Children

Inspired by his big sister’s love of reading and writing, a young boy learns that he, too, can write stories that others appreciate and enjoy. Mike Lowery’s illustrations add to this terrific book that will encourage emergent writers to become authors and storytellers.

Is there anything better than sharing a meal with the people you love? A heartwarming Igbo story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love.

From one of my favorite nature writers comes his personal tales of his childhood pets – which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog. His brood grows out of control with the addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside down is warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense.

Just what the doctor ordered for parents looking to improve their children’s language skills. This treasure boasts playground songs and classroom songs, silly songs and sweet songs, wake-up songs and bedtime songs. Classics that are fun and will truly benefit all young children.

How have I forgotten to include this one before now? A wide-mouthed alligator slithers out of the sewer and slips down the street and up the stairs of an apartment house. Children try to stop the advancing reptile, but to no avail. Filled with lots of onomatopoeic devices, this is a favorite read aloud with little ones.

Tweens and teens, ages 8 to 12, will enjoy complete panda-monium with this in-depth look at “Dude Perfect:” five guys who are kickin' it, throwin' it, tossin' it and shootin' it for more than 55 million YouTube subscribers and more than twelve billion views. Instead of fighting the internet – why not embrace it to foster better reading habits?

A heartfelt picture book celebration of food, community and family – and little dumpling treasures from around the world.

Based on his popular Instagram comics, Pyle presents a delightful, heartfelt and clever picture book that draws on his unique perspective on human activity and delivers a colorful experience that is an ode to cats and humans alike. 

Book lovers everywhere will adore this twist on an old tale, recommended to me by Linda Nelson! This young boy cannot think of a worse way to spend his summer: he has to help his Dad out with his bookstore, and he absolutely hates to read! His job is to watch the store for shoplifters, but things take a twisted turn when he spies a pale character who seems to float through the aisles of the store. But this stranger is not trying to steal books – he is drinking the words out of them with a straw! So the boy goes on a chase to find out what this fellow is all about and they both wind up in a cemetery, where the boy discovers a taste for something much more filling than ink!

A Classic that I’ve always loved. In this enchantingly told original folktale, a wise quiltmaker makes the most beautiful quilts in the world – but she will give them only to those who have nothing. When a rich, dissatisfied king insists that she give him one of her quilts, she gives him what seems an impossible task: to give away all he owns. One by one, the king gives away his many possessions, and finds that the more he gives away, the happier he is. Finally, when the king has nothing, the quiltmaker gives him the promised quilt. But he knows that the true reward for his generosity has been the smiles of those he has helped. I’m starting to think adults need to re-read a lot of children’s books to remind themselves of kindness and decency.

Funny read aloud starring Cat, who starts out perfectly content and relaxed, and Duck, who infuriates him by meowing like a cat instead of quacking like Cat thinks he should. Great illustrations by Anna Raff.

An introduction to the magic of math that will engage even the most math-reluctant kid. Mathakazam! As kids work their way through each trick, they learn math concepts including calculation, multiplication, prime factors, the Nine Principal, the Binary Number System and more. Especially good for keeping math relevant during summer vacation.

Speed off on an eventful bicycle ride along the bold yellow road that cuts through town, by the sea and through the country. Ride up and around, along and through, out and down. Viva's striking graphic style is executed in just five joyous colors, and his spare, rhythmic language is infectious.

One day Benny the woodpecker awakens to the best tummy-rumbling smell ever and discovers it’s something called “waffles.” He MUST taste them! Lots of laughs as Benny has his own plan on how to get them.

When Ben reads his fortune-cookie fortune, he's alarmed and inspired. Immediately, he begins drafting a bucket list of unfinished tasks and lifelong dreams. As Ben marches himself in and out of trouble, takes useful risks and helps both his parents to see the bigger picture, readers discover how something that seems scary can instead be empowering. Picked it up because I liked the title and was delighted to read such a fun graphic novel with great illustrations by Robbi Behr.