With the December vacation fast approaching I hope your family has plans to do some reading among all your other planned activities! Reading aloud can be a way to get the whole family together for a shared experience. If you are planning some car or airplane travel, listening to books on CD can be a great way to pass the time. Here are a few suggestions of newer books that the whole family will enjoy:
Xander's Panda Party is a fun picture book by Linda Sue Park featuring beautiful illustrations by Matt Phelan and lots of rhyming words. Here's the first few lines: "Xander planned a panda party. Yes, a dandy whoop-de-do! But Xander was the only panda. Just one panda at the zoo." Xander widens his invitation list and finds he can have a great party with lots of other animals from the zoo.
Twelve Kinds of Ice written by Ellen Brayn Obed and illustrated by Barbara McClintock came out last year, but what a great memoir that the whole family can enjoy. The author recalls all the winter fun that her family had with a backyard skating rink.
Henri's Scissors by Jeanette Winter is a picture book biography of Henri Matisse. Matisse is a study in perseverance because he overcame illness a number of times in his life in order to continue to create his art. Readers may be inspired to create their own art after reading this book
I always recommend two series for family listening:
Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look and
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker -- funny stories with a girl who is the main character but they will appeal to boys and girls.
The Water Castle by Megan Frazer Blakemore is a fantasy story about a boy whose family moves to The Water Castle in Maine when his father becomes ill. It is told that the fountain of youth is somewhere on the property and Ephriam is determined to find it to help his father become well again.
The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes, author of
Lily's Purple Plastic Purse and
Chrysanthemum and other picture books. This book has been widely praised as a chapter book that younger children will enjoy listening to. Billy is a second grader but older and younger children will enjoy his escapades.
The staff of our local bookstores and at our libraries will have additional suggestions!
Have a happy, safe vacation! Enjoy some good books!
