Summer’s heating up and it’s time for strategizing. Here are suggestions for every age and a book, or books to go with them!
Choosing books that invite young children to participate insures the “read it again” all parents seek. Without flaps, or fussing, Herve Tullet creates such a book in Press Here (Chronicle, ages 3-5). “Ready?” directs the first page as a yellow dot beams from its center. “Press here,” commands the second. And as if by magic, a page turn reveals that there are now two dots. The entire book urges actions then brigs results…and some giggles, too.
Humor is high on the list of middle grade readers who will find plenty to amuse them in Nick Bruel’s Bad Kitty Meets the Baby (Roaring Brook, ages 6-9). Part graphic novel, all laughs, the ever entertaining Kitty stars in her third challenging adventure as she faces the threat of a new baby.
After long summer days, find a family read-aloud for relaxing. Diane Stanley’s The Silver Bowl (Harper, ages 9 and up) is a perfect escape into fantasy. The heroine, Molly, is a feisty underdog whose father considers her worthless in her overlarge family. But Molly has inherited her mother’s magical gift for telling the future and she alone can free the royal family from a terrible curse. Stanley creates an intriguing plot, non-stop action, an admirable character and a captivating setting.
Young adults count on Sarah Dessen for fast-paced beach reading. Her latest, What Happened to Goodbye (Viking, ages 12 and up) is another page-turner. Her new heroine is Maclean Elizabeth Sweet, or Eliza, or Lizbet, or Beth, or Liz, her name changes depending on where she’s living and what identity she chooses to assume. Maclean’s divorced parents have moved on, but she’s caught between the life she once lived and those that came after. Dessen’s passions for basketball and beach mix with well with her typical female character searching for love and self.
Victoria Kann’s Pinkadoodles (Harper, ages 4-6). Favorite character, Pinkalicious, provides sketches (pink of course) to inspire design and drawing.
Eva Steele-Saccio’s The Marvelous Book of Magical Horses (Klutz, ages 6-9) transforms classic paper dolls into opportunities to create fantastical steeds.
Jane Bull’s Make It! (DK, ages 7-10) offers photographs and directions for twenty projects that turn paper, plastic, metal and fabric trash into treasures.
Karen Sue Ehrhardt’s This Jazz Man (Live Oak Media) James Williams performs, entertains and educates highlighting ten styles of jazz and musicians, too.
Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity (Weston Woods) The author and his daughter expand pictures and text into a delightful listening experience as Trixie heads off to school.
Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine: Friend of the Week (Recorded Books, unabridged, 2 hours) Jessica Almasy’s youthful, energetic, emotional voice portrays the quirky 3rd grader who now quests for popularity and her lost kitten.