Read with Me Page 11
Ocean’s Child
By Christine Ford and Trish Holland. Illustrated by David Diaz. Golden, 2009. Ages 3–6.
In a tranquil bedtime story, an Inuit mother, accompanied by her child snuggly warm in a fur-lined parka, paddles the Arctic Ocean toward home as dusk approaches. As the two glide across the luminescent water, they observe other mother-child animal pairs: dolphins, walruses, polar bears, otters. “To each ocean’s child we say good night,” croons the Inuit mother to the parade of creatures passing by. Indigenous designs decorate the background and the parkas of both mother and child, connecting the weary travelers to their homeland and their heritage
One World, One Day
By Barbara Kerley. Illustrated with photographs. National Geographic, 2009. Ages 5–7.
In rural China a girl must cross a river on a zip line to get to school; in Madagascar a boy herds zebu. Photos taken in twenty-nine different countries show differences in children’s lives, but also make it plain that from breakfast to bedtime, children have surprisingly similar days. “At dawn…kids around the world get up, wash up, and celebrate a new day. Porridge. Pancakes. Churros. Toast. Hot sweet tea with plenty of milk. Lots of things taste good for breakfast.” Eating, going to school, doing chores, having dinner, sleeping, even dreaming are but a few of the many common activities captured in the stunning photos.
Pemba Sherpa
By Olga Cossi. Illustrated by Gary Bernard. Odyssey, 2009. Ages 4–7.
Yang Ki longs to accompany her older brother, Pemba, on his journey up the mountain to gather firewood. His task is part of his training to become a guide for travelers who climb the Himalayas, something Yang Ki would also like to do. Her bossy brother makes fun of her: it’s not a job for girls, he scoffs. But Yang Ki is determined. One day she follows him and saves his life when he slips on the treacherous mountain path. New and old collide in this dramatic story about gender roles, set in a place far removed from the lives of most children.
Rain School
By James Rumford. Illustrated by the author. HMH, 2010. Ages 4–7.
Thomas, who lives in a village in Chad, is ready to start school. But there is no school for him to attend. It was destroyed during the rainy season. The children must rebuild it. They make bricks, build walls and desks, and find out how to make a thatched roof to protect them from the sun. Finally school starts, and the children learn to read and write. As the school year ends, the hard rains return and swamp the school, ensuring students will begin next year by constructing a new one. Inspired by the author’s experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad, Rain School takes children to a distant place where learning and school aren’t taken for granted.
Subway Ride
By Heather Lynn Miller. Illustrated by Sue Ramá. Charlesbridge, 2009. Ages 5–7.
In this lively picture book, five children board the subway for a trip around the world. They begin in Cairo. They “bump and sway” and “hold on tight.” They fly along twisty, mostly underground tracks and glimpse subway stations in Moscow, London, New York, Stockholm—ten different cities in all. When the exciting ride comes to an end, the children still have enough energy for playtime in the open air of the park. The words capture the excitement of the journey, making this ideal for reading aloud.
To Market! To Market!
By Anushka Ravishankar. Illustrated by Emanuele Scanziani. Tara, 2007. Ages 4–6.
A girl and her mother enter a large indoor marketplace in India. The child has some money to spend and is eager to find the perfect thing. Soon she’s enthralled by the lovely jewelry, the colorful flowers and fabric, spices, and foods. As she wends her way through the stalls, her imagination takes over: “creeping, creeping, creeping. I am a spy.” She’s having so much fun that when it’s time to leave, she’s forgotten to buy her trinket.
The White Nights of Ramadan
By Maha Addasi. Illustrated by Ned Gannon. Boyds Mills, 2008. Ages 5–7.
When Noor, a little girl who lives in Kuwait, sees the almost-full moon rise, she knows it’s time to prepare for Girigian, a Muslim celebration that takes place during the month of Ramadan, mostly in nations surrounding the Persian Gulf. She explains the holiday’s significance and traditions: the special garments, praying through the day, collecting candy, and delivering baskets of food to the less fortunate. The artwork affords a glimpse of Noor’s affectionate family and their home, decorated with exquisite carpets and wall hangings. Addasi was raised in Kuwait, and her final note enriches a tale about one of the Muslim world’s many and differing traditions.
7
HAVING FUN
Play is children’s work; it not only allows kids to have fun but also gives them a chance to improve problem-solving skills, exercise their imaginations, develop friendships, and learn to compromise and follow instructions. The books below touch on a variety of ways to have fun, while tapping into a child’s inherently playful nature. Bats play midnight baseball, a girl chases chickens, crocodiles go camping, and everybody comes out for a wild block party. Take your pick.
Alex and the Wednesday Chess Club
By Janet S. Wong. Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Margaret K. McElderry. Ages 5–7.
When he’s soundly beaten at chess by old Hooya, four-year-old Alex gives up the game. After he’s sidelined from football in third grade, he joins the chess club and rediscovers his ability. Then it’s practice, practice, practice in preparation for his first tournament—only to be faced with the specter of his devastating defeat when Hooya’s nephew becomes his opponent. In conversational language that lends itself to reading aloud, Wong melds the story of a boy’s discovery of a particular passion with the recognition that winning isn’t everything.
The Basket Ball
By Esmé Raji Codell. Illustrated by Jennifer Plecas. Abrams, 2011. Ages 4–6.
Lulu may be dressed like a princess on the cover of this book, but she would rather play with a basketball than with dolls or a magic wand. Still, the boys on the basketball team are having none of it; they don’t want her around. Undaunted, Lulu decides to hold a Basket Ball, and when other girls who show up want to play, they form a team of their own. An empowering book for little girls, whatever their dreams. Players in Pigtails by Shana Corey (below), set in a time gone by, is another glimpse of a girl whose first love is baseball.
Bats at the Ballgame
By Brian Lies. Illustrated by the author. Houghton Mifflin, 2010. Ages 4–6.
The author of Bats at the Beach and Bats in the Library transfers his winged characters’ allegiance to the ballpark. With glowing wings, bats grab their bats and “hustle out to diamond sky” to play a grand game. They swoop and glide across the field as fans, hanging upside down on the bleachers, cheer them on. Along with fanciful depictions of the batters up swinging high and low, Lies adds a multitude of comic touches (mothdogs, anyone?) for parents and children to search out in the pictures. It’s an exuberant spin on America’s greatest pastime—fun for game fans but also for children who have yet to step foot in a stadium.
Batter Up Wombat
By Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Ages 4–6.
Their team name may be the Champs, but champions they aren’t. They finished dead last in the National Wildlife League. When an Australian wombat (whose name they mistakenly think is “Whambat”) appears, they think winning’s in the bag. After all, with a name like Whambat, the new guy must be a super hitter. That first goofy mistake is further complicated by Wombat’s own linguistic difficulties and his truly dreadful playing skills. Obviously he’s not the savior his team envisioned, and he’s sad when they are disappointed. Wombat isn’t entirely without talents, however. He’s very good at digging, and when a tornado threatens the players, he makes a tunnel to keep everyone safe. He still can’t play ball, but he’s a hero all the same. Lester and Munsinger have a long list of wonderful picture books, most of which use humor to help kids build confidence. Try the Tacky the Penguin books next
.
Block Party Today!
By Marilyn Singer. Illustrated by Stephanie Roth. Knopf, 2004. Ages 5–7.
Everyone is excited by the thought of a block party except Lola. She’s had a tiff with her friends Yasmin and Sue, and she isn’t in the mood for fun. But the lively crowds in the city neighborhood, the music, and the smells of the food are too enticing to ignore. When Lola’s friends spot her outside, they approach her, and friendship wins out over hurt feelings. “No cars! No trucks! Time to run in the street! Time to play double Dutch” and have fun with friends at a great block party.
Bats at the Ballgame by Brian Lies
Callie Cat, Ice Skater
By Eileen Spinelli. Illustrated by Anne Kennedy. Albert Whitman, 2007. Ages 4–6.
Callie Cat loves to ice skate. She loves it “more than chocolate cake,” and more than her bright red snowflake sweater. When Honeybrook Ice Rink sponsors a contest, she decides to enter. Callie dutifully listens to all the advice she’s given, but though she works very hard, she doesn’t win. One day, when her friends aren’t around, she goes to the pond and slips on her skates. When she hears “the sun-dazzled blades crisping across the ice,” she suddenly understands what was missing from her performance—joy. Winning isn’t everything.
Camping Day
By Patricia Lakin. Illustrated by Scott Nash. Dial, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Crocodile buddies Sam, Pam, Will, and Jill enthusiastically venture into the woods for a sure-to-be-great campout. They look forward to roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and singing camp songs. Their reality is somewhat different. Bees, a reluctant campfire, too many beans for supper (“P.U.”), and scary noises prove too much for the inept reptiles, who finally decide there’s nothing as good as a campout in the backyard. Lakin’s cheerful croc quartet appears in several equally funny outings, including Beach Day! and Snow Day!
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
By Janice N. Harrington. Illustrated by Shelley Jackson. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2007. Ages 4–6.
Chickens, watch out! The little girl who narrates this comical story has her eye on you. Actually, Miss Hen is her preferred target, and unfortunately for the determined chicken chaser, Miss Hen is a terrific runner and goes into hiding. Big Mama forbids chicken chasing, but how can the little girl be the best chicken chaser if she doesn’t practice? It’s all very frustrating. When the girl finally finds Miss Hen—on a nest with a brood of fuzzy chicks—she decides to leave off chasing chickens and raise them instead.
Clever Jack Takes the Cake
By Candace Fleming. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Schwartz & Wade, 2010. Ages 4–7.
The princess is turning ten, and Jack receives an invitation to her birthday celebration. Parties are fun, but birthdays mean presents—and Jack can’t afford one. Instead he makes a luscious layer cake. But pesky blackbirds, a troll, and even a palace guard stop Jack along the way, each taking a piece of the present. By the time Jack gets to the party, the only thing left to give the princess is the story of his travels—which, she assures him, is the best gift of all.
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
By Marla Frazee. Illustrated by the author. Harcourt, 2008. Ages 5–7.
James and Eamon, a couple of energetic cartoon buddies, are staying with Eamon’s grandparents while attending a week of nature camp during the day: “They miss their parents like crazy (yeah, right).” Grandma Pam makes them waffles and smiles a lot. Grandpa Bill tries to interest them in bird-watching. The boys make faces at each other instead. At camp they throw pinecones and occasionally hang upside down by their feet. They both wear bandages on their foreheads, and they lie in the grass and do nothing at all. What they get out of the week isn’t what the grown-ups envisioned, but it’s fun, fun, fun all the same.
Dino-Baseball
By Lisa Wheeler. Illustrated by Barry Gott. Carolrhoda, 2010. Ages 4–6.
It’s a sunny day at Jurassic Park, and enthusiastic crowds fill the bleachers. The Rib-Eye Reds (carnivores) and the Green Sox (herbivores) are in a playoff. The players are primed and ready to go; it’s prehistoric rivalry taken to new heights. Triceratops is up to bat; T-Rex is pitching. The crowd goes wild. A seventh inning stretch, and the game continues; Apatosaurus is the Green Sox’s “only hope.” Which team will win? Two favorites themes combine in one funny, action-packed read-aloud. Dino-Soccer, Dino-Hockey, and the latest book, Dino-Basketball, follow the same successful formula.
Dinosaur Dinosaur
By Kevin Lewis. Illustrated by Daniel Kirk. Orchard, 2006. Ages 4–6.
The catchy jump-rope jingle “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” is the inspiration for another lively read-aloud about prehistoric critters at play. Comic details in the pictures add to the fun as the book follows a dinosaur kid as he wakes, outfits himself in jeans and a red ball cap, eats his Dino Puffs (his mother reads the Dinosaur Times), and joins his buddies, an orange triceratops and a purple brontosaurus, playing soccer and jumping rope: “Busy-whizzy dinosaur, / all the livelong day!” Just like human kids everywhere.
Dragon Dancing
By Carole Lexa Schaefer. Illustrated by Pierr Morgan. Viking, 2007. Ages 4–6.
After hearing a story about a dragon, a group of schoolchildren, encouraged by pigtailed Mei Li, uses colored paper, feathers, and sparkles to build a dragon with “boink-boink” eyes and a long ribbon tail. Soon they are out the door with their creation, dragon dancing on a playground transformed by imagination. Like The Squiggle, in which a simple piece of red string inspires imaginative play, this book is a beguiling celebration of the delight children find in the simplest things. Brimming with colorful language (“swirl-whirling,” “la-dee-daw dawdling”), it is also an excellent choice for little ones.
Drum City
By Thea Guidone. Illustrated by Vanessa Newton. Tricycle, 2010. Ages 4–6.
It begins with one small boy beating out a jaunty rhythm on a pot. Soon others respond to his swingin’ sound. With brooms and cans, spoons and bowls, they flood the city with lively music. No one can resist the syncopated beat, and heads turn to watch as the endless line of happy kids, black and white, big and small, short and tall, follow the drummer boy down the street. The book’s rollicking rhyme begs to be read aloud, possibly accompanied by the beat of a listener’s homemade drum.
Easy as Pie
By Cari Best. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2010. Ages 4–6.
Jacob, who brandishes a wooden spoon in his baby picture, loves to cook. He especially likes television food celebrity Chef Monty. After watching Baking with Chef Monty, Jacob decides to bake an anniversary gift for his parents—a peach pie. Sunny artwork pictures his devotion to Monty’s rules, the most important, perhaps, being “Don’t give up.” Jacob doesn’t, and he ends up with a delicious Happy Peach Pie, which everyone eats before dinner. Chef Monty’s list of rules and a recipe for pie complete this delectable story.
Five Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek
By Eileen Christelow. Illustrated by the author. Clarion, 2004. Ages 4–6.
The naughty monkeys (whose previous, equally hysterical adventures have taken them from baking a cake to unsuccessfully doing nothing) cause havoc once again, this time by hiding from their babysitter, Lulu. Although they promise Mama they’ll be good, they can’t resist a trick or two. After a few exemplary rounds of hide-and-seek, the monkeys vanish. Lulu is stumped, and she starts to worry. Where could they be? They are in the very last place anyone (except Mama) would look: in bed. Rollicking fun; good for counting practice, too.
Follow the Leader
By Erica Silverman. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2003. Ages 4–6.
Big Brother insists that Little Brother copy whatever he says and does. After patiently following along, Little Brother has had enough. His idea of fun isn’t (literally) jumping through hoops. He wants to try his hand at being a leader, too, and rather than end the game, Big Brother agrees. It’s
plain from the impish expression on Little Brother’s face when he takes over the lead that he has sweet revenge in mind.
Hot Rod Hamster
By Cynthia Lord. Illustrated by Derek Anderson. Scholastic, 2010. Ages 4–6.
Hamster has a “need for speed,” and 4 Paws Speedway is the place to go. But before he can take to the track, he needs a car. With help from a bunch of mice and a junkyard bulldog (who asks listeners to select the parts of the car), he builds one. It’s a beauty, too— an “itty-bitty green car,” decorated with orange flames. Next it’s off to the track, where Hamster is up against a crew of determined dogs. Winning isn’t his only concern. If he crosses the finish line first, which trophy should he choose? For other stories about hot-wheel wonders, look for Alex Zane’s Wheels on the Race Car and Kristy Dempsey’s Mini Racer at your library.
How Do You Wokka-Wokka?
By Elizabeth Bluemle. Illustrated by Randy Cecil. Candlewick, 2009. Ages 4–6.
What’s a “wokka-wokka?” Think of it as happy nonsense. As a boy travels through his urban neighborhood, he asks everyone he passes how they do their wokka-wokka. Everyone he asks has a “wokka way,” which always involves flapping, dancing, and hopping around, as well as some delightfully silly rhyme and wordplay. A wild party on the “blocka-blocka” is the end result. Tongue-twisting fun, guaranteed to inspire energetic leaping around as well as some original nonsense rhymes.
How to Catch a Fish
By John Frank. Illustrated by Peter Sylvada. Neal Porter, 2007. Ages 5–7.
Fishing isn’t high on the list of common topics for children’s book authors, though it’s an activity shared by many parents and children. This collection of thirteen linked poems gives the sport its due. To answer the title question, the book traverses the globe from Japan to Ireland to Namibia to New England, to introduce various forms fishing takes: ice fishing, seine fishing, spearfishing, fly-fishing, and more. Adults and children who enjoy this pastime will be well pleased.