Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Children’s Book Corner: May 2009

by Stephanie Dethlefs5/4/2009 3:16:34 PM

Welcome to the Neighborhood-Kids Children’s Book Corner! Each month I offer one title each for four different age groups. These recommendations are based on my experience as the parent of a bookworm, an elementary teacher, and a voracious reader of children’s literature. Happy Reading!

For Baby Bookworms (Birth to 2)
Where is My Baby? by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback (2002, Blue Apple Books)

The simple, bold illustrations of this book will capture your baby’s attention, and she will also enjoy turning the half-pages to reveal the hidden animal babies. This book provides an endearing way to teach both animal sounds and the names of animal babies. Similar “Hide-and-Peek” books include Where is My Friend? (2006) and Where is My House? (2005).

For Preschool Power Readers (3-5)
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel (1971, HarperCollins)

Do you remember reading these books when you were a kid? I do. The great thing about the classic Frog and Toad series is that they are perfect for reading aloud, and then easily transition into early independent reading books. Each book in the series contains several simple, short stories about a day in the life of the two animal friends. In Frog and Toad Together (a favorite of my three-year-old), the two friends deal with a pesky to-do list, learn the meaning of will power, and enjoy the fruits of their labors in the garden.

For School-age Scholars (6-8)
A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky (1997, Scholastic)

For fans of Shel Silverstein, poet Jack Prelutsky is sure to be a hit. His poem topics range from pizza to school days to fantasy characters and many other topics that elementary-age children can appreciate. Chock-full of humor and illustrations, Prelutsky’s books are great for reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike.

For Independent Intermediates (9-12)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
(2007, Abrams Books for Young Readers)

What began as a Web comic is now a series of “novels-in-cartoons.” The main character, Greg, is a middle school student who is not, shall we say, at the top of the pecking order. When his mother encourages him to keep a journal, he makes it clear right away that it is NOT a diary. (“Don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that.”) Kinney takes his reader through the life of a typical preteen as he experiences the highs and lows of middle school life with deadpan humor and witty cartooning. If your child becomes a fan of the series, be sure to check out the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It Yourself Book (2008), a guided journal of his own!

A Note About the Author: Stephanie Dethlefs

Stephanie Dethlefs is the mom of two children who writes, teaches, and runs the Young Writers Studio in her spare time. Originally from Seattle, she arrived in Bellingham in 1996. A perfect day would include playing outside with her husband and kids and getting lost in a book.