Win it Wednesday: On the Go Awesome

 Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Sunday. Winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

  On the Go Awesome 

By Lisl H. Detlefsen

It's fun to watch trains, planes, excavators, and other things that go.

It's even more fun to climb aboard.

But most fun of all? Being the driver!

Here's a zippy read aloud that allows kids to imagine themselves as the driver of everyday vehicles like a train, to the most extraordinary of all, a rocket ship.

Congratulations Rory N., you are our Win it Wednesday winner!

Win it Wednesday: Strongheart Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen

 Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Sunday. Winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

 Strongheart Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen 

by Candace Fleming

This is a heavily illustrated middle-grade novel about a canine movie star of the 1920s, dramatically told in both words and pictures by an acclaimed author and a Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator.

When movie director Larry Trimble finds Etzel, a fierce, highly trained three-year-old German shepherd police dog, Larry sees past the snarls and growls and brings Etzel back to Hollywood, where he is renamed Strongheart. Larry grooms his protégé to be a star of the silver screen--and he succeeds, starting with Strongheart's first film, .

Touching, charming, playful, and based on real events, this moving tale by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann tells all about "the wonder dog" who took America by storm.

A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF 2018

Congratulations Sterling W. you are our Win it Wednesday Winner!

Win it Wednesday: Hope is a Thing with Feathers

 Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Sunday. Winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

  Hope is the Thing with Feathers

by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson’s beloved poem is beautifully brought to life by bestselling artist Tim Hopgood in this beautiful picture book that champions poetry and shows that, even in the darkest times, there is always hope.

In Hope is the Thing with Feathers, readers follow the story of a little bird who brings joy to everyone through his song. When a storm hits, the little bird’s song is diminished, but he never gives up, and when the storm passes he is there to give joy again as people rebuild.

Congratulations Karina you are our Win it Wednesday Winner!

Read Across America: May- Focus on Family

       

Every Month, NEA's Read Across America highlights books for young readers that explore a topic related to diversity and inclusion.

The theme for May is Focus on Family. Explore ideas about home and creating a sense of belonging.

Here are the recommended books for the month. Find discussion questions and more resources on their website.

Elementary: The Train Home

by Dan-ah Kim

Middle Grade: The Lost Ryū

by Emi Watanabe Cohen

Young Adult: Well, That Was Unexpected

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Win it Wednesday: Banjo

 Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Sunday. Winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

  Banjo

by Graham Salisbury

     

Danny Mack is a rising rodeo star in rural Oregon. He lives on a ranch with his older brother, their dad, and his faithful border collie, Banjo.  Late one night, Danny is awakened by gunshots. Banjo has been wounded. The neighbors claim he was going after their livestock, which gives them the right to shoot the dog or have him put down. Dad reluctantly agrees. They must obey the law. Danny knows Banjo is innocent, and comes up with a desperate plan to save him--but something goes terribly wrong.

 Congratulations Jayda H., you are our Win it Wednesday Winner! 

Win it Wednesday: Mr. Pig's Big Wall

 Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Sunday. Winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

Mr. Pig's Big Wall

by Glenn Hernandez

Hog works hard as a bricklayer during the day, and when he comes home from work all he wants to do is tend to his garden. But his little neighbor, Tortoise, desperately wants to play with him! She pesters and prods him until Hog finally becomes fed up...and begins to build an enormous wall around his entire house. But soon, the wall is so high that it blocks the sun from his beloved garden, and the things he loves most begin to wilt and die. When will Hog learn that putting up walls does more harm than good?

Congratulations Dylan O., you are our Win it Wednesday Winner! 

Celebrating Our Favorite Canines in Children's Literature

Calling all dog lovers! With National Hug Your Dog Day on April 10th, what better way to celebrate than by curling up with a good book and a furry friend (real or fictional!)? Children's literature is brimming with unforgettable canine companions who have captured our hearts. Today, we are honoring some of these iconic pups!

Toto (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) - Age Range: 6-10 Years Old

Dorothy's loyal little terrier, Toto, embarks on a whirlwind adventure to the magical Land of Oz alongside his beloved owner. Toto's bravery and unwavering companionship make him a cherished character for young readers. Written in 1900

Buck (The Call of the Wild) - Age Range: 10-14 Years Old

Jack London's classic tale follows Buck, a stolen St. Bernard, as he is thrust into the harsh world of the Alaskan gold rush. Buck's transformation from pampered pet to powerful sled dog is a thrilling story of survival and loyalty.

Winn-Dixie (Because of Winn-Dixie) - Age Range: 8-12 Years Old

Ten-year-old Opal rescues a stray dog, Winn-Dixie, from the supermarket. Winn-Dixie, a silly and lovable mutt, brings joy and unexpected friendships into Opal's lonely life. This heartwarming story celebrates the power of connection and the unconditional love of dogs.

Old Yeller (Old Yeller) - Age Range: 10 and Up

Set in post-Civil War Texas, Old Yeller is a stray “dingy” yellow dog who befriends a young boy named Travis. Their bond deepens as they face wild animals, frontier dangers, and the difficult realities of life on the ranch. A 1957 Newbery Honor Book.

Clifford the Big Red Dog (Clifford the Big Red Dog series) - Age Range: 2-7 Years Old

Everyone's favorite giant red pup, Clifford, brings chaos and endless fun to the life of his little human Emily Elizabeth. This series of picture books is a delightful exploration of friendship, responsibility, and the joy of having a larger-than-life canine companion.  There are over 80 Clifford titles to read.

Ribsy (Ribsy series) - Age Range: 4-8 Years Old

Ribsy, a rambunctious and mischievous mutt, takes readers on a series of humorous adventures. From getting lost to making a game-winning tackle, Ribsy's antics are sure to bring giggles to young readers. The sixth book in the Henry Huggins series.

Gloria (Officer Buckle and Gloria) - Age Range: 4-8 Years Old

This picture book features the unlikely partnership between a nervous police officer and a confident police dog named Gloria. Gloria helps Officer Buckle teach valuable lessons about safety and the importance of following the rules... most of the time! Winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1996.

Nana (Peter Pan) - Age Range: 6-10 Years Old

This classic story begins with the three Darling children being taken care of be a nurse. Except this nurse is no ordinary nurse but a four-legged canine named Nana. She was originally written as a Newfoundland breed but in the Disney version Nana is a St. Bernard.