Butterflies in my Stomach and Other School Hazards

by Serge Bloch
Ages 3-8,Adults

Serge Bloch creates a humorous book about a boy’s first day of school. He combines idioms with great illustrations. The illustrations are a combination between the boy’s stick figured life and a real picture. The boy was told he was opening a can of worms and the picture is the stick figured boy holding a real picture of a can of worms. Ingenious combination of illustrations of well-known idioms depict a boy’s first day at school. I loved this book and think adults will enjoy reading this book with their children.

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

written by Lenore Look and illustrated by Leuyen Pham
Ages: 7-10

Meet Alvin Ho, aka Firecracker Man, a very cool kid who is afraid of lots of things: heights, school, substitute teachers, the dark, kimchi, and wasabi, to name a few. After packing his personal disaster kit (or PDK), he prepares for the first day of second grade- little does he know the adventures that await. Alvin's encounters include learning about the "s-word," a girl named Flea (who has a peg leg and an eye patch), cursing a la Shakespeare, and scary piano teachers. With a family that loves and supports him (and occasionally drives him nuts), Alvin learns the importance of being himself- and he might just overcome a fear or two in the process.

Alvin Ho is a quirky, endearing character that your reader will cheer on. This is a book to fall into and devour. Fun and funny, yet pleasantly heartwarming with a wonderful message, Alvin Ho is a must read!

Seeing Stars

by Dandi MacKall and Illus. by Claudine Gevry
Ages: 3 to 7
Poetry book

A book about how stars connect the whole world together is great. It does not matter where you live or visit, the stars are in the sky. The first star the book helps you find is the North Star. You learn how to find the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, Taurus the Bull, and other constellations. On each page, the stars are sparkly, with a dark blue background. Pictures of stars connecting making the constellations are on the right and in the sky are the stars connected to help readers see what they are and what they are representing. Under each night sky (on each page) is a different part of the world where people are enjoying the stars in the sky: people who live near the North Pole, on an island, in China, or in the woods camping. The last lines state it best, “You’re never alone when the stars are in view. Just imagine the world that is gazing at you.” Everyone is a part of this big world and we have the stars in common.

The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm Series #1)

The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm Series #1)
written by Michael Buckley and illustrated by Peter Ferguson
ages 8-adult

Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are left confused and alone after their parents mysteriously disappear. The girls are sent to live with their Granny Relda in Ferryport landing after a series of disastrous foster homes. Sabrina and Daphne soon discover that they are the descendants of the famous storytelling icons, the Brothers Grimm. Their Granny tells them that the book of fairy tales is not an act of storytelling, but actual case studies created by the their ancestors regarding Everafters (as the characters in fairy tales prefer to be called). Sabrina thinks that her Granny is more than a little odd and doesn't believe that the characters or events in the fairy tales were ever real. But as Sabrina and her sister meet a host of fairy tale characters from Prince Charming to the Big Bad Wolf, and her Granny is captured by a giant, she begins to change her mind. Sabrina and Daphne try out their fairy tale detective heritage as they try to save Granny and discover the Everafter behind the crime.

In the first novel of the Sisters Grimm series, Michael Buckley puts a spin on the fractured fairytale. Creative and engaging, this novel is just the beginning of an amazing 7 part series involving two plucky and heroic sisters. This novel is compelling as it is mixed with suspense, mystery, and humor. Lovers of fantasy will enjoy this book although it seems to appeal to a variety of readers. I have thoroughly enjoyed them and am not (generally) a reader of fantasy. I would also hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone whose child falls into the younger end of the 8+ spectrum-the novel does have some characters with scare potential. This book comes with a warning: once you start reading, you won't be able to stop!

Summer reading

Often, I am asked "How can I encourage my child(ren) to read more during the summer?" I have a few suggestions:

1. Go the Library at least every 3 weeks. Children need to be exposed to print and have options/choices for reading. Also if you go every three weeks, you will remember to return the books and not get fined.

2. Don't force your child to read certain books. Find out what interest your child and let them read about it. My mother was concerned about my brother because all he loved to read was comic books. Reading is good, even if they are comic books. Interest and motivation are huge factors in reading. Nobody likes to be forced to read something they are not interested in. It can destroy the desire to read.

3. Ask you children about what they are reading. Take a few minutes each week to have a book discussion/club with your child. Adults love to talk about what they read and how they felt. Children enjoy doing the same thing. Ask them questions about what they read, how it made them feel, inferences, did they like it, etc...

Show Way

by Woodson, Jacqueline.
Illus. Hudson Talbott.
Ages 4-10

Jacqueline tells the history of her maternal ancestors in this book. These ancestors were taught to sew, especially quilts. Quilts used to have secrets and directions sewn into them to help slaves escape to the north. Each ancestor had difficult circumstances but they were able to make a difference for the next generation. Jacqueline embraces this legacy of strong African-American women. Illustrations are like a quilt themselves. Each square tells a part of history and they are all connected together throughout the book. I really enjoy reading the history of women in Woodson's family.

Diary of a Worm

written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss
ages: k-3

What could possibly be so interesting in the life of a worm that he would want to keep a diary? Lots! A school-aged worm chronicles his everyday adventures including the dreaded fishing season and hopscotch. He has homework, a best friend, and quite a sense of humor. Find out what goes on in the life of a worm-you might be surprised at how much you have in common.

Brought to you by the author of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type and Giggle, Giggle Quack, Diary of a Worm is just plain fun. The illustrations creatively portray what might really be going on underground. As you read, be on the lookout for some interesting worm facts. This has been in high demand since coming home from the library.

Do you have a hat?

By Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Geraldo Valerio
Ages-4 to 8

This book takes a relatable idea of everyone wearing a hat and mixes it with historical figures and their hats. There are snow hats, beach hats, cowboy hats, and rain hats. The historical characters in his book who are wearing hats are Abraham Lincoln, Nat Love (first African-American Cowboy), Amelia Earhart, Johnny Appleseed, etc… Each historical figure had a unique hat. It doesn’t matter what hat you are wearing, but that you are unique. The illustrations used bold colors to give a realistic view, but the characters are real, but still different enough children can relate.

This book was chosen because my father has a authentic hat collection and his birthday is tomorrow. Happy Birthday DAD!

The Seven Chinese Sisters

written by Kathy Tucker and illustrated by Grace Lin
ages: k-3

There once were seven Chinese sisters who lived and worked together and also took care of one another. Each sister has unique talents and abilities ranging from counting past 500 to making exceptional noodle soup--all except for baby Seventh Sister. Her talent still lies undiscovered. When a fierce red dragon takes Seventh Sister, the other six sisters work together to save her.

In this update of the classic Chinese folktale, the Seven Sisters work together in the love and bond that is sisterhood. This story reiterates the amazing strength of girls and the talents that each individual has. Read this with a girl that you love--it is truly a book filled with "girl power!"