New Books for the New Year: 2015!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on December 31, 2014


100 Things That Make Me Happy by Amy Schwartz

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell

Troll Swap by Leigh Hodgkinson

I Wanna Go Home by Karen Kaufman Orloff, illustrated by David Catrow

I didn't have time to share this book during the program, but I recommend it for its sweet story line and classic illustrations by David Catrow.  Young Alex and his siblings are sent to spend two weeks with their grandparents at their retirement community.  Through a series of short letters exchanged between child and parents, we see the transformation from a child who is "...bored, bored, bored!" to a little boy who returns home anxious for next summer's visit.

If...: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers

This is another book that did not get highlighted due to lack of time.  The book helps make complex ideas, large numbers and immense sizes more easily accessible and understandable to readers.  As a way to help visualize the Milky Way galaxy, the author suggests we picture a dinner plate, with our solar system taking up much less space than a speck of dust on that plate.  The author uses a clever visual, a tray holding 100 drinking glasses, to quantify the amount of salt water on the earth - represented by 97 of the 100 glasses.  Particularly surprising to me was the graphic showing 100 coins to represent all the wealth in the world. The richest people in the world (in this example comprising 1% of the world's population) would have 40 of the 100 coins.  The poorest people in the world (the author defines this as 50% of the world's people) would share ONE coin.  A book that may give you and your child reason to pause for a moment.

Flight School by Lita Judge

Michelle had hoped to read this story but was unable to due to time restrictions.  You are invited to check this title out - we have two copies of the book plus the audio book on CD - and enjoy this story about Little Penguin and his quest to learn how to fly.

All children in attendance received a book of their choice!

"It's not a proper party without a party hat!"

Our guests were invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the party!

My thanks to all who joined Miss Michelle and me in ushering in the New Year!  May your New Year be filled with new books, new friends, and new experiences!  ~ Mrs. B