Virtual School Library Bookshelf

Virtual School Library | Supporting Literacy & Inquiry-Based Learning

Books that promote libraries and the joy of reading may be found on this page along with the most interesting new children's books.

Good Dog!: Kids Teach Kids About Dog Behavior and Training. By Evelyn Pang and Hilary Louie. Dogwise Publishing, 2008. 88 pages. Both kids and adults will learn a great deal from this book. The accomplished young authors began their careers by participating in a shelter dog training program that helps homeless dogs become more adoptable. The concise three chapter book focuses on how to be safe around dogs, how to enjoy dogs, and clicker training. A glossary is included where you will find definitions for jargon such as "bite inhibition" and "calming signals." This highly acclaimed dog training manual will definitely be a hit with kids. Interest level: ages 8-14. (paperback)

Bats at the Library. Written and illustrated by Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008. 32 pages. One evening, bats sneak into their favorite place - the library, where they enjoy pop-up books, the water fountain and most of all - story time. A very cute rhyming tribute to libraries. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey. Written and illustrated by James Rumford. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008. 40 pages. Captured when he was just four months old, Chee-Lin struggles through a sad and lonely existence thereafter. This richly illustrated book is based on a real giraffe kept in captivity many centuries ago in China. Historical fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 2-6.

The Shelter Dog. Written and illustrated by Christine Davis. Lighthearted Press, 2008. Hero, an angel dog wants to go to earth to experience the joy of adoption. And so he is sent to a shelter where he waits to be adopted, but nobody wants him. Hero's heart is broken and his time is up. But just in the nick of time, a special woman takes him home. A poignant story that will help many loving animals waiting in animal shelters find their forever families. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-adult.

Here, There and Everywhere: The Story of Sreeeeeeeet the Lorikeet. Written by Mira Tweti and illustrated by Lisa Brady. With a foreward by Jane Goodall. Parrot Press, 2008. 47 pages. A young Lorikeet is snatched away from his family and brought to America where he is sold in a pet shop. The Lorikeet's guardians, a boy and his parents, soon realize the bird does not belong in captivity. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2 and up.

No Hugs. Written and illustrated by Julie Downing. Clarion Books, 2008. 40 pages. When Felix gets a quiet time for misbehaving, he declares he will give no hugs until Saturday. The problem is Felix misses the hugs too. An appealing book that both adults and young children will relate to. The story was inspired by an actual incident where two children went on a hug strike. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades Pre S- 1.

A Home for Dakota. Written by Jan Zita Grover and illustrated by Nancy Lane. Gryphon House, 2008. 24 pages. Based on actual events and told in the rescued dog’s voice, Dakota, learns how to love and trust humans despite her tragic beginning at a puppy mill. This timely and empathy-provoking story about an endearing dog will bring greater awareness to an important issue. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Our Library. Written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Maggie Smith. Clarion Books, 2008. 32 pages. In this delightful book, Raccoon and his resourceful forest friends save their library through research ~ "There's nothing you can't learn to do when you have books." Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Journey to Gameland. Written by Ben Buchanan and illustrated by Susan Allison. Lantern Books, 2001. 112 pages. Have you just read a great book that you'd love to share with friends? Journey to Gameland presents a unique way to share a great story ~ create a board game for your favorite book. Nonfiction. Interest level: grades 4 and up.

Delilah D at the Library. Written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Rosie Reeve. Clarion Books, 2007. 30 pages. Inspired by everything she reads about at the library, Delilah D's imagination takes over in this adventure celebrating the wonder of libraries. A great read aloud to begin a library etiquette lesson with. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K- 2.

Puddles On The Floor. Written by Lorena Estep and illustrated by Dogs Deserve Better founder and humane hero Tammy Grimes. Published by Crescent Renewal Resource, 2008. A sweet little beagle pup leads a tough, lonely life, chained to a doghouse, until he is rescued and placed with a loving family. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2-6. (paperback).

It's Raining Cats and Cats! Written by Jeanne Prevost and illustrated by Amelia Hansen. Gryphon Press, 2008.24 pages. Provides an essential lesson in an engaging way about the importance of sterilizing cats. A great Humane Education teaching tool. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 2-4.