Kids

Get ready for the BIGGEST FunJungle yet!

Whale Done by Stuart Gibbs (FunJungle #8 - 02/21/23)
After an escaped kangaroo starts a fire that burns down his house, Teddy Fitzroy accepts an invitation to go to Malibu with his girlfriend, Summer, and her mother, Kandace. He’s hoping to spend some time relaxing on the beach, but wherever Teddy goes, trouble isn’t far behind.  First, a massive dead whale has washed up on the beach—and before anyone can determine what killed it, it explodes. Doc, the head vet from FunJungle, suspects something fishy is going on and ropes Teddy and Summer into helping him investigate.  Then, Teddy stumbles upon yet another mystery involving tons of stolen sand. And the paparazzi start spreading rumors about Summer dating a celebrity, leading Teddy to question their relationship.  Without Summer as his trusted partner, can Teddy navigate the rough waters of this glitzy world and uncover what’s going on?

The author The Ice Cream Machine returns with another hilarious, irresistible collection of six totally different stories with the same exact name!  Read an excerpt on the publisher's website.

InvestiGators fans, rejoice! Get ready to dive into the first volume of AGENTS OF S.U.I.T., featuring the weird and wacky co-workers of everyone's favorite sewer-sleuthing super-agents, Mango and Brash!

Agents of S.U.I.T. by John Patrick Green with Christopher Hastings & Pat Lewis (02/21/23)
At S.U.I.T. headquarters, Cilantro the Chameleon finally gets what she’s been waiting for: a field assignment. Only…it’s literally out in the middle of a field, and her orders are so vague, she can hardly tell what she’s supposed to be investigating. But as she begins to uncover a sheep-led worker’s rights revolt and an alien invasion conspiracy—not to mention a spooky haunting at the abandoned S.U.I.T. field outpost—Cilantro steps into her own V.E.S.T. as a valued member of the S.U.I.T. team.

Get a sneak peek at the publisher's website.

It's a bird!  It's a plane!  It's a . . . pancake?!

Super Pancake by Megan Wagner Lloyd (02/14/23)
Life in Breakfast Town is pretty uneventful for Peggy Pancake. Her parents are always on her case, she’s stuck in her perfect brother’s shadow, and she just can’t seem to avoid the Bacon Bullies at school. That is until one day, after an accidental mixup, Peggy finds herself with superhero abilities. . . . Now Peggy can flip! She can fight! She can FLY!  With the help of her new friend, Luc Croissant, Peggy must master her newfound skills. But danger is lurking in the Maple Mountains, where the evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich and his wicked Henchtoasts are plotting something sinister. Can Peggy harness her powers and save all that is dear? Find out in this graphic novel!

An empowering and big-hearted sequel to From the Desk of Zoe Washington!

On Air with Zoe Washington by Janae Marks (02/14/23)
Two years ago, Zoe Washington helped clear Marcus’ name for a crime he didn’t commit. Now her birth father has finally been released from prison and to an outpouring of community support, so everything should be perfect.  When Marcus reveals his dream of opening his own restaurant, Zoe becomes determined to help him achieve it—with her as his pastry chef of course. However, starting a new place is much more difficult than it looks, and Marcus is having a harder time re-entering society than anyone expected.  Set on finding a solution, Zoe starts a podcast to bring light to the exonerees’ experiences and fundraise for their restaurant. After all, Zoe knows full well the power of using her voice. But with waning public interest in their story, will anyone still be listening?

I know that today is Valentine's Day.  But, guess what?  It is also Extraterrestrial Visitor Day.  And I would much rather blog about that!  Especially since I have the perfect book to recommend.

Crash from Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell by Candace Fleming (10/04/22)
In 1947, during the early years of the Cold War, a field in Roswell, New Mexico was disturbed by a strange crash and smattering of debris. Some say the bodies of extraterrestrial beings were strewn across the ground, that a UFO had crashed there, and that the government was covering up the evidence in a massive conspiracy.

But what really happened at Roswell?

Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry transports readers to an Iron Age world through the suspenseful dual narrative of a boy and girl both battling to survive.

The Windeby Puzzle (02/14/23)
Estrild is not like the other girls in her village; she wants to be a warrior. Varick, the orphan boy who helps her train in spite of his twisted back, also stands apart. In a world where differences are poorly tolerated, just how much danger are they in?

Inspired by the true discovery of the 2,000-year-old Windeby bog body in Northern Germany.  Read the New York Times review!

Did you know that February is Bird Feeding Month?  Well, now you do.  Do you know the best ways to feed the birds?  Here are some books to help you.

Backyard Birding for Kids: An Introduction to Ornithology, Field Guide, Projects, and More! by Erika Zambello (2022)
How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids by Chris Earley (2022)
Birding Adventures for Kids: Activities and Ideas for Watching , Feeding, and Housing Our Feathered Friends by Elissa Wolfson (2020)

Artist and art educator extraordinaire, Mr. P, is coming back to Hoover Public Library.  He will be leading two programs about the way quilting has preserved Black culture throughout history.  This exploration will include an interactive art project.  Registration is required, so choose the program that is right for you!  (Please note that the times and age ranges are a bit different from previous elementary programs.)  Click on the event to sign up online.  You can also call 205-444-7830.

Black History Art with Mr. P!
Grades 1-2
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Registration is now open.

Black History Art with Mr. P!
Grades 3-4
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Registration opens on 02/14.

Delight in the world of Animal Crossing while visiting our very own library island!  Swing by the Kid Zone for Animal Crossings: Library Edition on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. for activities and crafts.  Take part in a Fossil Dig with the help of Blathers the owl.  Use a fishing rod to Go Fish for a special treat.  Practice your aim at a Fruit Tree Toss.  Help Gulliver the seagull find his treasure in our Gulliver's Travels Scavenger Hunt.  Take a pic at several Photo Ops with the Islanders throughout the department.  Create a beautiful flower with the Paper Tulip Craft and a wiggly friend with the Caterpillar Craft.  Do you need a reservation to travel to our island?  No.  Just follow the stars to fun!