The Dictionary of Ordinary Extraordinary Animals by Lisa McGuinness and Leslie Jonath

Succinct descriptions and beautiful illustrations of over one hundred animals make up this elegant book. From Aardvark to Zigzag Salamander, this book provides information about animals both entirely ordinary, and wonderfully fantastical. Each page features a paragraph or two, an artistic rendering, and a "fun fact" about a different animal. This book serves as an introduction to the natural world for readers aged 4 and up. Younger readers will respond to the illustrations, and the older ones will love the writing and the facts.

The art is spectacular, and the descriptions of the animals are top notch. The inclusion of a "fun fact" about each animal helps underscore how an ordinary animal is actually extraordinary, and makes this book effortlessly informative. Some of the vocabulary used is a little upper level for it's intended age range which makes this book a great choice for a parent looking for something to read/look at/talk about with their child. If you have a few minutes (and it isn't already checked out by some other lucky patron) I highly recommend at least leafing through this title. Informative text, exquisite illustrations -- what more could you ask for from one book?

Also, the illustrator, Lisa Congdon, keeps a neat blog on her website. Also, also, check out her work on the cover of The Whale: In Search of the Giants of the Sea by Philip Hoare. I am a sucker for all things whale, but that's some great art.


This book can be found in the non fiction section, call number 590J. As always, if you need help finding anything, just ask a librarian!

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

Hands down, my favorite new book of 2013 is the laugh-out-loud funny Better Nate Than Ever, by Tim Federle. 

Nate Foster is 13-years-old and pretty miserable.  While his brother the jock gets nothing but accolades, all Nate gets is picked on.  He's short, a little overweight, and his love of Broadway musicals puts his "cool" factor in a deep, deep deficit.

Fortunately, he has a kindred soul in his best friend Libby.  Together they act out their favorite shows and dream of getting out of dull, grey Jankburg, PA to the exciting world of Broadway.  When Libby gets word there's an open-call audition for the upcoming "E.T. The Musical," together they concoct a plan for Nate to run-away to New York and audition for the role of Elliot.  After all, Nate's a "boy soprano with a ballsy chest voice" - perfect!


Once in Manhattan, Nate discovers a world he never dreamed existed: a place where there are entire stores that sell just cupcakes, and where grown men can enjoy musicals without anyone wanting to stuff their heads in the toilet.  Nate knows he's found a place that calls to him, but can he survive the audition process to get his shot at life in the city?

Nate's adventures in navigating the city are hilarious.  Not only will you laugh at his escapades, you'll be cheering for him the whole time, too!


(P.S. I loved Better Nate Than Ever so much I wrote to the author to tell him so.  He wrote back, and now we're friends!  Have you ever been so moved by a book that you wrote to the author?  What would you like to say to the person who wrote a book that you love?)

Millions directed by Danny Boyle

What would you do with a million dollars? That is the question that 7-year-old Damian Cunningham has to answer in this film when, right before the holiday season, a bag full of money literally drops out of the sky. Damian, who has recently lost his mother, believes that the money is a gift from above, and that he must use it to help those in need. His brother Anthony, however, has visions of wealth and power. While Damian gives what he can to charity (without arousing suspicion) and feeds local beggars, Anthony bribes children at the boys' new school into being his posse.


The two boys' need to deal with the money is only intensified by the fact that they have to get rid of it before New Years when it will become worthless. The money Damian and Anthony found is in pound notes, and, in the story, the Bank of England (not a real bank) will be switching to a different currency, the Euro, on New Years Day. When the boys find out more about where the money came from, and as more people find out about the money, the pressure on Damian mounts. Will he be able to come to peace with his mother's passing? Will he make a difference with the money, or will he find out it is more trouble than it's worth? Humor, drama, and more await in this winner of a film.

The screenplay of this movie was also made into a book, which won the Carnegie Medal (the British version of the Newbery Award) and is available in print and audiobook formats in the Youth Fiction section under J/COT. Check out Millions today and get in the holiday spirit!

Two Books by Adam Rex

It's a two-in-one this week!

Adam Rex is an author who was written many popular books.  One of his first novels, The True Meaning of Smekday, is currently being made into an animated movie (as of this writing, the movie is being called "Home").

But Adam Rex isn't just an author.  He's also an illustrator and a poet (wouldn't you know it?)

 If you think poetry is boring and hard to understand, then you don't know Adam Rex!!

We have two super-funny books of poetry by Adam Rex: Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich  and Frankenstein Takes the Cake.   Both feature monsters and food (not just Frankenstein, and not just cakes and sandwiches).

Some of the poems you'll find in Frankenstein Takes the Cake:

"Please Stop Staring at My Delicious Head"
"Dracula Jr. Wants a Big-Boy Coffin"
"The Sphinx Ain't All That - Yeah, You Heard Me"

And some of the poems you'll find in Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich:

"Godzilla Pooped on my Honda"
"The Yeti Doesn't Appreciate Being Called Bigfoot"
"Count Dracula Doesn't Know He's Been Walking Around All Night with Spinach in His Teeth"

As you can tell, these aren't your ordinary poems!  Some of them are even set to music, and all are illustrated (by Adam Rex, of course).

Give your funny-bone a treat and check out these collections of outrageous, quirky poems from Adam Rex.