Chasing Vermeer

by Blue Balliett illustrated by Brett Helquist
grades 4-6

Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay are two seemingly ordinary kids who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances when an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Using powers of intuition and problem solving skills along with some impressive sleuthing, the two friends attempt to solve a crime that even the FBI can't. Petra and Calder soon find themselves at the center of an international art scandal.

This is a smart, fun, and exciting book filled with intellectual puzzles and intrigue. Pentominoes, a mathematical tool consisting of 12 pieces, each representing a different letter, provide clues to the mystery at hand. Additionally, Brett Helquist weaves a mystery animal into the illustrations which creates a hidden message for the reader to decipher. Children and adults alike will enjoy this intellectually stimulating novel.

Hannah and the Whistling Teakettle

by Mindy Warshaw Skolsky and illustrated by Diane Palmisciano
ages: k-3

One early spring day, Hannah decides that it is time for her to take the bus over the bridge to visit her grandparents in New York City. Before she leaves, Hannah picks out a present for her Grandma- a beautiful whistling teakettle with a little red bird on the spout. Hannah's Grandma is notorious for not keeping presents. Whenever Grandma receives a gift, she always responds with, "Thank you very much, but that's not a necessity." Hannah is sure that she has finally found something that Grandma will keep. When Hannah arrives at her grandparents' candy store she explains to Grandma how the little red bird on the teakettle's spout signals that the water is boiling-a very useful feature indeed. Grandma says, "very pretty, but not a necessity." Two robbers come into the candy shop that evening while Grandpa is out, leaving Grandma, Hannah, and a little red bird to stop a robbery. Will Grandma keep the whistling tea kettle after all?

Filled with rollicking good fun and nostalgic illustrations, Hannah and the Whistling Teakettle is a heartwarming book that children and adults will enjoy reading together.

The Lambkins

By Eve Bunting
Grade 4-6, Science Fiction, Boys

The Lambkins is one of my favorite chapter books she has written. It is a light-hearted science fiction book. It reminded me of the Little’s, but with a science fiction flare. Kyle was kidnapped, after he was injected with some kind of formula, which shrunk him to the size of a Coke bottle, along with three others. Kyle realizes that he is a part of Mrs. Shepherd’s collection, the Lambkins. Mrs. Shepherd is a temperamental, lonely old lady, who desires to have company. So, she kidnapped 4 people including Kyle. You wonder:
Are the Lambkins going to stay small forever? How does she make them little? You experience the difficulties and drama as Kyle and the others plot to escape from Mrs. Shepherd.

Eve Bunting has written over 100 picture and chapter books of all genres.

Rapunzel

Written and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
age range: k-3

After many years of desiring to have a family, a couple finds that they are expecting a child. The couple's home is next to the garden of a witch and each day the wife looks out the window onto the beautiful garden. One day she is struck by such a craving for the rapunzel in the witch's garden that her husband climbs the wall and steals some. She devours the rapunzel and then states that she will die if she does not have more. Her husband obliges once more only to come face to face with the witch herself. The witch allows the husband to take the herb in exchange for the unborn baby. Soon after the birth of the baby, the witch comes for her. The story that follows is the well known tale of the girl in the tower and the prince who wins her heart.

Zelinsky brings to life the age-old tale of Rapunzel in this Caldecott award winning picture book. Drawing on traditions from France and Italy as well as the well known Grimm's fairy tales, Rapunzel is beautifully written. However, it is the luxurious paintings reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance that make it remarkable. The rich and intricate artwork is stunning and will draw in readers of all ages. This book would make an excellent jumping off point for a trip to the Art Museum and the beginning of an appreciation of art.

Skippyjon Jones

written and illustrated by Judy Schachner
ages: 4-8 years

Hola dudes! When Siamese cat Skippyjon Jones gets in trouble with Mama Junebug Jones for pretending to be a bird, she sends him to his room to think about what it means to be a cat. While Skippyjon is in his room jumping on his big boy bed, he sees himself in the mirror and is startled to see that he looks like a Chihuahua! After Skippyjon lands, he grabs a mask, his hobby mouse, his best Spanish accent and becomes El Skippito, the great sword fighting Chihuahua. As Skippyjon walks into his closet, "he is transported to a lonesome desert road, far, far away in old Mexico." Join Skippyjon Jones and his band of Chihuahuas, Los Chimichangos, as they battle El Blimpo Bumbelbeeto Bandito.

Full of silliness, rhymes, and the endearing El Skippito, this book is sure to engage readers and listeners alike! See if your local library or bookstore has this available as a book on tape--the author reads it and it is wonderful!

H is for Home Run: A Baseball Alphabet

By Brad Herzog and Illustrated by Melanie Rose

This a great book for boys and girls who love baseball. Each letter of the alphabet is connected with baseball in a cute way. “H is for home plate and hitting homers. Wow! Then happy home announcers shout, ‘A home run! Holy cow!’” In addition to the alphabet poem, each page includes a little informational section about baseball and the letter. I thought I already knew lots about baseball, but even I learned some new things. Alphabet books are great for pre-readers; it encourages their interest in the letters and sounds. My nephew LOVES this book. It has been read to him since he was 2. Now, he is 5 years old and has the book memorized. He knows his letters and sounds of those letters. Recognition of letters and their accompanying sounds is one of the key predictors of reading success.

A thought on reading...

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing

by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Ron Barrett
age: pre-K to 7

In Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, Judi Barrett (of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs fame), reminds readers of why our clothing just isn't quite right for animals. She writes, "because a snake would lose is, a mouse could get lost in it...." The illustrations are truly clever and lots of fun. We have read this book a number of times and everyone thinks that it is just hilarious (myself included). Although this book is recommended for pre-k through age 7, this book has universal appeal.

Other books by Judi Barrett: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Pickles to Pittsburgh

Fancy Nancy

by Jane O’Conner and illustrated by Robin Preiss-Glasser. Age K-3

As a tomboy myself, I thought I would not enjoy this book because it is about dressing up and being “fancy.” I was completely wrong and it is a delightful book. I was reminded of my innocence as a child from Nancy and desired to be a kid again. She reminded me that it is alright to pretend no matter how old you are. Throughout the book, Nancy teaches the importance of being fancy and other great French words. She realizes quickly that her family needs some training in being fancy and gives lessons and helps them accessorize their wardrobe. Her family supports her in being fancy and they enjoy a “Fancy” evening out in their new wardrobe. I love that her parents appreciate Nancy for who she is and allows to enjoy being “fancy.”

Fancy Nancy has become a popular series of books like Eloise, Olivia, and Madeline.

Rosa, Sola

Grade Level: 4-6
As the only child of Italian immigrant parents in 1960's Chicago, Rosa often feels sola, or alone. After visiting her friend AnnaMaria who has a new baby brother, Rosa feels a sense of hope. As she walks home, "she didn't know which she hated more--being lonely or being different. One thing she did know--she wanted a baby brother." She decides to pray for a baby brother. When Ma does get pregnant, Rosa is elated--thrilled that she will no longer be alone, or sola. When things go horribly wrong, Rosa wonders if she and her family will ever be the same again. Rosa ultimately finds solace and hope in unexpected places; a true story of courage that all children can appreciate and enjoy. Rosa, Sola is a powerful book about the resilience of love and family.

This book explains and defines Italian words in context and also includes a glossary of Italian words.

Increasing your Children's Vocabulary

Keep these statistics in mind: when a child reads independently (outside of school) for even 14.2 minutes per day, an average child is exposed to 1, 146,000 words per year!! If a child reads 65 minutes a day, this child is exposed to 4, 358,000 words per year. But if your child is only reading .7 minutes per day or about 45 minutes per week, they are only exposed to 21,000 words per year. This adds up to an incredible amount of vocabulary and knowledge that cannot be gained in any other way! Reading Children’s books is a great way to increase vocabulary exposure!! Children’s books contain 30.9 rare words per 1000! So you are constantly increasing your child’s vocabulary by reading children’s books! If you want your kids to get SMARTER—reading is the answer!

Take them to the library so they can check out books by these wonderful authors! Ask your child’s teacher for the list of authors! When your child reads for fun, reward them with MORE BOOKS, or more time to read, or time to read with you. Please do not give your child any money, stickers, prizes, candy, etc. for reading. Rather, ask your child: “What did you learn today? What are you interested in learning more about? Can you tell me more about _____?” Most of all, have FUN! There is so much out there to learn!!

Emily Swan Ph.D.

The Memory String

Ages: K-3
By Eve Bunting

Laura is resentful towards her stepmother and clings onto a family heirloom. It is a "memory string" of buttons taken from special garments that her mother had made. As Laura's father and stepmother paint the new house, Laura talks to the cat about the "memory string" and the significance of each button. The cat causes the memory string to break. Laura is distraught. Darkness falls and one button is still missing. The step mother insists, "Laura would rather have that button missing than have a replacement-It's like a mother. No substitute allowed." The stepmother finds the precious missing button in the dark with a flashlight and places it on the porch where Laura can see it. In the morning the child has had a change of heart and asks Jane's help in restringing the beads.

This books addresses the difficulties faced by death of a loved one in a non-dramatic way and it offers a hopeful beginning and invites readers to think about ways to remember family history-including making one's own button memory string.