Ferndale Library’s Latest Finds: New Fiction for Kids

Ferndale Library’s Latest Finds: New Fiction for Kids
(Jeff Milo – Circulation Specialist, Feb. 2, 2015)
Last month, with help from The Friends Of The Ferndale Library, Ashley Lehman cut the ribbon on an all new Early Learning Play area in the Kids Corner. Lehman is Ferndale’s Head Librarian in Youth Services; your little one’s might already know her personally, through various storytimes, as Ms. Ashley. Kids and families can explore this play area, refine their gross and fine motor skills by manipulating toys, familiarize with the dramatic play components, or build sequences with new blocks.
Lehman also curates an excellent collection of contemporary fiction titles for young readers, as you’ll see in her picks, this week.
Ashley’s Picks
A big part of my job is selecting new fiction to add to the youth collection. I spend a lot of time reading professional (and nonprofessional!) reviews on newly released or up and coming books. I make decisions on what to purchase for our collection based of off these reviews, but also based on what our community here in Ferndale would enjoy. My absolute favorite area to select for is the picture books, but I also really enjoy picking new fiction chapter books and novels. When the books come in, I often spend time reading the picture books (have to make sure I made a good decision!) and also skim through some of the novels for middle grade novels. Here is a list of brand spanking new books that I was excited to read about, and that our patrons should also know about:
Greenglass House
by Kate Milford
Call#:   JFIC Milford
A story of Milo, a twelve year old adopted boy who lives in a secluded inn with his mom and dad, who are the innkeepers. During an unusually busy winter break, the inn is booked full of strange people who all have strange stories that may or may not be intertwined. A good read for older kids (and even adults!) who like adventure, mystery, odd people, and even odder stories.
Find It: http://bit.ly/1AT1two
Skink: No Surrender
by Carl Hiaasen
Call#:   JFIC Hiaasen
I will admit, I haven’t read a Carl Hiaasen book ever before (there are so many to choose from!), but something about this one struck me. Hiaasen artfully wove technology (Facebook, email, smart phones), the natural environment (Florida landmarks, endangered species), and a modern kidnapping storyline in a fast paced adventure story. And if you are familiar with Hiaasen’s other books, you may also be familiar with Skink, the rogue ex-governor and his antics, who takes a starring role in this new middle grade fiction.
Find It: http://bit.ly/14Nb5eU
Telephone
by Mac Barnett
Call#:   JE BAR
Who remembers playing telephone as a kid? Someone was bound to not pay attention, and the game always ended in ridiculousness. This book, chock full of ridiculousness, definitely captures the great nuances of the game. The book is all dialogue and speech bubbles, so it can easily be acted out by a parent or older child to enhance the humor. The various birds are also illustrated brilliantly for great visual appeal.
Find It: http://bit.ly/1u0Fd1G
Flo and Wendell Explore
by William Wegman
Call#:   JE WEG
I’d be hard pressed to not include the newest in my favorite series of picture books. It’s no secret that I LOVE dogs, and also no secret that I love long, tall, lean hunting dogs (I have two German Shorthaired Pointers of my own!). William Wegman thrills the dog lover in me with his new Flo and Wendell book. You may be familiar with Wegman’s work turning his adult weimaraners into artwork on Sesame Street by posing them as humans, but this newer picture book series includes puppies! Photos of cute puppy weimaraners? Check. Cute poses? Check. Bright watercolor mixed media on point illustrations? Check. A silly story about dogs doing things like paddling a canoe? Perfect!
Find It: http://bit.ly/1wRwpXA
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads
by Bob Shea
Call#:   JE SHE
Kid Sheriff rides into town leisurely on the back of an old turtle, just in time to catch the criminals who call themselves the Toads. The townspeople don’t think he has what it takes, and neither will you, the reader. This silly story that takes on the wild wild west for the youngest readers will make parents and kids laugh out loud. The brown monotone illustrations and typeface add to the feel and humor.
Find It: http://bit.ly/1BVvAS
In the Kids Corner next month, Watch for a display featuring the American Library Association  and YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) nominees and winners of Youth Media Awards for books published in 2014.
More info: www.ferndalepubliclibrary.org

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