I have a library again!

Book Fair is gone and the library has returned to normal.

It's so funny to watch the kids walk in to the library during book fair.  It's like they are walking in to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.  Then when it's gone, they comment on how empty the library looks. Then they see my stacks and boxes of new books.

And why can't they check them out NOW?  Oh, so much cataloging and processing!  It's one of my favorite things, though.  I really get to know the books through the process of getting them into the computer, putting on their labels, and wrapping their dust jackets.  Every book is a gift.  And there are well over 200 new ones between my regular orders and book fair books!

So many books, so many labels to affix!  Come down to the library and check out the new books!  Or, go to the online catalog and put a hold on books that are still in processing.  I promise I'll get them done as soon as I can.  

Out From Behind the Book Case, Declaring My New Book Crush

Tonight was Scholastic Book Fair Family Night and Holiday Boutique at Marshall Lane.  Part of the festivities included having guest readers read books from the Book Fair.  So guess where I was hanging out all night?  (I was live tweeting the read alouds!)
Dr. Andrews kicked off the night by reading It's Duffy Time by Audrey and Don Wood.

It's a delightful book to which any dog owner could relate.  There is an especially adorable picture of Duffy the dog napping in his dinner bowl.
Next up, Mrs. Spencer, who will be our new principal in January, read Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes and she did a fantastic job! She even got the kids to sing and gave them stickers.

Next up was Mrs. Mund who used to teach kindergarten at Marshall Lane.  She read Charlie and the Christmas Kitty.

Then former second grade teacher Mrs. Gossett took the chair and read one of my personal favorites My Life as a Chicken.

Mrs. Medalen was up next.  She got right down on the floor with her fan club and read Pig Kahuna, another delightful animal story.

The next reader was Mrs. Matheson and she sat in the chair to read You Think It's Easy Being a Tooth Fairy?  This book is hilarious and Mrs. Matheson did a great job reading it.

Finally, it was my turn!  I read my new favorite book - my book crush, if you will - Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems.  If it's by Mo Willems, you know it has to be good!

The kids enjoyed it but the biggest laughs came from the adults, especially for lines like "Sure enough, five minutes later a poorly supervised little girl named Goldilocks came traipsing along." and "Delicious chocolate-filled-little-girl-bonbons are yummier when they're rested!"  It will be in the library after the book fair so be sure to come and check it out.

Tales from behind the bookcase, episode 2

Well, I'm not really behind the bookcase right now, but I grabbed a book from the bookcase to read today and that book was Cardboard by Doug TenNapel.  I was excited to see this book at the book fair because I enjoyed TenNapel's previous 2 graphic novels for young people -Ghostopolis and Bad Island - so much.  I was not disappointed with Cardboard.
The beginning of the story has a Gremlins feel to it - a down-on-his-luck father buys a cardboard box for his son from an odd and mysterious merchant who explains that there are two rules for the cardboard that, naturally, the man breaks.
The cardboard, it turns out, has magic properties that allow things made from the cardboard to come to life, a la Frosty the Snowman and his magic silk hat.  The trouble begins when the boy's wretched neighbor steals the cardboard and begins to create monsters.
As with TenNapel's previous works, themes of the importance of family, friendship, and being a good person are woven throughout the story.
The artwork is familiar from TenNapel's previous works, and one character bears a slight resemblance to the cartoon character Earthworm Jim, which is another of TenNapels creations.
I'd recommend this book for kids age 10 and up.