Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Words are powerful, but the gift of reading can be taken for granted in a country with a high literacy rate. It wasn't always that way. Children who grew up in the South, as slaves, did not have the opportunity to learn to read. In Words Set Me Free by Lesa Cline-Ransome, the author tells... Continue Reading →
My girls grabbed Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett before I had a chance to read it. Every time I picked it up, they both told me, "Oh Mom, you'll love that book! It's really funny!" And it is! Barnett, and his illustrator Adam Rex, get quite involved in the story Barnett is writing.... Continue Reading →
My 12-year-old daughter read Powerless by Matthew Cody and insisted that I read it too. I'm glad she did. Powerless is a story about superheroes - but not the well-known comic book kind. These superheroes are kids who have super powers. All except Daniel. He is just an ordinary kid who loves detective stories, and... Continue Reading →
In the 1930's, a lot of families had a lot of kids. And many of them were able to field their own baseball team. But none were as successful, and none played together as long as the Acerras in New Jersey. Brothers at Bat by Audrey Vernick tells their story. The Acerras had 12 boys... Continue Reading →
Princesses are supposed to be beautiful, aren't they? Drop-dead gorgeous, even. That's what the King and Queen of Phantasmorania expected of their seventh daughter. The other six girls were just what everyone expected princesses to be. But the Queen and the Ministers of State decided that all the fairies needed to be invited to the... Continue Reading →
Twelve-year-old Rob Horton cannot believe his eyes. He has discovered a real, live tiger! It's in the woods behind the hotel, locked in a cage. That very same day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a tough northern girl who strides onto the school bus in a pink dress. No one wears pink dresses to school, even... Continue Reading →
In the spirit of Black Stallion, War Horse by Michael Morpurgo tells the story of a horse. Joey, a big red bay, narrates his story - from the time he was a colt sold at auction to the time he returns from World War I. He enjoys a special relationship with Albert, the son of... Continue Reading →
The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups by David Wisniewski is proof that picture books are not just for toddlers and preschoolers. Children that age will not understand this book. Secret Knowledge is for older children, those who can appreciate the humor in Wisniewski's explanation of everyday things grown-ups tell children. Take, for example, "Don't jump on... Continue Reading →
Many years ago, my sister told me I needed to read The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. I looked at her a bit strangely, because it is a picture book, and I didn't have any children at the time. "Really, Michelle, read it." I conceded. And... Continue Reading →
The people were mourning their king, who was dying. They were also fearful of the future, because the king's son & heir, Prince Raphael, was not a pleasant person. As the king lay dying, he blessed his son, saying, "You cannot wear my crown until the day you marry a woman who is your equal... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 