Website Review: Kids Cook Monday

THE KIDS COOK MONDAY is a website that encourages families to cook and eat together as a family.

This website contains resources for both adults and children. The About section features ideas for cooking as a family. The Resources area includes school program ideas, toolkits, and downloads to start a program. The Recipes section provides simple family recipes along with the opportunity to submit ideas. Finally, the News area features ideas and resources.

Librarians can use this website as the basis for an engaging library program, learning center, or display. Download the starter materials for lots of ideas. Build a healthy meals display that incorporates website materials along with cookbooks.

To visit the website, go to http://www.thekidscookmonday.org/.

Book Review: Bronze and Sunflower

BRONZE AND SUNFLOWER by Cao Wenxuan is tells a timeless story of tragedy and friendship during China’s Cultural Revolution.

Beautifully translated from Chinese, this story of rural Chinese life follows two children who overcome hardship to form a deep friendship. When Sunflower becomes an orphan, she’s taken in by the poorest family in the village. Her new brother Bronze has been traumatized and doesn’t speak. Despite their shared tragedies, a deep friendship blooms reflecting the power of family. The book concludes with an historical note and author’s note.

Librarians will find this quiet, middle grade book appealing to children who enjoy historical fiction, Asian literature, and stories of friendship set in rural settings.

Published by Candlewick on March 14, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: When Friendship Followed Me Home

WHEN FRIENDSHIP FOLLOWED ME HOME by Paul Griffin tells the uplifting story of a foster child experiencing love and loss.

After former foster child Ben adopts a stray dog, he finds himself friends with Halley and they begin writing a book together. Through tragedy and illness, they learn about the enduring power of love and happiness. What makes the story particular compelling is the parallel story written by the two middle grade youth.

Librarians will find this realistic tear-jerker to be filled with opportunities for discussions about the joy and sorrow of friendship and family. Griffin’s honest portrayal of nontraditional families, the pain of loss, and the power of hope will have a profound impact on young readers. The service dog sub-theme will be a hit with dog lovers.

Look for this title on “best of 2016” lists.

To learn more about the author, go to http://paulgriffinstories.com/.

Published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group on June 7, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Are We There Yet?

ARE WE THERE YET? by Dan Santat is an inventive picture book that explores the age old question “are we there yet?”.

When a young boy becomes bored on a long road trip to his grandmother’s birthday party, he imagines that time goes so slow that it begin flowing backwards. Along the way he sees pirates, knights, camels, and even dinosaurs. However, soon the story shifts to the future.

Careful readers will spot QR codes that can be read by electronic devices. These codes lead to secret messages. Young readers will also notice small things like the way the parent’s clothing changes and his dad’s beard grows as time flies. Children will also enjoy the play on the word “present” at the end of the story.

Librarians will find that the illustrator’s use of upside down pages will be a hit with children. Buy multiple copies of this book because it will fly off the shelves.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.dantat.com/

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint go Hachette. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Mystery of Hollow Places

THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES by Rebecca Podos is a sophisticated and engaging mystery exploring issues of family and identity.

Imogene learned about sleuthing from her father who writes medical mysteries. With her father suddenly missing, Imogene searches to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby in the hopes of finding answers. Along the way, she learns family secrets that help piece together her family’s past.

The author’s realistic approach to the teen’s investigation and interesting twists and turns along the way will drawn readers into the story. It’s rare to find a high-quality psychological mystery that deals with authentic issues such as mental illness and depression.

Librarians will find this young adult mystery appeals to youth who enjoy realistic, contemporary fiction and intriguing investigations.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.rebeccapodos.com/.

Published by Balzer & Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins on January 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.