The poet remembers summers growing up in Mexico in poems presented in both English and Spanish. Readers meet his family and join them in the everyday joys of the sunny season. Illustrations are as colorful and evocative as the words.
From the Bellybutton of the Moon and other Summer Poems / Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas de verano
Getting to Know You! Rogers and Hammerstein Favorites
Giant Pandas
When Farmer Brown leaves his brother in charge, hewarns Bob to keep an eye on the duck, because “he’s trouble.” Bob follows the farmer’s written instructions to the letter, but are they authentic? Astute readers willknow who’s really writing them from the animated,cartoon-like illustrations. The animals were firstintroduced in Click, Clack, Moo (Simon and Schuster,2000), another barnyard chuckler.
Giggle, Giggle, Quack
Gooney Bird is a memorable character whose outrageous tales are all true! Children may see their world differently through Gooney Bird’s storytelling and consider writing themselves just like the kids in Ms. Pidgeon’s class at Watertower Elementary School. This is first of Lowry’s Gooney Bird books, all of which are relatable.
Gooney Bird Greene
Sam-I-Am tirelessly tries to convince the other guy that he’ll just adore green eggs and ham. Resistance is futile. However, to the nameless fellow’s delight, he discovers that he indeed likes the delicacy and will eat them everywhere! Readers — new and experienced — appreciate the silliness and verve of this rhyming adventure.
Green Eggs and Ham
Vividly colored vegetables make a delicious soup in this handsome and informative book. Additional details are provided in small labels about the seeds that are planted and the vegetables that emerge.
Growing Vegetable Soup
This is a great bedtime story for reading with your children or, in my case, my grandchildren. This lovely book has become a reference point for expressing our love for one another. Sometimes, Alexis says “I love you all the way up to my toes.” And, sometimes, Kasie says “I love you right up to the moon.” And sometimes I say “I love you right up to the moon… and back.”
Guess How Much I Love You
Gus and Grandpa
A boring summer turns into a fantastic series of adventures when Jane and her three siblings find an ancient coin that makes wishes come true – but only halfway. Other magical titles by Edward Eager include: Knight’s Castle, Magic by the Lake, The Time Garden, Magic or Not, The Well-Wishers, and Seven-Day Magic.
Half Magic
What does a child do or see others do with their hands? Paint, garden, make different things — and reach out to others. The young narrator’s words ring true in this uniquely designed and well-paced glimpse into hands.
Hands
Realistic watercolors present the summer celebration a boy shares with his family on the 4th of July. The day’s activities range from a pet parade and games to a barbeque and concert. The patriotic performance concludes with fireworks, after which the family returns home, tired but happy. The story is inspired by an actual community gala.
Happy Birthday, America
Harley is loner who just can’t seem to getalong with the other llamas. But a shepherd who needs to protect his flock from coyotes sees something else inHarley. Harley not only befriends the sheep, he becomes a loveable animal hero in this short but informative and captivating book.
Harley
Harry was a white dog with black spots — until he slid down the coal chute. Then he became a black dog with white spots. When my mother read me this story, I still remember worrying that the family would never recognize Harry. But lo and behold, Harry digs up the scrubber brush and they finally give him a bath. Great illustrations, fun story, happy memories! (Recommended by David)
Harry the Dirty Dog
Hazel’s Amazing Mother
Jen helps her Chinese-American family get ready for the traditional celebration of her brother Henry’s one-month birthday. Lively, stylized illustrations move the story at a quick pace to its satisfying conclusion.
Henry’s First Moon Birthday
Sophisticated readers will appreciate how the author uncovered the story of a young African girl who left her native land and became known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta in Queen Victoria’s England. Primary sources are used to reveal this authentic story about a real African princess who met a British queen.
At Her Majesty’s Request: An African Princess in Victorian England
Children will repeat the lively, predictable, and engaging rhyme that fills this book. The text heightens awareness of the parts of the body, from head to toe, and what each can do. Crisp, realistic illustrations make this ideal for sharing and acting out with young children.
Here Are My Hands
Here Comes Mother Goose
Hawaii is home to no less than 8 national parks where magic abounds in natural wonders such as the Volcanoes National Park. In this Magic Tree House installment, Jack and Annie are instructed to find a “special magic” in old Hawaii. They find it in Hawaii’s beauty and the drama of natural disasters!
High Tide in Hawaii
This book made me want to be a reader! I caught on to the first few pages quickly. But the back section, with multiple words per page, was a challenge. And I couldn’t wait to be able to read them! I could feel Dr. Seuss pulling me along with his dynamic creatures bouncing from page to page: “Don’t you want to know what happens?” “Oh, I do, I do!”
Hop on Pop
Benjamin Franklin was amazing. He was a musician, aprinter, a cartoonist, a shopkeeper, an inventor andmore. He figured out how to solve many problems – including how to steal lightening from the sky toprevent it from starting fires in Colonial towns. Conversational text and lighthearted illustrationsintroduce this early American hero to a new generation.
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning
When Bear brags and Chipmunk teases, the results are an angry bear and a striped chipmunk. Animated language and colorful illustrations tell a Native American pourquoi story — a tale that explains why — that’s perfect for sharing aloud.