Wednesday, June 19, 2019

7 Free Library Books About Summer


Photo courtesy of: Pezibear; courtesy of: Pixabay

I was at my local free library again. Yay! It's one of the finest places on earth. This time I found books on everyone‘s favorite vacation time-Summer!

Once more I've done a series of mini-reviews to aid you in quickly finding quality books to read to your children.





1. Surf's Up

Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Daniel Miyares
Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc.
ISBN: 9780735842205
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Bro and Dude are enjoying Summer in specific ways. Bro wants to read his book and Dude is ready to catch some waves. As Dude listens to Bro's enthusiasm while he reads, Dude can't help becoming invested in the story. By the time they arrive at the beach, each frog is engrossed in a spirited adventure. 

Review:

A wonderful shout out to the delights of Summer Reading at the beach.

As soon as I saw this book on the shelf, I knew I had to read it. The cover brought a big smile to my face. The picture of the two frogs cracks me up. It's hilarious! Alexander and Miyares definitely deliver an entertaining and comical story young readers will appreciate.






2. Arthur Goes To Camp

Author: Marc Brown
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316112185
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Arthur's off to Camp Meadowcroak and he's not happy about it. He's homesick before he even arrives. Once he does, the food, the poison ivy, the ambitious girls, and the upcoming scavenger hunt with, Camp Horsewater, are too much for him to handle. So Arthur runs away. 

His desperate actions lead to a surprise ending that will inspire young readers to stay the course with a situation they find difficult.

Mini-Review:

For many children summer camp and all the uneasiness that goes along with it is a rite of passage. A shared reading of this book is an excellent way to start a conversation about your child's apprehension with sleeping away at camp.






3. Maisy Learns To Swim

Author: Lucy Cousins
Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763664800
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Maisy and her friends are attending their first swimming lesson. After slipping on their swim suits, they get in the pool with Miss Poppy and practice kicking, floating, and blowing bubbles.

Mini-Review:

They labeled the book "A Maisy First Experiences Book". This is an apt description. The story is sweet, colorful and captures the spirit of little ones enjoying an unforgettable day at the pool with their friends.






4. The Great White Man-Eating Shark

Author: Margaret Mahy
Illustrator: Jonathan Allen
Publisher: Puffin Pied Piper Books
ISBN: 0140557458
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Norvin is a talented actor with a strong resemblance to sharks. In addition to acting, he loves to swim, but he resents sharing, Caramel Cove, his favorite swimming spot with others. They prevent him from swimming through the water like the silver arrow he is.

One day he decides to scare the other swimmers away. He straps on the plastic dorsal fin of a great white man-eating shark and swims through Caramel Cove, creating such panic no one swims again for days.

Whenever people decide to enter the water again, Norvin pretends to be a shark and frightens them back to shore. Then one day Norvin comes face to face with an unexpected swimmer who finds him appealing and everything changes.

Mini-Review:

This was one of my favorite Summer or Ocean themed books to read to my Pre-K/K students. It's funny and teaches children a valuable lesson on sharing and karma.






5. Summer Supper

Author: Rubin Pfeffer
Illustrator: Mike Austin
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
ISBN: 9781524714642
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:


S is for Summer, spinach, strawberries and a host of other words showcased in this story. Pfeffer and Austin have created a sequential tale beginning with a family planting seeds and ending with them sharing a scrumptious family picnic.

Mini-Review:

This book is appropriate for all new readers, from early emergent to emergent to early reading. The large print and simple alliterative phrases are easy to track; the vivid illustrations are bright, eye-catching and rich with lively details that should boost vocabulary development. A wonderful introduction to initial letter sounds and family togetherness.






6. Summer Days And Nights

Author: Wong Herbert Yee
Illustrator: Wong Herbert Yee
Publisher: Henry Holt And Company
ISBN: 9780805090789
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Through detailed rhyme, a little girl describes her busy summer day- from tip-toeing through a patch of daisies to spying a barn owl beneath a moonlit tree. When she finally goes to sleep, she drifts into dreams of summer days and nights.

Mini-Review:

A sweet book that encapsulates the innocence of a youngster's early experience of Summer. Every day is an adventure filled with butterflies, swimming pools and picnics at the park with Mom and Dad. The soft-colored illustrations are a pleasing addition to this wholesome story.






7. Mama, Is It Summer Yet?

Author: Nikki McClure
Illustrator: Nikki McClure
Publisher: Abrams Books For Young Readers
ISBN: 9780810998742
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

As a little boy eagerly awaits Summer, he and his Mama watch for signs of the anticipated season. Winter drifts into spring and they sow seeds, observe buds on the trees and see a squirrel building her nest. Then one day Summer arrives and mother and son bask in all the significant moments that accompany this verdant season 

Mini-Review:

A story that embraces the impatience and curiosity of children as they watch and wait for the seasons to turn; and the perseverance of a mother teaching them to appreciate the special moments nature brings. 

McClure's black and white paper-cut art pops off the page and effectively highlights the primary and secondary colors used in isolation. An enjoyable story with a positive message about nature’s blessings.






What books are on your child's Summer Reading List?



Wednesday, June 12, 2019

10 Free Library Books About Dad


Photo courtesy of: StockSnap; courtesy of: Pixabay


With Father's Day fast approaching, I wanted to showcase books that focused on this special paternal holiday.

So I trekked on over to my local free library and perused the shelves.

It didn't take long before I had a growing stack of books devoted to dads with catchy titles, humorous story lines and adorable illustrations.

If you're looking for books to read your children that focus on fathers, here are ten you might like with a brief overview provided for each.





1. When Dads Don't Grow Up

Author: Marjorie Blaine Parker
Illustrations: R.W. Alley
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers: A Division Of Penguin Young Readers Group
ISBN: 9780803737174
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

A wonderful celebration of dads who haven't forgotten that milk tastes better through a straw, basements are scary places, and indoor sports are fun. Oh, and they don't mind getting their hair wet-if they have any.

Mini-Review:

If you're looking for a playful story that shows the silly side of dads this is the book for you. Parker and Alley have created a charming book filled with illustrations that capture the tender moments of four very special fathers and their kids.







2. Papa, Do You Love Me?

Author: Barbara M. Joosse
Illustrator: Barbara Lavallee
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLc
ISBN: 9780811842655
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Set amidst the Massai culture of Africa, a young boy questions the intensity of his father's love and learns that his father's love for him is unconditional.

Mini-Review

A beautiful story that uses poetic language and beautiful watercolors to convey the genuine love fathers have for their children.







3. Daddy Adventure Day

Author: Dave Keane
Illustrator: Sue Rama
Publisher: Philomel Books: An Imprint Of Penguin Group
ISBN: 9780399246272
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

For one little boy, Daddy Adventure Day means, one thing- his father's undivided attention, endless fun and lots of surprises.

On this particular Daddy Adventure Day, the two attend the son's first baseball game where they take part in super-loud singing and rooting for the team wearing white shirts. They top the unforgettable day off by sharing a banana split before going home to Mom.  

Mini-Review:

An ode to busy fathers dedicated to creating memories that last a lifetime with their children and demonstrate the infinite patience of a saint. Contains heaps of special moments that are sure to bring a smile to readers' faces.







4. Your Daddy Was Just Like You

Author: Kelly Bennett
Illustrator: David Walker
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons: A Division Of Penguin Young Readers Group
ISBN: 9780399252587
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Every child wants to know what their parents were like as children. This heart-warming story does just that.

Mini-Review:

Colorful illustrations and active descriptions are tailor made for a story time that is meaningful and reminiscent of a father's childhood.







5. Because I Am Your Daddy

Author: Sherry North
Illustrator: Marcellus Hall
Publisher: Abrams Books For Young Readers: An Imprint Of Abrams
ISBN: 9780810983922
Rating: 3 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

Through rhyme and grandiose pronouncements, a father tells his daughter the many adventures he would take her on if he could.

Mini-Review:

A nice sentiment to a father's love for his child. I thought the story was sweet but lacked originality.







6. The Grandpa Book

Author: Todd Parr
Publisher: Little, Brown And Company: Time Warner Book Group
ISBN: 0316058017
Rating: 3 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

A colorful book that shows the special ways grandfathers express their love for their grandchildren, from taking them to school to giving hugs and telling stories.

Mini-Review:

Through simple language and vivid colors, Parr describes the many sides of grandfathers and how they show affection.







7. Daddies

Author: Lila Prap
Publisher: North-South Books Inc.
ISBN: 9780735821408
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

A lively rhyming book about a father and a son playing a silly game at bedtime. The two impersonate an assortment of animals, from rhinos to kangaroos and lions.

Mini-Review

A book filled with bright and bold colors that is sure to delight fathers and children and have them mimicking animal sounds with the characters. The black lined illustrations are appealing and offer a nice contrast to the vibrant colors and different shapes used throughout the book.







8. My Dad Is Big And Strong But...

Author: Coralie Saudo
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
ISBN: 9781592701223
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

A role reversal between father and son, has the child playing the part of the parent at bedtime and all the shenanigans that go along with convincing an unruly dad he needs to go to sleep.

Mini-Review:

A comical story that will have fathers and children giggling as they read it through several times over.







9. Tad And Dad

Author: David Ezra Stein
Illustrator: David Ezra Stein
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books: An Imprint Of Penguin Young Readers Group
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

A humorous tale of a young frog named, Tad, who wants to be just like his dad, so much so that he never leaves his father's side. Night and day, he wiggles, swims, splashes and hops right alongside his dad. As Tad grows, the lily pad becomes too small for the two of them and things get pretty crowded.

Mini-Review:

A story that doesn't disappoint in delivering the timeless message of how fatherly love and encouragement help their children thrive.









10. Song And Dance Man

Author: Karen Ackerman
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 0590430092
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops

Book Summary:

A timeless tale about a grandfather who performs his old vaudeville stage act in the attic of his house for his grandchildren.

Mini-Review:

A story that pays homage to the performers of the bygone days before TV and cell phones. It affirms how one generation can influence the next, especially when there's a talented grandfather like the song and dance man to inspire them.




Happy Reading & Happy Father's Day!