26 Aug Lucy’s Summer Book Selections

BY LUCY TOWLE

This summer, your kids’ teachers are working hard to make their classes ready for the new school year. Your vacationing students can also prepare by filling their minds with great books! Here are some recommendations you may want to consider.

Ages 0-4: The Mo Willems collection.

Need I say more? Any book by Mo Willems will leave your little one in stiches. The bold, clear pictures keep young eyes visually focused on the story, and the author’s voice comes through vibrant and clear. Take time to read through this marvelous collection, and you will soon find yourself a devoted fan. Be sure not to miss his latest releases for 2014—The Pigeon Needs a Bath and the newest Elephant and Piggie adventure, My New Friend is so Fun!

Ages 5-9: Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman.

Summer vacation is all about making memories. But what do you do with those memories after summer is over? In this story, a little girl discovers that her grandfather keeps his memories inside an old cigar box filled with matchboxes. Inside each matchbox is a small item from a memorable moment in his life, such as a ticket that prompts him to recount the thrill of his first baseball game. “Pick whatever you like most. Then I’ll tell you its story,” he tells her. So together they rediscover his memories in the matchboxes and the pleasure of storytelling.

Ages 10-13: Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff.

This creative story takes you on a magical, behind-the-scenes look at the life of Rump, a boy whose world revolves around the destiny of his name. To discover his true identity, he sets off on a quest filled with trolls, fairies, greed, and magic, striving to break the curse that is upon him. I recommend that you become reacquainted with the original Grimm fairy tale before reading this book. It is fascinating to see how the two stories intertwine.

Want to try something different? Augmented Reality books using apps such as Layar are gaining popularity! When you download Layar to your phone or tablet, your child can explore Layar-enhanced books using the device.  Wherever the Layar symbol appears, a quick scan will bring up videos, links, and countless other forms of additional information that can expand and enhance the educational experience of the book or magazine. Even the Guinness Book of World Records has added this feature to their publication. Ask about Augmented Reality the next time you visit a library or book store!