“Looking at this early chapter book, you know it’s probably going to be about a kid playing hockey. But it’s really about the attitude and perseverance of Kitoo, an orphan in Kenya, and the loving support he has from all the people in his life. His struggles are presented with acceptance and a calm tone and softened with his trademark positive thinking. A heartwarming read!” – DG Library Staff

Kitoo and Nigosi, two friends living in a Kenyan orphanage, discover ice hockey and totally love it. Well, love reading about it. Kitoo is pretty sure that it’s too hot for there to be any ice. One day, while helping out the adults who care for them, Kitoo finds a busted old pair of rollerblades. This surprise opens up a new world, and he starts working towards something he thought would have been impossible.

“This book is a family read-together win. The photos are large and clear enough to catch even a baby’s eye. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy pointing out the different foods they see and can practice identifying facial expressions as well as learn a couple of new vocabulary words for ways they may feel. School-aged kids may be inspired to create (and hopefully eat) their own foodie faces, and adults can sit back and giggle at the clever compositions!” – DG Library Staff

Bill Wurtzel plays with his food, and after the photoshoot, Claire Wurtzel eats it! This book showcases large, clear photos of their breakfast plates turned into faces showing different emotions.

“Elise Gravel’s cute illustration style immediately caught my eye, and the way she presents the information has me hooked! I love insects, bats, and other critters often considered “creepy”. But for younger readers with more average interests, Gravel takes away a whole lot of the gross, and replaces it with funny! The whole series (10 books so far- The Fly, The Slug, The Rat, The Worm, The Spider, Head Lice, The Toad, The Bat, The Cockroach, and The Mosquito) does a great job presenting non-fiction in a fun, and easy to read, way.” – DGPL Staff

Elise Gravel’s Disgusting Critters series is an eye-catchingly cute and very silly non-fiction introduction to a number of gross, sometimes misunderstood, creepy creatures- including rats, spiders, worms, and cockroaches!

“This book made me laugh! It starts out like an old folk tale and somehow veers off into the realm of sci-fi. It’s also probably the sweetest book ever written about a cranky old lady just yelling at everyone to leave her alone.” – DGPL Staff

An exasperated old woman leaves on a quest to find the impossible- a quiet, calm place to sit so she can knit sweaters for all of the children before winter comes. “Leave me alone!” she shouts repeatedly along the way- first at the horde of children, then at bears, at mountain goats, even at little green moon-men!

“This book has unicorns and rainbows, both literally and figuratively. Not only is this book fun and super cute, but it also has a wonderful message about love and acceptance. Just thinking about this book makes me want to read it all over again!” – Van, Adult & Teen Services

An adorable unicorn named Kelp is born to a family of narwhals.