new picture books, 5.4.08

The Toy Farmer, Andrew Pelletier
In the attic, Jed finds an old toy tractor with a miniature farmer in the drivers seat. It seems just like any other toybut then amazing things happen. First, Jeds bedroom carpet begins to sprout tiny green shoots. Then a pumpkin appears on a vine. It grows and GROWS, until it is big enough to win first prize at the county fair. When Jed returns home with his ribbon, the mysterious farmer is a toy once again . . . or is it?


Baby Brains and RoboMom, Simon James
Everyone knows that Baby Brains is the smartest baby in the universe. He's certainly clever enough to see how tired Mom and Dad seem to get keeping house and looking after him. Then Baby Brains has a big idea. He puts his genius to work building RoboMom, who can cook, clean, and do the laundry. The new invention is a smashing success . . . until RoboMom takes on a few too many duties, and the family gets more help than they bargained for.


T. Rex and the Mother's Day Hug, Lois Grambling
It's Mother's Day, and T. Rex wants to plan something really special for his mama. He wants to DO something, not just give something. This year, T. Rex has the perfect gift idea that he knows Mama Rex is going to love sooo much. At least, he thinks she will. . . .

for more about these and other picture books, search the library's catalog >


A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, Marla Frazee
When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.

for more about these and other picture books, search the library's catalog >


Scoot!, Cathryn Falwell
While their neighbors in the pond . . .
leap lurch scamper and splash
six silent turtles sit still as stones.
Will the turtles ever move?
Read this book and find out.
What are you waiting for?

Harvey Moon, Museum Boy, Pat Cummings
To liven up his class trip, Harvey Moon brings his pet lizard, Zippy, along to the museum. Whoops. When Zippy escapes, Harvey's adventures begin. You'll be laughing and wondering what's next as knights, dinosaurs, and even mummies get into the act.

for more about these and other picture books, search the library's catalog >



When Dinosaurs Came with Everything, Elise Broach
Just when a little boy thinks he's going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable, the most stupendous thing happens. He discovers that on this day, and this day only, stores everywhere are giving away a very special treat with any purchase. No, not the usual lollipop or sticker. Something bigger. Much, MUCH bigger. It's a dream come true, except...what exactly do you do with these Jurassic treats? And how do you convince Mom to let you keep them?


A Visitor for Bear, Bonny Becker
Bear is quite sure he doesn't like visitors. He even has a sign. So when a mouse taps on his door one day, Bear tells him to leave. But when Bear goes to the cupboard to get a bowl, there is the mouse — small and gray and bright-eyed. In this slapstick tale that begs to be read aloud, all Bear wants is to eat his breakfast in peace, but the mouse — who keeps popping up in the most unexpected places — just won't go away

Max's Dragon, Kate Banks
Max is looking for words that rhyme. His dragon is in his wagon – or was, for now its tail has left a trail, which Max follows. He finds an umbrella on the ground— “Found, ground,” he says, while his older brothers mock him for believing in dragons and sitting under an umbrella when it isn’t even raining. But Max believes in possibilities—and when he can show his brothers not only a dragon in the stormy clouds but also a dinosaur, they begin to come round. When Max demonstrates the power of his rhyming words to tame the dinosaur and the dragon and make the rain come, he wins them over completely.