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Magic is at the library! Chiquy Boom brought her silly magic show to Seven Trees Library in June and made pictures magically appear and disappear in a coloring book. How did she do it? (In July, Chiquy Boom will be perfoming at Biblioteca Branch Library, at the King Library, and at Calabazas Branch Library.) On July 27th, Dan Chan, Magic Man will be performing in the Seven Trees Library, inspiring both children and adults with magic, illusions, comedy, juggling, and stunts. (See the SJPL event calendar for dates, times, and locations of more Dan Chan performances.)
But the library isn't just a place to watch magic. It's also a place to learn magic! At Seven Trees and our other SJPL branch libraries you can find some great books to help you learn how to perform your own tricks. Check out a magic book and start learning tricks that will amaze your friends and family.
Here are two very entertaining, short chapter books to cuddle up with on a quiet afternoon. Start with Missy Violet & Me, and then read the sequel: Letters to Missy Violet. Viney is an eleven –year- old African American girl living in the Old South of the early 1900’s. How does Viney spend her summer vacation? She works for the local midwife, Missy Violet. Missy Violet is a wise, warm and caring woman who teaches Viney how to collect roots and herbs to use for medicinal purposes. And Vine
y is proud and privileged to assist when Missy Violet has to deliver babies ("catchin’ babies") for neighbors. You will come to love Missy Violet and Viney as they live a life that was typical of the Old South. A cast of colorful characters, crackling dialogue, humor and memorable events make this book move right along in a rhythmic way. Before you know it, you will have finished Missy Violet & Me and will be eager to start reading the sequel: Letters to Missy Violet. These books capture a unique way life that was lived by African Americans in the United States, a long time ago.
This book has one of the best openings I have ever read! I was hooked before I turned the first page.
Read The Case of the Deadly Desperados, by Caroline Lawrence, and you, too, can experience the world of the American Frontier in 1862. Join twelve year old P.K. Pinkerton in his attempt to escape from truly dastardly desperados who are after a piece of paper he inherited. Find out about life in Virginia City during the heyday of the silver mines, when people from all over the world came there to find their fortune. Experience the chills and thrills with P.K., who must think like a detective if he is to survive. Enjoy the oddly formalized language used, a special treat for those who liked the book True Grit.
This book is the first in the Western Mysteries series.
Finished with the Percy Jackson series? But dying to read more? Have no fear, Rick Riordan has written a sequel series to Percy Jackson and the Olympians! The first book in the Heroes of Olympus series, The Lost Hero, starts off with three kids on a school trip who discover encounter something entirely out of their world. Leo, Piper, and Jason soon discover that they have a godly parent and are demigods (half-human, half-god). Although Percy Jackson is not present in the first book, Percy is definitely mentioned and will come back later. They are also three of the seven demigods destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Follow their journey, discover their secrets, and find out what they were born to do; find out in The Lost Hero.
Finished with The Lost Hero? Read the sequels: The Son of Neptune (#2), The Mark of Athena(#3), and The House of Hades (coming Fall 2013)
Many species of penguins live in Antarctica as well as many other locations in the Southern Hemisphere. World Penguin Day takes place on April 25th, while Penguin Awareness Day takes place on January 20th.
Here are some fun books children and their loved ones may enjoy:
I am Small, written and illustrated by Emma Dodd
Penguin and the Cupcake, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires
Penguins, written and illustrated by Liz Pichon
Mr. Orange, written by Dutch author Truus Matti , is historical fiction for Grade 6 and up. The time is 1943. The place is Manhattan. Linus Muller’s eldest brother Albie has enlisted in the U.S. military and is headed to the European front to fight WWII. Linus takes over Albie’s job of delivering groceries for the Muller family grocery store. This is Linus’s first real after school job and he is proud to help out the family and do his part for the war effort on the home front. Linus delivers groceries with a handmade cart on wheels and meets all kinds of customers as he makes his deliveries. Every other week Linus delivers a crate of oranges to a new customer who lives on 59th street. This new customer has an accent and a foreign sounding name that is complicated to pronounce and write down, so Linus just calls him "Mr. Orange". After many deliveries, Linus and Mr. Orange become friends and Linus discovers that Mr. Orange is an artist with great imagination and faith in the future. In fact, Mr. Orange is Dutch artist Piet Mondrian who moved from Europe to New York in the 1940’s to escape the war . Linus has the rare privilege of witnessing the creation of Mondrian's painting "Victory Boogie Woogie", a painting to celebrate the city of New York, the end of WW II , and the future. Mr. Orange was awarded a Silver Slate Pencil (a prestigious Dutch award) in 2012.
All the Colors of the Earth, written and illustrated by Sheila Hamanaka
This book shows paintings of happy children with a variety of skin and hair colors. This book is also available in eAudiobook format through Overdrive.
Bein' With You This Way, written by W. Nikola-Lisa, and illustrated by Michael Bryant
Several children from different backgrounds have a fun time at the park. This book is also available in Spanish book format and Spanish Kit CD format.
Being Friends, written by Karen Beaumont, and illustrated by Joy Allen
Two young girls have some similar interests and some different interests. They are very good friends, and love to spend time together.
The Colors of Us, written and illustrated by Karen Katz
Lena, the young daughter of an artist, has many friends and neighbors, each with differen skin and hair colors.
I Love My Hair!, written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, and illustrated by E.B. Lewis
A young girl named Keyana loves her hair, because she can wear it in a variety of styles created by her skillful and loving Mom.
This is the Way We Eat Our Lunch, written by Edith Baer, and illustrated by Steve Björkman
Children all over the world enjoy a variety of foods for lunch with their families and friends. This book includes three recipes as well as a glossary of different types of food.
Whoever You Are, written by Mem Fox, and illustrated by Leslie Staub
This book shows that children all over the world have many similarities, including loving their families, having emotions, and thinking about the future. This book is also available in Spanish.
Yo! Yes?, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Two boys meet and have a conversation using one word at a time. This is a fun book for all children, including children learning how to read. This is a Caldecott Honor book.
April is National Jazz Month. Here are some books children and their loved ones may enjoy reading together:
The Candystore Man, written by Jonathan London, and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
In the 1950's, the Candystore Man plays saxophone and sells candy and other treats to the neighborhood children and teens. If you look closely, you will see a newspaper with the heading "Charlie 'Bird' Parker Dead at Age 35."
Jazz Baby, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, and illustrated by Laura Freeman
Young children play a variety of musical instruments, dance, and have fun.
Jazzmatazz!, written by Stephanie Calmenson, and illustrated by Bruce Degen
A baby notices a mouse start to play jazz music on the piano. Dog soon starts to accompany Mouse with his dog bones and bowl. Who else will join the jam session?
Jazzy Miz Mozetta, written by Brenda C. Roberts, and illustrated by Frank Morrison
One evening, Miz Mozetta dresses up in a snazzy red outfit and takes a walk. While walking, she thinks about dancing again. What will happen next?
Lookin' for Bird in the Big City, written by Robert Burleigh, and illustrated by Marek Los
A teenage trumpet player looks for Charlie "Bird" Parker, a famous saxophonist. This story is inspired by the famous trumpet player Miles Davis.
Rent Party Jazz, written by William Miller, and illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb
Sonny goes to school, works part time, lives in New Orleans in the 1930's. When Sonny's mom loses her job, Sonny learns about a special way to help out.
Rum-a-Tum-Tum, written by Angela Shelf Medearis, and illustrated by James Ransome
A girl who lives in the French Quarter of New Orleans in the early 1900's observes street vendors selling their goods with poetic and jazzy words. Whom will she see next?
If you are looking for an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful and action packed historical fiction read Sophia’s War: A Tale of Revolution written by Newbery Medalist Avi. Twelve year old Sophia lives with her family in British occupied New York City in 1776. Her brother William joins the Patriot cause against the British and enlists in the rebel militia. Sophia’s mother and father must hide their support of the Patriot cause simply because they are surrounded by loyalists and must house British officers in their home. When Sophia’s brother William is injured in battle and then dies in a British prison, Sophia vows to avenge his death. Sophia soon finds herself in a very challenging situation: working as a spy for the Patriot cause. Her task is to warn General Washington of a British plan to capture West Point, a strategic Patriot stronghold overlooking the Hudson River. Benedict Arnold, a Patriot traitor, is involved in this plan but only Sophia discovers this. Sophia is a determined and strong heroine as she sets off on a perilous journey to warn General Washington of the British plan and of Benedict Arnold's treason. Short chapters and excellent writing make this thrilling tale of espionage and courage a great read for 6th graders as well as Young Adults.
The Easter Bunny that Overslept, written by by Priscilla and Otto Friedrich, and illustrated by Donald Saaf. One year, the Easter Bunny overslept and missed Easter. The Easter Bunny woke up in May, and tried to deliver his eggs, even though it was the wrong time of the year. The Easter Bunny has an idea to get people interested in the eggs. What is he going to do?
Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs, written and illustrated by Janet Morgan Stoeke.
Minerva Louise, the hen, takes a walk around the farm and finds many colorful eggs. Minerva Louise is confused, so she tells the other hens, who also wander around, wondering what is going on.
Both of these gently humorous picture books have beautiful pictures for children and their loved ones to enjoy.
