Aunt Nancy and the Bothersome Visitors

Collected in one volume are four trickster tales by Phyllis Root with illustrations by David Parkins. 1) Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble, previously published in 1996 and winner of the Minnesota Book Award in 1997. 2) Aunt Nancy and Cousin Lazybones, previously published in 1996, and two new stories, 3) Aunt Nancy and Old Woeful, and 4) Aunt Nancy and Mr. Death. All of the unwanted visitors to Aunt Nancy's house try her patience completely; but somehow she manages to outsmart every one of her guests.

You're a Bear

This is a delightful story told in rhyming text, about a little girl who entertains herself before bedtime by pretending to be a bear. Under a furry coat, she prowls through the house; hunting for food, fishing in the bathtub, and finally drifting off to sleep holding her stuffed bear. The story is by Mavis Jukes, but the illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher make it really special. Each left page features a real bear, and each right page shows the girl imitating bear movements. It's ver imaginative.

In Search of Mockingbird

Erin's favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, her father gives Erin her long-dead mother's diary. She too loved this book. Erin has a variety of problems at home and school. Her father has announced his plans to remarry. Her brothers are obnoxious and she has only one close friend at school, but she enjoys writing. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, she decides to buy a bus ticket to Alabama, to find and meet Miss Lee, and to share her stories with Miss Lee. Written by Loretta Ellsworth, this might be a companion book for high school girls when they read ...Mockingbird.

Timothy Cox Will Not Change His Socks

Young Timothy Cox has decided he will not change his socks for a whole month. Despite the pleading of his parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, even the sheriff and fire department, Timothy stays true to his word; but the town may never be the same. Written by Robert Kinerk, with wonderful watercolor illustrations by Minnesota's Stephen Gammell, this is a fun rhyming story to share.

The Burger and the Hot Dog

Food is the subject of this collection of humorous poems by Jim Aylesworth. Young readers will find all their favorite foods rhymed here - burgers, hot dogs, cookies, several fruits, and ice cream, among others. The mixed media illustrations (including coffee) by Stephen Gammell add to the fun.

Knitting Nell

This is the story of Nell, a quiet girl who loves to knit. She knits all the time! She knits blankets, and socks and hats and scarves and mittens to give away to people in need. Eventually, she knits a beautiful sweater for herself, which she enters in the county fair. At the fair, Nell is honored in more ways than one. This is a good story to illustrate the importance of sharing and giving to others. It is a first picture book by Minnesotan Julie Jersild Roth.

Getting Used to the Dark

The first published collection of poems by Susan Marie Swanson, this book focuses on images of the night. Dreams, worries, wishes, spiders, flowers, deer, stars, and more - they're all here. Black and white illustrations by Peter Catalanotto add to the imagery. It might add to a storytelling session of scary stories.

An American Safari; Adventures on the North American Prairie

Jim Brandenburg is a well-known nature photographer from Minnesota. In this book, he mixes photos of plants and animals found on the prairie lands of North America with an account of how he became a photographer. It's a good resource on prairie ecology for science students, has excellent photos of plants and animals, and provides some interesting insight on wildlife photography.

Worksong

This simple rhyming story by Gary Paulsen shows people in many kinds of jobs and work situations. The oil painting illustrations by Ruth Wright Paulsen add strength to the story. It might be used to support an elementary unit on occupations or community helpers.

Minnesota's Capitol; A Centennial Story

This book describes the construction and history of the Minnesota state capitol building. It was published in 2005 to honor the centennial of the building. It also includes information about the artwork in the capitol and on the ground. Written by Leigh Roethke and illustrated with historical and modern pictures, it is a valuable resource for classes studying Minnesota history. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2006.

Romeo and Lou Blast Off

Romeo, the penguin and Leo, the white bear are 'polar' opposites; but they work together well as a team. On a snowy day the build a pretend rocket ship. When a shooting star passes overhead, the pair are carried off on their rocket ship to a strange new land. How will they be able to get home? Written and illustrated by Derek Anderson, this imaginative story will have young readers laughing all the way to the end.

Sleepyhead Bear

A young bear just wants to take a nap on a hot summer day, but he can't because of the noisy pesky bugs who are keeping him awake. What can he do? Growling and roaring don't work, but readers will want to stay and see what finally happens to the sleepyhead star of this story. Written by Lisa Westberg Peters, illustrated by Ian Schoenherr, it's a funny, rhyming story for young children and early readers.

Scruffy; A Wolf Finds His Place in the Pack

This is the story of Scruffy, a yearling arctic wolf on Ellesmere Island. Scruffy is kind of a mess: he's awkward, makes poor decisions, and his fur is always scraggly looking. But he has one skill; he's a good babysitter for his new younger brothers and sisters in the pack. Written by, and illustrated with photos by Jim Brandenburg, this is a nice resource for a unit on wolves.

My Friend, The Starfinder

In a new book from George Ella Lyon, a young girl listens to the tales of her elderly neighbor, who followed a falling star and brought it home. He also suceeded in finding the end of the rainbow. A simple, but wonderful story with spritely watercolor illustrations by Stephen Gammell, it may have honors coming someday.

2009 news: It is a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award.

The Shrouding Woman

Set in frontier Minnesota, this is the story of eleven year old Evie and her family. Her mother has died of consumption and Aunt Flo, her father's sister, joins the family. Aunt Flo is a shrouder, someone who prepares the dead for burial, an activity that repels Evie at first, but eventually her curiosity takes over and she becomes an assistant to Aunt Flo. A first novel for Minnesotan Loretta Ellsworth, this is a sensitive story about a little known aspect of frontier life.

Sister Anne's Hands

A special teacher can have a great impact on a child. This is the story of Sister Anne, a black nun sent to teach second grade at Anna's scchool in the early 1960's. A mildly racist event occurs, which Sr. Anne turns into a teaching moment, and Anna's life is never quite the same. Written by Marybeth Lorbiecki, illustrated by K. Wendy Popp, this is a gentle story with a valuable message.

Painting the Dakota: Seth Eastman at Fort Snelling

Students who are learning about early Minnesota history will find primary source material in the paintings of Seth Eastman. This book describes Eastman's life as an officer at Fort Snelling (he had several tours of duty there); and it also describes the lives of the Dakota indians in pre-territorial Minnesota. Reproductions of about 40 of Eastman's watercolors and paintings are included, and Eastman is credited with a high degree of accuracy in his portrayal of indian life. The book was written by Marybeth Lorbiecki. Additional resources can be found on the TPT website that accompanied the PBS documentary about Eastman at www.pbs.org/ktca/setheastman.

Canoe Days

Word pictures by Gary Paulsen, and paintings by Ruth Wright Paulsen describe a gentle ride in a canoe on a northern lake. The peacefulness, the animals of all kinds, and the pleasure of a day when everything is in harmony are all wonderfully described here. It's perfect for a quiet summer day!

North Star Numbers: A Minnesota Number Book

This book is a lot of things: a counting book about Minnesota, a book about the plants, animals and symbols of the state, and a look at several important historical events in the state's history. Readers will be able to count by ones and tens as they work their way through the book. Sidebars provide more information about the feature on each page. Written by Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrated by Laurie Caple, this is a nice introduction to the state for young readers.

The Windigo's Return

When members of an Ojibwe village begin to disappear, the elders believe that a Windigo (a shape-shifting giant) is to blame. But they cannot find a plan for ridding the viallage of this Windigo until a young girl suggests an idea. Not only does her plan work, but the story also provides an explanation for why mosquitos bite. Written by Douglas Wood, with acrylic illustrations by Greg Couch, this story could be the basis for a good campfire story in the summer.

Four to the Pole

Ann Bancroft has become famous in Minnesota and around the world for her work as an explorer of the North and South pole regions. This book tells the story of the American Women's Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1992-1993. Ann led an expedition of four women in an effort to traverse the continent on skis. The effort fell short, but became the first overland expedition to reach the Pole by women. Told in diary excerpts, letters, radio dispatches, as well as narrative by author Nancy Loewen, it was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2002. Now we just have to wait for the book about the 2001 expedition with Liv Arnesen where Ann did complete a trip across the continent.

Sam Who Was Swallowed By a Shark

Sam is a river rat who dreams of the sea. His practical neighbors remind him that he should be tending his garden and mending his fence. But Sam wants to go to sea, so he builds a seaworthy boat and sails away. While his neighbors worry about what happened to him, Sam happily sails across the "wild green waves". Written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1995.

My Many Colored Days

It's amazing, a Dr. Seuss book with a Minnesota connection! Indeed, the illustrations for this book were done by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. This simple rhyming story describes each day in terms of a particular color, which is also associated with a specific emotion. This was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1997.

Runt; A Novel

Runt is the smallest in a litter of wolves born in northern Minnesota. The pups join their father, mother, two yearlings, and an adult male named Bider, who has been forced out of another pack. Each littermate seems to have a destined role, except for Runt. Although he tries hard to keep up with his brothers and sisters, he also frequently makes mistakes that get him into trouble. This story could be used as a companion to Julie of the Wolves, or as part of a science or animal unit on wolves. It won the Maud Hart Lovelace award in 2006.

Little Crow: Leader of the Dakota

This is a biography of Little Crow, the Dakota leader in early Minnesota history, who watched his way of life disappear as white people settled on the land; who negotiated treaties with the U.S. Government; and who eventually led an uprising in 1862 in which many settlers were killed. Thoroughly researched and documented, this book by Gwenyth Swain, is a useful resource for Minnesota history classes.

Humble Pie

Set in medieval times, this story introduces readers to Theo, a completely spoiled rotten, lazy, selfish little boy. Finally one day, when Theo has eaten his baby brother's birthday cake, his grandmother bakes a huge humble pie, and with a magic rhyme pops Theo inside. And getting out is not easy! Author Jennifer Donnelly combines medieval fable and modern wit with wonderful illustrations by Minnesota's Stephen Gammell to make this a winner.

Celebration!

The Fourth of July is upon us, and here is the perfect book.
It's the Fourth of July, and Maggie can't wait for the family picnic in her backyard. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and her special Granny all bring their favorite foods. Frisbees, jump rope, hula hoops, and squirt guns keep the kids occupied. Written by Jane Resh Thomas, illustrated by Raul Colo'n, it's a story to be enjoyed by all families. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1998.