March 2025 Books of the Month
Picture Book of the Month: How to Catch a Leprechaun
Synopsis: Read this St. Patrick’s Day-themed book from the How to Catch series, and you will discover the clever leprechaun traps that children build, and how one lucky leprechaun escapes. This book may inspire your child to build their own leprechaun traps!
Why We Love It: The rhymes found within this book are humorous and catchy. The vibrant illustrations will capture the attention and imagination of anyone who reads this book.
Chapter Book of the Month: The World According to Humphrey
Synopsis: The story of a classroom hamster named Humphrey who spends his weekends with various students. During his weekend travels, he learns more about each student and the challenges they face. This book is full of adventures told from Humphrey’s point of view.
Why We Love It: This book teaches compassion, understanding for others, and how to be a true friend.
February 2025 Books of the Month
Picture Book of the Month: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
Synopsis: This story follows a young boy named CJ and his grandmother, Nana, as they ride the bus every Sunday after church to the last stop on Market Street, where they volunteer at a soup kitchen. During their simple bus ride, Nana shares her wisdom about appreciating the beauty in everyday life, even when it may seem mundane or less fortunate. It won the 2016 Newberry Medal, a Coretta Scott Kind Illustrator Honor, and a Caldecott Honor.
Why We Love It: The story highlights themes of finding joy in unexpected places, gratitude, and community.
Chapter Book of the Month: When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Synopsis: This story is centered around Korean folktales told to Lily throughout her childhood by her halmoni. When she, her sister, and her mom move in with halmoni to take care of her while she is sick, a tiger from one of these folktales magically appears. This fantastical arrival incites Lily to learn more about her heritage, which leads to learning and understanding more about her family as a result.
Why We Love It: This Newberry Medal winner will have children on the edge of their seats following Lily’s quest to trap the tiger and figure out its purpose and origins. It’s an interesting look into Korean culture and the experience of being biracial and the daughter of immigrants in the United States. Though sad at times, many children can relate to a special bond with a grandparent as well as the difficulties that come with adolescence.
January 2025 Books of the Month
It all begins with an idea.
Picture Book of the Month
Synopsis: A little boy unknowingly drops his mitten in the snow and woodland animals discover its warmth and crawl into it, each animal bigger than the last. Readers will be laughing when the last animal squeezes in and sneezes. The illustrations of this book are not to be overlooked. On each page, the readers will find the little boy walking along without any idea what is happening inside his lost mitten. The Mitten is a Ukrainian Folktale retold and illustrated by Jan Brett and a must-read for the winter season.
Why We Love It: The Mitten is a cozy story with delightful characters and intricate illustrations.
Chapter Book(s) of the Month
Synopsis: This month we are recommending the entire Spy School series. Stuart Gibbs is a prolific children’s book author with a cache of various chapter book series that all children will love. The Spy School series contains ten tales of adventure that follow Ben Ripley, a middle school student with his eyes set on becoming a CIA agent. Ben is recruited to the CIA’s top-secret Academy of Espionage, where he learns the necessary skills needed to become a spy.
Why We Love It: These fast-paced and clever novels will keep both boys and girls engaged as well as have them laughing out loud. Once they finish they first book, they will be begging to read the rest!
December 2024 Books of the Month
It all begins with an idea.
Picture Book of the Month
Synopsis: Tacky is different from the rest of his penguin friends. He is loud, splashy, and wild. The other penguins are often annoyed by his “tacky” behavior. When poachers arrive at the iceberg hunting for penguins, it may be Tacky’s quirky ways that help save this colony of penguins.
Why We Love It: Tacky the Penguin is a funny, feel-good story that reminds readers the importance of staying true to yourself.
Chapter Book of the Month
Synopsis: The story is about six misfit children who join their town’s Sunday school Christmas pageant. They teach the town the real meaning of Christmas. The Herdman siblings, famous for their mischief, take charge of the pageant, bringing chaos but also a touching understanding of the holiday’s true importance.
Why We Love It: There are some good laughs, some tears, and a reminder of the reason for the season. It’s a shorter book, but its value is inversely related to its size.
November 2024 Books of the Month
It all begins with an idea.
Picture Book of the Month
Synopsis: What does Turkey do when it’s Thanksgiving and he’s the main course? Follow along with Turkey as he disguises himself as the other barnyard animals to hide from the farmer.
Why We Love It: The humor and repetitions of this book will keep kids laughing and engaged. Turkey Trouble is a must-read for little ones during the Thanksgiving season!
Chapter Book of the Month
Synopsis: The Wild Robot tells the tale of Roz, a robot who finds herself stranded on a deserted island after the cargo ship she was being transported on sinks in a hurricane. The rest of the robot cargo is lost, leaving Roz as the only survivor. Accidentally activated by inquisitive otters, Roz comes to life only to realize she has no assigned duties. With newfound freedom, she sets out to explore the island and learn the ways of survival.
Why We Love It: We loved reading this book as a family before bedtime. It’s an interesting juxtaposition of technology and nature that profoundly explores the concept of free will. Also, the chapters are short, and it has an endearing cast of characters with a beautiful lesson about the power of friendship.
October 2024 Books of the Month
It all begins with an idea.
Picture Book of the Month
Synopsis: A story of a young rabbit named Jasper who finds a purple crayon. When the purple crayon starts acting creepy, Jasper must find a way to get rid of it!
Why We Love It: The kid-friendly spookiness makes it a fun a read for Halloween. It also conveys the theme that making the right choice is not always the easy one.
Chapter Book of the Month
Synopsis: Ivan, a silverback gorilla, is the sole gorilla residing in a shopping mall. Fortunately, he has companions: an elephant, a dog, and a young girl. His pastimes include watching television and painting. However, it is the arrival of a baby elephant that propels Ivan into action, confronting his past.
Why We Love It: The fictional character of Ivan was inspired by an actual gorilla who experienced a comparable solitary existence in a circus-themed mall. It is Applegate’s creative rendition of Ivan’s backstory and his interactions with the animals he befriends that truly animate this story.