And Then Comes Summer

And Then Comes Summer written by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Jaime Kim is a perfect celebration of summer.  Flip-flops, parades, lazy days, lemonade stands, fireworks, ice cream trucks, vacation and camping all show up in this book.  The illustrations made me want to enjoy summer immediately, though the first time I read it was in March.  It is a book that children will enjoy and make adults wish for the idyllic summer days of their childhood.

Up in the Leaves

Up in the Leaves by Shira Boss and illustrated by Jamey Christoph is a new book I stumbled across at the library last week.  Bob Redman is not someone I had heard of, but after reading this book I want to know more about him.  As a boy, Bob lived in New York City.  He loved the outdoors and climbing trees.  One summer, he decided to build a tree house in one tree in Central Park.  It was discovered and taken down.  He did that again, and again, and again, making each one more complex.  Finally, he got a job offer to work in the park taking care of the trees.   This picture book is based on Bob's youth and written by his wife.  One girl read the book and thought it was a little sad (Bob's tree houses kept getting taken down).  A younger elementary boy liked the book-he seemed intrigued by the boy's persistence in building tree house after tree house.  This book could be used as a good discussion starter for students eight and older.   

How to Have a Good Day

The Word Collector

The Word Collector is Peter H. Reynolds' newest book.  Jerome is a collector of words.  He finds them everywhere-in conversations with friends, in books he reads, and on signs.  He writes them all down on small pieces of paper, gathering a large collection.  Then he sorts them into groups.  At the end of the book, Jerome releases all the words so others can also enjoy them.  I liked this story because it is about collecting, words, and sharing. The story is short and worth sharing with a class of any age or your own child.  Those of you who are teachers could brainstorm at least a few activities to go along with this story. 

Willa and the Bear

Willa and the Bear by Philomena O'Neill is a new book that most children will enjoy.  Willa is going with her parents to her grandparents house, but loses her doll on the way.  She is sad because she has lost her favorite doll (made by her grandma).  Later that evening, Willa's doll is returned by an unexpected friend.    Even though the main character is a girl, this book has appeal for both boys and girls.

I Love to Read month

February is I Love to Read month at my school.  This year I came up with a new idea to help kids find reading interesting.  I collected a bunch of used picture books.  Then I wrapped each book.  Each time a group comes, one student gets to choose a book to unwrap.  I read the story aloud, and then another student's name is chosen.  That student gets to take the book home to keep.  By the end of the month, everyone will have at least one chance to open a book, as well as take a book home.