Readers have responded to my request to share their favorite children’s books that address specific categories. As promised, those books that received the greatest number of votes are listed below.
Today’s listed books fall into the categories of love, humor-imagination and family. Last week featured your recommended books under the categories of compassion-empathy-kindness and friendship.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their opinion on wonderful, must-read books for children. With so many voices across the country casting votes for these books, they’ve got to be worth reading!
Love: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo, “Something for Nothing” by Phoebe Gilman, “Mama Loves” by Rebecca Kai Dottich and “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney.
Humor-imagination: “Roxaboxen” by Alice McLerran, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” by Judy Barrett, “Skippyjon Jones” by Judy Schachner and “Amelia Bedelia” by Peggy Parish.
Family: “Something for Nothing” by Phoebe Gilman, “Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell, “Like Jake and Me” by Mavis Jukes and “The Relatives Came” by Cynthia Rylant.
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog” by Pamela S. Turner, illustrated by Yan Nascimbene, 32 pages
Read aloud: 4 and older.
Read yourself: 7 to 8 and older.
Hachiko was still a puppy when he came to live with Dr. Ueno. Dr. Ueno worked at Tokyo Imperial University, and every morning Hachiko walked with him to the train station, and every afternoon Hachiko was waiting for Dr. Ueno when he got off the train.
One day Dr. Ueno died while at work, and Hachiko, waiting for him to return, would not leave the station until the last train had gone. Every day thereafter, Hachiko went to the station in the morning and waited for Dr. Ueno until the last train of the day every day for 10 years until he, too, died.
This true story is at once sad and wonderful. To this day, there is a special Hachiko festival held every year at the statue erected in his honor at the train station in Japan.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace
Library director: Rosy Brewer
Children’s librarian: Susan Kirdahy
Choices this week: “Bark, George” by Jules Feiffer, “Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye” by Geronimo Stilton and “A Year Down Yonder” by Richard Peck
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book” written, illustrated and developed by Rufus Butler Seder, 21 pages
Read aloud: age birth to age 8.
Read yourself: age 7 and older.
Nothing has ever been published before like “Gallop!” Each page boasts a different animal literally in motion — art that actually moves.
Told in rhyme, this magical little book will amaze children (and adults) as they read and watch a little movie on every double-page spread.
“With Love from Maisy” written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, 16 pages
Read aloud: age 3 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 to 8.
The cheerful little mouse, Maisy, has just returned from a trip and she has presents for all of her friends. Lift the flaps to see what gifts Maisy has brought for everyone. Spin the wheel to help Maisy’s friends think of the perfect gift for her. As an added surprise, there is even a gift from Maisy to the young reader.
Delightful in every way, children age 3 and older will adore this Maisy minibook that speaks of friendship and sharing.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached by e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
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