The Incredible Journey

The Incredible Journey

By Sheila Burnford

We just unpacked new copies of this classic. If you are looking for an award winning adventure story The Incredible Journey is for you! 

Three unlikely friends; two dogs and a cat, need to get back to their owner and family they love. The three animals are put to many tests as they do their best to survive the wild. From dangerous animals to torturous terrain, the three help each other and work together, inspiring for readers of any age.

Winner of the Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year for Children, Sheila Burnford has written a timeless classic. This novel was first published in 1960 and has been reprinted several times over the decades. I discovered it when I was around 12 years old and read it again as a teen when the 1990’s movie adaptation came out (Homeward Bound). There is also a 1960’s movie adaptation called The Incredible Journey, it is instantly available for RPL cardholders to stream from Hoopla.

Warning to everyone; there are some stressful moments, tears might be shed but there are also some wonderful moments. A well written story of friendship, endurance and perseverance. If you are looking for talking animals though there are none here, sorry. Sheila Burnford has made sure to create realistic versions of animal behavior and her descriptions of the scenery is sure to whisk the reader away.

Find this on the shelves at your local branch or place a hold today.

The Witches

The Witches

By Roald Dahl

I must warn you that this one really scared me as a child. Even though I was scared I would ask my Mom to read it to me again and again. This classic Roald Dahl adventure follows a young boy and his grandmother as they hatch a plot to rid the world of witches. This novel is also a movie directed by Nicolas Roeg. At Richmond Public Library we have this wonderful tale available in book, CD book, and eBook.

Roald Dahl opens this book with some important information about witches, real witches. For example real witches dress in ordinary clothes and live in ordinary houses. Real witches hate children and spend their time plotting how to get rid of children. With each chapter the reader is taken deeper into a world of witches and magic potions. Follow our young hero as he narrowly escapes their grasp with a little help from his loving grandmother.

Come and enjoy The Witches a cautionary and adventurous tale of friendship, family and fun. Pick up a copy at your nearest branch today!

Bad Hair Day

Bad Hair Day

By Sarah Mlynowski

Imagine having a magical mirror that allows you to cross over to all of your favourite fairy tales. You can walk through the mirror at midnight and play around in the fairy tale, you even have the power to change the story. This is number 5 in the Whatever After series; Bad Hair Day. Jonah and Abby have this secret magic mirror hidden in their basement, it takes them to Fairy Tale Land. Just knock on the frame three times and the fairy, Mary Rose, will let you in. This adventure takes the two into the tale of Rapunzel. These fractured fairy tales have humour, adventure and lessons to be learned. Abby and Jonah get into a bit of trouble and tangle this classic tale up, they need to make things right, but will they be able to? Find out by picking up a copy or listening to the audio book today!

This instalment is available in our junior series section and on audiobook from Hoopla. 

365 simple science experiments with everyday materials

365 simple science experiments

By E. Richard Churchill

Here is a book filled with some fun and educational activities for the whole family to enjoy. I thought these might be interesting to try out over Spring Break. E. Richard Churchill, Louis V. Loeschnig and Muriel Mandell have collected and created experiments that children of all ages can enjoy.
Using the idea that science experiments are not just for scientists and students this book brings children and parents the magic of science using everyday materials that we can find in our own home. Some of the experiments will surprise you because of their outcome and others will amaze you because they actually work. The experiments in this book help to introduce children to the wonders of science, with chapters on how earthquakes and energy work; how everyday items can be used in extraordinary ways; and chapters on how to do cool tricks like catching a coin on your elbow. 365 simple science experiments with everyday materials should be a fun addition to your Spring Break reading.


For more great reads check out my helpful lists. Spring Break is just around the corner so place your holds today for some of these fun new titles about to hit the shelves!
Spring Break Reads - Junior Fiction
Spring Break Reads - Junior Non-fiction

Sleepover Sleuths

Sleepover Sleuths

By Carolyn Keene

Here is one from a classic series that many will remember from their youth; Nancy Drew is still at it after 85 years. She is still solving crimes and poking her nose in places that get her into trouble. The Nancy Drew writers continue to revamp and reinvent the classic stories about this iconic character. This newest evolution of the series follows an elementary school aged Nancy. Sleepover Sleuths brings us an 8 year old Nancy Drew who has been invited, along with her best friends, to a sleepover party with one of the moist spoiled and coolest girls in school. All invited to the sleepover must bring their "City Girl Dolls," only the niftiest dolls in town. Each sleepover attendee brings their prized City Girl Doll to Deirdre's party. They all enjoy pizza, cake, prizes and games as well as talk of the very special Hollywood Heather, City Girl doll, she's the rarest City Girl Doll on the market and all the party goers are talking about how cool this rare doll would be to have. The party is off to a great start but we all know that where there is Nancy Drew there is sure to be a mystery to solve.
Will all the girls be able to stay up all night? Will the Hollywood Heather doll make an appearance? Will Nancy save the day once again? Check out a copy today to find out. This is also available on Tumble Books as a read along story.

The Boy Who Lost Fairyland

The Boy Who Lost Fairyland

By Catherynne M. Valente

The Boy Who Lost Fairyland is an adaptation of the classic tale The Changeling. This is the fourth book in the Fairyland series but it does not follow the adventures of September like the first three books, this book can stand alone. Catherynne M. Valente has created a fantastical world with trolls and fairies and mischief and magic where rocks can tell tales and dragons exist. A young troll, Hawthorn, is whisked away to live on Earth in a strange place called Chicago. He is to live as a human boy. The fairyland folk have taken a young couples child and replaced him with a troll disguised as their boy, a changeling. We also meet Tamburlaine, a tree girl, who is living as a changeling. The two must hide their secret, come together and find their way back to Fairyland.
Valente has done a wonderful job of showing how strange and wonderful our world must look through the eyes of a troll.
Richmond Public Library has this title available in streaming audio through your Hoopla account as well as hard cover copies available at a branch near you. I especially enjoyed the vocabulary and descriptions that Valente uses and would recommend this series to both children and adults.

Valentine's Day Is...

Valentine's Day Is...

By Gail Gibbons

I thought this would be a wonderful pick for this week. We are nearing Valentine's Day and many children have begun to ask us what is Valentine's day? Why do we celebrate it? Why do we give cards? This delightful book is filled with fun facts about this special day. Children will learn about the history, legends, traditions and symbols of Valentine's day. Learn about Saint Valentine, the tradition of giving cards and the delight of receiving sweet treats. This educational book is available at many of our branches as well as in eAudio form and eVideo streaming on Hoopla.

What is Valentine's day to you?

Dr. Seuss's A B C

by Dr. Seuss,

Dr. Seuss is a classic in any library and a must in any child's literary repertoire. This adventure of the alphabet uses rhyme and alliteration to bring each letter to life. With whimsical illustrations Dr. Seuss makes learning your ABC's really fun. You can find this and other wonderful ABC books in the library's Basic Concepts section. If you are looking for ways to help your child with numbers, letters, shapes and colours come to your local Richmond Public Library branch and go straight to the Basic Concepts display. In this section of the library you will find fun stories to help introduce ideas like opposites and primary colours as well as great ABC books like Dr. Seuss' A B C.

A Child's Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

By Kady MacDonald Denton

This is a classic collection that I use almost every week when I prepare for my storytimes and babytimes. It's a fun collection of nursery rhymes, verses and songs brought to us by the illustrator of such favourites as The Sniffles for Bear and A Bedtime for Bear. This book has everything from Three Blind Mice to Shoe a Little Horsey. I especially appreciate the way that the editor has created categories within the book, for instance, the section entitled; "Welcome Little Baby" is filled with nursery rhymes specifically geared towards baby. Other chapters include; Toddler Time, In the Schoolyard, and All Join In. This won the prestigious Canadian Council for the Arts Governor General's Literary Award. The simple, water colour images on each page add a whimsical feel and help tell the story behind each rhyme. So if you are looking for a calming nursery rhyme or a lively action song please pick up a copy of A Child's Treasury of Nursery Rhymes today.

A Funny Thing Happened on the way to School

By Davide Cali and Illustrated by Benjamin Chaud

From the very first page I found myself giggling. A funny thing happened on the way to school is the story of a boy telling his teacher the simple reason he is late for school. Readers are taken on an action packed adventure through time and space. Excuse after excuse, tall tale after tall tale this experience of a boy's crazy journey to school one day will have the whole family laughing. Mole people, a strange blob, Bigfoot and even a massive ape all make appearances along the way. And just when you think things cannot get any stranger some time travel takes place. This book is filled with wonderful illustrations by award winning illustrator Benjamin Chaud. I think this is sure to become a classic. Pick yourself up a copy today.

Moxie and the art of Rule Breaking: a 14-day mystery

By Erin Dionne

Do you love a good mystery? Well then, Moxie and the art of Rule Breaking by Erin Dionne may just be what you're looking for. This treasure-hunt story is based on the real events of an art heist. Our main character, Moxie, and her best friend Ollie have a great summer planned. They both have train passes and permission from their parents to go into Boston as long as they go together. These carefree plans get turned up-side-down when a mysterious red head shows up looking for Moxie's grandfather. Apparently Moxie's grandfather used to "do jobs" for the mob and now some mobsters are looking for "their stuff." Unfortunately Moxie's grandfather is suffering from Alzheimer's and he's living in a nursing home. He does not have many lucid memories and so Moxie and Ollie take on the challenge of solving one of Boston's biggest, unsolved mysteries; The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum art heist.

Hi! Fly Guy

By Tedd Arnold

Will Fly Guy make a good pet? Read this Easy Reader to find out!
This easy reader is recommended for step 2 readers. There are many great pictures and Tedd Arnold has created simple chapters so this is a wonderful introduction to chapter books. Author Tedd Arnold has won many awards and praise for his writing; this book won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor. Little Buzz catches Fly Guy to make him his pet for the Amazing Pet Show. Buzz's parents do not think that a fly can be a pet but Fly Guy proves them wrong. Will Fly Guy be the best, most impressive pet at the show? Pick up this book today to find out!

The Unfairest of Them All

By Shannon Hale

From the Ever After High series comes The Unfairest of Them All. This is book 2 in the Ever After series. Shannon Hale has a writing style that includes mistakes, silly jokes and cheesy puns, which are delightfully endearing. Readers follow Raven, the daughter of Evil Queen, and Apple, the daughter of Snow White, as they try to find their place in their perspective fairy tales. The two are learning about themselves and that sometimes you may need to be a little bad to make things good. There is an ongoing feud between the Royals and the Rebels. This feud may need to be put aside to save everyone's happy endings. Will Apple and Raven follow the rules and stick to the book or make their own rules and write their own stories? Will the Royals and the Rebels be able to put aside their differences before it is too late? Will they learn how to follow their hearts? Readers will enjoy the lessons and humor within these pages.

The False Prince

By Jennifer A. Nielsen

This one was recommended to me by a young patron. She was so enthusiastic and told me that she had read the entire book in one night. I was intrigued by her excitement and so I snatched it off the shelves and I too read The False Prince in just one night! This is the first book in the Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen.
This story wastes no time in getting into the action and excitement. From the first page the reader is introduced to Sage, a poor orphan living at Mrs. Turbeldy's Orphanage for Disadvantaged Boys. He has stolen a roast to help feed the others and just as he is about to be pummeled for his crime by the butcher a stranger comes to his rescue. Nobel man, Bevin Conner, has purchased Sage along with three other boys in a plan to take the throne. The boys are to impersonate the King's long lost son and become the lost prince of Carthya.
With strong characters, action, mystery and fantasy this book is a home run and I cannot wait to dive into book two, The Runaway King.

Wonder

By R.J Palacio

This is a must read, not only an award winner but also high acclaim from young and old. This is a wonderful story about a boy, home schooled for his entire life he is placed in a private school. Going from a protected environment and placed in a typical middle school where superficial ideals are disappointingly real. Our main character, Auggie, was born with a facial deformity. So not only is Auggie the new kid, which is hard enough, he is also an easy target for teasing and ridicule. Thanks to a wonderful family environment Auggie is up for the task of trying to convince his new friends and classmates that he is just like them.
At the core we are all wonders, we are all fragile and this wonderful story is uplifting and a sweet story with a message. And remember: Don't judge a book by it's cover! then go and pick up a copy of Wonder.

Down the Mysterly River

By Bill Willingham

Award winning author, Bill Willingham brings us Down the Mysterly River. Through this tale readers get a glimpse into a world beyond the pages of a book. This is a suspenseful story about friendship and adventure. Four unconventional friends meet and take off on a mysterious undertaking. Our main character Max, one day finds himself in a strange land and with a loss of memory. He makes friends with a badger named Branderbrock, a black bear named Walden, a cat named McTavish the Monster. All of these creatures can talk and have a loss of memory just like Max. They band together to discover who they are, and why they are here and what they need to do to survive. They face evil forces, great threats and they persevere.

I enjoyed the twists and turns in this story, I especially like the twist at the end and I think you will too.

A Ball for Daisy

By Christopher Raschka

This is a picture book, only pictures. Author/illustrator Chris Raschka tells a wonderful tale of a dog and her favorite toy, a ball. Through only pictures readers are treated to a sweet story about Daisy the dog. Daisy loves her ball and does everything with it. From playing to napping, Daisy’s ball is her best friend. One day while out for a walk another dog gets a hold of her ball...and it POP’s! Daisy is sad and walks home missing her ball. The next day while out for her walk she meets up with the same dog and they have a new ball for her. Daisy is so happy. With the use of bright colours, simple shapes and a water colour paint technique Raschka has created a lovely story. Children are sure to enjoy this sweet tale, A Ball for Daisy.

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

By James Paterson

James Paterson has partnered up with Adam Sadler to bring us the Daniel X series. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X is the first in the series. This is a fast paced read with James Paterson’s traditional short chapters helping the story fly by. Daniel X is the son of Alien hunters from the planet Alpar Nok. They are living on earth and helping to protect the universe from the "Outer Ones." At the age of 3 Daniel X’s parents are killed by the Prayer and Daniel X narrowly avoids the same fate. Daniel X is now 15 years old and has taken on his parents mission to protect the human race from evil aliens. Critics have said that Daniel X would be a wonderful addition to the M.I.B. and I have to agree.

Real Mermaids don't wear heals

By Helene Boudreau

I am a big fan of mermaids; from my love of T.V series H2O to my collection of mermaid figurines these creatures of the deep facinate me. This is the reason that I first started reading the "Real Mermaids" series. This is the third book in the series and follows Jade as she tries to stop The Mermish Council from making all land dwelling mer-people go back to the ocean. She just happens to not be a huge fan of the ocean. She's a freshman and really doesn't want to miss her first dance, even though she's a bit uncoordinated.
I love the fact that Jade seems just like every other young woman; struggleing with her looks, friends, parents and boys. But she also has to deal with being a mermaid.
This is a fun series and I recommend it to all the mermaid lovers out there. Check out Real Mermaids don't wear heels or any of the Real Mermaids series.
If you haven't watched H2O before check it out on Hoopla, it is free with your library card.

Half-Minute Horrors

Edited By Susan Rich

Half-Minute Horrors is a fun collection of short stories, poems and even graphic illustrated tales. If you enjoy a spine chilling thriller and you like short reads then this is the book for you. Authors like Lemony Snicket, James Patterson and Margaret Atwood have all contributed to this book. From adaptations of old ghost stories to urban legends; this is the quintessential book for any horror loving reader. My personal favorite is a poem entitled "Horrorku," a Haiku poem about creepy clowns.