PICTURE BOOKS
Buitrago, Jairo: DRAWING OUTDOORS
This is a story about a “school that has almost nothing” but has a very special teacher.
Dorleans, Marie: OUR FORT
Three friends set out to visit their secret fort at the edge of the woods, but as they are enjoying the freedom and nature all around them a big storm rolls in. —Publisher’s note
Geron, Eric: THE POULTRYGEIST
Why did the chicken cross the road? How did the chicken cross the road? Where is the chicken now? CAUTION: Contains images that may scare you silly! (This is true.) —Publisher’s note
Hayes, Karel: THE SPRING VISITORS
A family of bears awaken in a cottage after a nice winter sleep. Torrential rains hamper their efforts to leave the cottage shipshape for the returning human owners. It looks a lot like Mt. Desert in the spring. Hopefully you did not have bears in your house for the winter.
Khan, Naaz: ROOM FOR EVERY ONE
When Musa and Dada board a bus to the beach in Zanzibar, Africa, the friendly bus driver turns one stop into ten stops with increasingly large passengers in this silly counting book set in Africa.
McGinty, Alice: BATHE THE CAT
The family cat turns a day of housework into riotous story-time fun in this rhyming tale of mixed-up chores and family silliness.
Myers, Matt: CHILDREN OF THE FOREST
Seeking a life of freedom and adventure. Look no further than your own backyard. —Publisher’s note
Reynolds, Emma: AMARA AND THE BATS
Amara loves bats, so when she learns there are none near her new home due to habitat loss, she overcomes her feelings of helplessness and inspires her community to take action. Combines a good story along with a lot of information about bats.
Root, Phyllis: CELIA PLANTED A GARDEN. Writer, painter and gardener Celia Thaxter grew up on a desolate island where her father worked as lighthouse keeper. When Celia was twelve the family moved to Appledore Island where her father built a large hotel and Celia planted a garden that is still there today. True story.
Note: This is an especially fine new collection of picture books. Come and have a look. Picture books are for all ages.
NOVELS RECOMMENDED FOR READERS IN GRADES 3 – 6
Elliott, L.M.: LOUISA JUNE AND THE NAZIS IN THE WAVES
The author captures the drama and heartbreak of the U-boat attacks on the eastern US coast during World War II through the eyes of a young girl living in tidewater Virginia.
Field, Rachel: HITTY AND HER FIRST HUNDRED YEARS, A Newbery Award Winner
The author lived on Sutton Island when she wrote about a six inch tall doll named Hitty carved by a man named Preble living on Great Cranberry Island. The doll belonged to a little girl named Phoebe. Hitty has many adventures including being on a pirate ship.
Kelly, Erin Entrada: THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK
Every day in Fawn Creek, Louisiana, is exactly the same. Until it isn’t. —Publisher’s note
Meade, Suzanne: A TERRIBLE TIDE: A STORY OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND TSUNAMI OF 1929. On November 18, 1929, Celia is setting the table for her 13th birthday when an earthquake destroys her home and village. Celia must help her family survive the disaster. Based on a true story.
NON-FICTION
Coppens, Katie (Gr. 2-4): THE ACADIA FILES, SUMMER SCIENCE
This is a good book for readers who like science and like to ask questions. The main character is a girl named Acadia who asks many questions starting with, “Who keeps stealing my blueberries just as they ripen?” (Series)
Happy reading!