Email Newsletter buttonSmartPay buttonEmail Notices buttonBookflix button
Follow us on FacebookKern County Library RSS Feeds button
California Libraries - Get Involved

Make a Difference Volunteer

In partnership with VolunteerMatch

layout graphic layout graphic
Library Catalog | E-Books | eAudiobooks | My Account | Search | Contact Us | Staff | Home | Text Size: A A A
layout graphic
 
layout graphic layout graphic layout graphic
layout graphic

Kern County Library Staff Suggests...: September 2010


Friday, September 24, 2010

Banned Books Week, Sept. 25 - Oct. 2

Celebrate the Right to Read!

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.


Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009

TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series) by Lauren Myracle - Chronicles, in "instant message" format, the day-to-day experiences, feelings, and plans of three friends, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela, as they begin tenth grade. (Reasons: Nudity, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs)

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson - At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches. (Reasons: Homosexuality)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Charlie, a freshman in high school, explores the dilemmas of growing up through a collection of letters he sends to an unknown receiver. (Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Anti-Family, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs, Suicide)

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice, in this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic that has been translated into more than 40 languages.
(Reasons: Racism, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group)

Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer - When seventeen-year-old Bella leaves Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she meets an exquisitely handsome boy at school for whom she feels an overwhelming attraction and who she comes to realize is not wholly human.
(Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group)

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - In an effort to escape the hypocrisies of life at his boarding school, 16-year-old Holden Caulfield seeks refuge in New York City. (Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group)

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult - Conceived to provide a bone marrow match for her leukemia-stricken sister, teenage Kate begins to question her moral obligations in light of countless medical procedures and decides to fight for the right to make decisions about her own body. (Reasons: Sexism, Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs, Suicide, Violence)

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler - Feeling like she does not fit in with the other members of her family, who are all thin, brilliant, and good-looking, fifteen-year-old Virginia tries to deal with her self-image, her first physical relationship, and her disillusionment with some of the people closest to her. (Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker - The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that tells the story of two sisters through their correspondence. (Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group)

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier - A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies. (Reasons: Nudity, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

100 Picture Books Every Child Should Know

We highly recommend this list of books, and hope you will encourage your children to read them. We also suggest that you take time to read some of them with your children. The library also has many other good books for children. Ask your librarian for suggestions!


Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
by Verna Aardema - West African tale which explains why mosquito, who is responsible for baby owl's death, buzzes in people's ears for forgiveness.

Bub, or the Very Best Thing by Natalie Babbitt - Barnes & Noble: "A very silly, very beautiful picture book, written and illustrated by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Tuck Everlasting. The King and Queen don't know what's best for the Prince. Nobody else knows either, except the Prince himself, and the Court Jester, too--even though they're the only ones who aren't asked about it."

The Three Bears by Byron Barton - While three bears are away from home, Goldilocks ventures inside their house, tastes their porridge, tries their chairs, and finally falls asleep in Baby Bear's bed.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans - Madeline, smallest and naughtiest of the twelve little charges of Miss Clavel, wakes up one night with an attack of appendicitis.

The Mitten by Jan Brett - Several animals sleep snugly in Nicki's lost mitten until the bear sneezes.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown - As a little bunny says goodnight to each of the objects in the great green room, the illustrations grow progressively darker.

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown - When three hungry soldiers come to a town where all the food has been hidden, they set out to make soup of water and stones, and all the town enjoys a feast.

Piggybook by Anthony Browne - When Mrs. Piggott unexpectedly leaves one day, her demanding family begins to realize just how much she did for them.

The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff - An orphaned baby elephant goes to live in the city with an old lady who gives him everything he wants, but he eventually returns to the forest where he is crowned king of the elephants.

Fanny’s Dream by Caralyn Buehner - Fanny Agnes is a sturdy farm girl who dreams of marrying a prince, but when her fairy godmother doesn't show up, she decides on a local farmer instead.

Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham - Mr. Gumpy accepts more and more riders on his boat until the inevitable occurs.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton - When Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Ann, lose their jobs to the gasoline, electric, and diesel motor shovels, they go to a little country town where they find that one new job leads to another.

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon - After she falls headfirst into a bird's nest, a baby bat is raised like a bird until she is reunited with her mother.

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capuccilli - A little yellow dog wants ever one more thing before he'll go to sleep.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle - Follows the progress of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way through a varied and very large quantity of food until, full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself and goes to sleep.

Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll - An illustrated version of the classic nonsense poem from "Through the Looking Glass."

Maisy's Bedtime by Lucy Cousins - Maisy the mouse and her toy panda get ready for bed.

Freight Train by Donald Crews - Brief text and illustrations trace the journey of a colorful train as it goes through tunnels, by cities, and over trestles.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin - When Farmer Brown’s cows find a typewriter in the barn they begin making demands, and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want.

Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola - When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers - Winner of the Caldecott Medal. One day, a small boy receives a very special invitation -- the King and the Queen have invited him to the castle for tea. He accepts, with one question: "May I bring a friend?" "Any friend of our friend is welcome here," says the King. But their guest's friend turns out to be someone they never expected! Beatrice Schenk de Regniers's rhythmic text and the fantastical, jewellike artwork of Beni Montresor have made this book a favorite for more than twenty-five years.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman - A little bird asks animals, planes, and boats, "Are you my mother?" until he finds his own mother.

The Gingerbread Boy by Richard Egielski - A freshly baked gingerbread boy escapes when he is taken out of the oven and eludes his pursuers until he meets a clever fox.

Olivia by Ian Falconer - Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack - Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River, has a misadventure one night while exploring the world around his home. But before he gets into too much trouble he is reunited with his family.

Wynken, Blyken and Nod by Eugene Field - A classic lullaby poem about three fishermen who try to catch the stars in nets of silver and gold.

Corduroy by Don Freeman - Corduroy is a bear in the toy department of a store. He does not look new because one of the buttons on his overalls is missing, but he wants a home of his own.

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág - How can an old man and his wife select one cat from a choice of millions and trillions?

Henny Penny by Paul Galdone - Henny Penny and her friends are on the way to tell the king the sky is falling when they are outwitted by the fox.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone - Three clever billy goats outwit a big ugly troll that lives under the bridge they must cross on their way up the mountain.

Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky - Little Toot the tugboat conquers his fear of rough seas when he single-handedly rescues an ocean liner during a storm.

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes - Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher, but when he asks her to wait a while before showing her new purse, she does something for which she is very sorry later.

A Baby Sister for Frances by Russell Hoban - When things change around the house after her baby sister is born, Frances decides to run away--but not too far.

Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird - A pretty little mouse wants to become a ballerina more than anything else in the world.

Goodnight Owl by Pat Hutchins - Because all the other animals' noises keep him from sleeping, Owl watches for a chance to take his revenge.

Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman - On her way to deliver a basket of food to her sick grandmother, Elisabeth encounters a sly wolf.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson - Harold goes for an adventurous walk in the moonlight with his purple crayon.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats - The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

Pinkerton, Behave! by Steven Kellogg - His behavior may be rather unconventional, but Pinkerton the dog proves it doesn't really matter.

Whose Mouse Are You? by Robert Kraus - A lonely little mouse has to be resourceful in order to bring his family back together.

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss - Despite everyone's dire predictions, a little boy has faith in the carrot seed he plants.

Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go by John Langstaff - Old and new verses for a popular folk song about hunting and capturing an animal--and then letting him go.

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf - A humorous account of a young Spanish bull's astonishing behavior.

The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear - After a courtship voyage of a year and a day, Owl and Pussy finally buy a ring from Piggy and are blissfully married.

Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester - Follows the adventures of a little boy named Sam when he matches wits with several tigers that want to eat him.

Swimmy by Leo Lionni - Swimmy, a small black fish, finds a way to protect a school of small red fish from their natural enemies.

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel - Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends - Frog and Toad.

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London - Rambunctious Froggy hops out into the snow for a winter frolic but is called back by his mother to put on some necessary articles of clothing.

George and Martha by James Marshall - Relates several episodes in the friendship of two hippopotamuses.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. - Children see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them.

There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer - At bedtime a boy confronts the nightmare in his closet and finds him not so terrifying after all.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney - During a bedtime game, every time Little Nutbrown Hare demonstrates how much he loves his father, Big Nutbrown Hare gently shows him that the love is returned even more.

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey - Mr. and Mrs. Mallard proudly return to their home in the Boston Public Garden with their eight offspring.

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott - In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.

Flossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack - A wily fox notorious for stealing eggs meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened.

Pig Pig Grows Up by David McPhail - Only when faced with a dire emergency does Pig Pig finally react like a grown up and admit he is not a baby any more.

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik - Little Bear's four adventures include taking a trip to the moon and having a birthday party.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore - A well-known poem about an important Christmas visitor.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff - Relating the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young child's day.

My Very First Mother Goose edited by Iona Opie - A collection of more than sixty nursery rhymes including "Hey Diddle, Diddle," "Pat-a-Cake," "Little Jack Horner," and "Pussycat, Pussycat."

Piggie Pie by Margie Palatini - A hungry witch wants to make piggie pie, but the piggies foil her plans.

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney - In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper - When the other engines refuse, the Little Blue Engine tries to pull a stranded train full of toys and good food over the mountain.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter - Naughty Peter Rabbit disobeys his mother by going into Mr. McGregor's garden and almost gets caught.

Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev - Retells the orchestral fairy tale of the boy who, ignoring his grandfather's warnings, proceeds to capture a wolf.

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann - The children at Napville Elementary School always ignore Officer Buckle's safety tips, until a police dog named Gloria accompanies him when he gives his safety speeches.

Curious George by H.A. Rey - The curiosity of a newly-captured monkey gets him into continuous trouble, but he is saved by his friend, the man in the yellow hat.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold - A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family. Based on the author's quilt painting of the same name.

The Old Woman and Her Pig and 10 Other Stories by Anne Rockwell - This delightful collection of traditional tales and fables includes "The Three Sillies," "The Bremen Town Musicians," "The Fox and the Crow," "The Tortoise and the Hare," as well as "The Old Woman and Her Pig."

The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant - An old woman who has outlived all her friends is reluctant to become too attached to the stray dog that visits her each day.

Tea with Milk by Allen Say - After growing up near San Francisco, a young Japanese woman returns with her parents to their native Japan, but she feels foreign and out of place.

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon - Follow a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night as they discover the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka - Story of the three little pigs from the wolf's point of view.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.

The Wee, Wee Mannie and the Big, Big Coo by Marcia Sewall - Retells the Scottish tale of how a little man deals with his big, contrary cow.

No, David by David Shannon - A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.

Lizard's Song by George Shannon - Bear tries repeatedly to learn Lizard's song.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss - Two children sitting at home on a rainy day are visited by the cat who shows them some tricks and games.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - A tree gives its all to a growing boy.

Come Along Daisy by Jane Simmons - Daisy the duckling becomes so engrossed in playing with dragonflies and lily pads that she temporarily loses her mother.

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina - A band of mischievous monkeys steals every one of a peddler's caps while he takes a nap under a tree.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig - In a moment of fright, Sylvester the donkey asks his magic pebble to turn him into a rock but then can not hold the pebble to wish himself back to normal again.

A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson - A collection of poems evoking the world and feelings of childhood.

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart - A series of letters relating what happens when, after her father loses his job, Lydia Grace goes to live with her Uncle Jim in the city but takes her love for gardening with her.

Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke - A hen has fun exploring the house with the red curtains.

This is the House that Jack Built by Simms Taback - Caldecott Award winner Taback infuses this favorite children's rhyme with his distinctive creative flair and humor.

Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri - A mother duck leads her brood around the pond as she searches for one missing duckling.

The Great Big Enormous Turnip by Aleksei Tolstoy - The mouse added just the necessary weight to the line formed by all those trying to pull up the giant turnip.

Crictor by Tomi Ungerer - Madame Louise Bodot receives a special present from her son in Africa--a pet boa constrictor she names Crictor.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg - A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst - On a day when everything goes wrong for him, Alexander is consoled by the thought that other people have bad days too.

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber - Lyle is perfectly happy living with the Primms on East 88th St. until irritable Mr. Grumps next door changes all that.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems - When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you've never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate. In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum.

Morris's Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells - Everyone in Morris's family is pleased with his Christmas present but Morris.

Flotsam by David Wiesner - The story of what happens when a camera becomes a piece of flotsam.

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood - Despite pleas from his court, a fun-loving king refuses to get out of his bathtub to rule his kingdom.

Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young - Retells in verse the Indian fable of the blind men discovering different parts of an elephant and arguing about its appearance. The illustrations depict the blind arguers as mice.

Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky - A strange little man helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold for the king on the condition that she will give him her first-born child.

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion - When a white dog with black spots runs away from home, he gets so dirty his family doesn't recognize him as a black dog with white spots. Harry is a white dog with black spots who loves everything...except baths. So one day before bath time, Harry runs away. He plays outside all day long, digging and sliding in everything from garden soil to pavement tar. By the time he returns home, Harry is so dirty he looks like a black dog with white spots. His family doesn't even recognize him!

Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow - A little girl's search for a present for her mother and the wise rabbit who comes to her rescue.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Look What's New for Kids!

One Million Things: Space by Carole Stott - Space is crammed full of incredible stuff to dip into, from gargantuan galaxies to astounding asteroids, all revealed in a fascinating, exciting, totally different way: it's like a science museum, a search engine, and the world's biggest planetarium all rolled into one.

Look What's New for Teens!

Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason - "Southern France, early 21st century. A shadowy figure sneaks across the rooftops. The fangs, the pointy ears, the fierce demeanor, the hair-- is this the latest addition to the ranks of the urban werevolves so famed in movies and comic books? As it turns out, no-- it's just a lonely and bored expatriate artist who spends his days bumming around his adoptive French city, and his nights dressed up as a larcenous werewolf, for kicks and thrills. But when the real werewolves of Montpellier catch wind of his impersonation, he gets a few more thrills than he bargained for on the next full moon" -- p. [4] of cover.

September Recommendations for Kids

Fiction

Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies by Andrea Beaty - How do you think twins Kevin and Joules react when their unique summer camp is attacked by evil, sugar-addicted seven-foot-tall bunnies from outer space? The Rockmans have relegated their children to Camp Whatsitoya, located on the shores of Lake Wahtsosmelly while they compete in an International SPAMathon Dessert Competition. Prepare yourself for a rollicking adventure complete with flaming burps as the campers save the universe. Zany illustrations add to the fun!

Sleepover at Gramma’s House by Barbara Joosse - What could be more fun or silly than a sleepover at Gramma’s house? Brimming with kid friendly activities, bright illustrations, concluding with a satisfying end to the day by falling asleep inside a hug!

Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors - A high stakes mystery with an improbable hero, Homer Pudding and his dead uncle’s droopy basset hound. Uncle Drake met his untimely demise when he was eaten by a killer tortoise, and Home leaves his goat farm to untangle a treacherous treasure hunt and locate a missing pirate map. A rollicking adventure, laced with comedy and droopy Dog who has no sense of smell!

Please Take Me for a Walk by Susan Gal - Everyone loves puppies, especially this one, who just wants you to take him for a walk to chase squirrels, meet the neighbors, catch Frisbees, feel the wind lift his ears, and meet all the other dogs in the park!

Happenstance Found (the Books of Umber series) by P.W. Catanese - Happenstance opens his otherworldly green eyes in a cave with no memory of his past or who he is. As he escapes the cave with Lord Umber and his motley crew barely ahead of catastrophic danger, his night vision is put to valuable use. Umber has been informed Hap is the key to saving the Earth, but he must provide him protection from a gruesome villain. The first in a series, this fantasy, with its clever technological allusions, create an intriguing world, where Umber hails from another dimension.

Gruffen by Chris D’Lacey - When nine-year-old Lucy sees a monster in her bedroom her mother creates a guard dragon for her and brings it to life!


Nonfiction

The Buzz on Bees: Why Are They Disappearing? by Shelley Rotner - Bees play a vital role in the agriculture of Kern County. Why are bees disappearing at an alarming rate, and what do scientists know about this phenomenon?

Space: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK Publishing - A comprehensive exploration of space with charts and gorgeous color photos, from the nearest planets to distant galaxies.

A Fabulous Fair Alphabet by Debra Frasier - Get ready for the Great Kern County Fair with this eye-popping illustrated alphabet book!
 
   
layout graphic layout graphic layout graphic
 
layout graphic layout graphic
Top of Page
layout graphic