Saturday, May 30, 2009

"Read a book." It's the perfect answer to kids' cries of boredom

Young readers, ages 2 to 7

Top picks for young readers (ages 2-7) were chosen by Bosque Farms Public Library Assistant Librarian Rhonda Duncan.

1. "Books" by Eve Bunting.

"Bunting writes animal books. They have extremely good vocabulary and gorgeous illustrations. Kids can really learn something from them," Duncan said.

2. The Reverend Wilbert Awdry's "Railway series"

The series features Thomas the Tank Engine. "The kids just adore these. We have a lot of videos (based on the books) too. He's very popular." The series includes "The Annuals," "Thomas's Christmas Party," "Thomas Comes to Breakfast," "Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree," "Thomas and the Evil Diesel," "Thomas and the Hurricane," "Bad Days for Thomas and His Friends/More Bad Days for Thomas and His Friends"

3. Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales.

These are the classics: "Princess and The Pea," "Little Mermaid," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Red Shoes," and "Thumbelina." Duncan said it best: kids just love fairy tales.

4. Assortment of international fairy tales.

"At the library, we have a terrific assortment of fairy tales, Australian, Chinese, Latin American, Native American and stories from all over the world. They're illustrated beautifully and (all the books) are together in one section. It says what country they are from on the book's spine."

5. Books by Dr. Seuss.

"We have a flood of Dr. Seuss books. I think one of the reasons they're so popular is because they rhyme and children like that."

Favorites include: "Green Eggs and Ham," "The Cat in the Hat," "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Keep on the lookout: Dr. Seuss may be popular with children but his meanings can run deep and have profound meaning for adults, as in with "Oh, The Places You'll Go."

6. The Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish.

Amelia has been called "the literal-minded housekeeper." When she is told to make a sponge cake, she uses a real sponge. When she weeds the garden, she replants the weeds, when she is given instructions to draw the drapes, she sketches them. Amelia is a fun, good-hearted housekeeper that finds out it's OK to make a lot of mistakes.

7. Curious George books by Hans Augusto Rey.

Since he's now featured in a PBS television show, most children know who Curious George is. Some of George's tales are geared toward early readers and others are longer stories, perfect for parents to read aloud.

8. Eric Carl's animal and bug books.

"Kids just like bugs. They are well-illustrated and are always big books," Duncan said.

Favorites include: "The Very Hungry Caterpiller," "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" and "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, what do you hear?"

9. Steven Kellogg's books

Also called "tall-tales" or American folklore, Kellogg's books focus on unlikely heroes, for example, "Johnny Appleseed," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Pecos Bill," and "Paul Bunyan."

Top Picks for ages 8-12

Chosen by Belen Public Library children's librarian, Cristina Aufmann.

1. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

"Chocolate is in the title; need I say more? I think every kid wonders what happens in a candy factory, but Roald Dahl takes it one step further and writes what kids think happens in a candy factory. With Willie Wonka's chocolate river to his Umpaloompa helpers, this book was a joy to read when I was young and it is still on reading lists today."

2. "The Homework Machine" by Dan Gutman

"I take college classes, and I still wish I had a homework machine! I kid you not. I've wanted a homework machine since the second grade. Well, the machine in this book not only does your homework but can do your friends' homework with their own handwriting with just a push of a button. But all good things must come to an end when these four kids get caught cheating and the machine has to be destroyed."

3. "From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg

"Two kids run away to teach their parents a lesson only to find themselves in the middle of a mystery in the museum they're hiding in. I like this story because it had me questioning whether or not if I could (solve the mystery myself.) Fifteen years after reading it, I still remember the plot. When I started working at the library, it was one of the first books I looked for just to make sure we had it."

4. "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

"I think this story just grabs kids and helps them find courage in themselves."

5. "Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary

"I think all Beverly Cleary's books are well written and attention grabbing."

6. "When I was a Boy I Dreamed" by Justin Matott

"This book is very well illustrated and written. It makes the readers think of their own dreams."

7. "Chester" by Melanie Watt

"This is the Belen Public Library's favorite story. This cat has a serious attitude problem, but the author gets her revenge after Chester takes the story she is trying to write."

8. "The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash" by Trinka Hakes Noble

"This book is funny. It's an exaggeration of a class field trip gone wrong when a classmate decides to take his pet snake to the farm. Poor teacher! I would be so embarrassed."

9. "No Talking" by Andrew Clements

"This book tells of the ongoing war between girls and boys. 'Anything you can do I can do better' is the theme of this story. The boys and girls decide that they aren't going to talk anymore, leaving the adults puzzled. The first side to talk loses the battle."

10. "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales" by John Scieszka

"This book is a parody of classic fairy tales. It's hilarious, even for adults! I also recommend John Scieszka's book 'The True Story of The Three Little Pigs.'"

Top Picks

for Tweens and Teens

Chosen by Youth Services Coordinator Judi Riley-Bensley and Public Service Assistant Heather Maez of the Los Lunas Public Library.

1. "How to be a Real Person" by Sally Warner

A guide to trying to appear normal while living in an abnormal setting.

2. "Amira & Odetter" by Walter Dean

Poetry and wonderful illustrations about an unusual love story.

3. "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson

Heart-wrenching story about a boy and his dog learning how to grow up in a tough world.

4. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

A classic tale of right and wrong and how to deal with life's hurdles.

5. "Sloppy Firsts: A Novel" by Megan McCafferty

A fun, insightful story of a teenage girl as she navigates the ups and downs of high school.

6. "Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" by Louise Rennison

Tells the story of a young British teen, full of fun adventures and British slang. The perfect summer beach/desert read!

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