Summer Reading Time

Now that summer’s around the corner and school is almost over, I like to plan out different and funs things to do with my kids. Last summer, we discovered the reading game program at the South Novato Library, which my son loved being a part of. Participants were awarded prizes based on the number of books they read. This year the Marin County Public Library will be sponsoring the “Get a Clue!” reading program starting in June. Check with your local library for details.

Here are a few selections from the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2007 Children’s Notable Book recommendations. Visit their website for more reading suggestions.

Armstrong, Jennifer. Once Upon a Banana
A runaway monkey discards a banana peel, setting in motion a hilarious sequence of events in this nearly wordless picture book, punctuated by a series of rhyming street signs.

Bachelet, Gilles. My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World
This silly cat doesn’t always act like other cats.  Could that possibly mean it’s not really a cat?  That's the question in a picture book that will have readers giggling.

Chodos-Irvine, Margaret. Best Best Friends
Two best friends have a fight that separates them--no more hugs, no more sharing toys until the fight is over.  Preschoolers will see themselves in this loving story.

Newman, Jeff. Hippo! No, Rhino!
An absent-minded zoo keeper places the Hippo sign in front of the rhino’s enclosure.  Ignorant visitors mistake the rhino for a hippo even though the youngest reader can plainly see the truth, and say, “No, rhino!”

Pinkney, Jerry. The Little Red Hen
Oh joy of joys! There is yummy bread to be made, but who will help the little red hen?  

Shannon, David. Good Boy, Fergus!
Shannon humorously portrays the daily antics of Fergus, a West Highland terrier, who gets into all kinds of trouble, but is always a “good boy.”

For a links to Marin library websites, check our resources directory.