Graphic-Novel-Loving Librarian Blog

Summary: All pet lovers at one point in there life like to think that they will one day be reunited with their favorite pets in heaven.  Well, in this fun and interesting story, we discover a cat that practically wills itself into heaven by befriending an artist.  We initially find the cat being reluctantly adopted by the artist when his maid brings it to the artist's home.  Soon after he decides to keep the cat, the artist is hired by monks for a grand commission, to create a painting of Buddha on his death bed. With such a grand endeavor before him, the artist focuses on his creation by intricately painting various animals to join Buddha in his last days as they visit him.  Throughout his work, the cat becomes an inspiration to the artist and because of the cat's soothing demeanor the artist wants to include the feline into the painting of Buddha. Unfortunately, history has told that the cat was not included in Buddha's heaven because of its pride and aloofness....

  Summary: Have you ever heard of the events on 9/11?  Were you aware that there was once twin buildings that were the tallest in the world in New York City?  Before the events that occurred on 9/11, these twin towers were recognized and celebrated for various reasons.  One such occasion was when a man walked on a tightrope across the two buildings.  Philippe Petit was a New York street performer who enjoyed his craft and who enjoyed challenges.  When he saw the twin towers, he saw his biggest challenge.  He imagined a rope running from one building to the other and with him walking on it.  Philippe created a plan on how he would do it, the type of cable he would need, the time it would take, and the help he would need.  With precise details, he and his comrades ascended the twin towers and connected the strong cable.  This took many hours to prepare and when it was complete, Philippe was then able to walk across the wire and into h...

Summary:   Don't you hate it when a mosquito buzzes in your ear?  Doesn't it annoy you?  Have you ever wondered why it buzzes in peoples ear? Verna Aardema's story gives a West African tale that sheds light into the reasoning.  As the book begins, we find the  mosquito pestering an iguana, so much so that the iguana plugs its ears to block out the mosquito's lies. Unfortunately, the actions of the iguana then effects another animal's actions which then effects another animal and so on, causing a chain of events. The chain of events hurts the owl who fails to rise the sun.  When lion finds out, he gets to the bottom of the matter which exposes the actions of the mosquito.  The mosquito overhears the animals wanting the mosquito to be punished, so it flies away.  So now when the mosquito attempts to talk to someone else in their ear, the mosquito is quickly met with a brush of the hand. Reference: Aardema, V. (1975). Why mosquitoes buzz in peo...

Summary:  Have you ever known someone to raise penguins as a family pet?  Well, in the book, Mr. Popper's Penguins , that's exactly what happens.  Mr. Popper is a house painter who is fascinated by a recent exploration of the North Pole, learning everything he can about the region.  On a whim he decides to write a letter to the explorers in the North Pole asking about penguins.  To his, and everyone's, surprise the explorers not only write back to Mr. Popper but they also send him a package.  When Mr. Popper opens up the package, he discovers that the explorers sent him a penguin.  Even though the Popper family is on limited income, Mr. Popper decides to raise the penguin as the family pet and name their penguin Capt. Cook.  He and his family fix their house to accommodate their new pet and quickly become the talk of the small town.  Not too long afterwards, the Popper family bring in a female penguin to keep their pet company.  Na...

Summary:   Corduroy is a department store teddy bear who searches for a button that he can use on his overalls.  He searches for the button because he thinks that the button will make him complete and attractive to buy.  Earlier a young girl wanted to buy him, but her mother said that they hadn't any more money and besides the bear was missing a button.  Unfortunately, Corduroy is prevented from obtaining a button and finds himself placed back on the toy shelf by the store's overnight security guard.  The next day, Corduroy is excited to see that the girl came back and used her own money to buy Corduroy and was also able to give Corduroy a new button. Reference: Freeman, D. (1976) Corduroy . New York, NY. Puffin Books. Impression: Corduroy is a children's book that touches the heart.  The way Corduroy is drawn by Don Freeman's, with simple yet endearing qualities, helps the reader to remember their own personal teddy bears or favorite stuffed ani...

Summary: Mr. Morris Lessmore loves books and enjoys reading his books whenever possible.  But, as the story begins, he and his books are caught up in a wind storm.  He and his books end up scattered all over the town.  Surprisingly, Mr. Morris soon sees a woman flying in the air with the aid of some flying books.  One of the books she is caring is dropped off with Mr. Morris.   The flying book then takes Mr. Morris to a library filled with animated books flying around inside the building.  The books welcome him into the library and invite him to stay and live with them.  Mr. Morris gladly stays for many years, reading the books, sharing the books with the community, and even writing his own book. When he is finished writing his own book, Mr. Morris knows it is time for him to leave and, so, lets his own book fly away.  As it flies away his book finds a young girl who follows Mr. Morris' book to the library of flying books. Reference: J...