Lost Cat, by C. Roger Mader
Slipper the cat is mistakenly left behind in the commotion when the lady she has always lived with moves in with her daughter's family, so Slipper sets out to find someone new to adopt. 

The Cat Who Lost His Purr, by Michele Coxon
Bootle the cat searches inside and outside for his lost purr and only retrieves it when his owners return.

I Like Your Buttons! by Sarah Lamstein
​When a little girl compliments her teacher it starts a chain reaction of goodwill, good deeds, and thoughtfulness throughout the day.

June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month Click for info 

Crafty Connection Create a bracelet made with buttons and pipe cleaners.

Horatio, by Eleanor Clymer
Horatio, the cat, is quite disgruntled when his owner starts to bring other pets into the house. He runs away to get some peace but finds his troubles just beginning.

June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month Click for info 

Crafty Connection Draw Horatio step-by-step from the book cover

My Brother Louis Measures Worms and Other Louis Stories, by Barbara Robinson
Mary Elizabeth relates the humorous misadventures of her brother Louis in this collection of short stories. This week: The Adoption of Albert
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Earthworms, Kevin J. Holmes
An introduction to earthworms' physical characteristics, habits, behavior, and relationships to humans.

Story Extender Can you add coffee grounds to your worm farm?

Crafty Connection Directions to fold a corner bookmark 

At-Home Connection Paint with coffee

Video Kid President explains how to change the world with kindness 

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed, by Emily Pearson
A young girl's good deed is multiplied as it is passed on by those who have been touched by the kindness of others. Reflect how this book connects to Tucky Jo and Little Heart, by Patricia Polacco.

Video Actions have consequences: PBJ machine 

Activity Rock painting tutorial with suggested supplies, step-by-step and simple designs

Goldfish on Vacation, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Three goldfish live in a small bowl, in an apartment building, in the middle of a big city, until one summer they get to go on vacation--in a fountain, with lily pads, and reeds, and other neighborhood goldfish. Based on true events in New York City.

The real Hamilton Fountain in New York City Named after Robert Ray Hamilton (1850-1890), the great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton. He gave the fountain as a place for city horses to have a drink. Located at Riverside Drive and 76th Street.
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Crafty Connection Goldfish coloring sheet
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At-Home Activity Step-by-step video demonstration of how to draw a goldfish in a bowl

Put it on the List, by Kristen Darbyshire
When family members see the consequences of forgetting to write things on the grocery list, they not only do better at keeping the list up-to-date, they also help with the shopping.

The LIttle Red Hen, by Paul Galdone
​In this classic folk tale, four friends live together in a cozy little house. The trouble is, only one of them does any work! The rest of them like to lie around the house all day. Do you think that's fair?
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Video The Little Red Hen, presented by StoryTime at Awnie's House (running time 5:57)

Kitchen Connection Basic vanilla butter cake recipe with coloring sheet

Videos Cuteness overload French bulldogs and toy poodles 

Gaston, by Kelly DiPucchio
A proper bulldog raised in a poodle family and a tough poodle raised in a bulldog family meet one day in the park.

Antoinette, by Kelly DiPucchio
Raised in a family of talented bulldogs, Antoinette the poodle wonders what makes her special. She gets the chance to prove herself and find what she's good at when puppy Ooh-La-La goes missing
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Crafty Connection Color and cut out dog ears to attach to hair with tape

Yoko, by Rosemary Wells
​Yoko's mother packs her a lunch with all her favorite sushi, but the other kids jeer ("Yuck-o-rama!") at the raw fish and green seaweed, and Yoko is devastated. In a well-meaning attempt to foster understanding, the teacher announces they will have an International Day, and everyone will bring in a dish from a foreign country. Will anyone try Yoko's sushi?

Crafty Connection Sushi coloring sheet 
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No Kimchi for Me! by Aram Kim
Yoomi doesn't like the taste of spicy kimchi, but when Grandma makes kimchi pancakes, Yoomi considers changing her mind. 

Kitchen Connection Recipe for Quick Kimchi Pancakes from Bon Appetit 

Background After Japan bombed Pear Harbor, Hawaii, in December 1941, Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942. The order led to the incarceration for the duration of the the war of 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. 

My Dog Teny, by Yoshito Wayne, Osaki
The true story about a boy and his dog and the friendship that they shared during the time of the forced evacuation of Japanese Americans during World War II. Originally published in 2001 as an essay in a collection of short stories by eleven Japanese American writers about their experiences as children and youth during World War II: "From Our Side of the Fence."

Mr. Osaki studied architecture at Berkeley after the War and designed stores, apartments, schools, and churches. In 1988, the U.S. Government apologized to the surviving internees from the camps. It admitted that the internment was due to racial prejudice, wartime paranoia, and poor leadership. The government also acknowledged that no Japanese American was ever found guilty of endangering the U.S. during World War II.

California Young Reader Medal
Winners announced on May 1. Compare the state results with our local voting results.

Screen Time Awareness Week
Jimmy Jet and His TV Set, by Shel Silverstein Poem
Though a child could never actually turn into a TV, or have brains turn to mush from excessive screen time, children who spend too much time with electronic entertainment might not enjoy an imagination such as is gained through exploratory play, pleasure reading, and quiet reflection. Unplug from screen-based entertainment and let your imagination run wild. Find out more at screenfree.org. ​

Children's Book Week
Celebrate with books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and meaningful - books that beg for repeat readings! Find out more.

Screen Time Awareness Week
If..., by Sarah Perry 
Illustrations present such imaginative possibilities as worms with wheels, caterpillar toothpaste, and whales in outer space.​
​Connections 101 Screen Free Activities

Children's Book Week
​The world of Mo Willems is exactly what Children's Book Week is about: books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and meaningful - books that beg for repeat readings!
Crafty Connection Children's Book Week coloring page

That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems
A plump mama goose is invited to dinner by a hungry fox while her babies warn that it is a bad idea.

Screen Time Awareness Week
The Dragon in the Clock Box, by M. Jean Craig
When Joshua says he has a dragon's egg his family plays along. Note: no electronic entertainment is visible and readers can see how family members spend their leisure time.
Connections 101 Screen Free Activities

Children's Book Week
​This book about imagination is exactly what Children's Book Week is about: books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and meaningful - books that beg for repeat readings!
Crafty Connection Children's Book Week coloring page
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What Is Inside This Box? by Drew Daywalt
​Monkey has a box, which he tells Cake has a cat inside, but only when the box is closed; Cake suggests that maybe there is a dinosaur instead.
Crafty Connection Take and make foldable box

Screen Time Awareness Week
Open this Little Book, by Jesse Klausmeier
An imaginative exploration of the art of book making and a charming tale of friendship and the power of books. The special invitation at the end is the perfect lead-in for...
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​Emma Kate, by Patricia Polacco
The best thing to play with is a huge imagination.
Connections 101 Screen Free Activities

Children's Book Week
​This book about honesty is exactly what Children's Book Week is about: books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and meaningful - books that beg for repeat readings!
Crafty Connection Children's Book Week coloring page

Betty Bunny Didn't Do It, by Michael B. Kaplan
When Betty Bunny breaks a lamp, she blames it on the Tooth Fairy. “Is that the honest truth?” her mom asks. “It's an honest lie,” Betty Bunny replies proudly. Honest lies, white lies, crying wolf – how can a little bunny keep track of the right thing to do?

Screen Time Awareness Week
Goodnight iPad, by Ann Droyd
In this parody for the next generation, a family bids goodnight to their electronic gadgets before going to bed. 

When Charlie McButton Lost Power, by Suzanne Collins
A boy who likes nothing but playing computer games is in trouble when the power goes out and his little sister has all of the batteries in the house.
​Connections 101 Screen Free Activities

Children's Book Week
These fairy tales are exactly what Children's Book Week is about: books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and meaningful - books that beg for repeat readings!
Crafty Connection Children's Book Week coloring page

Elements of Fairy Tales Readwritethink.org
Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude, by Kevin O'Malley
Videos Before reading the story, set the mood with We Are Princesses and The Biker.
Cooperatively writing a fairy tale for school, a girl imagines a beautiful princess whose beloved ponies are being stolen by a giant, and a boy conjures up a muscular biker who will guard the last pony in exchange for gold.

Waking Beauty, by Leah Wilcox
​Prince Charming tries all sorts of silly ways to wake Sleeping Beauty before he learns how he is really supposed to wake her up.

Screen Time Awareness Week
If You Give a Mouse an iPhone, by Ann Droyd
In this parody of the Laura Numeroff storiies if you give a bored little mouse an iPhone he's likely to miss out on all the real fun going on around him.
​Connections 101 Screen Free Activities
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Children's Book Week
​The following two stories are exactly what Children's Book Week is about: books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and meaningful - books that beg for repeat readings!
Crafty Connection Children's Book Week coloring page

The Taking Tree, by Shrill Travesty
In this parody of The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, a selfish little boy takes advantage of a long-suffering tree who finally gives him just what he deserves.

Video Click here for The Tree's Revenge, a brief animated parody
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Video Eat It Weird Al Yankovic's music video parody of Michael Jackson's Beat It.

Screen Time Awareness Week
Jimmy Jet and His TV Set, by Shel Silverstein Poem
​Though a child could never actually turn into a TV, or have brains turn to mush from excessive screen time, children who spend too much time with electronic entertainment might not enjoy an imagination such as is gained through exploratory play, pleasure reading, and quiet reflection. Unplug from screen-based entertainment and let your imagination run wild. Find out more at screenfree.org. 
Connections 101 Screen Free Activities
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Children's Book Week
This picture book is exactly what Children's Book Week is about: books that engage readers of all ages - pictures that invite second and third closer looks - stories that are fun and eye-opening - books that beg for repeat readings!

The Very True Legend of the Mongolian Death Worms, by Sandra Fay
A humorous take on the legend of the giant worms that are purported to inhabit the Gobi Desert, much like the notorious Big Foot of the Pacific Northwest. Back matter gives additional information about the legend.

Crafty Connection Children's Book Week coloring page

Video A Tale Dark and Grimm book trailer
A Tale Dark and Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz
Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales as the siblings learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after. We begin this novel today with the introduction and then up to page 5.