The Berenstain Bears on Stage!

Coming to Philly this spring......The Berenstain Bears' Family Matters! This new show for kids is an hour-long musical that weaves classic Berenstain Bear books into one big bear of an adventure. Shows will run March 20-April 4 at the Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/.

Great 2008 Picture Books

Although they missed out on Caldecott accolades, here are some other fantastic picture books from 2008 you’ll want to enjoy:

In a Blue Room
By Jim Averback
Alice can only sleep in a blue room. Will the moon work its nighttime magic? Soothing illustrations and smooth language make this a new bedtime favorite.

Hello, Day!
By Anita Lobel
Say “Hello!” to these friendly animals! Stunning illustrations juxtaposed with simple text make this a fabulous addition to birth through preschool collections.

Old Bear
By Kevin Henkes
Bear is hibernating and having the most beautiful dreams. The illustrations have an older, charming feel that will make you wish you were dreaming right along with Bear.

The Little Yellow Leaf
By Carin Berger
Will Little Yellow Leaf ever be brave enough to leave her tree? Beautiful art and rhythmic language will make this a new fall favorite!

A Kitten Tale
By Eric Rothman
Four little kittens see snow for the first time. Will they have the courage to go out and play in it? Rothman gives us a short but sweet tale complete with wonderful illustrations.

A Visitor for Bear
By Bonny Becker
Will grumpy Bear succeed in chasing away a persistent little mouse? This incredibly irresistible story makes for a wonderful read-aloud and plenty of laughter.

Suzanne M., Spring City Public Library

Staff Pick

The Underneath

By Kathi Appelt

Grade 4-up

Awarded a Newbery Honor last week, Kathi Appelt’s The Underneath is one of the best books for young readers I have read in a long time. It features an odd array of characters, including a snake, an alligator, an old hound, a cat and her kittens, and the sinister Gar-Face. This old-fashioned tale of friendship and family includes elements of mysticism and magic, love and betrayal. Appelt does a masterful job of building suspense—will good triumph over evil? Even if you are not an animal lover, The Underneath is a captivating read and will absolutely steal your heart.

Suzanne M., Spring City Public Library

Award of Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

The National Council of Teachers of English has established the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, which recognizes excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. The name Orbis Pictus commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus--The World in Pictures, published in 1657, which is considered to be the first book actually planned for children. The following is a list of the winner and honor books:

ORBIS PICTUS AWARD WINNER:

Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator

By Shelley Tanaka

Illustrated by David Craig

Describes the life of aviator Amelia Earhart from age eleven, when someone points out a plane to her, to the day she disappears on an airplane, in a text accompanied by illustrations, photographs and quotations.

ORBIS PICTUS AWARD HONOR BOOKS:

George Washington Carver
By Tonya Bolden

The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary
By Candace Fleming

Washington at Valley Forge
By Russell Freedman

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
By Kadir Nelson

When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone
By Dorothy Henshaw Patent