Toddler:
Duck’s Vacation by Gilad Sofer
(Feiwel & Friends, May 2015)
Duck is on vacation and all he wants to do is relax. Without you (the reader) turning the page. Can you please stop turning the page? All duck wants to do is sit on the beach and enjoy the sun. He does not want to be bitten by crabs, snowed on or eaten by pirates. Stop turning the pages! Both adults and children will want to read this again and again!
Bulldozer’s Big Day
It’s Bulldozer’s birthday but no one seems to remember. For fans of construction site books (and who isn’t at three?) There’s a sweet surprise waiting at the end of this comforting book about friendship.
Nose To Toes: You Are Yummy by Tim Harrington
(Balzer & Bray, April 2015)
This engaging book for the active toddler will have both the reader and the listener acting out simple commands such as blinking your eyes, waving your hands, and kissing your tummy. Of course you will because your reader is yummy!
Emerging:
Bowling Alley Bandit by Lauri Keller
(Henry Holt Books, May 2015)
Now out in paperback, one of our favorite characters from our picture book section is now solving mysteries in a beginning chapter format. Arnie is Mr. Bing’s pet Donut-dog. Having been saved from being eaten by his persuasive argument, now he must figure out why Mr. Bing is only throwing gutter balls at the local bowling tournament.
How To Read A Story by Kate Messner
(Chronicle Books, May 2015)
A cute step-by-step guide for selecting and reading books from the perspective of the beginning reader, this story generates interest in BOOKS and READING! Teachers will love this book; it should be in every elementary school library.
There’s A Lion In My Cornflakes by Michelle Robinson
(Bloomsbury Books, May 2015)
Dan and his brother desperately want a lion. All they have to do is eat 100 boxes of cornflakes and send in the coupons. But everyone else in the neighborhood already has a lion so the boys get a bear, then a crocodile. Things go hilariously bad from that point. It’s a clever look at what can happen when you wish for something crazy.
Tween:
Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt
(Henry Holt & Co, April 2015)
When her teacher initiates a pen-pal program, Tate P. Ellerbee is ready—she has already landed the address of up-and-comer country singer Hank Williams of Louisiana Hayride fame. The small town of Rippling Creek comes alive as Tate shares stories—some true and some not so true—of her mom, dad, brother Frog, Aunt Patty Cake, Uncle Jolly, and life in 1948 Louisiana. Readers can’t help but root for this unsinkable, spunky, likeable eleven-year-old as she pours out her hopes, dreams, secrets, and sorrows to Hank Williams in Kimberly Willis Holt’s latest novel written entirely in letters.
Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens
(Simon & Schuster Books For Children, May 2015)
Hong Kong transplant Hazel Wong serves as Watson to Daisy Wells’s Sherlock Holmes in this debut middle grade mystery series set in 1934 at Deepdean School for Girls. After Hazel finds the body of Miss Bell, the science teacher, the body suddenly disappears, setting Wells and Wong Detective Society on the case. Hazel narrates the story through her casebook, revealing that she is the more analytical of the pair. There are plenty of red herrings and wrong turns, but in the end, Wells and Wong solve the case and leave readers eager to read more of their appealing tales. For grades 5 and up.
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot
(Feiwel & Friends, May 2015)
Cabot returns to the world of the Princess Diaries series by introducing us to Olivia, a twelve year old who is living an average life with her aunt, uncle and cousins (her mom died when she was a baby and her dad is always off researching). One day, a limo carrying Princess Mia of Genovia arrives at her school, and Olivia is whisked away to meet her father and her Grandmere and learns that she’s a princess too! In this very fun continuation of a popular series, Cabot gets the voice exactly right.
Teen:
Walls Around Us by Nova Ren
(Algonquin Books for Young Readers, March 2015)
Told in two voices, this is the story of Amber, who was convicted at age 13 of killing her abusive stepfather, and Vee, a Julliard-bound ballerina. Through them, we learn about Ori, Vee’s former best friend who was accused of a horrific crime. This look at life in a juvenile detention center will entrance the reader – you won’t be able to put it down until you figure out what happens!
Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story by David Levithan
(Dutton Books for Young Readers, April 2015)
At long last, we have Tiny’s story! Tiny Cooper is the delightful supporting character from WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON, and David Levithan has delivered a musical novel — told in stage direction, dialogue and song — telling Tiny’s story. Born “big-boned and happily gay,” Tiny has supportive parents and great friends and is unquestionably comfortable in his own skin. A delight to read – I have my fingers crossed that this eventually becomes an actual musical, because it will be FABULOUS!
