A Long Road on a Short Day

A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney is a very short chapter book that is worthwhile read for all ages.  Samuel and his father set out one snowy day in search of a cow for their family.  On the way, they stop to visit many people, and eventually do end up with a cow, and a surprise for Samuel, too.  The story reminded me a little of the game bigger and better, where you start out with a toothpick and you keep trading up until you get something very large.

The Nature of Yosemite

 

The Nature of Yosemite: A Visual Journey by Robb Hirsch is a book for all ages.  This oversized book has landscape photos of Yosemite, as well as close ups of plants and animals.  The photos make me want to go back to Yosemite, or at least get to some of the other national parks that are closer to me.

The Winter King

The Winter King by Christine Cohen is one of my recent reads.  Cora lives in a kingdom where winter makes things even more difficult for everyone.  She is tired of being cursed and poor so she tries to find some answers in hopes that her family can survive.  This book is worth reading if you are 10 or older, even if don't usually read fantasy.

Little Red Ruthie

Little Red Ruthie by Gloria Koster and illustrated by Sue Eastland is a twist on the traditional Red Riding story worth looking for at your library.  Ruthie goes to visit her grandma for Hanukkah to make latkes.  On her trip, she encounters a wolf.  Ruthie outsmarts the wolf in this clever tale and gets to enjoy the holiday with her grandmother.  A good book for this time of year to help children understand a little about another culture, or a book to add to a collection of Little Red Riding Hood stories.