Staff Picks

Good Thing You're Not an Octopus!
By Julie Markes
Preschool-Grade 1
When a little boy doesn't want to do daily tasks like getting dressed or brushing his teeth, the author presents the tasks from a different point of view -- "You don't like to get dressed in the morning? It's a good thing you're not an octopus. If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put in your pants!" The accompanying illustration shows a weary creature trying to fit all of his limbs into a large pair of multi-legged pants. This colorful, funny book shows preschoolers that they don't have it that bad! It's a great read-aloud for kids and parents alike.

Sarah, Plain and Tall
By Patricia MacLachlan
Grade 4-5
After Papa advertises for a wife and mother in the newspaper, the family receives letters from Sarah in Maine, and she eventually joins them in their prairie home. Sarah learns how to plow, but she also teaches the family about the colors of the sea and the importance of music and laughter. This tale has the feel of the Little House on the Prairie series, and has several nice sequels, which include Skylark, Caleb's Story, More Perfect than the Moon and Grandfather's Dance.

Lisa U, CCL

CC Library Fall Storytime Registration

Registration for Chester County Library's Fall Storytimes is on Tuesday, September 9th, at 9:30 am. You may register for one five-week session, and you must register IN PERSON. Children must be the required age when the session begins. Check out our web site at http://www.ccls.org/ for more information and for storytimes at other CCLS libraries!

2008 CCL Summer Reading Club Update

Now is the time to redeem your Book Bucks for great prizes at Chester County Library's Bug Bazaar!! Our store is open from August 18th to September 12th, and the raffle for the grand prizes will be drawn on September 12th. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Staff Picks

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog
By Mo Willems
Preschool-Grade 1
That lovable pigeon from Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! meets his match: a pesky duckling who covets the pigeon's hot dog. Mo Willem's simple drawings and hilarious dialogue convey the birds' emotions and antics. This book is a great read-aloud for anyone in the mood for a funny give-and-take story.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8
By Beverly Cleary
Grade 3-5
The infamous Ramona Quimby begins third grade at a new school and is determined to do her share for the family. She has a lot to deal with -- her mother works, her father returns to college, her sister starts junior high, and Ramona must go to Howie's grandmother's house after school, where she encounters Howie's pesty little sister. While she tries hard not to, Ramona gets into all kinds of adventures, including getting egg on her face when her mother accidentally sends a raw, rather than hard-boiled, egg for lunch. Beverly Cleary depicts Ramona's spunky personality, family and school life in a way that kids can relate to.

The Kid Who Ran for President
By Dan Gutman
Grade 4-7
When sixth-grader Judson Moon's best friend convinces him to run for President, our country is never the same. After choosing his elderly African-American former babysitter as a running mate, and lining up a cute blonde as his "First Babe," Judson establishes the Lemonade Party and promises to abolish all homework if his peers convince their parents to vote for him. Dan Gutman raises some interesting political issues such as why someone younger than 35 can't run for president, and how amendments to the Constitution are established. This funny, preposterous story is a timely read during an election year where change is inevitable.

Lisa U, CCL