Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth

Author Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser's chapter book debut Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth, Book 1 (c. 2012) gives a nod to Nancy Drew mysteries in their sleuthing story for readers aged 4-10 (although, my experience is that listeners as young as 4 enjoy it too).

Ooh la la!  Now Nancy and Bree had two mysteries to solve - the secret of the twins . . . and the case of the missing marble! (O'Connor 63).  Keep up as the plots thicken, and see if you can guess the outcomes before all of Bree's and Nancy's evidence comes in.  Calling all Fancy Nancy fans, "Let's crack these cases!"

Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day (c. 2001) illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell, author Anne Rockwell weaves the idea of pen-pal communication with the Mrs. Madoff's classroom tradition of making Valentine's cards. 

This story immediately catches our young audience's attention as each page details each student's unique Valentine's card creation.  Written from the perspective of an elementary school aged boy named Sam, the Rockwells' book begs to be read a second time -- so the reader better understands the connection of each custom Valentine card in relation to the receiver.  After you read it twice, the kids will want to hear more.

I want to give a shout out to all my readers out their who hunt for "boy" books . . . here's a Valentine's Day read specifically delivered from a boy's viewpoint and sensibility.

By the way, Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell make up a charming mother-daughter team.  To find out more about them, check out Lizzy Rockwell's webpage: http://www.lizzyrockwell.com and Anne Rockwell's webage: http://www.annerockwell.com.  And to check out other book recommendations by Anne and Lizzy Rockwell found on Read Me A Story click on each image:

Queen of Hearts

Mary Engelbreit's wonderful sense of humor characteristically shines in Queen of Hearts (c. 2004).  Ann Estelle belabors over decorating her Valentine's Day box . . . so much so that she forgets to make her Valentine's cards for her classmates.  What will she do to express her Valentine's Day greetings?

I'm sending a shout out to Nana for this fun Valentinte's Day tradition!

Valentine's Day

Okay, okay, okay . . . finally, here are my much requested Valentine's Day reads.  Stick with me the next three days as you visit the library.

I particularly like this simplistic story, briefly outlining the tradition of Valentine's Day.  But what I really like is how Miriam Nerlove sticks to age-appropriate explanations for Valentine's Day without making it a mushy love fest.  What do I mean?  Well, her characters make Valentine's for their parents, siblings, and friends.  Isn't that beautiful!  I mean really, can't I be first in my kids' hearts . . . well . . . forever?!  I'm kidding . . . well, just a little bit.

Anyway, what mom could resist a book where the Daddy comes home on Valentine's Day with flowers and a hug for Mommy and then swings his daughter in the air, saying "You're my special valentine."  Folks, while we're imprinting their young minds, let's pick the books that say "Daddy and Mommy love each other and love you."  What could be a better Valentine's Day message than that?

Morris Goes to School

 For your budding reader, check out Morris Goes to School by B. Wiseman (c. 1970).  It's just the kind of slapstick, Amelia-Bedelia type of humor that those budding readers enjoy so much.  They'll be secretly wishing that Morris will appear in their classroom.  Oh, and be sure to get a bag of gumdrops to go along with this story-time read.

The Berenstain Bears Go to School

 Okay, folks, a back-to-school reading list would be incomplete without including The Berenstain Bears Go to School (c.1978).  Call it nostalgia or good karma, either way this book makes any child want to race through those kindergarten doors.  Take it from me, once a painfully shy, Wemberly worrier, first-day-of-school stomach-somersaults child . . . this book changes everything!  It's classic Stan & Jan Berenstain at their best:

Let me be so bold as to add that this is their best in The Berestain Bears series.  Who wouldn't want to begin kindergarten in this classroom with Miss Honeybear?

Sign me up!  Now don't you wish that you were starting your first day in kindergarten?!

Oh My Baby, Little One

 This particular book is absolutely beautiful! To say Jane Dyer's illustrations are wonderful is an understatement.  Dyer gives us cozy watercolors that parallel the experience of cuddling up with a blankie . . . thumb or pacie in place.  Likewise, Kathi Appelt's gentle rhyming text lulls the reader and listener into a rhythm of comfort.  My youngest would have me re-read this gem nightly . . . and I would gladly accommodate!  Would you like a glimpse into the opening?

Oh my baby, little one,
the hardest thing I do
is hold you tight, then let you go,
and walk away from you.


But even when I'm far away,
this love I have will stay
and wrap itself around you
every minute of the day.

You can sense that Oh My Baby, Little One (c. 2000) connects best with the pre-kinder ages.  Be sure to look for that elusive heart on each page spread . . . further illuminating the text.  Oh, and grab a tissue for yourself before you settle in to read.

The Kissing Hand

If you anticipate that you or your child will have a difficult time saying goodbye that first day back-to-school, then I highly recommend The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (c. 1993).  Here's a book beloved by children and parents alike because it presents a wonderful word picture, illustrating how children can carry their parents' love with them throughout the day (or night, in the case of these nocturnal mammals).  I especially love the wisdom and consolation Chester's mother weaves together as she encourages her son.  The perfect book for back to school apprehension, this story might cause even the most practiced of us to tear up.

Wemberly Worried

Hi, readers!  Well, it's just around the corner.  That's right, school starts next week.  So if your child is overcome with the jitters, I have a few books to ease the nerves.

Today we'll start with Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes (c. 2000):

"You worry too much," said her mother.
"When you worry, I worry," said her father.
"Worry, worry, worry," said her grandmother.
"Too much worry."

And the start of school issues a whole new mound of worries for Wemberly.  Discover how this reserved mouse copes with that first day.  Once again, Henkes illustrations deliver charm as well as comfort.

Calico the Wonder Horse

 
Okay, folks, this is a book that has all the makings of an action packed, knock-your-socks-off, read-it-again-and-again, Western for the not-so-faint-at-heart.  To begin with:
Way out West in Cactus County there was a horse named Calico.  She wasn't very pretty . . . but she was very smart.  She was the smartest fastest horse in all of Cactus County.  She could run like greased lightning and she could turn on a quarter and give you back fifteen cents in change.

And, like all bang-'em-up Westerns, there's a standoff between the good guys (Calico and Hank) and the bad guys:
Stewy Stinker - was said to be so mean he would hold up Santa Claus on Christmas Eve
Butch Bones - boasted that he was so tough he would bite a live grizzly bear's nose
Snake Eye Pyezon - was so crooked , that if he swallowed nails he'd spit out corkscrews
Buzzard Bates - was so bad even a buzzard wouldn't use him for bait

This book has it all: a round-up, "Badlands . . . good only for hideouts for Bad Men," a stagecoach driven by none other than Diehard Dan, a cattle rustling, a kidnapping, a stampede, a holdup, and a chase.

So run, don't walk, to your local library and check out Calico the Wonder Horse or The Saga of Stewy Stinker by Virginia Lee Burton before they're all hustled off the shelves.

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

I've been thinking that I should offer a give-away.  So during the whole month of March, I will be hosting book give-aways.  We'll just call it March Madness.

This week, I'm giving away a copy of Kevin Henkes' Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (c. 1996).  To enter the give-away: post a comment answering: what has been your family's favorite book recommended by Read Me A Story.  Post your comments by Tuesday noon in order to be eligible to win.  I will announce the winner (pulled at random) on Wednesday.  Best wishes!

And now for Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes: even though Henkes communicates Lilly's emotions from her point-of-view, children wince at the fickle unkindness Lilly exhibits when she criticizes her beloved teacher and adored role-model, Mr. Slinger.  Watch how Henkes signature watercolor and ink drawings extend the story beyond the written word (in true Henkes style).