Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

Book reviews and other fun for kids and caregivers, by Library Staff

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Peter Brown’s foray into middle-grade literature, The Wild Robot is a heartwarming story about a robot stranded on an island only populated by animals. Our heroine, the robot Roz, must learn how to survive on the island and how to coexist with the variety of animals who already inhabit the island. Roz is programmed to learn and adapt to her surroundings and eventually she learns how to communicate with the animals. After disguising herself as a bush, a boulder, or flower patch, and eventually earns their trust. Roz also has to learn how to be a parent after an unfortunate accident. The novel traces this growth and how Roz and the animals are able to work together and overcome challenges that none of them could have completed alone. This story touches on collaboration, compassion, creativity, and some of the deepest, and best, parts of human (and animal) nature.

Posted by Sam O. on December 13, 2016
The Wild Robot
Adventure
Animals
Children's
Friendship
Survival
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

The Journey by Francesca Sanna

The Journey by Francesca Sanna is the culmination of interviews the author collected at a refugee camp and is their combined story. This beautifully illustrated book tells the tale of one family as they are forced to flee their home and travel through forests, wade rivers, clamber over walls, and sail across the sea to find a safe place to live. The illustrations are surreal and mysterious, balancing the reader between both the real and the fantastic. While the illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful, the content is scary, inspiring, heartbreaking, and remains precipitously balanced between hope and fear. Pairing the two in this manner allows Sanna to delve into a difficult topic, without becoming too dark for the young readers it is meant to reach. Overall, Sanna offers no answers, she has merely opened a door, and leaves the floor open for conversation and imagination.

Posted by Sam O. on December 13, 2016
The Journey
Children's
Picture Book
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

Radical Fun Project: More Stop Motion Animation!

stopmotion.jpg

Stop Motion is a magic filming technique that makes inanimate objects look like they are moving all by themselves. All it takes is a simple iPad app and some playdough to make a Stop Motion masterpiece.

Kids at this month's Radical Fun program got creative with playdough and other materials in order to make their own Stop motion animation videos. It's so simple you can even make your own stop motion videos at home! If you've miss out on our previous Stop Motion blog post, click here for instructions on how to create your own Stop Motion animation. 

Check out some of the awesome Stop Motion videos our Radical Fun kids made on November 9th and November 17th!

 

Posted by Alex G. on November 23, 2016
Technology
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

Cast Your Vote!

Vote for your favorite book!Election Day is less than a week away! While you do have to be 18 to be eligible to vote for one of the United States presidential candidates and submit an official ballot on November 8 – there are a number of fun ways to involve kids in the election process. Tops on the list is stopping into the children’s section of the Main Library and picking up a ballot for “President of the Library.” We have two candidates: Pigeon – as in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Willems. And Pete the Cat – as in Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin.

Posted by Lisa C. on November 2, 2016
Children's
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

Spooktacular October Reads for Younger Elementary

Fall is a great time to curl up with a spooky read. These books are just slightly spooky, but have major laughs so they are perfect for younger elementary kids who like to be just a little bit scared.

The Phantom of the Theater (Creepella Von Cacklefur series) by Geronimo Stilton

Mischief is afoot at the Royal Mousetropolitan Theater! World famous opera singer Violetta von Cacklefur is ready to enchant the residents of Mysterious Valley with her one-of-a-kind high notes. But the vengeful phantom of the theater threatens to ruin the show when he steals Violetta’s high notes. Now Creepella and Geronimo must venture through the spooky theater and find the phantom or it’s curtains on Violetta’s career. If you are a fan of Geronimo Stilton and his enchanting friend Creepella von Cacklefur, this spooky mystery is a must-read!

Posted by Alex G. on October 17, 2016
Halloween
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

Spooktacular October Reads for Older Elementary

The cool, crisp autumn air usually means one thing to us book lovers: it’s time to curl up with a spooky read. Here are some great, spine-tingling upper elementary reads to get you through the month.

 

 

The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co., Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud

 

Fifty years ago, ghosts, poltergeists, and spirits of all manner started popping up all over England. This was only the start of the Problem. As it turns out, talented young people with psychic sensitivities were the only ones capable of detecting these spirits and keeping them in check.

 

Posted by Alex G. on October 10, 2016
Halloween
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think

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