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| 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?
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