gives some simple ways to learn more about your emotions and what you can do to feel more positive about yourself.
  J 155.433 Mad
  
  

• How to Be A Friend by Laurie Krasny and Marc Brown. Everybody wants to have friends, but how do you get them? In this book, a group of cartoon dinosaurs illustrate why friends are valuable, how to make friends, and how to be and not be a good friend. This is another great book in the Dino Life Guides for Families series.
  J 158.25 Bro/Easy Nonfiction
  
   

• They Saw the Future by Kathleen Krull. Following the pattern of her books on the lives of musicians, artists, athletes, presidents and extraordinary women, Ms. Krull now turns to the world of people who have seen into the future. She presents us with the stories of twelve visionaries focusing on their rare talents to predict. How could they perform such miraculous feats of the mind?
  J 133.3 Kru
  
   

• Witches and Magic-Makers by Douglas Hill. Many of us have been intrigued by the magical talents of the fictional Harry Potter.This book presents a nonfiction or true picture of the practices, rituals and roles of witches and magic-makers around the world and throughout history. Discover the good as well as the evil that they could bring about.
  J 133. 43 Hil
  
   

• The Wild Boy by Mordicai Gerstein. This is the true story of a little boy found living alone in the wild by hunters, much like Jungle Book's Mowgli. He had grown up like a wild animal in the forests of France until his capture on January 8, 1800. After that, he was studied by many doctors in Paris. Although one worked with him for six years, he never became completely civilized or learned to speak.
  J 155.456 Ger
  
   

• When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown. Death is a subject that is often hard to understand. In this book, the dinosaurs offer help and reassurance by answering some of the most often asked questions such as what does dead mean, how do people feel about death, what comes after death. This book may serve as a comfort to children and their families at a difficult time.
  J 155.937 Bro
  
   

• Courage by Bernard Waber. There are lots of different kinds of courage. It can be found in everyday life when you taste a new vegetable or when you ride your bike for the first time without training wheels. Then there's the awesome kind shown by a trapeze artist at the circus or a fireman going into a burning building. Courage can show itself in many ways.
  J 179.6 Wab/Easy nonfiction
  
   

• Confucius: the Golden Rule by Russell Freedman. 2,500 years ago, Confucius was a minor government official in the ancient Chinese province of Lu. He spent much of his time teaching and discussing his many bold ideas for reform with his students. Today, many people talk about him in a silly way when they begin by saying," Confucious says," but you'll enjoy getting to know about the real person whose ideas are still full of wisdom.
  J 181.112 Fre

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Bible Stories, Native American Myths & More

• Tomie dePaola's Book of Bible Stories. Many of you know and love the wonderful work of Tomie dePaola. In this book he uses the New International version of the Bible, one that's easy to understand, to present 37 stories and prayers ranging from creation in the Old Testament through crucifixion and resurrection in the New Testament. The color and simplicity of his illustrations make this a special collection of Bible stories for any child.
  J 220.95 Bib
   

• Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney. A picture of the animals entering the ark two by two is so familiar to us that we almost forget that it's a Bible story. In this version of the story, Caldecott Honor recipient Jerry Pinkey's account stays close to the Genesis narrative but his watercolor and colored pencil illustrations really bring the story to life. Even if you think you know the story well, take a look at this version and be amazed by the size of the ark, the crowds of animals, the strength of the storm and so much more!
  J 222.11 Pin
   

• All God's Children. Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. This is a collection of 22 prayers and poems about God. Some are traditional, such as Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep while others are by authors such as Lois Duncan, Margaret Wise Brown and Carl Sandburg. They are both moving and easy to understand. Opposite each selection is a bold, bright oil painting of children engaged in various activities that complements the words of the prayer.
  J 242.82 All
   

• A People Apart by Kathleen Kenna. In today's world of television, cars and possessions, the Old Order Mennonites live a life that is very different from most of ours. Some have never even spoken with anyone who was not a Mennonite because they believe that they must keep themselves separate in order to preserve their traditions. This book is a rare opportunity to take a look at that world and to try to understand their beliefs and traditons.
  J 289.73 Ken
   

• What I Believe: A Young Person's Guide to the Religions of the World by Alan Brown and Andrew Langley. Follow a group of children as each one introduces us to his or her religion - one of many different ones observed throughout the world. They will tell and show the basic stories, customs, beliefs and traditions of their faith. You'll see for yourself what's similar and what's different between the religions and how people who are not so different from us practice them.
  J 291 Bro
   

• Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Norse by Leonard Everett Fisher. Myths are traditional stories that people told to try to explain why certain events happened like the sun rising or lightning or the creation of the world. This collection is an introduction to the beliefs of the Ancient Norse or Vikings. Meet 14 of the gods and goddesses - their powers, their duties and their images - who influenced how the Vikings lived their lives.
  J 293.211 Fis
   

• Atlas of the Bible Lands by Andre Due. Using maps, text and many illustrations, the author presents a picture of the Middle East from prehistory to modern times. Double page spreads give a brief but interesting overview of the many topics covered such as religions of the Bible lands, plants and animals, and daily life of the people. This is good background reading for students who are studying religion.
  J 220.91 Due
  
   

• Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors by Sue Kassire. After being sold into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers, Joseph becomes an important man and is able to come to his family's rescue during a famine. In this edition of the book, a simplified version of the familiar story is presented for children just starting to read. The brilliant, full page paintings help to make this a book that everyone will enjoy.
  J 222.11 Kas/Easy nonfiction
   

• Parables: Stories Jesus Told by Mary Hoffman. Jesus was a storyteller who filled his stories with things that were familiar to his audience. His parables had two meanings - the surface meaning of what actually happens in the story and the second meaning underneath. The author of the book asks some questions at the end of each parable to help the reader understand the deeper meanings.
  J 226.809 Hof
   

• Where Does God Live by August Gold and Matthew J. Perlman. This simple book is written as an answer to a young child's question: "Where is God?" It is illustrated with beautiful color photographs of children of all races and religions as well as scenes of nature. Sharing this book is a good way for families to start a discussion about God or to answer your child's question.
  J 291.2 Gol/Easy nonfiction
   

• Sacred Places by Philemon Sturges. Each religion has its own symbols and its own way of doing things but every religion has special places where the people go to worship, study or celebrate. The author uses a brief text to explain the concept of "sacred" in five different religions. Unusual paper illustrations done with drawing, painting, and paper cuts show a variety of sacred places throughout the world.
  J 291.35 Stu
   

• The Monkey Bridge by Rafe Martin. This story is a retelling of one of more than 500 traditional Buddhist jataka tales. In the story, a human king's greed to have the fruit of the Treasure Tree puts a tribe of monkeys in mortal danger but the monkey king's sacrifice restores peace to the kingdom. As in many jataka tales, the humans learn wisdom and compassion from the animals.
   

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Families, Careers, Money, Government & More

• We are Americans by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. This is a history of the first immigrants to America from earliest times to the present day. The stories of the first immigrants are based on legend and theories. Later immigrants tell their stories in their own words - letters, diaries, oral histories and biographies. You'll learn what it's like to become part of a new country - school, religion, food and lots of new customs.
  J 304.873 Hoo
   

• Ultimate Kids' Money Book by Neale S. Godfrey. We could call this book "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Money." It starts off with the history of different kinds of money and moves on through budgeting, saving and investing. There's nothing dull about this book - cartoons, interesting facts, and a colorful presentation will make you want to keep reading.
  J 332.024 God
   

• The Great Ships by Patrick O'Brien. These are the stories of some famous ships throughout history such as the Mayflower, the Armistad, the Nautilus and others. What did they look like, and what happened to make them so familiar to us? The book ends with a really interesting section called "Where Are They Now?" - a few sentences about what happened to each ship after its time of fame.
  J 387.2 Obr
   

• What You Never Knew About Tubs, Toilets & Showers by Patricia Lauber. "The history of the bathroom is a strange story of people who washed themselves often, sometimes, or not at all." So begins a humorous telling of what these practices were like from ancient times, through the years, up to the present. You probably won't need this information for a school report, but I think you'll be glad you took the time to read it!
  J 391.64 Lau
   

• The Faeries Gift by Tanya Robyn Batt. Folktales are an important part of the 300s. This fairy story is one that the author originally heard told on an island off the coast of Southern Ireland although similar tales are found in many different cultures. As a result of his kindness to a fairy, a man is granted one wish but how he uses that gift is not an easy decision.
  J 398.221 Bat
   

• Here Comes Mother Goose by Iona Opie. This is a collection of more than 60 traditional nursery rhymes. Some are very well known while others may be new to you. The illustrations are made up of charming animals similar to the ones found in other books illustrated by Rosemary Wells. This large, attractive books is fun to read if you remember the rhymes or even if you don't.
  J 398.8 Her
  
   

• Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester. In this book, Mr. Lester shares his life story and explores the things that make each of us special. "Our lives are the same story; the differences are in the details." One of those details is race or skin color. If we could look beyond the color of skin, shape of eyes, and texture of hair, we could really get to know a person. With good use of words and pictures, this is a very unusual and exciting discussion of race and racism.
  J 305.8 Les
  
   

• Follow the Money by Loreen Leedy. "George" is a brand new quarter traveling from the mint to the bank. From there, he travels through lots of hands, through several machines, gets bitten by a rabbit, and eventually ends up back at the bank. You'll discover a lot about what happens to money while going along with George on his very busy, funny adventure.
  J 332.4 Lee/Easy Nonfiction
  
   

• If I Were President by Catherine Stier. Did you ever think you might like to be president of the United States? In real life, you'd have to be at least 35 years old to have this job; but this story gives you a chance to discover some of the duties, responsibilities and traditions of the office of president. The illustrator shows girls as well as boys, and children of all races pretending to hold the office. There's no limit to your dreams!
  J 352.23 Sti/Easy nonfiction
  
   

• It's Back to School We Go by Ellen Jackson. All over the world, when children start a new school year, they wonder what the teacher will be like, whether they'll make new friends, what the class work will be like. The author introduces us to eleven children from different countries who share their first day stories with the reader. Find out which things about life in other schools you'd enjoy and which you definitely would not!
  J 371.002 Jac
  
   

• Sir Gawain & the Green Knights by Michael Morpurgo. This is the story of Gawain, nephew of King Arthur, who was one of the Knights of the Round Table. He was honest and true, kind and courteous and brave, as were all the knights; but he was also headstrong and more than a little vain. One New Year's eve, a strange knight, green from head to toe, burst into the room and issued a challenge to all present. This is an exciting tale for all who love sword fights, dragons and magic.
  J 398.2 Mor
  

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English, Spanish, Sign Language, Grammar & More

• Greetings World by Manya Stojic. "Aloha," ciao," and "konnichiwa" are just a few ways to say hello. In this book, you'll discover how to greet people in 42 different languages spoken throughout the world. On each page you'll see a greeting, its language, a guide to how to pronounce the word, and a painting of a child greeting you. How may ways can you say "hello?"
  J 413.1 Sto Easy Nonfiction
   

• Number Art by Leonard Everett Fisher. Leonard Fisher, in words and pictures, traces the development of the various number systems that have been used in the world. From Arabic and Roman to Chinese and Sanskrit, discover the history of the culture that created it and whether it's still in use. Get ready for the 1, 2, 3s in 13 different ways.
  J 415 Fis
   

• Indian Signals and Sign Language by George Fronval and Daniel Dubois. The Indians of the Great Plains belonged to dozens of different tribes speaking different languages. When they met while traveling, trading or hunting, they were able to communicate by means of sign language. Learn how you can make the sign for hundreds of different words including some modern ones like telephone, movies and automobile.
  J 419 Fro
   

• Simple Signs by Cindy Wheeler. American Sign Language (ASL) is a language of gestures and hand symbols developed to help hearing-impaired people to communicate. Nowadays many people have learned to use it for different reasons. Simple Signs and More Simple Signs are a great way to start learning ASL. The signs are presented in a clear way so you'll be sure to be able to do them.
  J 419 Whe
   

• Merry-Go-Round: a Book About Nouns by Ruth Heller. Sentences are made up of different kinds of words such as nouns, verbs and adjectives. In Ruth Heller's series on language, she helps you to really understand these words through a fun, rhyming text. Is it possible to learn and be entertained at the same time? Check out these books and I think you'll say yes.
  J 428.1 Hel
   

• Secrets in Stone by Laurie Coulter. When we think of hieroglyphics, we usually think of the Ancient Egyptians but the Mayan people in Mexico and central America also had a system of picture writing. This book tells about life in that ancient civilization, and the clues that led to cracking the code of the Maya. Discover how the mystery was finally solved, and then have fun with some great "glyphmaster" activities.
  J 497.415 Cou
  
   

• There's A Frog in My Throat by Loren Leedy and Pat Street. Every language has its own unique sayings - ways of packing a lot of meaning into a few words. The authors have collected 440 favorite animal sayings in English. Just in case they're new to you, you'll find one common meaning for each. Don't be "a silly goose" (foolish person), start reading this book "in two shakes of a lamb's tale" (quickly).
  J428.1 Lee
  
   

• Kid's Guide to Good Grammar by Dorothy McKerns and Leslie Motchkavitz. For anyone who wants to improve his or her grammar, this book provides a fun way to do it. Excerpts from classic novels are used to illustrate the ideas, boxed "Rules to Remember" point out important things to know and "Practice Makes Perfect" sections offer games, crafts and other activities to help you understand and remember the concepts. Grammar has never been so easy to master.
  J 428.2 McK
  
   

• Say Hola to Spanish by Susan Middle Elya and
  Say Hola to Spanish, Otra Vez (Again) by Susan Middleton Elya. Rhyming text and funny, colorful illustrations work together to present a humorous introduction to 70 Spanish words. If you're in doubt about any of the words, just look at the glossary to be sure of the meaning and pronunciation. "Hola" is hello, "adios" is good-bye; Spanish is fun, so give it a try!
  J 468.242 Ely
  
   

• Scholastic Rhyming Dictionary by Sue Young. Did you ever try to write a song, a poem or a greeting card message and you got stuck for a rhyme? This is the book that would help you. Rhyming sounds always start with a vowel, so the book is divided into six sections, A, E, I, O, U and Y, to help you find the sound you want easily. A special list at the end helps you to discover the sound to look for in each word.
  J 423.1 You
  
   

• Jambo Means Hello by Muriel Feelings. At West Nyack LIbrary, most of us know that the word Rafiki, our carved gorilla's name, means "friend' and Twiga, Rafiki's carved friend, means "giraffe." Those two words are the only Swahili I know. This book introduces 23 other words in an ABC format (there's no Q or X in Swahili). Along with the words, you'll get an understanding of the people and their customs.
  J 496 Fee
   

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Arithmetic, Animals, Rocks, Plants, Fossils & More

• See For Yourself by Vicki Cobb. Vicki Cobb writes: "There is nothing quite like the feeling of wondering about something, doing an experiment to shed light on it, and actually making a discovery." In this book, she gives you a head start with 100 experiments in the areas of chemistry, earth science, physical science, the human body, and technology - some that are quick and easy, others that are more challenging. Great for science fair projects or just to get you thinking!
  J 507.8 Cob
   

• Fabulous Fractions by Lynette Long. This is another book in the Magical Math series that helps you to understand a math concept while having fun with games and activities. Take the mystery out of adding and subtracting fractions while you play Combination Pizza, practice multiplying and dividing with Shoe Box Fractions, or master decimals with the game of Dancing Decimals. By the end of the book, your fraction homework will be a breeze!
  J 513.26 Lon
   

• Do Stars Have Points? by Melvin and Gilda Berger. Smart kids are curious - they ask questions and look for answers. The Bergers give you the answers to 70 questions about space including the sun, planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Have fun with these questions, and then see if you have more of your own.
  J 523 Ber
   

• Kids Book of Weather Forecasting by Mark Breen and Kathleen Friestad. Do you listen to the weather report in the morning to find out whether the ballgame will be on or off? Ever wonder how someone gets storm information days before the storm appears? This book is a hands-on introduction to the science of meteorology explaining how to make needed equipment, record measurements and observations, and make weather predictions. Maybe this is how Al Roker or Sam Champion got his start.
  J 551.63 Bre
   

• The Tiniest Giants by Lowell Dingus and Luis Chiappe. In 1997, a group of paleontologists in South America were looking for the remains of ancient birds and their close dinosaur relatives. Instead, they discovered a dinosaur nesting ground and hundreds of fossilized eggs. Read the exciting story about how the expedition was set up, and the day by day details of their 3-week adventure. This is a perfect story for fourth graders and up who want to learn more about paleontology.
  J 567.909 Din
   

• A Harbor Seal Pup Grows Up by Joan Hewett. Sidney is a two-week-old pup whose mother went out to catch fish and didn't return. After three days, the pup was taken to a sea mammal center to be cared for. She stayed there for about three weeks until she was ready to be on her own and was then returned to the ocean. You'll love looking at the pictures and finding out how orphaned harbor seal pups are cared for.
  J 599.792 Hew/Easy
  
   

• Party Science by Peter Pentland and Pennie Stoyles. Balloons, fireworks, ice cream and soda - they make us think of summer fun and parties. Did you know that they also have something to do with science? Fireworks are a chemical reaction, the fizz in soda comes from carbon dioxide gas, and balloons float because of helium gas. Get the full story of all the science that's involved in your party fun.
  J 507.8 Pen
  
   

• Toy Lab by Michael Elsohn Ross. Playing with toys, exploring how they work or what they can do, sometimes leads to thinking of scientific mysteries. The author presents five different scientific concepts and gives you experiments that you can do with your toys to learn about each of the concepts. When Mom or Dad tells you to put your toys away, you'll be able to say, "I'm not just playing; I'm doing a science experiment."
  J 530.078 Ros
  
   

• Rocks and Minerals - World Book Science and Nature Guides. This is one of 12 books in the set of Science and Nature Guides. Each one explores a particular subject in text and clear pictures. In this book, you'll find activities to try like growing a stalactite or a crystal structure. Also, there are instructions for the person who'd like to collect rocks or minerals as well as pictures to help you identify what you find.
  J 522 Roc
  
   

• Life Under Ice by Mary M. Cerullo. Beneath the ice of Antarctica, an amazing variety of plants and animals thrive in the sub-freezing water. Photographer Bill Curtsinger and his research team have drilled through 5-10 feet of ice in order to dive down to study and photograph the animals that live on the bottom of the Southern ocean. Pick a nice warm day and cool off by following their adventures.
  J 578.777 Cer
  
   

• A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds by Jean Richards. Sometimes we put a seed in the ground and a plant grows from it. Other times, the plant itself sends out its seeds and they travel to places near and far. The part of the plant that holds the seeds is called the fruit. After reading about different kinds of seeds, get the answers to some interesting questions like: why don't seeds grow inside your stomach? or, what's the biggest seed in the world?
  J 581.467 Ric/Easy
  
   

• Snakes: Biggest! Littlest! by Sandra Markle. Along with lots of "cool" pictures (which every snake books has to have) the main feature of this book is a discussion of the body parts of each snake. The size of its body, its fangs, tail, tongue and scales, are all important to how and where the snake lives and how it gets its food. Sometimes large is better - find out which is which.
  J 597.96 Mar

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Inventions, Machines, Farming, Health & More

• ZZZ...The Most Interesting Book You'll Ever Read About Sleep by Trudee Romanek. Did you know that if you live to be 70, you'll have spent 23 years sleeping? Sleep is one of life's necessities - you can't survive without it. Find out about your body clock, dreams, snoring, sleepwalking, famous sleepers and much more in this really fun book about a serious subject.
  J 612.821 Rom
   

• Bridges: From My Side to Yours by Jan Adkins. Take a detailed look at bridges throughout history. They range from simple stepping stones across a brook to famous landmarks such as London Bridge to marvels of engineering such as New York's Brooklyn Bridge. Follow along and discover the planning, required tools and construction methods that went into their creation. You'll have lots to think about next time you cross the Hudson River.
  J 624.2 Adk
   

• Seymour Simon's Book of Trucks by Seymour Simon. Trucks do all kinds of jobs and come in many shapes and sizes. Mr. Simon shows us many different kinds of trucks in action and tells about the job that they're doing. Truck lovers will keep coming back to this book again and again.
  J 629.224 Sim/Easy nonfic
   

• How to Build a Robot by Clive Gifford. Robots are found in many places - some are in space or in factories or in laboratories. This "How to Guidebook" tells through words and cartoons about robots in fact and fiction, different types and what they can do, their parts and how they go together. My favorite sections were the Be a Robot Wizard boxes where you can learn interesting things about robots by doing the experiments that are described.
  J 629.892 Gif
   

• My Pet Hamster by Anne Rockwell. Pets and pet care is a favorite section of the 600s. This book, written for the youngest pet owners or "wanters," tells the story of one child's experience with getting and taking care of a hamster. The book has lots of good information told in a simple, interesting way.
  J 636.935 Roc/Easy nonfic
   

• Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest by Robert Burleigh. Did you know that the chocolate you love - cake, cookies, bars, pudding, milk, fudge - all start with seeds from the cacao tree in the rainforest? Go with the author on a delicious journey as he traces the history of chocolate from a drink that the Mayan Indians made 1500 years ago to the treats we love today. It's a trip filled with surprises.
  J 641.337 Bur
  
   

• Eureka! Great Inventions and How They Happened by Richard Platt. Some great discoveries come about through an accident while others are the result of many years of investigation and hard work. Most of the inventions in this book are in the first group. Each is presented in a 2-page spread: a brief biography of the scientist, a description of his "eureka" or "aha" moment and some details of what happened next. The book ends with a chapter called Patience and Planning which talks about some inventions which did not happen as the result of a "eureka moment."
  J 609 Pla
  
   

• A Drop of Blood by Paul Showers. Just about every part of your body, from your muscles to your bones to your brain, needs blood. But do you know why or what your body does with all that blood? This new edition of a 1967 classic in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out series presents the answers in a delightful way. Illustrations featuring a Dracula-like vampire and his Igorish friend add to the fun as you find out all about blood.
  J 612.11 Sho

• Where Do Chicks Come From by Amy E. Sklansky. You've probably heard the old riddle: "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" You won't find the answer in this book; but you will discover what happens day-by-day during the three weeks from the time a hen lays an egg until the baby chick hatches. This simple yet accurate story is made even better by the warm, sunny illustrations including cutaway drawings of chickens and developing eggs.
  J 636.5 Skl

• An Elephant in the Backyard by Richard Sobel. In the village of the Tha Klang in Thailand, elephants are very special. They roam freely, and to the children, they are just like members of the family. This is the story of Wan Pen, a four-year-old Asian elephant, and the villagers and other elephants that live in Tha Klang. You'll love reading about a very different way of life, and may even wish for a chance to play soccer with an elephant as these children do.
  J 636.967 Sob

• Made You Look by Shari Graydon. When we see the Energizer Bunny, we think of batteries; a white mustache means "got milk"; Tony the Tiger reminds us of cereal. TV and magazine ads affect the way we think about their products and what messages we remember when we go shopping. This title is about how advertising works and why you should know. Each section ends with a "Try This At Home" box - an experiment you can do to see if the author is giving you correct information.
  J 659.1 Gra

• Johann Gutenberg and the Amazing Printing Press by Bruce Koscielniak. Long before Johann Gutenberg invented his wonderful printing press, the Chinese and later the Koreans were doing a kind of printing but most books in Europe were copied by hand. Often people didn't learn to read because books were too expensive for them. Gutenberg's invention made the printed word available and affordable to everyone. Now we can all read books like this one about the history of printing - FREE from your library.
  J 686.209 Kos
   

to the Table of Contents

Crafts, Painting, Music, Games, Sports & More

• A Child's Book of Art: Discover Great Paintings by Lucy Micklethwait. In the introduction, Ms. Micklethwait writes: "A painting is like an unsolved mystery and you can be the detective who figures out just what is going on." Then she presents 13 paintings for your investigation. For each one, the left-hand page presents questions to think about and the right-hand page has facts about the picture and the artist, and answers to many of the questions. This is a fun way to learn about art.
  J 701.1 Mic
   

• Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Medieval Castle by Joanna Cole. If you loved the Magic School Bus Adventures, you'll want to read Ms. Frizzle's new adventure series. In this book, she sees Arnold going into Craig's Castle Shop, follows him in, and before long they find themselves whisked back to the Middle Ages. Be careful when reading this; as in all her adventures, there are all kinds of dangers to be faced!
  J 728.81 Col/Easy
   

• Paper-Folding Fun!: 50 Awesome Crafts to Weave, Twist & Curl by Ginger Johnson. This book provides step-by-step instructions for creating lots of paper crafts including greeting cards, boxes, journals, and three-dimensional creatures. Using paper, scissors and glue (plus a few decorations), you'll fold, quill, or weave your way to making things that are useful and/or magical. By yourself or with a friend, you'll have a great time trying these projects.
  J 745.54 Joh
   

• Ah Music by Aliki. What is music - sound, rhythm, melody, feeling, creative art? Go with Aliki as she explores the subject of music, its composers and instruments, its artists and performers, its history from earliest times to the present. Illustrated with Aliki's playful drawings, you'll enjoy reading this book cover-to-cover or browsing through your favorite part and coming back for more another day.
  J 780 Ali
   

• Kids and Grandparents: an Activity Book by Ann Love and Jane Drake. The author presents this book for kids to do with their grandparents, but the dozens of ideas included are great to do with any older family member or friend. There are more than 90 ideas for sharing memories, fun and games, crafts and family food. Indoors or out, you'll find lots of fun things to do that people enjoyed long before video games were invented.
  J 790.192 Love/Parenting
   

• Double Dutch by Veronica Chambers. When I was growing up, double-dutch was a special way of jumping rope that the kids did on the sidewalks of New York City. It involved jumping between 2 turning ropes as you recited rope-jump rhymes. For today's kids, who may not have tried double-dutch, this book brings you a feel for the fun and challenge of the game that dates back to ancient civilizations. After reading this book, you'll want to go out and try it!
  J 796.2 Cha
   

• The Jumbo book of Art by Irene Luxbacher. Inspired by the Avenue Road Arts School in Canada that believes that art is an adventure, this book is a great guide to creating all kinds of art. It's divided into four sections: drawing, creating with color, sculpture, and mixed media; each one begins with the tools and materials you need for it, and then presents a progression of projects or exercises to lead you on your journey. It's all clear and bright and very inviting - the only hard part will be deciding what to do first - it all looks like so much fun!
  J 701.8 Lux
   

• Parthenon by Lynn Curlee. Mr. Curlee has become very well-known for his books detailing the building of famous sites such as Capital and Brooklyn Bridge. In this book, he presents a detailed history of the Parthenon, exploring its construction and restoration. It includes a good introduction to the history of the ancient Athenians, and to the Greek mythology that inspired the sculptural decoration. His acrylic paintings and diagrams round out the story of this huge undertaking.
  J 726.12 Cur
   

• D is for Doodle by Deborah Zemke. "Doodling is a way of taking your mind for a walk." So begins this fun book of doodles that all begin with a capitol or lower case letter of the alphabet. From alligator and alien, to Zeus and zebra, you'll have lots of fun adding simple shapes to the letters to create an assortment of cartoon-like images. If you've enjoyed doodling with Ed Emberley's designs, you'll be happy to find  similar step-by-step directions in this book. My favorite was "G" for grandpa.
  J 741.2 Zem
   

• Crochet by Jane Davis. With all the interest in knitting and crochet, along comes this great new book for kids (or even for adults who are new to this craft). The first chapter deals with the basics; then come 50 crocheted creations that range from "beginner" to "advanced intermediate." Detailed directions and color photos help you to master the techniques quickly. If you've ever thought about trying crochet, this book filled with up-to-date projects will be a great guide for you.
  J 746.434 Dav
   

• Philadelphia Chickens by Sandra Boynton. This book and CD combination is an imaginary musical revue with a great cast for all ages except 43 (Ms. Boynton's words). The first part of the book, "Look As You Listen," has full page cartoon illustrations and some of the words to 19 original songs found on the CD. Part Two, "Sing & Play Along," has the musical notation and all the lyrics to all the songs. This is a set that's pure fun - you won't be able to stop smiling when you look and listen to it!
  J 782.14 Boy
   

• Funny Bones by Lisa Bany-Winters. If fun and laughter are like medicine to your body, this book will make you very healthy. It is designed to teach you how to have fun and be funny. It starts off by talking about famous comedians, their routines, and how you can adapt what they did to make it your own. After that come chapters about creating original material, ways to make it funnier, and lots of activities, games, songs, skits and more to enjoy whether you want to perform by yourself or with a group. Pick up this book, get together with some friends and get ready to laugh!
  J 793 Ban
   

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Poetry, Plays, Novels from Other Countries & More

• What Do Authors Do by Eileen Christelow. Did you ever wonder how an author gets an idea to write a book? How does he or she make the idea grow into a book, add pictures, and get the book published? Follow the process from an idea to a book in a fun cartoon story that will show you what it's like to be an author.
  J 808.068 Chr/Easy
   

• From Sea to Shining Sea compiled by Amy I Young. This book is a collection of more that 140 folk songs, tales, poems and stories that are a part of American folklore. It's illustrated by 15 different Caldecott medal and honor book artists. Just as our country is a blend of different cultures, so the stories and songs reflect the different backgrounds of the American people.
  J 810.8 Fro
   

• Plays for Young Puppeteers by Lewis Mahlmann & David Cadwalader Jones. Sometimes it's fun to create your own puppet show, other times you may want your puppets to act out a well-known story. If the latter is your goal, this book is perfect for you. It contains scripts for 25 puppet plays such as Peter Pan, Cinderella and Pinocchio. At the end of each play is a section called "Production Notes" to help you get your play ready for staging.
  J 812.54 Mah
   

• Kingfisher Book of Family Poems selected by Belinda Hollyer. No one's family is exactly like anyone else's but the poems in this collection explore just about every family situation. There are poems about different relatives and pets, celebrations and sad times, comforting families and outlandish ones. You'll probably read something that will make you say: "That's just like my family!"
  J 821.008 Kim
   

• The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter by David Colbert. J.K. Rowling fans know that there are many references to history, legend and literature hidden in her books. For example Draco gets his name from the Latin word for "dragon" or "snake." Many of us have enjoyed Harry Potter stories without knowing anything about the background of the terms she uses, but knowing it will make the stories even more satisfying.
  J 823.914 Col
   

• The Adventures of Odysseus retold by Neil Philip. The hero of Greek mythology, Odysseus, encountered many monsters and other obstacles on his journey home from the Trojan War. Neil Philip tells the famous story in a simple way so that children can be introduced to it on a level that they will understand. With its beautifully painted illustrations, this is a book that families can enjoy reading aloud together.
  J 883.01 Phi
   

• Look at My Book by Loreen Leedy. Sometimes, when we sit down to write, the words just pour out; other times, we may want to write (or the teacher tells you to write) and we don't know where to start. This is the book you need - "a great guide to how kids can write and illustrate terrific books." All the way from brainstorming ideas to binding your book, the cartoon characters will take you through all the steps you need to follow in a fun, painless way.
  J 808.02 Lee
   

• Once Upon a Poem - forward by Kevin Crossley-Holland. This book is a collection of 15 story-poems, each introduced by a well-known author. The style of the illustrations, done by four different artists, is matched to the content of the poems. Great for reading aloud or enjoying yourself, you'll find old favorites like Paul Revere's Ride or A Visit from St. Nicholas, and lots of less familiar ones to enjoy as well.
  J 808.81 Onc
   

• Leaf by Leaf - selected by Barbara Rogasky. Although this is a book of poetry about the autumn season, the first things you'll notice are the beautiful full-page photographs in color, sepia, and black and white. Next, you become aware of the poems, many by famous poets such as Shelley, Browning, Yeats and Whitman, printed on top of the images. This is not your usual book of children's poetry, but you will enjoy its celebration of the season.
  J 811.008 Lea
   

• A Pot o'Gold - selected by Kathleen Krull. Whether you're looking for an Irish tale for St. Patrick's Day, or studying the culture of Ireland, this treasury of Irish stories, poetry, folklore, and blarney will have something for you. Divided into chapters including the sea, the food, the music, the leprechauns, the fairies and more, Ms. Krull presents a variety of selections that are child-friendly and as true as possible to the original sources. Illustrated by David McPhail, you'll enjoy browsing through the book and picking out wonderful parts to read.
  J 808.809 Kru
   

• The Roald Dahl Treasury by Roald Dahl. As the title tells us, this book has lots of Roald Dahl - 444 pages of complete works as well as excerpts from his novels, autobiographies and poetry. You'll find many of his best-loved characters including: the Enormous Crocodile, Willie Wonka, the Minpins, BFG, James and Matilda. If you don't already know and love the works of Dahl, this is a great way to get to know him.
  J 828.914 Dah
   

• The Song of Mu Lan by Jeanne M. Lee. Many of us are familiar with Mulan, a character in a Disney animated movie. You may be surprised to learn that she's based on a character in a 1500 year old Chinese folk poem. This beautiful book is a close translation of that poem accompanied by the Chinese text and elegant watercolors. Compare the book and the movie - which do you prefer?
  J 895.114 Lee