Refreshing New
Books for Young Hammock-Sitters
10-07-19
Bouncy, bright summer picture books are a
pleasure to share with your young ones on a
hammock or a lawn chair.
"Swim, Swim" by Lerch (James Proimos);
Scholastic Press; 32 pages; $16.99.
Lerch, the snazziest fish in the tank, is the
life of any party. Only problem is, he's the
only fish in the tank. When he gets lonely, he
tries to find a friend in the diver statue, the
bubbles and even the cat outside. Lerch's
charming attempts at friendship are adorable and
funny, and the addition of his eventual real
pal, a new fish named Dinah, will bring smiles
to young faces.
With huge and simple text — "Swim!" and
"Pebbles, will you be my friends?" — this bold
and vivid picture book is a summery winner.
"Over in the Garden" by Jennifer Ward;
illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler; Rising Moon
Press; 32 pages; $16.
Everyone knows the folk tune "Over in the
Meadow." Though there are many variations of
this classic in children's books, Ward's is
exceptionally summery and child-friendly. A
bright bevy of bugs star, as kids learn counting
and the names of these lovable insects that
roll, pounce, buzz and slither.
Spengler's adorable, lush illustrations are
nearly three-dimensional. And a glossary of
insect information, a musical score and hidden
numbers in every picture enhance the reading
pleasure.
Also from Rising Moon, "C is for Coyote: A
Southwest Alphabet Book" features bold colors,
clear photographs and brief introductions to the
alphabet and the desert's marvels.
"Don't Step on the Crack" by Colin
McNaughton; Dial/Penguin Putnam; 32 pages; $15.
For centuries, kids have admonished one
another to avoid the cracks in pavement, and not
just because they might break their mothers'
backs. The crazy McNaughton (known for his
wacky, kid-pleasing books, such as "The Aliens
are Coming!") takes this saying a step further.
Speaking directly to readers, "Hey you!"
McNaughton depicts the "what-ifs" of sidewalk
crack stepping, such as "you might suddenly turn
into a pig!" and "your dad might decide to
become a hippie."
A baby sibling turns into a vampire, a boy
has to wear a tutu on his birthday and goes to
school one morning without his pants — all
because of stepping on a crack.
Silly read-aloud material, "Don't Step on the
Crack" will have young kids looking and
laughing, before they walk on the sidewalk.
"Gotcha, Louie!" by H.M. Ehrlich; illustrated
by Emily Bolam; Houghton Mifflin Co., 32 pages;
$15.
This whimsical tale of separation shows what
can happen when a game of "Gotcha" causes little
Louie to hide where the adults can't find him.
Though Louie's parents and grandparents search
in the tall grass near their beach house and on
a dune, Louie's mother finally yells, "Catch me,
Louie," which causes the boy to run out of his
hiding place. All is well, but preschoolers
dealing with their own separation anxiety may
find Louie's game, slight dilemma and eventual
parental reunion reassuring. The book's beach
theme also makes it a fun summer read.
"My Wagon Will Take Me Anywhere" by Elizabeth
Cody Kimmel; illustrated by Tom Newsom;
Dutton/Penguin Putnam; 24 pages; $10.
This retro series from Dutton stars
"America's Original Little Red Wagon," the Red
Flyer. Nostalgic parents and grandparents will
enjoy these books as much as youngsters, as so
many of us either owned or rode in a red wagon
when we were young.
In this story (there are others available,
mostly board books), a little boy's red wagon
magically becomes a ship sailing the seven seas,
a dogsled mushing across the Arctic and a rocket
zooming through space. The boy's adventures take
place while taking an ordinary walk with his
parents, dog and teddy bear, but you'd never
know it judging from the book's imagination and
realistic paintings.
Well done and spirited, the red wagon books
should please.
"Are You a Butterfly?" by Judy Allen and
Tudor Humphries; Kingfisher Books; 32 pages;
$10.
Kingfisher's Backyard Books series introduces
ages 3 to 7 to a world of exploration in their
own backyards. This one depicts the world of the
butterfly, putting kids right into the action.
("Are you a butterfly? If you are, your parents
look like this.") Softly colored illustrations
of a chrysalis changing and the ending — "it is
most unlikely that you don't have long feelers
growing out of the top of your head" — place
kids into the center of the book's action.
Other titles include "Are You a Ladybug?"
"Are You a Snail?" and "Are You a Spider?" They
should encourage preschoolers and beginning
readers to explore in their own yards.
To find out more about Lee Littlewood and
read features by other Creators Syndicate
writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators
Syndicate website at www.creators.com
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