Loudoun County Public Library New Children's Books

Updated November 19 , 2009

1.		A gift Yong Chen A gift has come for Amy, all the way from China--just in time for Chinese New Year. Read More At this time of year, it's tradition to spend time with family and friends. Since Amy's relatives live in China and are unable to visit, they have sent her a special gift. Full color.

2.		Alice's adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll ; with illustrations by Robert Ingpen This new edition of Carroll's classic tale brings together the unabridged text with more than 70 stunning illustrations by renowned children's artist Ingpen, each reflecting the artist's unique style and extraordinary imagination--and the spirit of this eternally popular masterpiece. Read More Full color.

3.		All of me! : a book of thanks by Molly Bang Through pictures as bright as sunshine, three-time Caldecott Honor artist Bang speaks directly to young children in this bold, colorful book of thanks that is sure to fascinate and engage young readers and their parents. Read More Full color.

4.		B is for battle cry : a Civil War alphabet written by Patricia Bauer ; illustrated by David Geister The history and drama of the Civil War are explored. Read More Topics include historic battles, renowned leaders, inventions, and inspiring events and documents.

5.		Birdie's book Jan Bozarth Where do fairy godmothers come from? When Birdie goes to visit her grandmother for the first time, she learns that her grandmother is a fairy godmother—which means Birdie’s a fairy godmother too! Trained by fairies in a magical land called Aventurine, human fairy godmothers have been hidden protectors of the world for centuries. Read More Birdie’s family talisman, a singing stone, has been broken, and now only Birdie can use the stone to travel to Aventurine to repair it. When she gets there she meets Kerka, a warrior-like girl who has been sent to help her find the other half of the stone. Will Birdie and Kerka have the knowledge and strength to banish the shadow that has come over both the garden in Aventurine and Birdie’s family? One thing’s for sure—no one who travels to Aventurine will ever be the same again! From the Trade Paperback edition.

6.		Boo's surprise Betsy Byars ; illustrated by Erik Brooks “A dinosaur! A new dinosaur!” Boo shouted. Read More “This dinosaur left me a big surprise.”Boo is excited to receive a giant egg—and to find out what’s inside! Her brother, Sammy, is not—but he is still willing to help her after the egg hatches into a lovable baby dinosaur. Is it all Boo’s imagination or not? The youngest chapter book reader will want to find out in this wonderfully imaginative sequel toBoo’s Dinosaur.

7.		Captain Nobody Dean Pitchford Growing up in the shadow of his football star brother, Chris, Newt Newman has never felt particularly special. Read More When Chris is knocked into a coma, Newts two best friends decide that taking him out for Halloween is the best way to cheer him up. Using some of Chriss old, oversized clothes, Newt creates his best costume everCaptain Nobody!Newt feels so strong and confident in his new getup that he keeps wearing it after Halloween is over. In no time, Newt assumes the role of a hero in a string of exploits that include foiling a robbery and saving a planeload of passengers. But will Captain Nobody be able to save the one person he cares about most?With Captain Nobody, the acclaimed author ofThe Big One-Oh, Dean Pitchford, has skillfully crafted a heartfelt blend of action, humor, and family drama.

8.		Corn up close Katie Franks

9.		Dark night by Dorothee de Monfreid ; [translated by Whitney Stahlberg] Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf . Read More . . tiger . . . and crocodile?! Little Felix is all alone, walking home through the forest when he hears a spooky howling and spots a wolf approaching! His luck turns from bad to worse when a tiger scares away the wolf and a crocodile scares away the tiger! Can something as small as a rabbit help Felix scare away the wild things prowling the woods? This empowering picture book is perfect for any child who’s ever wanted to turn the tables on scary beasts lurking at night. From the Hardcover edition.

10.		Encore, opera cat! by Tess Weaver ; illustrated by Andrea Wesson Alma's moment in the spotlight finally arrives in this fabulous sequel to the beloved "Opera Cat," in which she finally gets to sing with diva Madame SoSo. Read More Full color.

11.		Everything you need to know about science Mike Goldsmith Young researchers will dive into the fantastic world of science with this authoritative one-stop reference thatâs packed with all the information kids want to explore. Read More Grouped into five clear sectionsâNumbers, Energy and Matter, Materials, Living Things, and Spaceâthis encyclopedia includes activities, key vocabulary, web links, and tons of fascinating trivia that will keep kids coming back for study and for pleasure. This is a trusty reference for the home or classroom.

12.		Fancy Nancy splendiferous Christmas written by Jane O'Connor ; illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser What could be fancier than Christmas?Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles-and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Read More Ooh la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree. She bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money and has been waiting for Christmas to come. But when things don't turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous?In this merriest of stories from bestselling duo Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, Nancy proves once again that a little fancying up can go a long, festive way!

13.		Fiona Finkelstein, big-time ballerina!! Shawn K. Stout ; illustrated by Angela Martini Sometimes Fiona Finkelstein's life seems to be a lot like a TVshow -- everywhere she goes, there's a lot of drama. Read More That's what being nine in Ordinary, Maryland, is like when your dad is the chief meteorologist for the local TV station, your mom lives in California and stars in a soap opera, and your little brother thinks he's a superhero.But right now, life is even better than TV, because Fiona Finkelstein has a chance to become what she's always dreamed of being: a big-time ballerina. There's just one problem: In her last recital, Fiona starred as the unforgettable Fiona VOMITstein -- all over the stage, and all over Benevolence Castles's can-can costume.Can Fiona overcome her fears so that she can finally be a big-time ballerina in the local holiday production ofThe Nutcracker?Or will she remain the only one in her family who has the flat-out worst case of stage fright ever?

14.		Fire trucks in action by Mari Schuh Table of contents, glossary, bibliography, index- Labeled photographs- Diagrams- Colse photo-text matches- Note to Parents and Techers- Relevant website at www. Read More FactHound.com.

15.		Global warming cycles : ice ages and glacial retreat Julie Kerr Casper Earth has always exhibited patterns of heating up and cooling down. Read More At some points in time, many areas of Earth were shrouded in blankets of ice, with ice caps and glaciers dominating the landscape. Certain areas on Earth have been covered with prominent glaciers multiple times in the past for millions of years. Since the last ice age, which ended just over 10,000 years ago, the Earth's climate has been relatively stable, with just a few fluctuations; at least until the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, when the climate began to increase in temperature.

16.		I always, always get my way written by Thad Krasnesky ; illustrated by David Parkins From carefully aimed pouts andnbsp;shifting blame to the threat of annbsp;all-out tantrum, this laugh-out-loud story for kids and adults focuses on the clever antics, advantage-taking, limit-testing, and childhood shenanigans ofnbsp;three-year-old Emmy. Read More When Emmy spills juice and her dad’s pants get “orange-hosed,” she takes refuge behind Mom’s knee. Expecting a reprimand, Emmy is surprised when Mom tells Dad, “Now, sweetheart, you should let it be. After all . . . she’s only three.” Once Emmy discovers that she’s too young to be punished, she constantly wrangles her way out of trouble by proclaiming, “I’m only three!” and pulls a handy weapon from her arsenal of manipulative maneuvers. With hilarious, rhyming text and energetic ink and watercolor illustrations that capture Emmy’s expressions, from angelic to livid, readers discover that Emmy can’t get away with her outrageous behavior forever and that her actions do eventually have consequences.

17.		I am a genius of unspeakable evil and I want to be your class president Josh Lieb Family Guy meets Election in this hilarious young adult debut!Twelve-year-old Oliver Watson's got the IQ of a grilled cheese sandwich. Read More Or so everyone in Omaha thinks. In reality, Oliver's a mad evil genius on his way to world domination, and he's used his great brain to make himself the third-richest person on earth! Then Oliver's father and arch nemesis makes a crack about the upcoming middle school election, and Oliver takes it as a personal challenge. He'll run, and he'll win! Turns out, though, that overthrowing foreign dictators is actually way easier than getting kids to like you. . . Can this evil genius win the class presidency and keep his true identity a secret, all in time to impress his dad?

18.		Kisses on the wind Lisa Moser ; illustrated by Kathryn Brown Finding ways to keep a loved one with you helps to ease the pang of separation in this timeless, deeply touching tale. Read More The wagon is packed, and Mama and Papa are ready to begin the long journey to Oregon, but Lydia isn’t ready to say good-bye to Grandma. Who will braid Lydia’s hair each morning and tell her stories? Who will build boats with her made of twigs and leaves? How can you possibly say good-bye to someone you love so very much? Set in the time of the great westward expansion, this poignant story speaks to every reader who has ever been parted from someone he or she holds dear. It tells of a love that is big enough to span impossible distances — yet small enough to be carried inside our hearts.

19.		Let there be peace on earth : and let it begin with me by Jill Jackson & Sy Miller ; illustrations by David Diaz Penned by songwriters Jackson and Miller in 1955, this beloved song is now available for the first time as a picture book, illustrated by a Caldecott Medalist and featuring symbols of peace from 12 different regions of the world. Read More It includes an audio CD featuring a previously unreleased recording of the song. Full color.

20.		Moose on the loose written by Kathy-jo Wargin ; illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello What would you do with a moose on the loose? Would you chase him, or race him, or stand up to face him? What would you do with a moose on the loose?What would you do with a moose in your yard? Or in your house? How about in your room?Or in your tub?Would you give him two boats?Would you see if he floats?What would you do?Colorful, comic artwork highlights the hilarity that ensues when wildlife wanders indoors. Read More Can boy best beast?By story's end, young readers will know exactly what to do when a moose goes on the loose!

21.		My favorite Michael by Laura Heiman ; illustrated by Sophie Keen One morning, Michael decides he wants to be someone different. Read More So he looks into his closet and finds some clothes. When he is dressed his mommy doesn't recognize him. He is Michael the Businessman and announces that he is going to work. After working in his "office," Michael decides he needs a vacation and goes back to his closet and becomes Michael the Knight. As a brave Knight, Michael slays the dragon and rescues the Princess. Later, after another visit to his closet, Michael becomes a fearless Pirate and finds treasure in his kitchen in the way of chocolate chip cookies! But who is his favorite Michael? Find out in this imaginative story about dressing up, pretending and discovery.

22.		Nasreen's secret school : a true story from Afghanistan by Jeanette Winter Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. Read More In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness?Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.

23.		Oliver at the window Elizabeth Shreeve ; illustrated by Candice Hartsough McDonald When Oliver's parents move into separate houses, he spends a lot of time looking out of windows with his pet lion as he adjusts to a new preschool and to living in two places.

24.		Over in the hollow by Rebecca Dickinson ; illustrated by Stephan Britt Inspired by Olive A. Read More Wadsworth's classic counting rhyme Over in the Meadow, "Over the Hollow" is a spooky take on the popular Appalachian poem. Full color.

25.		Pony pop stars by Scout Driggs ; illustrated by Lyn Fletcher When the ponies establish a band, they must find a role for Toola-Roola, who tried unsuccessfully to play the guitar.

26.		Powerless Matthew Cody Twelve-year-old Daniel, the new kid in town, soon learns the truth about his nice--but odd--new friends: one can fly, another can turn invisible, yet another controls electricity. Read More The superkids use their powers to secretly do good in the town, but the moment they turn 13, their abilities will disappear.

27.		Snow! Snow! Snow! Lee Harper On a frosty winter's morning, Pa and his boys wake up to discover that a great storm the night before has left the world a winter wonderland. Read More Harper captures the magic of the first snow and the joy of a winter's day. Full color.

28.		Spellbinder Helen Stringer Belladonna Johnson can see ghosts. Read More Itâs a trait sheâs inherited from her motherâs side of the family, like blue eyes or straight hair. And itâs a trait she could do without, because what twelve-year-old wants to be caught talking to someone invisible? It is convenient, though, after Belladonnaâs parents are killed in a car accident. They can live with her the same as always, watching the same old TV shows in their same old house. Nothing has changed . . . until everything changes. One night, with no warning, they vanish into thin airâalong with every other ghost in the world. Itâs what some people think ghosts are supposed to do, but Belladonna knows itâs all wrong. They may not be living, but theyâre not supposed to be gone. With the help of her classmate Steve, a master of sneaking and spying, Belladonna is left to uncover whatâs become of the spirits and to navigate a whole world her parents have kept well-hidden. If she canât find her way, sheâll lose them againâthis time for good.

29.		Subway ride Heather Lynn Miller ; illustrated by Sue Rama Five young travellers take a fantastical journey around the world's subway stations, including London to Stockholm to Moscow to New York. Read More The story includes interesting information about each of the ten metro systems in the book: London, Cairo, Mexico City, Moscow, Stockholm, Tokyo, New York, Washington DC, Chicago and Atlanta.

30.		Tentacles Roland Smith After their parents' disappearance, 13-year-old twins Marty and Grace O'Hara are living with their Uncle Wolfe, who is fascinated by creatures that appear in myths. Read More Wolfe has planned an expedition to New Zealand to track a giant squid, and he's rented a freighter for the trip. But someone on board is determined to sabotage their mission.

31.		The book that eats people by John Perry ; illustrations by Mark Fearing WARNING! THIS IS NOT A BEDTIME STORY Legend has it there exists a book that eats people. Read More This is that book! Many readers have been unable to escape its perilous pages. But this isn't that book. Yes it is! This is simply a story about that book. Really. I mean, how could a bookeatpeople? So if you're just dying to know the history of this literary monster, all you have to do is turn the page... Don't do it!

32.		The delicious bug written and illustrated by Janet Perlman On a quiet and peaceful day in the forest, beaky birds, lemurs and a tomato frog are hanging out by the pond catching, or trying to catch, their meals. Read More Two chameleon friends, Willy and Wally, are also looking forward to their lunch when a rare thing happens. KerBLAPP! - their tongues simultaneously latch onto a passing bumblebug. Who saw the bug first? And who will be the first to let go? As the two argue and fight, their actions lead to serious trouble and threaten the peace of the whole forest. But when Willy and Wally are forced to use teamwork to narrowly escape the jaws of doom, they recognize the virtues of working together. Can they agree to share the mouthwatering bug after all? Janet Perlman's own adaptation of her award-winning animated film Dinner for Two, The Delicious Bug will encourage discussion about the many facets of cooperation and friendship and highlight the importance of peacefully resolving conflict.

33.		The dinosaur tamer Carol Greathouse ; illustrated by John Shroades A modern tall tale that brings together dinosaurs and cowboys. Read More Back when the old, old west was still as green as a bristlecone pine and cowboys were as common as warts on a Stegosaurus, one cowboy stood out among all cowboys.With the strength of an Iguanodon and the speed of a Utah Raptor, lasso-tossing, Pleiosaurus-riding Rocky is legendary. There isnt a dinosaur in the land that would think of giving Rocky a lick of trouble. That is, until he meets T. Rex, the rip-roarinest, snip-snortinest, flame-breathinest reptilian ever to stomp the earth. But Rocky is up to the challenge, and his efforts to tame T. Rex take the disagreeing duo on a Western adventure of epic proportion.

34.		The listeners written by Gloria Whelan ; illustrated by Mike Benny Ella May is a slave on a Southern plantation. Read More Each night, Ella May and her friends secretly listen outside the windows of their master's house in the hopes of gleaning information about their fates and those of their loved ones. Illustrations.

35.		The Patterson puppies and the rainy day Leslie Patricelli What better diversion for a rainy day? The cup of imagination overflows for a family of spirited pups, in this comical picture book. Read More Full color.

36.		The princess promenade adapted by Nora Pelizzari

37.		The scariest monster in the world author, Lee Weatherly ; illustrator, Algy Craig Hall Once there was a very scary monster. Read More His fur was wild and weird, he carried a club with giant bristles on it, and his teeth were green and mossy because he never, ever brushed them. All the other animals in the forest were terrified of the monster, and scurried away whenever they saw him coming. But one day, the very scary monster started to hiccup. He tried everything he could, but the hiccups would not go away! In the end, the monster must turn to the other animals in the forest for help. Together, they come up with an ingenious plan to get rid of those pesky hiccups. The Scariest Monster in the World is a humorous, beautifully illustrated tale which all young readers will enjoy.

38.		Turkey trouble by Wendi Silvano ; illustrated by Lee Harper

39.		When the snow fell Henning Mankell ; translated from the Swedish by L Laurie Thompson Joel Gustafson’s journey toward becoming a man continues. Read More As it has in the past, the first snow of the year signifies to Joel Gustafson his very own New Year’s Eve. So when the snow begins to fall on a cold November day, Joel gets busy making new resolutions—three, to be exact. As the winter days pass, life becomes ever more complicated. Joel has questions and the answers don’t necessarily come easily, but he is determined to keep his resolutions—for his father, for himself, and for their future. In this companion novel toA Bridge to the StarsandShadows in the Twilight, readers follow Joel’s journey as he realizes along the way that it will require determination, strength, and valor to truly become a man. From the Hardcover edition.

40.		Where else in the wild? : more camouflaged creatures concealed--and revealed by David Schwartz and Yael Schy ; eye-tricking photographs by Dwight Kuhn Did you find that sneaky orchid mantis hiding on the cover? This book is full of similarly sly species-and they're all hiding in plain sight. Read More Think you've spotted one? Lift the flap to find out! Each of the camouflaged creatures on these pages, from chickadees to crayfish, is disguised for a reason. Some are on the prowl for prey, while others hide from hungry predators. Discover why geckos have a spooky reputation; why it pays for a mouse to have a dark-colored back and light-colored belly; and why you wouldn't want to be fooled by a scorpion fish. In this follow-up to the acclaimed Where in the Wild?, David Schwartz, Yael Schy, and Dwight Kuhn take readers on another remarkable tour through the fascinating world of animal camouflage.

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