Welcome to another installment in our series of blog posts featuring children’s books we’re currently loving! “Book Chat with the Youth Services Team” features one book recommendation from each of our Youth Services team members. We cover a variety of books from fiction to non-fiction, picture books to chapter books, graphic novels and more! We hope that this month’s reading recommendations get you excited about some awesome new books we’ve added to our collection as well as some oldies but goodies. Enjoy!
SUMMER INTERN SPOTLIGHT
Richmond Public Library was lucky enough to host summer interns this year. Each branch in our system had one intern supporting all things youth services. We’ve included recommendations from some of them in this month’s roundup. We hope you enjoy these books as much as we’ve enjoyed our interns this summer!
Shawn recommends: The Worry-Worry Whale Made 32 Mistakes by Deborah Diesen (ages 4-8)
Have you ever made a ton of mistakes that you never thought you’d learn to get something right? In this silly story, Willa the whale is trying to perfect the art of swimming backward, making a total of 32 mistakes. Feeling discouraged, she confides in the other sea creatures around her to discover that everyone makes mistakes, some even making several hundred of them. Anyone who reads this book will be relieved to know that not only does everyone make mistakes, but that it’s important to make them to become skilled at any feat.
Isabella recommends: The Dark by Lemony Snicket (ages 4-7)
Lazlo is afraid of the dark, which can be found everywhere but always lives in the basement of his house. When the dark comes to visit Lazlo in his bedroom one night, Lazlo has to make his own visit to the basement to find a way to turn back on his nightlight. The Dark reminds us that things like basements, creaky stairs, and shadows don’t have to be scary. Great for young readers who might benefit from that message, or anyone who loves an atmospheric, strikingly illustrated story!
Staff Recommendations
Beth recommends: The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien (ages 8 and up)
When I was little I played in the woods all the time making up stories with my friends. What a great time we had scaring each other, telling stories, having treasure hunts… ahh the memories. Then I came across the book The Bellwoods Game and I felt like someone reached into my memories and made a story. Only this story comes to life each year in a small town where a mysterious bell sits in the woods. Every year on Halloween, 3 sixth graders are choosen to play the Bellwoods Game. It’s easy to do, just go into the woods and be the first to ring the bell. The winner gets a wish. Fun, right? Well, in this story, the woods have another idea. Each year children go into the woods and the Spector wants a gift. If you give it a gift, you can make it out of the woods without harm. This year is going to be different. Friends have to learn how to overcome their fears, work together to survive the woods, and figure out how to communicate with each other. Can they do it or are their fears going to get the best of them? Read it and find out. This is a fun, spooky book that really goes a long way in showing how friends need to stick together and believe in each other.
Lisa recommends: Joan in the Cone by Billy Sharff. Illustrated by Hala Tahboub (ages 3-7)
Joan is a dog who unfortunately must wear the “cone of shame.” The story begins showing a mischievous Joan who while loving life tends to cause some havoc in the process. Joan’s boldness tinged with curiosity lands her at the vet and in the new dreaded cone. Joan finds life in the cone not so fun and goes on a repentant mission to rectify some of her past misdeeds. The rhyming in this book flows very nicely and the illustrations are cute of Joan in action. Children with a playful, naughty pet will enjoy this book as well as the adults that read it to them!
Adrianne recommends: Ant Party by Ross Montgomery (ages 3-7)
It’s Andy the Ant’s birthday and he is having a party. He invites his neighbors to the party. And they invite the farmer ants, who invite the worker ants, who invite the soldier ants, who invite the neighboring ant hills. When an uninvited guest shows up, the ants must work together to save the day! Ant Party is a fun, colorful book with a bit of humor about working together and having a good time..
Sarah recommends: On the First Day of Preschool by Tish Rabe (ages 2-5)
On the First Day of Preschool details all the new, exciting things little ones can expect to do and learn at preschool. From eating snack and playing with blocks to sharing with friends and learning their ABCs, this helps kids understand what a school day might look like. Adding to the fun, this book can be read or sung to the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas. Whether your little one is starting school for the first time this fall, or heading back for another great year, this book is a great reminder that there is so much to look forward to at preschool!
Madison recommends: First Day Around The World by Ibi Aanu Zoboi (ages 3-6)
Habari za asubuhi! That’s how children in Tanzania and Kenya greet each other on the way to their first day of school! Ibi Zoboi’s book, First Day Around the World, introduces readers to children from different countries as they prepare for this exciting milestone. While cultural traditions, uniforms, and breakfast foods may vary, children everywhere share the same feelings of excitement and nervousness. This book is a fantastic conversation starter for little ones who may be feeling anxious about their first day. It’s a perfect pick for back-to-school season or any time you’re celebrating global perspectives. I recommend also checking out Zoboi’s First Day Around the World. Want more? Here are two activities you can do with your child after reading the book:
- After reading, invite children to draw a picture of what they think their own first day of school will look like.
- Teach children how to say “hello” or “good morning” in the languages featured in the book (e.g., Habari za asubuhi, Bonjour, Ni hao). Turn it into a fun call-and-response game or morning greeting ritual.
Mirissa recommends: Pie-Rats by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough. Illustrated by David Mottram. (ages 3-7)
Perfect for your Arr-gust adventures, this swashbuckling tale is little salty and a lot of sweet. Follow along through rhyming, punny text as a shipful of rats search for their treat of choice: pie. Your tummy will rumble as every flavor imaginable is described—plus keep an eye out for what flavors can be found drawn into the skyscape, my favorite little detail in this illustrative feast. But what happens when a crew of hamsters get to the treasure first? No matter what your stance on desserts, you’ll leave this one chanting ‘Pie, Pie, Pie, Pie!’ along with the captain and crew.
Summer recommends: The Colors of Us by Karen Katz (ages 2-5)
Originally published in 1999, I fondly recall this picture book from my own childhood bookshelf. When Lena wants to paint herself, she figures she just needs a generic brown for her skin tone. Her mother then takes her for a walk through the city, to explore all the beautiful shades of brown of her friends, family, and community members. Lena appreciates everyone’s unique tones and paints them all – the colors of us. The bright illustrations make this a wonderful read for any family.
Lauren recommends: Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison (ages 3-6)
Not everyone likes to be hugged and that’s okay! This is a great book to teach your kids about asking permission before hugging/touching someone and how to handle if they say no. It’s also a great book for kids who don’t like to be hugged to show them different options and how to say no politely. I love how many different characters are in the book and that their reactions to hugs are so varied.
April recommends: SCAREDCITED on the First Day of School by Alliah L. Agostini (ages 3-6)
This is a sweet story that captures the feelings of nervousness and excitement children face when starting school for the first time. Through relatable characters and warm illustrations, young readers learn that it’s okay to feel scared. That new adventures can lead to wonderful friendships and new discoveries. What a perfect book for a child who is feeling anxious about new beginnings. This charming book encourages courage, curiosity, and the magic of a first day of school.
Rachel recommends: Splinter & Ash by Marieke Nijkamp (ages 8-12)
Nearly-12-year-old Princess Adelisa (Ash) of Calinor returns to the palace for the first time in six years to find that there’s no place for her. Court is less than welcoming to a disabled princess. According to the traditions of Calinor, only boys can be squires. Both girls and people like 12-year-old Splinter—who is neither—have never been sponsored, no matter how determined or talented. Ash and Splinter meet at a midwinter celebration and make a deal: Splinter will be Ash’s guide and companion to the royal city, and Ash will be Splinter’s sponsor. When it’s discovered that someone’s made an attempt on the queen’s life, Ash becomes the crown’s best chance to find out who it was. Splinter certainly isn’t going to let her sponsor, her princess, her friend go alone. Whatever comes next, they’ll face it together. Told in the alternating viewpoints of the titular characters, Splinter & Ash is a low-magic fantasy adventure and tale of political intrigue. It is a story about ability, privilege and equity, mistakes and their consequences, and carving a place for yourself when the world won’t make room.
Richard recommends: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (ages 7 and up)
Hello readers! I’ve decided to reread all of my favourites from when I was growing up. I’ve started with Nancy Drew, always a classic. This time it’s The Secret of the Old Clock, the first mystery that started the series. Originally written in 1930, then updated in 1959, this book introduces us to Nancy, her father Carson Drew, and several other of Nancy’s friends who help her along the way. The story follows Nancy as she helps Mr. Crowly’s friends find his missing will, before the evil Topham family steals his full inheritance. Hmm…I wonder where the will could be hidden? You’ll have to read to find out! Happy reading!
Joan recommends: The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown (ages 3-8)
You may be familiar with Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot series of middle-grade novels, or you may have seen the popular movie version of The Wild Robot. This book, The Wild Robot on the Island, is a picture book adaptation of the first novel, which is about a robot who washes up on an island. In order to survive, the robot, Roz, has to adapt to her surroundings and learn to live like the wild animals of the island. At first the animals mistake Roz for a monster, but she forges connections with them. After finding and caring for an orphaned egg, she becomes the adoptive parent of a gosling, whom she names Brightbill. Because I’m a fan of the novels, I wasn’t sure what to think when I first saw that there was a picture book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The illustrations are beautiful! It’s a picture book, so of course we don’t get quite all of the drama and character development found in the novel. However, this version still gets to the heart of the story and touches on themes of resilience, friendship, and family. The detailed, full-color illustrations really help tell Roz’s story visually, making it accessible to younger readers. I’d consider this a solid choice to share with kids in preschool through 2nd grade just as a stand-alone read. It could also serve as a springboard to the Wild Robot series for kids who are ready or almost ready for the novels (which I heartily recommend for kids in 3rd-5th grades).
Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations. Until then, happy reading!
