Booktalk: Meet Sparky. This adorable Dalmation puppy–who’s celebrating his SIXTIETH birthday–is an important member of the team at the fire station. But he’s more than just a cute character in a book: Sparky is the official spokesdog for the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), and what he has to say can actually save lives.
Sparky the fire dog takes a group of young animals through the neighborhood, pointing out hazards, giving basic fire prevention and safety tips, and showing them how to be prepared in case of an emergency. From having a working smoke alarm to being careful with candles and knowing where your exits are, Sparky’s advice may be the most important thing children–and their parents–ever learn.
Snippet: Roger knocks on Mrs. Sheep,s front door.
“Helloo, I’m out baaaack,” a voice calls,
“It’s Sparky and the Junior Inspectors.
We’re here to inspect your smoke alarms.”
BONUS! Watch the video and see how Sparky has changed over the years!
Ladder to the Moon
by Maya Soetoro-Ng (Author) and Yuyi Morales (Illustrator)
Booktalk: A little girl climbs a golden ladder to visit her late Gramdmother on the moon…
Snippet: One cool new evening,
Suhaila asked her mama,
“What was Grandma Annie like?”
She was like the moon,” her mother replied.
“Full, soft, and curious.
Your grandma would wrap her arms
around the whole world if she could.”
Booktalk: Life’s pretty good for the monkeys on Monkey Island, but one of the monkeys wants more. He doesn’t want to do any work at all…
Snippet:“Good is okay,” said Oswego Pete. “But if I become Chief Monkey, I will lead us to the Easy Life, where a monkey don’t have to work hard for nothing. All we have to do is lay back and relax!”
The Little Red Pen
by Susan Stevens Crummel (Author) and Janet Stevens (Author, Illustrator)
Booktalk: An fun comic book style retelling of the Little Red Hen, as a Little Red Pen. She’s not baking a cake, she’s correcting homework… and the deadbeats are the other office supplies in the teacher’s desk.
Snippet:Where are my helpers?
Stapler, Scissors, Pencil
Eraser, Pushpin, Highlighter!
Are you hiding in the drawer?
Get up here now! Let’s get to work.
Booktalk: Alberto loved floating over Paris in his personal flying machine called a dirigible. He would tie it to a post, climb down, and spend the day shopping or meeting friends for coffee. But he wanted to make his invention even better.
Snippet:A crowd gathered around, excited to see the handsome Brazilian in person. “One day you’ll all have a flying machine!” he called out.
Booktalk: Animals fight for many reasons–to protect territories, offspring, and mates, and sometimes just to warn against bad behavior–and in many different ways in this poetry collection.
Snippet: Charge! Rhinos are massive and lumpy
And really most horribly grumpy
