Library Haul - From Alphabets to Trombone Shorty, And More

This library haul post is a little late. I have already returned these books and picked up my next round but better late than never, right! Note - I couldn't help myself and picked up a LOT of books this time. Happy reading!

Before I tell you which books we picked up - here is a fun thing! There is currently an exhibit at the Central Library all about kid's books. It is called B is for Books. Oscar and I checked it out on our first visit and he was excited to go back. When we visited this time, one of the librarians who set up the exhibit asked if she could take Oscar's picture while he was exploring. He was a willing library model and you can check out his cutie face reading a book on the Buffalo Public Library instagram account. 

 

Dig, Dump, Roll by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock

I like to snag at least a board book or two when I go to the library. They are hardier and Oscar tends to take books to bed with him. I know if he requests one of these it will make it through to the other side of the nap/night. 

Dig, Dump, Roll is an Oscar favorite. In fact, this one we still have because he didn't want to return it. There is a nice little rhyme scheme that makes you guess what each big vehicle is before you turn the page. There aren't a whole lot of words on the page and bonus points for remembering to include women in the work force - not always something that happens in kid's books. A win for any kid who likes watching big trucks do work or drive by - which Oscar definitely enjoys. 

Open Up, Please! by Silvia Borando, illustrated by Lorenzo Clerici

I discovered Silvia Borando when I was on maternity leave and I love her books. If I had more shelf space, I would buy them all. I saw this one on the shelf at our last library visit and thought it would be fun to introduce to Oscar. The title page simply says, "Open Up, Please." Then you turn the page, open the door for the first animal and he is smiling saying, "Thanks."

I was happily surprised when he opened the first cage and smiled. He got it! It's a sneaky little funny story and one that Oscar was able to read to us just after one reading together. He read this book to anyone willing to sit and listen. I won't give away the ending, something that sent Oscar into giggling fits, but I'll just say that the snake doesn't say thanks when we first see him,

Old MacDonald Had a... Zoo? told and illustrated by Iza Trapani

I had it on my list to try to find a farmer book for Oscar. Ever since our trip to an apple orchard to pick apples he has been obsessed with farmers. Of course, he beat me to it and added this book to our pile. I was a little unsure at first - it seemed a bit bleh for my usual tastes. This was a winner though because I forgot how fun it is to read a book that is also a song that your child knows. As the farmer discovers new animals on his farm, an elephant, monkeys, zebras, and more, the verses of Old MacDonald take on a new twist. Super silly, lots of rereads in our home. 

Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert

Oscar is somewhat interested in the alphabet. At this age, 2ish, I think it is hit or miss. Mostly he likes the letter "o" and he likes to sing the alphabet song, even if he just sings "H-I-J-K" over and over again. I thought he might somewhat interested in the alphabet if we read a book about it together. It was a huge miss on the alphabet aspect but a big win on the food identification aspect! Oscar loved seeing something we had at our house and shouting, "We have that too!" It even prompted me to pick up a container of kumquats at the grocery store. Just fyi, Lois Ehlert is always a win, regardless.

I love some good end papers. 

Trombone Shorty by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier

I chose this book specifically for Oscar. He is obsessed with marching bands, as I mentioned in my last library haul post. Trombone Shorty, if you haven't listened to his music before, is out of this world. My good friend and I had an opportunity to see him play live at the Hollywood Bowl years ago and it is a live show I would see any time. (As soon as this whole Covid thing is sorted out, of course.) 

This book tells Trombone Shorty's life story and includes the most incredible mixed media collage to bring the story to life. After we read this book Oscar picked up an old tube and pretended to be Trombone Shorty, marching all over our house. This is a really great one if you want to introduce some new music to your home. Be sure to have your dancing, or marching, shoes ready!

"I'm Trombone Shorty!"

I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James

I couldn't wait to post about this on on the blog. I have already shared this one with friends and family on my personal social media. Here's what I said.

This book. Give it to a teacher, a child, a niece, a nephew, a cousin, find somebody to give this one to. Because black lives matter and there are kids out there who need to know that they matter. And there are kids out there who need to know that black lives matter. Giving books is action too.

This book should be in your home, whether you buy it or borrow it. Read this one this year.

My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

This is a book that we chose as part of a collaboration between the Nate Howe Adventure Fund and Frugal Bookstore in Boston. It was highly recommended by the owner of the bookstore. My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich is a book for middle grade to high school students. It is about a young girl who is from the south but ends up spending the summer with her dad in Harlem - in the 80s. Her grandfather is one of the first black men to work for NASA and she is proud of this. As she navigates the streets of Harlem and it's hip hop scene that is busting out of every corner, she tries to find her place as a self-proclaimed Trekkie and wanna be astronaut. I applaud Ibi Zoboi and everybody who had a part in putting this story together. I know there are kids out there who will pick up this book and say, "Finally! I can see myself in this book."

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi just came out with a new book and I found out about it in the same way I find out about a lot of books - by following authors I love on Twitter. I admit, I had never even heard of her before I saw she came out with a new book. This book was still available at my library so I requested it. I started yesterday and man, she is one freaking amazing storyteller. Definitely recommend, even within the first two chapters. I won't tell you anything about it because I didn't know and sometimes I love discovering books as I read.