Winter, in my opinion, is a time for snuggling under the covers with a good book (at least until it snows enough to cross-country ski).  This winter I have been disappointed by snow, but not by the books that have crossed my path.  One of my favorite new picture books - Little Dog Lost - just won a Gryphon Award Honor.  This is the riveting story of a dog who is caught on floating sea ice.  It was a joy to share Little Dog Lost at story time this week, where a roomful of children listened with rapt attention to find out what happens next!

Another real-life inspired book that surprised me was The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.  Told from the perspective of an African ape, the sparse language reads like free-verse poetry, highlighting the raw emotion of the story.  What I loved about this book was how it would appeal to kids as well, with its emphasis on animals, injustice, and a heroic girl.

Old favorites can be welcome like a missed friend, so I've enjoyed re-reading A Single Shard and Project Mulberry, both by children's author Linda Sue Park, who will be visiting us here at the library on Friday, February 22.  I  was struck by how Ms. Park was able to create kid characters we can care about, whether they live in modern times or in the twelfth century.  I can't wait to hear her speak!

With Valentine's Day coming up this week, I thought I would end with a sweet book I found called I Haiku You by Betsy E. Snyder.  Snyder's watercolor illustrations perfectly match the compact and evocative haikus she shares about friendship through the course of a day.

What about you?  Have you found some new favorites or re-discovered old favorites this winter? - Elaine B.