“Winter is Here.” Yes, it is.
Kevin Henkes’ new book is about a
very timely topic. As we watch the snow arrive, the library gives a great vista
facing east and west. In “Winter is
Here,” Mr. Henkes writes,
“The dog is bounding.
The squirrels are scurrying.
The birds are huddling.
The children are slipping, digging, skating, building, sledding . . .
Why is this all happening?
It’s winter!
Winter is here!”
This sweet book might help you face the next 6
months with a cheerful attitude.
“A Parade of Elephants,” also by Kevin Henkes, is a
book you can judge by its cover. A
parade of elephants marches up, down and around. This is another cheerful picture that can
help relieve winter doldrums.
Jim Arnosky is famous for writing and illustrating books
about nature and animals. He asks,
“Why?” in his new book, “Look at Me.”
Why do some animals change color, grow huge horns or antlers, or stretch
or puff up their skin. One can imagine
that looking fierce or protective might give an animal some defense if
attacked, but what about a peacock’s enormous tail?
“We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga” pronounced
(oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is a book written by Traci Sorell. She is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee
Nation and lives in northeastern Oklahoma. This picture book gives a glimpse of
Cherokee life in both ancient and modern times, but it is written on a level
children can understand. Ms. Sorell teaches us that the Cherokee people
are grateful for all the elements of life throughout the year. The Cherokee nation developed its own written
language and Ms. Sorell includes words
in Cherokee and written in the Cherokee alphabet created by Sequoyah. 
Mo Willems has another series out, “Unlimited
Squirrels.” He reaches new heights of
silliness, even including a corny ( I get
it, a-corn y) joke at the end. “I Lost My Tooth” is the newest book in the
“Unlimited Squirrels” series. A
squirrel loses one of his teeth and his friends try to help him. Then they all chime in on the corny jokes. Here is an example of one of Mr.
Willems’ jokes; Question: “What do you
call a bear with no teeth?” Answer: “A gummy bear!”
Finally, because the world needs more “Pete the Cat”
books, I give you “Pete the Kitty and the Baby Animals.” Pete the Kitty is about as cool as Pete the
Cat, but he’s much shorter.
I don’t know what else to say, except, “see you at
the library!”
