What We are Reading - Summer 2016

The Sunday school and Extended Session kids are on to me! Last Sunday, as we settled in to read a book, one of our little people asked -  "So what's this one supposed to teach us?"

Here is a look at the books that we have been reading so far this summer. The all have a good message or lesson for kids. All of these books are available from the Carnegie Library (If they are not available at your local branch you can request them through inter-library loan.)

Bully by Laura Seeger is a story about a bull who doesn't have a kind word for any of his friends. He is asked to pay by his friends on the farm and responds in a very mean way.  There are very few words in this book and the pictures are crisp and colorful. The story is funny and thoughtful about the topic of anger and getting along with friends. 

Here Comes Darrell by Leda Schubert is a story about taking care of neighbors. Darrell is a neighbor that takes care of all of the families on his street during every season. But all this helping has left Darrell very little time to take care of his own family.  

Help: A story of friendship by Holly Keller is a wonderful story about friendship and gossip. Friends Mouse, Hedgehog, Rabbit, Squirrel, and Snake are the main characters. Mouse hears from Skunk (who heard it from Fox) that snakes are dangerous, especially to mice. So when Mouse needs the help of Snake - what will happen?  This is a nice story about how friendship can survive gossip. 

Starring Mirette &Bellini by Emily Arnold McCulley is a book with beautiful watercolor illustrations buy might be best suited for older elementary kids. This is sequel to Mirette on the High Wire which was a Caldecott Medal winner. In this story Mirette and the Great Bellini dazzle all of Europe with their act on the high wire. But then when Bellini is arrested after a performance in St. Petersburg and Mirette is challenged to master the Death Walk to save him from prison.  Courage and bravery are main themes in this story. 

The Great White Man-Eating Shark: A Cautionary Tale by Margaret Mahy is a hilarious story about a boy who pretends to be a shark to have then waters all to himself. Until he gets lonely. 

A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning is about Zettie and her mother who move from Jamaica to the United Sates. The pair live in their car while Zettie's mother tries to find a steady job. This touching story about  homelessness was developed with the help of the Homeless Children s Network in San Francisco. There are great teaching resources in the back of the book and the illustrations are lovely - done in bold chalk pastel. 

I love David Shannon's books for kids. A Bad Case of Stripes is the story of  Camilla Cream loves lima beans won't eat them because other kids don't like them. Camilla very, very worried about what other people think of her.  This is a story about self image and making friends.   

Happy Reading!