By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
2019 was a momentous year for outstanding children’s books! Here are some of the titles that are flying off the shelves throughout the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
The Very Impatient Caterpillar: Am I a Butterfly Yet? by Ross Burach
This small green caterpillar is ready to go! When he learns about metamorphosis from his fellow caterpillars, he is anxious to join the fun. Unfortunately, he is equally anxious to be finished with the chrysalis! Will he endure to truly become a butterfly? Adults and young readers alike are sure to have their patience tested in the most humorous way possible alongside the caterpillar. Will the caterpillar’s incessant interrogations be worth the wait?
This title is a nominee for the 2020 North Carolina Children’s Book Award! See all the nominated titles here.
A Piglet Named Mercy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Deckawoo Drive was an ordinary, predictable street with ordinary, predictable residents – until a lost piglet found her way to the Watsons’ front porch. With assistance from next-door neighbor Baby Lincoln and despite the objections of Baby’s sister Eugenia, the Watsons welcome Mercy and discover that she is truly a “porcine wonder.” Chris Van Dusen’s vibrant illustrations are anything but ordinary as they breathe life into the beginnings of the adventures on Deckawoo Drive. This prequel to the outstanding Mercy Watson chapter books is sure to please Mercy aficionados and newcomers to the series.
Snakes on a Train by Kathryn Dennis
Grown-up fans of Samuel L. Jackson’s films may be slightly taken aback by the title of this delightfully simple picture book, but that is the only resemblance the book shares with the similarly-named movie about ophidians in aviation. Instead, these snakes are riding the rails! The only hissing here is “the sound of the train.” Onomatopoeia and alliteration liven up the text, and bold, digital illustrations invite discussion of colors. “Trouble on the track” can even lead to a fun game of seek-and-find within the train. Snuggle up with this fun tribute to snakes!
Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox
The back cover reveals the premise of this funny picture book: “On Friday, Llama will destroy the world.” Let’s start earlier in the week. On Monday, Llama finds and eats all the cake. An unfortunate consequence of eating all the cake is that when Llama wants to wear the dancing pants, the dancing pants are too snug. When Llama dances in the too-snug dancing pants, they rip, and the rip has galactic repercussions. Preschool readers will love learning the days of the week, and early elementary readers will enjoy the random asides, and the rip-roaring good time the llama has!
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Raina is a worrier. A bout with a nasty virus gives Raina serious anxiety about ever throwing up again. Germs and vomiting are all around! Poor Raina’s gastro-intestinal system can’t seem to give her a break, on top of everything she is already worried about. Will Raina learn to live with her “Guts?” This gentle examination of anxiety infuses humor (some gross-out!) into difficult situations. Middle-grade readers are sure to enjoy Telgemeier’s newest graphic memoir!
