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Readers still recommending best books for kids
By Kendal Rautzhan, Columnist
Monday, January 28, 2008 | No comments posted.
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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!
Your top picks
Love: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo; “Something for Nothing” by Phoebe Gilman; “Mama Loves” by Rebecca Kai Dottich; “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; “Amelia Bedelia” by Peggy Parish.
Family: “Something for Nothing” by Phoebe Gilman; “Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell; “Like Jake and Me” by Mavis Jukes; “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, Houghton Mifflin, 32 pages
Read aloud: age 4 and older.
Read yourself: ages 7-8 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. Hachiko’s loyalty was boundless, for the dog maintained his daily ritual for 10 years until he, too, died.
Told through the eyes of a fictional boy, this true story of Hachiko’s endless love for Dr. Ueno is at once sad and wonderful, and 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.
Powerful and perfect in every way, this selection will long be remembered.
Books to Buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
• “Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book” written, illustrated and developed by Rufus Butler Seder, Workman, 2007, 21 pages, $12.95 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 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. The horse really gallops, the rooster struts, the dog runs, the cat springs, and many more animals in motion.
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, Candlewick, 2008, 16 pages, $4.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 3 and older.
Read yourself: ages 7-8.
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 three and older will adore this Maisy Mini Book that speaks of friendship and sharing.
(Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.)
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!
Your top picks
Love: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo; “Something for Nothing” by Phoebe Gilman; “Mama Loves” by Rebecca Kai Dottich; “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; “Amelia Bedelia” by Peggy Parish.
Family: “Something for Nothing” by Phoebe Gilman; “Owl Babies” by Martin Waddell; “Like Jake and Me” by Mavis Jukes; “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, Houghton Mifflin, 32 pages
Read aloud: age 4 and older.
Read yourself: ages 7-8 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. Hachiko’s loyalty was boundless, for the dog maintained his daily ritual for 10 years until he, too, died.
Told through the eyes of a fictional boy, this true story of Hachiko’s endless love for Dr. Ueno is at once sad and wonderful, and 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.
Powerful and perfect in every way, this selection will long be remembered.
Books to Buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
• “Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book” written, illustrated and developed by Rufus Butler Seder, Workman, 2007, 21 pages, $12.95 hardcover
Read aloud: ages 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. The horse really gallops, the rooster struts, the dog runs, the cat springs, and many more animals in motion.
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, Candlewick, 2008, 16 pages, $4.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 3 and older.
Read yourself: ages 7-8.
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 three and older will adore this Maisy Mini Book that speaks of friendship and sharing.
(Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.)
Librarian’s Choice
Library: Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay
Library Director: Carol Ventgen
Children’s Librarian: Pat Flitcroft
Choices this week: “Redwall” series by Brian Jacques; “Room on a Broom” by Julia Donaldson; “McDuff Moves In” by Rosemary Wells
Library: Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay
Library Director: Carol Ventgen
Children’s Librarian: Pat Flitcroft
Choices this week: “Redwall” series by Brian Jacques; “Room on a Broom” by Julia Donaldson; “McDuff Moves In” by Rosemary Wells
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