2015 Childrens Staff Picks - Stow

A note about this list
The members of the children’s department at the Stow-Munroe
Falls Public Library annually compile a list of staff favorites that
were published throughout the year.
This list reflects our favorite books culled from a variety of genres
and formats, but not necessarily every genre or format available
in this library.
For more information about where to find any of these books at
Spike’s Place or for more information about the books
themselves, please talk to a children’s staff member. We are
happy to help you find any of these books or others not listed in
this booklet.
Have a happy new year. We hope our favorite books become
your favorite books as well.
Sincerely,
— The staff at Spike’s Place
Float
by Daniel Miyares
Tea Party in the Woods
by Akiko Miyakoshi
This wonderful picture book follows a child making and
then playing with a paper boat in the rain. The
illustrations are beautiful and the story is timeless.
This story has surprises on nearly every page, with small
pops of color giving way to larger ones that provide an
impactful experience for readers of any age. Follow
Kikko through the woods as she brings a pie to her
grandmother. What she discovers along the way is an
amazingly illustrated experience.
The Night World
by Mordicai Gerstein
Waiting
by Kevin Henkes
A quiet story about a cat named Sylvie that wakes up
the boy in her house to show him how different the
house looks at night while everyone is sleeping. She
keeps whispering, "It's almost here." The two see many
shadows and nighttime animals along the way that
readers can try to make guesses about. The book ends
with Sylvie showing the boy the sunrise and how
beautiful the world looks first thing in the morning.
The quiet story of friends
who wait together by
the window every day
combines with gentle
pictures for the perfect
bedtime tale.
— Chosen by Miss Nancy
Our favorite picture books...
Pool
by JiHyeon Lee
Awesome. Wordless and beautifully illustrated. This
book takes readers on a journey through a child’s
imagination while swimming underwater in a public
pool.
Finding Winnie: The True
Story of the World’s Most
Famous Bear
by Lindsay Mattick
One night, a young boy asks his mom to tell him a
true story. She proceeds to tell him the story of
Winnie the Pooh, from the day Winnie was bought on
a train platform in 1914 to her life at the London Zoo,
revealing a surprising connection to the boy's own
family. Beautifully written and illustrated, with copies
of real photos and documents added at the end, this
story is one sure to charm both parents and children.
Our favorite picture books...
Beach House
by Deanna Caswell
Simple, delightful rhyming text about a family
vacation at the beach. Soft watercolor and ink
illustrations invoke the feelings of a long drive to a
perfect day of play and relaxation.
The Princess and the Pony
by Kate Beaton
When Princess Pinecone's dreams of getting a pony are
finally realized, she is nothing but disappointed with the
plump, non-battle ready, pony she has been
gifted. However, all is not lost and Princess Pinecone is
redeemed by her adorable pal. Perfect for readers that
enjoy an action-packed story with a humorous bent.
Our favorite easy readers...
Our favorite easy readers...
Dory and the Real True Friend
by Abby Hanlon
I Really Like Slop!
by Mo Willems
This is the latest Piggie and Elephant book that will
have readers laughing again. Pigs love slop, and so
does Piggie. Piggie can't wait for Gerald to try the
slop, but boy does it smell! Gerald at first says no,
which makes Piggie sad. So he tries it, doesn't like it,
but tells Piggie he’s glad he did because he really
likes Piggie.
The Adventures of Sophie
Mouse: Looking for Winston
by Poppy Green
This is a delightful story of Sophie Mouse and her younger
brother, Winston. After trying to keep up with Sophie and
her friends, she finally sends Winston home to keep him out
of trouble. However, when she returns home he is nowhere
to be found. But don't worry, she finds that Winston has
been very busy!
Dory, the protagonist of the
magnificent Dory
Fantasmagory, has started a new
school year and wants
desperately to make a real, true
friend, not an imaginary
one. When she meets Rosabelle,
Dory tries her best to be the kind
of friend Rosabelle will want. Will
Dory win her over? Will Dory quash her imagination to
make a friend? Will her crazy shenanigans scare off any
real friend she tries to make? Full of imagination and humor
that will make you laugh out loud, Dory will be sure to win
your heart, even if she doesn't win over Rosabelle!
Ling & Ting
Together in all Weather
by Grace Lin
A very easy to read set of
connecting stories about
twins Ling and Ting; perfect
for new readers. It highlights
the weather throughout the
seasons.
Our favorite chapter books...
The War that Saved my Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ada is living a very difficult life. Born with a club foot,
her mother refuses to allow her out of the house and
is quite cruel to her. She has one love - her brother,
Jamie. When the war reaches England and children
are sent out of London, it just might be Ada's chance
at a better life. Her journey is not easy and she is filled
with self-doubt, but in the midst of war, she has found
kindness and possibly a new way of looking at life,
and at herself.
Fish in a Tree
by Linda Mullaly Hunt
This is a heartfelt coming-of-age story
about a girl named Ally who has
hidden the fact that she cannot read
from her teachers and school
mates. She has always felt ashamed
and not smart enough, but one day a
teacher sees how smart and creative
she really is, despite her dyslexia. An
uplifting story for middle school kids.
Have you tried a Playaway? This
device is a hands-free, portable
audiobook that you can listen to
anywhere. All you need is
headphones!
Our favorite nonfiction...
Daylight, Starlight, Wildlife
by Wendell Minor
Water Is Water:
A Book about the Water Cycle
by Miranda Paul
This is a stellar example of nonfiction at its finest. With
lines like these, “Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is
water unless… it heats up,” the book reads like a
poem. The illustrations are equally gorgeous. For an
added treat, visit the author’s Web site for the video
of the book-in-song with a guide for hand motions
that accompany it.
— Chosen by Miss Joan
A beautifully illustrated nonfiction book that introduces
young children to the wildlife seen during the day and
evenings throughout the seasons. Bright colors and up-close
illustrations of the animals fill each page, and there are fun
facts in the back of the book that are ideal for older
readers.
Austin, Lost in America:
A Geography Adventure
by Jeff Czekaj
One Today
by Richard Blanco
This illustrated poem gently
reminds us how important
everyone is; how important it
is to be together and respect
each other; and how
important it is to express ourselves. Most importantly, it reminds us
how beautiful poetry is, and how much a few well-chosen words
can express.
A delightful blend of fiction and non-fiction. Austin grew up
in a pet store, but he dreams of finding a real home. He sets
out to find one and travels to each of the 50 states. Filled
with fun facts about each state, this delightful story ends
with Austin finding the perfect home.
— Chosen by Miss Lydia
Lost in NYC
by Nadja Spiegelman
This is a great graphic novel about moving to a new city,
and getting separated from the group and being found.
But, the really neat thing is the way the illustrator is able to
represent the subway system of New York City in such a
rich and colorful way. The two-page spreads are amazing
and kids will be drawn into the story, following along as the
characters make their way through New York.
Roller Girl
by Victoria Jamieson
Great illustrations, good characterization, cool design
and the possibility of a continuing story are all here in
this awesome book about a girl entering her early
teen years. Lots of uncertainty, but also lots of
excitement abounds.
Space Dumplins
by Craig Thompson
Violet is living in space, out in the Roids, with her
mother and father. Her father is a lumberjack, a
collector of space whale poop, which is a dangerous
job. When her father goes missing during a whale
diarrhea disaster, Violet goes on a very dangerous
mission through space to find him. This graphic novel is
full of adventure and humor, but also takes on some
interesting issues like media, class, ecology, politics,