My summer book reading was absolutely wonderful.
Not only were the books terrific, the collection was broad,
from picture books to chapter reading,
to books for much older children (and adults.)
Can I pick a favorite? Absolutely not.
Sea Dog, by Astrid Sheckles
I am a huge fan of her Hector Fox series of picture books, and this new book is just as wonderful. Sea Dog‘s main character, Walter, is from a long family line of seafaring dogs, yet he is not seaworthy. His real talent is is in baking his aunt’s recipes. When Walter discovers a new recipe and brings it to town, the sea cake is a flop and he tosses it into the sea. And so the adventure begins, deep under the sea, with Big Boris, a sea dragon, merpups, and the King. The illustrations are as good as the text.
Amanda in France, Fire in the Cathedral
by Darlene Foster
I treasure the Amanda series because within the pages, there is adventure, geography, and history, not to mention characters that bring into the story everything from conflict to giving. I was especially interested in this Amanda book, as I learned far more about Notre Dame Cathedral’s devastating fire. I couldn’t put this book down.
Pax, by Sara Pennypacker
Pax is a fox, and his trusted boy is Peter. Each chapter alternates between being told by Pax and by Peter. Peter had raised Pax, and now he must take him back to the woods as his dad is leaving to go to war. What Pax and Peter go through to find each other will leave you cheering and praying. My favorite character is Vola who finds Peter with a broken leg. She is bold, and their relationship helps Peter to heal the wounds of sorrow. By the time I got to page 227 and read Vola’s words as Peter left, “Boy, I’m going to leave the porch door open”, I cried.
How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?
by Jane Yolen
The ‘How Do Dinosaurs’ series is outstanding. Each book has dinosaurs in conflict and doing the wrong thing – all in rhyming verse – and then doing what is right. The illustrations are superb, depicting most dinosaurs. Every child likes dinosaurs, rhyming words, and good and bad behavior. Each year I donate a dinosaur book and stuffed dinosaur to many raffles. Yes, it’s that good.
This is a Story, by John Schu
From a word, to a word on a page, to a page in a book, to a book on a shelf, to a library – each page depicts the simple evolution of words to libraries. Then there is more – humans needing help, connecting books to readers, some with questions, ideas, imaginations, and hearts. It is the library. The words are sparse, spread out on the beautiful and plentiful illustrations. Thank goodness.
Cress Watercress, by Gregory Maguire
Cress is a rabbit with a baby brother and a mother. They have to leave their home and find another place to live after their dad doesn’t return one night. The family is strong, yet Cress has much to learn in her life. They move into a tree with a diverse group of tenants, including the landlord and superintendent. This is a whole new life for Cress. The book has plots and sub plots, with so many different characters. I have to say the book is ‘Life-101’. It has everything – adventure, love, worry, anger, fear, understanding, and giving – and is beautifully written.
A Kitten in Gooseberry Park,
by Cynthia Rylant
The Gooseberry Park books are very popular. I loved the first book in the series (which I will read aloud at the public library), and this book is delightful. The characters have their own personalities, from the dog, to the bat, to the squirrel, to the wise hermit crab. In this book, Murray the bat finds a lost kitten, which happens to be a bobcat, and the gang needs to find a way to get the kitten back to his home.
These books were a wonderful read, and I highly recommend them. Remember, the best children’s books really aren’t just for children.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Another great collection that you enjoyed, and that will also benefit the kids in the Aqua Room one day soon.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete.
These books sound delightful! This Is a Story reminds me of a poetry collection I recently read by DeWitt Henry called Restless for Words, in which he does extended explorations of particular words, their relation to each other and the role they play in our lives.
Thank you, Liz. I will find that poem. Your description does have a strong similarity. For you, I think you will love Cress Watercress.
You’re welcome, Jennie. I just looked up Cress Watercress. I didn’t know that Gregory Maguire writes children’s books. I’ve read two of his novels, and I heard his keynote address at a writing conference on our need for fairy tales in troubled times.
I would have loved hearing that keynote address. He is right about fairytales. He wrote Wicked, but I haven’t read the book. Cress Watercress is absolutely wonderful. Best to you, Liz.
Wicked is one of the two books I’ve read. I highly recommend it.
Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Which will be first? The kids are in for a great year.
Thank you, Steve! This is a young crop, so it will take time to get to these great books.
But, you will. No doubt about that.
😀
What a great series of books!
Thank you, FR!
wow, jennie, you are such a devoted reader – thanks for sharing these. I ordered pax
Thank you, Beth. Honestly, summer is the only time for me to do serious reading. You will love Pax, and you will love Cress Watercress even more. That was the book. It’s right up your alley (really!)
yay!
I gave my 8 year old granddaughter the entire Amanda series..love it for her!
Yes! Way to go, John. You get the grandfather badge for this. I have England as my next Amanda read. She would love the Gooseberry Parks, too. Pick my brain anytime for book recommendations. You and Alex know this is what I do.
Could you please email me via my contact page? I need some book recs for my grandnephew who was to start K this fall, but was also diagnosed with Leukemia. He’s very active, so the reading really needs to be captivating…any insights would be greatly appreciated, Jennie. I would have sent this via your own contact page instead of so publicaly, but I can’t find it anywhere on your site…feel free to delete this comment as per your discretion!!!
Laura
Laura, email me at sfitzkee@erols.com. I will be more than happy to give you book recommendations!
Nice reviews Jennie of these beautiful books. Thanks for the share. I too have a five year grandson will tell my daughter to read some of the children books to him.
Thank you, Kamal. For your five year old grandson, he will not be ready for Pax and Cress Watercress. You will, and your daughter will. Really!! He will love the other books. I can give you many book recommendations for your daughter to read to him.
Ya thanks, Jennie do suggest good books for him. I will tell my daughter to read to him. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🤗
There are many wonderful picture books, and a visit to the public library will give your daughter and her son a window to the world. The children’s librarian is always a great help. For a chapter book for your daughter to read aloud to her son, The Wild Robot, Gooseberry Park, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, and the Lighthouse book series. That should be good start.
Thanks a lot for all your help Jennie. Will tell my daughter to get these books for her son and read to him 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Yes, and please ask me for more, anytime.
Yes for sure Jennie. Thanks a lot 😊👍🏽
You’re welcome, Kamal! 🙂
👍🏽🙏🏼👍🏽😊
Thought I added a comment! But I don’t see it. I went off to find a book I thought you’d like–similar to Pax–but can’t bring it to memory. Darn. That was a wonderful book, as was the Amanda. The rest look delightful.
Thanks, Jacqui. I know how it feels when you know the book, but you can’t bring up the title. Yes, Pax was wonderful, and I will be reading the next one. You will love Cress Watercress! I have the Amanda England as my next read.
You convinced me, Jennie. Children’s books are not only for hildrem.
Definitely! Read ‘Cress Watercress’ and tell me this isn’t what every human feels and needs to know. ‘Wonder’ is another children’s book that is not a children’s book. Fortunately it is on a reading list in some schools.
I’ll try to find it, Jennie.
If it’s on the reading list at some school, that must mean it’s banned at others.
Haha! Sad but true! If you find it and read it, please let me know.
Thank you for the recommendations, Jennie.
You are welcome, John. BTW, I have lost my husband because your sequel books to My GRL arrived.
I’m so pleased he likes them. Thanks for letting me know.
You are welcome, John!
😊
You had a great summer of reading! Thank you so much for mentioning Amanda in France along with these other fantastic books. Pax is a book I’ve wanted to read for a long while. I must remedy that.
Thank you, Darlene. It was a pleasure to read and include Amanda in my summer reading. England is next. You will love Pax, and you will love Cress Watercress even more!
Great to know. 😊
🙂
My Grandsons are really into all thing nautical at the moment so that SeaDog book looks interesting and the love all the Can a Dinosaur ….? books. I need to add these two my book list.
They are really, really good!
I know I’ve got Pax waiting on my Kindle. Your review makes me want to move it up from the bottom of the pile.
You will love it, Pete!
Thanks for sharing your great collection of books. I’m gonna have to try to see if our local library has How do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?
I’m glad you enjoyed the collection. I’m sure your local library has the dinosaur books. They’re very popular.
I think it’s great when you can’t pick a favorite.
I think so, too! 🙂
They do look wonderful.
Thank you, Marlene!
A great collection, Jennie. The only one of these I’ve read is Amanda in France, which I loved. I now have a few more to add to the list. Thank you.
It’s a broad range of reading, and they’re all very good. Thanks, Norah!
A perfect collection then. 🙂
😀
I’ve read aloud Cynthia Rylant’s Gooseberry Park when I taught school; the children loved it. I’m going to put the two Gooseberry books on my Christmas shopping list for our youngest granddaughter. I’m sure she’ll enjoy them too. Thank you for the recommendation, Jennie!
Hi Nancy, I’m so glad to know you read this book aloud when you taught school. I wish ever teacher would read books aloud. It makes all the difference in the world. I picked Gooseberry Park as the first book in my library Read-Aloud group this year. We had our first meeting last week, and they love the book. I am awaiting the new Wild Robot book, and that will be next. Your youngest granddaughter might also like Our Friend Hedgehog (The Story of Us) and the Lighthouse series. So many good books, and reading them aloud is the best!
So appreciate your recommendations, Jennie. I’ll put these on the list also!
You are welcome, Nancy. I’m always glad to recommend books.
Beautiful collection of books
Thank you.
Thanks for this wonderful recommendations, Jennie! When reading “Amanda in France” i hope you will offer a real French breakfast to the aqua room. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
That’s so nice, Michael. If only the children were old enough for the book…but we can do a French breakfast when we study France in March this year. 😀
A lovely collection of books, Jennie 💚
Thank you, Robbie.
A beautiful reading list Jennie. Great collection of books for young readers. ❤
Thank you, Debby!
I always wanted to read PAX…
I hope you do!
Great post 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you!