Have you heard the news? The McClintic library is receiving new children's books by the bushel. Well known authors such as … David McPhail, Cynthia Rylant, and Laura Numeroff just to name a few. Books so beautiful and colorful they're sure to attract some attention. When these books came in I had to read them…

Mole Music by David McPhail is a story of a mole that lives underground. He's content with his life of digging holes and watching television. One day he begins to feel that something is missing in his life. After seeing a man on television play the most beautiful music he'd ever heard on a violin, Mole decides that he will teach himself to play the instrument to fill the void in his life. Years go by and somehow Mole's music changes the world. You'll have to read it to find out how.

Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel is a wonderful Chinese folktale. It tells the tale of two Chinese brothers. The oldest child's name is Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo, which means "the most wonderful thing in the whole wide world." The younger brother's name is Chang, which means "little or nothing." When the two brothers are playing by a well and Chang falls in his older brother quickly gets help. But when Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo falls into the well later that same year, his younger brother tries to get help quickly but fails to do so. You'll have to read it to believe it.

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang is about an old man who owns a run down restaurant. With business dwindling daily the old man is very pleased when a friendly stranger stops in for a bite to eat. Only when the friendly stranger is done with his meal the old man finds out that he has no money to pay for the food. The stranger pays the old man with a magical paper crane. You really need to read the book to find out why this worked out better for the old man's business.

The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood is about a house where everyone is sleeping. You'd think this would make for a boring story but you just try to put this book down. The story has wonderful illustrations that keep children's eyes and adult's eyes glued to the pages. This book is definitely a must read.

Muncha, Muncha, Muncha by Candace Fleming is a delightful story. Mr. McGreely has always dreamed of planting a garden. Come spring he finally makes his dreams come true by planting one. Oh Mr. McGreely can't wait to gobble up his vegetables but three hungry bunnies have the same idea as him. They cause Mr. McGreely much grief over his new garden. You must read this books to find out what lengths Mr. McGreely will go through to keep those three bunnies out of his garden.

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont takes place in a park. A family is having a picnic. During their picnic the family gets an unexpected guest. A scruffy little dog wonders up and ends up spending the entire day with the family. But when it's time to leave the family decides that the dog must belong to someone and they leave him at the park and they return to their home. All week long the family thinks about the dog and if he actually belongs to someone. So the next Saturday the family returns to the park with hopes of seeing the dog again. Will the family find him? You have to read it to find out.

Is This a House for Hermit Crab? By Megan McDonald It's time for Hermit Crab to move. He's out grown his home. Watch as he moves from house to house until he finds his new home. But wait will he be able to get into his new home before the giant fish eats him? Find out by checking it out.

Who's in Rabbit's House? By Verna Aardema is now a new favorite of mine. This is an amazing African tale told by Masai villagers in the form of a play. When rabbit comes home he finds that an intruder has taken over his home. When rabbit asks the intruder to identify himself all he does is answer in a riddle, "I am the long one. I eat trees and I trample on elephants. If you don't go away I'll trample on you too." Read to find out how rabbit and his friend get the intruder out of rabbit's house.

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry is a story about the Rain Forest. What would happen if men cut down all the trees in the Rain Forest? Hear the tale from all the animals that live in and depend on the Great Kapok Tree. This is a delightful story for children of all ages.