The Great Paper Caper

The Great Paper Caper

By Oliver Jeffers

Trees, branches and sticks are mysteriously disappearing.  The forest animals are confused and at first, accuse each other.  An investigation is launched.  The animals follow the paper trail to a house in the woods where, to their dismay, they discover Bear and his wood chipper. What is going on in there?  And why does bear need all that wood?  The animals put Bear on trial and the truth comes out.  Bear is suitably remorseful, and works out a plan to make it up to the animals.

Oliver Jeffers’ picture book is captivating and humourous.  The narrative is completely reliant on his wonderful illustrations which reveal much about the animals’ (and Bear’s) motivations.  The inside cover even has instructions for making paper airplanes!  Ages 4-7.

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms

By Lissa Evans

Stuart Horten is very short for his age – his name, S.Horten or shorten, is rather unfortunate.  When his family moves to another town at the beginning of the summer, Stuart is bored, has no friends, and is tormented by the triplets that live next door: April, May and June.

But Stuart’s world gets much more exciting when he begins to discover some family secrets.  His great uncle, Tony, he learns, was a magician called Teeny Tiny Tony Horten.  Tony's old house is about to be torn down in the very town where Stuart now resides.  Are there secrets to be uncovered in this decrepit house?  Stuart is determined to find out.

When Stuart learns that Great Uncle Tony had a workshop, he knows he has to find it.  Legend has it that this workshop is filled with wondrous mechanisms and marvels.  But Stuart is not the only one after Tony Horten’s secrets.  Jeannie, an evil business woman, is determined to find the workshop before Stuart does.  

Following a series of clues left by his uncle, Stuart embarks on an amazing adventure that leads him to all kinds of strange and wonderful sites in town.  But can he find the workshop before Jeannie does?

The City of Ember

The City of Ember

By Jeanne DuPrau

At age 12, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are finishing school and ready to begin working.  In the City of Ember, everybody works and contributes to the efficient running of the city.  

But city progress is faltering.  Ember is a city of darkness.  Its citizens rely completely on artificial light.  The lights come on in the morning and go out when it’s time to sleep. Rumour has it, however, that lightbulbs are beginning to run out, and blackouts are becoming more and more common.

Canned food is also getting scarce as the vast storerooms of Ember are emptying out.  Fresh food is grown in greenhouses using artificial light, but disease is starting to rot some of the produce.  Ember is in crisis.  

Lina and Doon are determined to help find a way to save the city.  When they discover an old box in Lina’s closet with partially destroyed instructions inside, Lina and Doon believe they may have found the answer.  But will anyone listen to a couple of kids?

Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember is a survival story with a twist.  The city itself is fascinating, and children will be captivated by the small details of life in a city of darkness.  Kids will also love the heroism of the two children who act boldly to do what they feel is right.

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!

The War that Saved My Life

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Britain is on the edge of joining World War II and after threats by the Germans the government decides that children living in London must be evacuated to the countryside. Ada lives in London in a one room apartment with her mom and younger brother. Born with a club foot that was never fixed, Ada is hidden away from the rest of the world and ostracized by her mother. When hearing of the evacuation notice, her mother decides Ada will stay while her brother Jamie is sent away. Against her mother's wishes, Ada joins Jamie on the day of evacuation and both arrive in the town of Kent. They are placed in the care of Miss Smith who is reluctant to take on the children. Gradually, Ada and Jamie settle into their new temporary home and Ada forms a strong bond with Miss Smith's pony Butter, teaching herself to ride the pony the best she can. Miss Smith shows confidence in Ada and Jamie; her home a completely different environment where both children are allowed to flourish. Their new formed family doesn't last long as Ada's mother arrives in Kent and forces her children to return home to London with her. Bombs are still dropping on the streets of London and the situation is precarious. Suddenly thrust back into the same conditions she endured before, Ada is determined to rescue her brother and herself for good this time.

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. 

Stanley's Party

Stanley's Party

By Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin

Have you ever wondered what dogs do when they’re left alone?  Stanley gets bored when his people are out, so he decides to try something new.  He’s not allowed on the couch, but what harm could it do, right?   

The couch is more comfortable than he could have ever imagined! Once he gets used to the couch, Stanley discovers the fridge, the radio and more.  And really, why not enjoy yourself when you’re in your own home?

As Stanley gets more and more confident with his new behaviours, his proclivities lead him into trouble – big trouble with his owners. But Stanley will never forget the fun he had!  This is a very funny and readable picture book – a great for read-alouds!