This week in kindergarten we are reading two wonderful books told in verse: Samantha on a Roll by Linda Ashman and Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats. In Samantha on a Roll,  Samantha just can’t wait to try out her new roller skates, but her mother is simply  too busy to take her outside. But Samantha is irrepressible and before she knows it, she finds herself at the top of Hawthorn Hill with roller skates on her feet. The thrilling ride downhill is filled with great humor, unexpected turns and amazing adventure. Christine Davenier’s whimsical illustrations, capture Samantha’s every emotion as she sails along in this wonderful book.

The kindergarten classes have also loved reading Ezra Jack Keats’ beautifully illustrated version of the classic counting poem Over in the Meadow.  After reading only one or two verses, the rhythm and rhyme become apparent and irresistible, and the kindergartners have been able to join in as we all  learn about the different animals in the meadow.

It feels like the first half of the year has flown by in a whirlwind of activity, and here we are starting 2012 and the days are already getting longer!  With time to take a breath, I thought that I’d highlight a few new books and series.  Mouse-over the images to see the book titles.

You may have noticed that we have a new look on our library search engine Alexandria.  There are a few features that I’d like to point out.  You can still search for a book by author, title, series, subject, or “all words” (just click the search button), but you can also see the newest 100 titles, or the 100 most popular books, or award winners (a work in progress), or use the Explore button to search categories through icons (not perfect, but fun, and also a work in progress).

[Click the images below to see full-size.]

We often highlight new acquisitions of note, but with the “What’s New” button, you can see more than the few highlighted titles.  We constantly add new books, and the list will automatically be updated.  With the “Most Popular” button, you can see that Mo Willems is a favorite of Foote School families.

Another new feature worth noting: this year we have cover art for most of our books.  You can view the results list three different ways; use the pull-down menu above the list to choose full, brief, or cover art.

Full

Brief results: no cover art, but lots more info on the page

Cover art: the most fun way to view

If you’re reading this blog, you’re in the right place to search Alexandria.  The link is at the top of the column on the left of this page.

There are lots of other features, but we’ll do them one bite at a time.

 This week in library we are reading The Secret Message, a wonderful story by Mina Javaherbin, based on a poem written 800 years ago.  In this story, a wealthy merchant attracts customers to his shop  with the help of his prize possession, a beautiful caged parrot.  When the merchant’s business takes him to India, the parrot’s homeland, the merchant inadvertently carries home a message for the parrot. Javaherbin’s retelling of this ancient story is filled with surprising twists and turns. Bruce Whatley’s vibrant illustrations bring to life the bustling bazaar and the tropical forests of India. It’s no secret the MAG has loved reading The Secret Message.

For the last few weeks in library the MAG has been traveling the globe with their favorite sea-faring cat: Zoom.  Each time Zoom visits his friend Maria, her house magically transforms, and Maria and Zoom are off on a wild adventure to find Zoom’s elusive Uncle Roy. Eric Beddows’s intricately detailed  black and white illustrations complement perfectly Tim Wynne Jones’s captivating stories.  Will Zoom’s dream to meet his famous Uncle Roy ever come true?