A little boy offers advice on what NOT to give your mom on Mother's Day, unless she's an animal. For example, don't give her a rotting log unless she's a salamander, or a bunch of flies unless she's a spider! What would Mom like best?

With so much competing for the time of today's students, youth services librarians have an especially challenging job. How can they reach their target audience? One of the surest ways is the promotion--through the local school system--of a series of class visits to the public library. But where to begin? Choosing a grade level, contacting school officials and teachers, and planning age-appropriate programs are among the many steps that librarians must take--but may feel unprepared for. Encouraging the collaboration of professionals in public libraries and local schools, this comprehensive guide presents a detailed framework for a versatile program of class visits. Written by two public librarians with firsthand experience, it describes, in a step-by-step format, how to accomplish a structured series of class visits. The book addresses procedures, planning and implementation, and offers suggestions for both elementary and secondary school visits. Informational packets and other print materials are provided for each level. Possible challenges are discussed, with thoughts on their impact on the overall program and ways to find workable solutions. The appendices contains easily adaptable templates including sample schedules, letters to teachers and evaluation forms.

Young Esther has earned a special gragger (whirling noisemaker) by delivering charitable gifts on Purim, a Jewish holiday based on the story of Queen Esther. Now she is ready to carry her gragger in the festive Purim parade! Like the legendary Queen, Esther displays courage and wit when an older bully tries to steal her gragger. The lively cast of characters quibble and carouse in a bygone world of warmth, surprise, and generosity. There is even a parade for children only. The appendix helps readers understand the history of Purim, how it is celebrated today, what a "gragger" is, and how to make a simple noisemaker. Following the award-winning The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin, author Martha Seif Simpson and illustrator D. Yael Bernhard have again created a new toyshop tale of playful language and images that hint at ancient roots and hidden meanings, which are just waiting for young readers to find. This is a tale ideal for reading aloud for fun, but also for learning.