Read with Me

by Stephanie Zvirin

  Small Saul

  By Ashley Spires. Illustrated by the author. Kids Can, 2011. Ages 4–6.

  No doubt about it: Saul is small—too small, it seems, to join the navy. “Fortunately, pirates aren’t so picky,” but Saul isn’t great pirate material. He bakes, loves sea shanties, and is great at fixing boo-boos, but he’s lousy at looting and hunting for treasure. He also has a bunny tattoo on his arm. He drives his pirate pals nuts. When the captain pushes him overboard, everyone rejoices—until the tough guys miss their cookies. They also miss Saul, who is kind enough to forgive them when they return to scoop him up: “After all, throwing people overboard is just something [pirates] do.” Lots of fun, as well as a gateway to discussing forgiveness and being oneself.

  Sometimes I’m Bombaloo

  By Rachel Vail. Illustrated by Yumi Heo. Scholastic, 2002. Ages 4–6.

  As she does in Jibberwillies at Night (above), Vail gets right inside a child’s head, this time in a book about coping with anger. Katie Honors usually follows the rules and manages her busy life with aplomb; she even gets on with her little brother. But every once in a while, when she can’t cope with her sibling or something goes wrong, she becomes “Bombaloo.” She stamps her feet and yells, and hates everybody and everything. Her mother sends her to her room, where she throws her toys and clothes. When her underpants land on her head, she laughs, and suddenly, “I’m Katie Honors again.” This is more than a book about a child having a tantrum. It’s clear from the pictures that Katie is scared because she’s not in control, and she doesn’t like the way she’s acting. Many little listeners will know exactly how she feels.

  The Squeaky Door

  By Margaret Read MacDonald. Illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma. HarperCollins, 2006. Ages 4–6.

  MacDonald—storyteller, author, and children’s librarian—brings her experience to bear in this straightforward retelling of an old favorite, distinguished by the way the words are set down on the page. Ellipses, uppercase letters, exclamation points, and divergent spellings (“squeeeeeak!”) signal adult readers to pause, raise or lower their voice, or inject drama into the cumulative tale of a misguided grandma who can’t figure out why her grandson can’t sleep in a big-boy bed. Finally realizing what’s really causing the problem, she finds a quick solution: “She oiled that squeaky door.”

  Thank You, God, for Everything

  By August Gold. Illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin. Putnam, 2009. Ages 5–7.

  Gold aims to “show young readers how to develop their own thankful eyes.” Daisy doesn’t know what to be thankful for. Her mother tells her to look around, and when she does, she sees blessings everywhere: the people she meets, the things she’s able to do, the places she can go, even those hugs from Grandma. By the close, Daisy knows to thank God for everything.

  Thunder-Boomer!

  By Shutta Crum. Illustrated by Carol Thompson. Clarion, 2009. Ages 4–6.

  A farm family runs for shelter just before a thunderstorm hits. The storm is exciting but worrisome, too, as the children hear the hail and booming thunder and watch lightning streak across the sky. Sound-effect words have been integrated into the pictures, and a secondary story involving the antics of a hen adds a nice bit of humor to what could have been a little scary.

  Time for Ballet

  By Adele Geras. Illustrated Shelagh McNicholas. Dial, 2004. Ages 4–6.

  Warmth shines through this story of young ballet dancers. Preschooler Tilly talks about her ballet class where, along with her classmates, she learns the five basic positions and practices how to walk like a dinosaur and soar like a butterfly. She also describes how she practices at home for her part in an upcoming ballet show; sometimes she’s “a leapy cat, a curled-up-to-sleepy cat, a stretchy cat / a pounce-on-a-mousey cat.” Details of everyday life and the gangly, sometimes awkward movements of a child learning ballet make identifying with Tilly easy. Follow up with Little Ballet Star, in which Tilly sees her beautiful aunt dance onstage. Both stories are sure to resonate with lots of little girls.

  Trouble Gum

  By Matthew Cordell. Illustrated by the author. Feiwel and Friends, 2009. Ages 4–6.

  Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles. This book is filled with them, beginning with the cover art, which shows a very, very small pig (Ruben) blowing a very, very big bubble that completely surrounds the title. Ruben is delighted when he receives some gum from his visiting grandmother, and he gets right to work, totally ignoring his mother’s bubble-blowing rules. What a mess when a giant bubble bursts—but what fun! If this is a hit, try one of the popular Rotten Ralph books by Jack Gantos. Rotten Ralph, a naughty cat, doesn’t like rules either.

  A Very Big Bunny

  By Marisabina Russo. Illustrated by the author. Schwartz & Wade, 2010. Ages 4–6.

  Amelia is tall—much taller than other bunnies her age. Her well-meaning mother doesn’t help much when she tells her, “You really stand out in a crowd.” Because Amelia’s so big, her bunny classmates think she’s weird and won’t play with her. Susannah, the smallest bunny in Amelia’s class, has a similar problem; nobody plays with her either. That the two eventually become friends is a given. While the ending is happy, the book realistically captures what it’s like to be labeled as different.

  What’s Special about Me, Mama?

  By Kristina Evans. Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Hyperion, 2011. Ages 4–6.

  The title question forms the basis of a tender conversation between an African American boy and his mother. The mother has no shortage of comforting things to say. She tells her son he’s beautiful and amazing, and that she loves to hear him laugh. But what means the most to the boy is his mother’s wonderful hug, which convinces him all his very special parts make up a special whole.

  Wemberly Worried

  By Kevin Henkes. Illustrated by the author. Greenwillow, 2000. Ages 4–6.

  Mouse girl Wemberly worries about everything. Silly things and important things. Will she shrink in the bath? Does the radiator’s hiss mean that a snake has crawled inside? She’s even been known to visit her parents at night to make sure they are still there. Her doll Petal—her version of a security blanket—rarely leaves her side. Wemberly’s first day at New Morning Nursery School is shaping up to be a total nightmare. The teacher is sure to be mean, and Wemberly is certain she won’t fit in. Lucky for Wemberly she finds a classmate, Jewel (who arrives with her own animal friend), who makes everything seem more manageable. For the flip side of worrywart Wemberly, read one of Henkes’s books about irrepressible Lilly.

  What Happens on Wednesdays

  By Emily Jenkins. Illustrated by Laura Castillo. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2007. Ages 4–6.

  The ordinary becomes special in a journey through a young child’s full and busy weekday. A little girl describes what she does from waking and spending quality time with Mom to going to school, napping, and after a busy afternoon, finally going to bed. The familiar daily activities will draw listeners right into the story.

  When You Are Happy

  By Eileen Spinelli. Illustrated by Geraldo Valério. Simon & Schuster, 2006. Ages 4–6.

  In a comforting story laced together by the refrain “When you are…,” each member of a little girl’s family pledges to care for her. Colorful illustrations add a bit of whimsy to the sentiment. When the child is sick, Mom and Dad wait on her; when she is grumpy her brothers and sisters make her laugh; when she is lost her grandfather looks for her in a helicopter; and when she is afraid, there’s someone who will “take her hand / and not let go.” A warm celebration of family and of unconditional love.

  Which Shoes Would You Choose?

  By Betsy R. Rosenthal. Illustrated by Nancy Cote. Putnam, 2010. Ages 4–6.

  This appealing guessing game challenges children to select the footwear a boy named Sherman will wear during the day. “Which shoes does he choose?” Which shoes are best for a particular activity? “Does Sherman wear skates when he goes out to eat?” The answer pictures sho
w how the footwear should be worn. Little ones following along will have strong opinions about Sherman’s choices, and his exceptional array of footwear—from flip-flops and galoshes to roller skates—give them plenty of opportunity to comment.

  Who Has What? All about Girls’ Bodies and Boys’ Bodies

  By Robie H. Harris. Illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott. Candlewick, 2011. Ages 4–7.

  “Every girl has a body. Every boy has a body. Every grown-up has a body.” But “who has what?” A family trip to the beach provides opportunity for parents to answer the question. While they explain, small arrows in the pictures indicate each body part. After pointing out the many parts that are the same in the children, they tackle the differences in straightforward, very simple terms—for example “[Girls] have an opening to the vagina, [and] an opening where pee comes out.” Westcott’s cheerful artwork keeps the tone light. The explanations will probably be enough to satisfy the curiosity of most four- to seven-year-olds, but prepare for questions anyway.

  Yoko’s Show-and-Tell

  By Rosemary Wells. Illustrated by the author. Hyperion, 2011. Ages 4–6.

  Yoko, a Japanese kitty stand-in for a child, receives an antique doll named Miki. She wants to take Miki to school for show-and-tell to help her explain about a traditional Japanese holiday and doll festival. Her mother says no, but Yoko takes Miki anyway, and the doll is accidentally broken. A sorrowful Yoko confesses and takes responsibility. Mom is disappointed and angry, but by taking the toy to the doll hospital, she reassures her child that she is still loved. When the toy comes home, it looks good as new. In Yoko Learns to Read, the mother and daughter draw closer as they both learn to read English.

  Zero

  By Kathryn Otoshi. Illustrated by the author. KO Kids, 2010. Ages 4–7.

  On one level, this clever book is about numbers; on another it’s about self-worth. Zero thinks her name fits her perfectly. She feels plain, unexciting, and empty inside. She just doesn’t count. Twisting herself into a 1, an 8 or a 9 turns out to be uncomfortable and silly. Wise number 7 tells her that everybody counts: “Be open. You’ll find a way.” Taking the advice to heart, she hooks herself to other numerals to make 10, 20, 100, raising not only her own self-esteem but paving the way for others to do the same. Just as successful is Otoshi’s One, which introduces the topic of bullying.

  4

  FAMILY

  Biological, nuclear, extended, blended, crosscultural, single parent—no matter how you define family, it plays an integral part in readying a child for life. It’s a safe haven, a comfort zone, and a preschool all rolled into one. No wonder family, parent-child, and sibling relationships are frequent topics for children’s book authors. The titles in this section model strong, nurturing, joyful connections, even in the face of the confusions, anxieties, jealousies, wacky situations, and disappointments that are a natural part of family life.

  And Tango Makes Three

  By Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Illustrated by Henry Cole. Simon & Schuster, 2005. Ages 5–8.

  This straightforward book, based on a true story about two penguins in New York City’s Central Park Zoo, works on two levels. Young children will enjoy it as a pleasant glimpse of a penguin family at a busy zoo. For older ones, it can serve to open discussion about different family structures. Two male chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo, share a nest like other penguin couples. When other pairs start hatching eggs, they bring a rock to their nest and proceed to care for it. Deciding the pair should have a chance to be parents, a discerning zookeeper gives them a real egg, which the penguin papas care for, just like other penguin pairs. The egg eventually hatches into a baby daughter, Tango, and her penguin fathers “knew just what to do.”

  Angelina’s Island

  By Jeanette Winter. Illustrated by the author. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2007. Ages 4–6.

  Newly arrived in New York, Angelina misses everything about her native Jamaica: the food, the weather, the games she played with her friends. Her new country is different and hard to get used to. Then her mother discovers that Carnival, one of the biggest events on the Jamaican calendar, is celebrated in Brooklyn, and arranges to have a beautiful costume made for Angelina so that she can participate. Many listeners can relate to Angelina’s confusion and anxiety at being in a new and strange place—and also her joy at finding a link to her old home.

  Apple Pie Fourth of July

  By Janet S. Wong. Illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Harcourt, 2002. Ages 4–6.

  “My parents do not understand all American things. They were not born here,” complains a young Chinese American girl who is missing the Fourth of July parade to work in her parents’ food store. She’s convinced that nobody wants chow mein on this day; they want hot dogs, potato salad, and above all, apple pie. To her surprise, when the parades are done, neighbors pour into the store; everyone is now hungry for Chinese takeout. Later, after the rush has subsided and the store has closed, the girl and her loving parents do “American things”: they watch fireworks and eat apple pie.

  Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps

  By Louise Borden. Illustrated by Emma Dodd. Margaret K. McElderry, 2011. Ages 4–6.

  Nicholas thinks his big brother is terrific. James can write his name, make up great games, read long books, and go to school by himself on the bus. Even more awesome is the fact that James never has to stop having fun to take a nap. Nick longs to be just like James. When the boys’ new sister is born, Nick gets his wish. Now he’s a big brother himself, which, of course, means no more naps.

  Big Red Lollipop

  By Rukhsana Khan. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Viking, 2010. Ages 4–7.

  When Rubina, living in America, is invited to a birthday party, her Pakistani mother—who, unlike her daughters, still wears traditional garb—insists she take along middle sister Sana. If that weren’t bad enough, Sana eats the lollipop that Rubina has saved from her goodie bag. When Sana receives her own birthday invitation, Mother decrees littlest sister Maryam should go, too. At first Rubina is glad Sana will suffer the same embarrassment she did. But as she remembers how bad she felt, she puts her resentment aside and convinces their mother that adapting to new ways isn’t a bad thing. In a sweet finale, Sana gives Rubina a new lollipop, a symbol of both her gratitude and her contrition.

  Blackout

  By John Rocco. Illustrated by the author. Hyperion, 2011. Ages 4–6.

  A break in the normal routine can be scary for young children, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to have fun. Rocco’s tale of a busy urban family during a blackout begins with homey scenes: Mom at the computer; Dad in the kitchen; the children doing favorite things in brightly lit surroundings. Suddenly the lights go out, and the family members, drawn together at first by necessity, learn that darkness has a special magic of its own.

  Circle Unbroken

  By Margot Theis Raven. Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2004. Ages 4–7.

  In this story, a small woven basket links a modern-day child to her West African roots. Grandmother teaches her granddaughter how to make a sweetgrass basket, a craft brought from Africa to South Carolina and Georgia. She explains how the child’s ancestor once harvested tall grasses and wove them into baskets. When he came to this country as a slave, he found similar grasses and continued to weave baskets. He taught others who, as history unfolded around them, passed on their craft, just as Grandmother is doing now. The beautiful words echo the push and pull of the weaving and the enduring connections of family. A historical note about the baskets and a bibliography are appended.

  Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixer-Upper

  By Linda Ashman. Illustrated by Michael Chesworth. Sterling, 2009. Ages 4–6.

  The chaos of a large family working and playing in an old house comes to a halt when the doorknob falls off the front door. It “looks like it needs a screw.” It’s soon clear, however, that a screw won’t do. Neither will a new knob or a new door. Perh
aps a new house is the best way to go. When the frenzied family finally takes a breather from suggesting increasingly complicated fixes, it discovers that toddler Lizzie has solved the problem—in the simplest way imaginable. For another whimsical book about a baby in the know, try Edwin Speaks Up, by April Stevens.

  Daddy Goes to Work

  By Jabari Asim. Illustrated by Aaron Boyd. Little, Brown, 2006. Ages 4–6.

  There are lots of books about dads and daughters but few about Dads taking daughters to work—and fewer still with African American characters. In this one, a little girl begins her day with Dad on the commuter train. When they arrive in the big city, they go to the tall building where Dad works and ride the elevator up to his office. After lunch in the park, it’s back to work, the return trip home, and a sweet goodnight scene to mark the end of a perfect day. The warmth between the child and the parent is evident on every page of this unpretentious slice of life.

  A Drive in the Country

  By Michael J. Rosen. Illustrated by Marc Burckhardt. Candlewick, 2007. Ages 4–6.

  Although trips in the country with the kids have strong competition from soccer and baseball and even computers, this idyllic scenario gives the idea a boost. After loading the car with a variety of games and snacks (and, of course, the dog), a family heads down the road to see what there is to see. They play silly games, sing songs, smell country smells (stinky and sweet), and wade in a lake, imparting a charming vision of togetherness.

  Every Friday

  By Dan Yaccarino. Illustrated by the author. Holt, 2007. Ages 4–6.

  “Friday is my favorite day,” declares a young city boy, who proceeds to describe his Friday breakfast outing with Dad. On their way to the diner, they mail a letter, greet people they know, and see how the street scene has changed from the previous week. Over pancakes they talk about “all sorts of things” as a busy waitress serves coffee and people read their morning papers. The artwork suggests the story takes place in a time gone by: milk bottles stand outside the apartment door; Dad wears a suit and fedora. But no matter the backdrop, what comes clear is how much each half of the pair enjoys their special time together.