Spinebenders: New books

NEW FOR CHILDREN:

BOOK, BOOK, BOOK: Deborah Bruss/Tiphanie Beeke, illus: Scholastic, 2001: Children's picture book: unpaged: preschool and up

Summary : Animals on the farm are down-and-out bored. Nothing to do— the kids are back in school. At the urging of the hen, they take a walk into town to find something to do. Smiling faces — coming out of the public library — are just what the animals are looking for. One by one they go in and ask politely for something to do, but the librarian doesn't understand "horse" or "cow" or "oink" or "baaaa." She finally understands when the hen asks politely for "booook." Three books are delivered to the animals, and the rest of the afternoon is spent in happy reading — all except for the frog who has "Read it! Read it! Read it." Comments: This is a delightful read-a-loud. Animals' sounds are always a favorite with children, and when the librarian finally recognizes what the hen is asking for, children will smile as they realize it is not what she asked for at all. — Vicky M. Turner, American Fork City Library children's librarian, love2read20@hotmail.com

BODY IN THE LIBRARY: Agatha Christie: Bantam Books, 1970: mystery: 183 pages: Adult, young adults

Summary: The maid has found a body on the hearth rug in Cornel Bantry's library. Mrs. Bantry calls in the neighborhood sleuth, Miss Marple, to find out just how the body got there and if anyone she knows and loves is involved. Comments: Miss Marple, as always, comes to conclusions of her own based on people she knows and their past behavior. Again she aids the police — who always seem to go in the wrong direction first — in uncovering a plot involving money, violence and romance. — Vicky M. Turner, American Fork City Library children's librarian, love2read20@hotmail.com

MURDER AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS: Margaret Truman: Random House, 1999: mystery: 333 pages: adults, young adults

Summary: Annabel Reed-Smith renowned lawyer and art gallery owner, finds politics, prestige, patronage and shadowy trafficking in rare manuscripts — oh, yes, and murder — among the stacks at the Library of Congress, when she attempts to write an article on Christopher Columbus. Mackensie Smith, lawyer-professor and his wife, Annabel, are part of the Capital Crimes Series. Comments: President Harry S. Truman's daughter does a marvelous job of setting murder, mystery and intrigue in our nation's capitol and it's its historical landmarks, and along the way she gives us a little insight on into the workings of the government, museums, libraries and even a little history on Washington, D.C. — Vicky M. Turner, American Fork City Library children's librarian, love2read20@hotmail.com