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Donovan's Bookshelf

June 2019 Prime Picks

Science Nature and Technology
Young Adult /Childrens
 

Science, Nature & Technology 


The Handbook of Bird Families
Jonathan Elphick
Firefly Books
9780228101192             $35.00
www.fireflybooks.com 

The Handbook of Bird Families surveys birds around the world, considering new classification changes to each of their orders as it covers their behavior and natural history. 

Photos from wildlife photographer David Tipling and others accompany discussions that represent a complete update to and adaptation from Elphick's 2014 World of Birds, pairing fact boxes and in-depth discussions of orders with notes on bird appearance, habits, ranges, and differing approaches to obtaining food. 

The Handbook of Bird Families is a lovely survey of bird families that belongs in any basic natural history collection, whether for neo-professionals or newcomers to birding. 



Young Adult/Childrens

Candlewick Press
www.candlewick.com 

Three new picture book titles are top recommendations for young readers seeking fun drawings and vivid stories, and are recommended for both read-aloud parents and libraries catering to them. 

Meg McKinlay's Let Me Sleep, Sheep! (9781536205473, $15.99) is illustrated by Leila Rudge, who tells of sleepless Amos. He counts sheep to get to sleep until suddenly there's a thud, and one lands in his bedroom. 

It turns out that counting sheep holds an unexpected side effect with many complications for not just getting to sleep, but managing the impact of too many sheep and rules about counting them. 

A fun story evolves, holding quite a different perspective than the usual bedtime tale. 

Tania de Regil's A New Home (9781536201932, $16.99) tells of moves to a new home which is completely unlike the old one. 

A boy and a girl trade voices and experiences as they share stories about moving from New York City to Mexico City. Each explores fears and impressions of their new home, and each provides a different perspective on these old and new environments that encourages kids to think about the positive aspects of a move and facing unfamiliar territory. 

Joyce Dunbar's Grumpy Duck (9781536204247, $16.99) is illustrated by Petr Horáček and tells of a duck who is in a very grumpy mood indeed. 

The pond is dry, and she resists participating in other creatures' activities because she's in such a bad mood that everything seems pointless, dull, or awful. 

How can her friends make her feel better when she resists all efforts to have fun? 

A positive story evolves, with a not-so-subtle message for grumpy kids. 


Lottie & Walter
Anna Walker
Clarion Books
9781328470386             $17.99
www.hmhco.com 

Lottie & Walter tells of Lottie, who has a problem. She is afraid to go to her swim class at the pool because she believes there's a shark in the water that has its hungry eye on her, specifically. 

She's stymied every week until newcomer Walter appears and strikes up a friendship with her. But Walter isn't your ordinary friend, and his special skills may help Lottie overcome her fear, at last. 

An unexpectedly fun tale evolves, holding a surprise not just for Lottie, but her young fans. 


The New Neighbors
Sarah McIntyre
Penguin
9781524789961             $17.99
www.penguin.com/youngreaders 

The New Neighbors tells of bunnies who are excited about the new neighbors who have moved into their building. But, the new neighbors are rats! 

The bunnies are happy about the news, but other residents aren't so sure that having neighbor rats is a good thing. As the bunny building residents hop and trot around the building spreading news, enthusiasm, and some degree of trepidation, kids receive a fun story of prejudice and speculation that gives message about over-thinking a new situation and different folk. 

Parental read-aloud will help reinforce the message of the story and will help beginning readers navigate this fun tale of discovery. 


Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com 

Three new books will appeal to libraries interested in attracting young adults and kids with inviting reads. 

Christian Robinson's Another (9781534421677, $17.99) comes from an author and illustrator who encourages kids to view the world differently, from other perspectives and viewpoints. 

It's an artistic wordless picture book that features cats and a little girl who literally turn their worlds upside down by viewing life in an entirely different manner, encouraging kids and read-aloud parents to consider how changing viewpoints changes the world. 

Young adults receive two teen reads which are standouts. 

Peternelle van Arsdale's The Cold is in Her Bones (9781481488440, $18.99) tells of Milla, whose world has been limited to her family's farm. She's not even allowed to travel to the local village, and her sole friend is her sibling. 

When an outsider, Iris, comes to stay with them, it's a big revelation to Milla; especially when it's revealed that the local village is cursed by a demon who seems to have Iris in its sights. 

This involving story creates a gripping read about friendship, loneliness, and a monstrous threat that turns out to be something far different in nature, in a saga that is hard to put down. 

Kathi Appelt's Angel Thieves (9781442421097, $18.99) will reach ages 14 and older with the story of teenager Cade, who is an angel thief. Under the direction of an antique store owner who gives Cade and his father free rent, Cade is instructed to steal marble angels from graveyards. 

When one such angel promises to prove particularly fruitful if it can be located, Cade finds himself on a mission that carries him into a very different world that holds meaning not only for the past, but his future. 

All are exceptional reads. 


Sleeping Bear Press
www.sleepingbearpress.com 

Three new picture books for kids are recommended picks and deserve a spot in any collection seeking original, strong blends of appealing drawings and solid stories. 

Board book fans receive Jennifer Sattler's Oink-Oink! Moo! Cock-a-Doodle-Doo! (9781585363919, $7.99), featuring nine crazy animals who introduce basic animal sounds for kids. As the animals make sounds even while performing impossible routines (such as a dog riding a bike), kids will appreciate the fun survey. 

Eve Bunting's Little Yellow Truck (9781585364077, $16.99) tells of a little truck who feels he's not being assigned meaningful tasks compared to the larger trucks in the lumberyard. 

Can Little Yellow Truck find something purposeful in his life? 

This fun story of belonging and value receives colorful illustrations by Kevin Zimmer which will be reminiscent of the Cars animated movies, appealing to a wide audience of young vehicle enthusiasts. 

Sandy Feet! Whose Feet? by Susan Wood (9781585364091, $16.99) is illustrated by Steliyana Doneva and tells of a family that spends a day at the beach. The kids look in various footprints to see the creatures that live along the shore, and young readers will enjoy the a fun, simple story that highlights a seashore's natural history. 

From building sand castles to observing other children at play, Sandy Feet! Whose Feet? Enthusiastically celebrates the fun of a seashore day.