It's “read aloud” time while the sun is up and the time is ripe to read stories that kids will beg to be read again and again to them.
Fleas!, by Jeanne Steig, and with hilarious illustrations by Britt Spencer, is a funny tale just itching to be told. Farmer Quantz stops and pets a big old dog and instantly begins to itch. He trades the fleas for an uncle who talks and talks but the problem with the uncle is he talks just too much. So he trades him for some limburger cheese and on and on. This book is great fun and so much fun to read aloud!
Here's an unusual story that will definitely catch your youngster's attention. The Police Cloud, by Christoph Niemann, has just been hired on by the police helicopter but doesn't seem to be helping much. He blocks the sun and hinders and obscures traffic until he finally discovers how to be helpful.
Friday My Radio Flyer Flew, by Zachary Pullen , is an over-large picture book with colorful pictures that fill the pages. The sparsely told story reminisces of the trusty old red wagon as a boy locates his father's old Radio Flyer. This is beautifully told and illustrated.
Here is a wonderful collection of stories that are perfect to read-aloud. Trick of the Tale, collected by John and Caitlin Matthews, and illustrated by Tomislav Tomic, showcases stories from all around the world and how some of the characters try to deceive others through tricks and are completely surprised by the outcome. There are stories from Asia, Africa and Europe . One of my favorites comes from an African-American story about that sneaky Brer Rabbit.
Alistair and Kip's Great Adventure! by John Segal, has an orange cat, a beagle and a friendly whale in an adventure beyond the wide blue sea. Here's one tale that will capture your youngster's attention.
Here's another adventure for the faint of heart. Necks Out for Adventure, by Timothy Basil Ering, is all about going beyond the comfort zone to save family and friends. A brave little creature leaves the safety and familiar shell and goes way beyond his expectations.
A Drive in the Country, by Michael J. Rosen, and illustrated by Marc Burckhardt, will make you reminisce of times in the past when gas wasn't an issue and a family could take a short drive to the country. The pastoral scenes, lovely countryside, open spaces and barn animals are an invitation to revisit this book again and again.
The Boy Who Wouldn't Swim, by Deb Lucke, will surely compel you to take a dip in the nearest water hole. This bubbling book even has colors of aquatic enhancement. Eric doesn't want, or like, to swim even though it's frying-pan hot. But his ideas of water are about to change!
The Rubber-Legged Ducky, by John G. Keller, and brightly and wonderfully illustrated by Henry Cole, celebrates the differences in all of us. One little duck is different from the rest of the ducklings. He doesn't quack, can't waddle and bounces when he walks. This extraordinary trait will help him and his friends appreciate his differences when a stranger comes upon them.
The Animal Hedge, by Paul Fleischman, and beautifully painted by Bagram Ibatoulline, is a wonderful story about finding and enjoying the simple things in life. A farmer who loved life and his surroundings, and appreciated all that he had, soon loses his farm to a drought but doesn't lose his outlook. There is so much to learn from this sweet story!
Ella Sets Sail, by Carmela and Steven D'Amico, is the fourth installment of this adorable little elephant. Ella is looking forward to the annual carnival and the rides and cotton candy. But she is about to encounter trouble with friends, spending all of her allowance and with the looks of a bad storm. Here's a good adventure before bedtime.
Buffalo Wings, by Aaron Reynolds, and illustrated by Paulette Bogan, is a funny take on this delicacy snack. Rooster is about to prepare this yummy food and heads west in search of the missing ingredient, but can't seem to locate a buffalo with wings. It all works out in the end and you'll even find some of the best recipes also located in the back of the book.
