Santa is coming to The Elephant's Trunk!

A Magical Night with Santa Claus at The Elephant's Trunk!

Friday, December 9th at 5:30pm

 Join us at  for a holiday night not to be missed!

v5x7 Photographs of your child with Santa

vA Special “Polar Express” storytime read by Santa himself!

vA caroling sing-a-long

vTake home a keepsake bell from Santa’s Sleigh

vGoodie bags and crafts

$25 per child*

Pre-registration is required, limited space available.

Please email danielle@elephantstrunkbookshop.com to sign up or give us a call at 781.538.6131.

*Ask about our special offer for LexFun members

Christine's Staff Picks

Fall into reading with these wonderful titles picked by Christine!

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The Aviary What if you weren’t allowed to have any friends? Or even be allowed outside the house? What if it was all a lie? But what if it was to protect you? Clara lives in an old, decrepit yet magnificent mansion with her mother, the housekeeper Ruby, the

Draft

Happy Pig Day!

By Mo Willems

In the latest adventure of Elephant and Piggie it’s Pig Day and it’s time to celebrate! Except… Gerald the elephant is not a pig! He has big ears, a trunk, and he is definitely not pink. But Piggie is his best friend. Maybe Pig Day isn’t just for pigs? Read this wonderful book with adorable illustrations to find out!

Diary of a Wombat

By Jackie French, Illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Almost as good for adults as it is for children, Diary of a Wombat tells the story of a wombat who likes to sleep, eat grass, and dig holes. He gets some excitement when he gets some new neighbors: humans! He discovers carrots (and trains the humans to give them to him), soft dirt for digging (flowerbeds), and digs a very big hole underneath the house to be closer to his new friends. The illustrations make your heart melt, and you just may fall in love with (and learn a thing or two about) the Australian wombat

The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell

What if you weren’t allowed to have any friends? Or even be allowed outside the house? What if it was all a lie? But what if it was to protect you?

Clara lives in an old, decrepit yet magnificent mansion with her mother, the housekeeper Ruby, the widow Mrs. Glendoveer, and an aviary occupied by four mysterious birds out back. As Mrs. Glendoveer’s health deteriorates, clues hidden in her past and in the mansion begin to unearth themselves, and Clara finds herself in the mysterious history of the Glendoveers’.Mr. Glendoveer was a renowned illusionist and magician; however, his reputation plummeted when all but one of his children were found drowned. Can Clara solve the decade old mystery and clear the Glendoveer name? Too bad Clara’s mother has told her that she isn’t allowed out of the house due to her weak heart. But a new girl Clara’s age moves in next door, and this girl seems determined to be Clara’s friend and help her to discover the secrets of the magician’s family. And once the one of the birds in the aviary starts yelling at Clara- but only at Clara- she knows it is her job to muster up the confidence to find the truth, and maybe find out a thing or two about herself, too. 

October Events

Friday, October 14^th

Author Event:

Lauri Isop “How Do You Hug A Porcupine?”

Join us at 10:30am for a special story time with the winner of the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest. This lyrical rhyming book travels from the jungle to the backyard and is sure to be a favorite!

Saturday, October 8^th

Happy Pig Day!

In celebration of Mo Willems’ newest Elephant & Piggie book, we will be celebrating Happy Pig Day! Stop by at 11:00am for an Elephant and Piggie special storytime and crafts.

Saturday, October 29^th

 

Author Event with Corinne Demas “Halloween Surprise”, and Costume Party!

We are very excited to be hosting Corinne Demas here at the store for a second storytime! Make sure to arriveat 11am in costume because after the story there will be lots of fun  Halloween crafts to be done

Monday, October 31st: Halloween!

Stop by during Lexington Center's Halloween trick or treat! We will be dressed up and handing out candy and other treats 2-5pm!

Introducing our very own Middle Grade Book Group!

READERS WANTED!

                

For A New

Middle Grade Book Club

Good Books. Good Discussion. Good Times.

Join the Middle School Book Club at the Elephant’s Trunk Bookshop in Lexington Center. Our first book will be the widely-acclaimed A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz.

Who: You! (Middle School Aged)

Where: The Elephant’s Trunk Bookshop,

1764 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA

When: 4 pm on October 25!

Contact Danielle at danielle@elephantstrunkbookshop.com or call the store at (781) 538-6131 for more information and to sign up!

Praise for A Tale Dark and Grimm:

“Unlike any children’s book I’ve ever read. It holds up to multiple rereadings, like the classic I think it will turn out to be. – New York Times Book Review

“A marvelous reworking of old stories that manages to be fresh, funny, frightening, and humane. –The Wall Street Journal

A Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year and New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice selection

ETB Summer Reading Picks!

Our very own staff picked summer reading guide has finally arrived at the store! Here is a sneak peek of some of our favorite titles:

Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen

Circus Ship is everyone's favorite for storytime! Based on a true story, this picture book depicts what happens when a ship full of circus animals crashes off the coast of Maine. What will they do? And more importantly, will the people in town take them in? The beautiful illustrations and the rhythmic story make this the perfect picture book.

Frankly Frannie by  AJ Stern

Meet the newest girl on the early reader block. Frannie is a go getter who will stop at nothing to achieve her dreams. Humorous and well written, this is a wonderful new series and perfect for the clever young reader.

Justin Case by Rachel Vail

Did your middle grade reader love Diary of a Wimpy Kid? If so, then this book will be surely love Justin Case is nervous about starting third grade and nothing feels quite right. Readers will laugh out loud and emphasize with Justin's worries and troubles when starting a new year of school and meeting new friends.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This thrilling and captivating new young adult fantasy will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games. On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen your olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives, but what happens when you can't decide? 

Annexed by Sharon Dogar

Most people are familiar with Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her? In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what it might have been like from Peter's point of view.

We also have picks for adults, too! Here are just a few of our favorites:

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

One Day by David Nicholls

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

Room by Emma Donoghue

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

We Love Walden Pond Press!

Did you know Walden Pond Press is responsible for amazing titles like Savvy, Scumble, The Fourth Stall,  Jumiper Berry, Cosmic and the Billionaires Curse to just name a few?! Did you also know that Walden Pond Press is a local publishing company and is also the film production company (Walden Media) responsible for  the film adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia, City of Ember,  Charlotte's Web and others.

Right now we are having a  promotion at the store to spread the word about these great titles. We have a Walden Pond Press shelf in our middle grade section and when you buy any two titles you can receive a FREE Walden Media DVD of your choice.

Come to the store to check it out!

Oh, the graduations you'll attend!

   It's that time of year again, the flowers are blooming and everywhere you look someone is dressed in a cap and gown. Whether it's  the final days of preschool or the end of a four year college journey graduations abound and everyone has the same question: "What do I get for for my son/daughter/niece/nephew/neighbor/ 'the I don't know him very well but I'm still invited to this party' grad." As much as I love Oh the Places You'll Go I always caution our customers that for my very own graduation (high school, college AND grad school) I received countless copies. Even now, I think I have about six copies on my bookshelf all with heartfelt notes inside but six nonetheless. If you want to move beyond the Seuss favorite here are some great choices:

The Clever Stick by John Lechner
Our friend John Lechner was at the store this weekend signing copies of this fabulous picture book when we realized that it truly could be the perfect graduation present. All about finding your voice, journeying through life and making the best out of what you have, this picture book makes the perfect gift and an added bonus is that it's signed by the author/illustrator!


Instructions by Neil Gaiman  

Easily one of my favorites, Instructions was first published as a poem in the collection A Wolf at the Door. This small format picture book depicts the journey from home, the obstacles one might face and then back as the narrator asks questions of the reader throughout. Perfect for the high school or college grads it encourages the reader to "Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story."



There by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick
This poignant and quiet picture book begins with a question we've all asked our selves and one that graduates surely ponder, "When will I get There?" With sparse text and gorgeous illustrations this book is perfect for young children who will enjoy the story of wonder and quest as well as older students who can relate to the thought provoking questions and sense of journey.




The North Star by Peter Reynolds

All about the journey through life, the questions one must ask and the decisions that have to be made, The North Star has certainly become a graduation favorite. College students leaving the world of academia and setting off on their own path will be able to relate to this very special picture book as well as high school students leaving the comfort and safety of home.





Courage by Bernard Waber
Perfect for younger children to conjure questions, Courage  presents the reader with different situations from "courage is tasting vegetable without making a face" to "courage is sometimes having to say goodbye." Each scenario will help readers think about their own fears and being brave whether it's about leaving the safety of first grade or moving across the country as a new college student.

Spring has sprung and so have these great picture books!

The Yellow House by Blake Morrison, illustrated by Helen Craig

I was so drawn to this classic looking picture book and when I realized it was a reprinting of the 1987 edition I was sure it must have been read to me as a child, I felt an instant connection to it. I revel even now in the the detailed illustrations and whimsical story about an abandoned house a young girl passes everyday. One day she notices that there is a small boy playing among the gardens and he shows her all the wonder in and around the house. A very magical and special story that will prompt young listeners and readers to open their imagination.

Hopper and Wilson by Maria Van Lieshout

What do you think it's like at the end of the world? That is the very same question Hopper asks his friend Wilson and one that perhaps young readers will ask themselves. Wilson hopes that there is an endless supply of lemonade and Hopper imagines a staircase to the moon. They set out on a journey to find out but what they really discover is that their friendship and their sense of home is all they they need. The illustrations add to this very sweet and quiet story making it perfect for bedtime or a special gift.

Press Here by Herve Tullet

An interactive picture book that is neither pop up nor noisy, Press Here is a very special and beautiful book. Beginning with the first instruction, "press the yellow dot," the reader turns each page, follows the prompts (shake the book, press the dot, clap and rub the dot) and embarks on an adventure of the imagination. Fun, colorful and lots of read aloud potential Press Here, is really perfect for readers of all ages.

Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator! By Mo Willems

Mo Willems is always a fan favorite and his latest will not disappoint. 6 1/2 stories make up this tender and humorous  picture book about Amanda and her stuffed Alligator. A perfect portrait of friendship and the format works nicely for bedtime stories and multiple readings.

I'm a Shark by Bob Shea

Shark is not afraid of anything. He is not afraid of dinosaurs or scary movies or even the dark. Shark is "awesome". However, there is one thing that Shark is afraid of but you'll have to discover what it is. Shark is the perfect picture book for a laugh out loud story and will surely be read again and again. Bonus: Bob Shea will be at the ETB on Saturday, May 21st!