SEARCHING FOR GIFT
IDEAS FOR YOUNG
FRIENDS AND FAMILY?
Books are
always a happy surprise!
Here are
some entertaining children’s books by some of my favorite authors
(and a
few by yours truly) for you to consider.
There are board books, picture books, and a marvelous anthology of Yiddish stories to explore.
Click on the titles to go to Amazon to learn more about your selections.
BOARD BOOKS
HORNS TO TOES AND IN BETWEEN – Sandra Boynton
Adorable monsters teach the names of body parts
in this silly dance that is fun and very readable throughout. (Ages 1-5)
THE GOING TO BED BOOK – by Boynton is
a delightful way to end a busy day. Join her adorable animal friends as they parade through their bedtime routine. (Ages 2-5)
DINOSNORES – also by Boynton
is just pure fun as a colorful collection of dinosaurs prepare
for sleep and then… Oh no! The dino-sized snoring begins! Boynton at her
entertaining best! (Ages 0-4)
A PET JUST FOR ME – Paula D. Golden
This playful journey anticipates the excitement
of a first pet. Will it be a furry companion, a
chirping bird or crawling critter? Share the fun of guessing what
pet is coming home. Available in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, Armenian (Ages 2-7)
THE BEAR SNORES ON – Karma Wilson
This rhyming story is an excellent
read-aloud experience. Wonderfully executed, smart, imaginative, and with a
delightful twist at the end! A story parents will enjoy reading again and again. (Ages 1-4)
PICTURE BOOKS
LOVE IS EVERYTHING
–
Charles Ghigna
From a starry sky, to a
mountain forest, Ghigna invites readers to believe in the beauty of nature. His
joyful refrain “I believe,” applies not just to the observable world. He
suggests it is felt inside each of us in wanting to do what’s right. The
characters' buoyant enthusiasm for life encourages us to remember – Love
surrounds us, if only we have the eyes to see and the heart to believe in each
other and ourselves.
(Ages 5-8)
A POEM IS A FIREFLY –
Charles Ghigna
What
a charming way to introduce young readers to the world of poetry. “A poem is a whisper. Whooooooo. A poem is a shout. Hoooowllllllll. A Poem is
a thought.” and so much more! Follow along as a bear, owl, wolf and other
woodland animals explore the question of what is poetry only to discover it can
be different things to different creatures… But always a marvelous source of enchantment.
(Ages 5-8)
THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY –
Janet Squires
The Gingerbread Cowboy can run from the rancher's
wife, he can dash past the javalinas and he can giddy-up right by the cattle
grazing on the mesa. But what happens when he meets a coyote sleeping in
the sun? A lively Western version of the classic read-aloud tale. (Ages 4-8)
JUST LIKE GULLIVER – Janet Squires
The
adventure of a young groundhog who is frightened of his shadow until a
fun-filled journey through the woods and farms surrounding his burrow allows
him to discover his courage on Groundhog Day. An author's note provides factual
information about Groundhogs.
(Ages 4-8)
GRACIE JANE –
Janet Squires
Gracie Jane has a heart as big as the Western sky, and
she's always ready to lend a helping hand. So, she doesn't think twice about
rescuing Fifi La Rue and taking the lost pup home. After all, how much trouble
could one little dog be on a great big ranch? It's nonstop fun and excitement
when one good deed turns this cowgirl's life upside down! (Ages 4-8)
TEN CUDDLY PANDAS… – Paula D. Golden
This is a delightful countdown quest built around
subtraction. Ten pandas go on a playful journey through the mountains of China
where curiosity lures each into an adventure until only one remains. Written in
rhyme, this story introduces young readers to simple subtraction word problems
with matching numerical equations. (Ages 3-5)
THERE’S ONLY ONE YOU – Kathryn Heling
The charming
rhyming text speaks directly to the reader as it explores the many ways in
which YOU are unique and assures the audience that being you is wonderful! The
text acknowledges the obvious, but gives equal consideration to other more
subtle qualities: interests, abilities, manner of speaking, even the various
ways in which learning takes place. A joyful and uplifting story. (Ages 3-7)
FOR READERS OF ALL AGES
HONEY
ON THE PAGE: A Treasury of Yiddish Children’s
Literature – Miriam Udel
Udel offer readers the pleasure of storytelling paired with a glimpse into Jewish history and culture. The
stories and poems are charming and engaging. The tone is delightfully conversational. The text is complimented by
imaginative illustrations. Young readers will enjoy read-aloud stories. Independent readers
will find an immediate connection to some stories and grow into appreciation for others. Adults looking to widen their
cultural experience or seeking to deepen their understanding of the rich
tradition of Yiddish literature will find a well-researched resource here.
