Summer Picture Books

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August is upon us and the summer is winding down. While we're all trying to squeeze out the last summer month, I thought I'd post a few suggestions for picture books to share. Reading with your children (regardless of their ages) is so important! The ways in which it helps them are so numerous....not just for educational purposes, but in terms of emotional security and a sense of belonging, nothing can beat it! So here are a few selections for you to consider. Some are old favourites of mine; some are new; all are wonderful for the entire family.
'Wordless' picture books:
These are books that everyone will want to spend hours pouring over for their beauty and their storytelling.
Flotsam by David Weisner: David Weisner is a genius! This tells the story of a young boy at the beach. He finds an old camera and develops the film inside. The story it tells is pure magic,and when the boy adds his own input...well, the story continues.
Journey by Aaron Becker: A young girl feels lonely and sometimes
forgotten by her family. So, she takes a crayon and draws a magical adventure all her own.
Footpath of Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith: As a very distracted father and his little girl walk through the busy city streets, she gathers flowers along the way. Each flower becomes a gift for someone they encounter. Whether the gift is noticed or ignored, the impact of giving and receiving has a long term effect on everyone.



How about some truly great stories now?
Anna Hibicus Song by Atinuke and Lauren Tobis
Anna Hibiscus is so happy she doesn't know what to do with herself. The source of her happiness is all the people she loves, her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, her cousins...and they all have suggestions as to how she can express her joy. Her mother finally comes up with the perfect way for her to express her incredible happiness...with the perfect song! This book is filled with the sense of family and friends and everything life has to offer to make a young child happy. I love Anna Hibiscus.

The First Slodge by Jeanne Willis: Once upon a time there was a slodge; the only slodge in the whole universe...so everything around her belonged to her. Until she meets another slodge, that is. Witty and unique story about friendship, sharing and the fact that the world belongs to everyone!

All Aboard the Dinosaur Express by Timothy Knapman and Ed Eaves
Who doesn't love dinosaurs? And the dinosaur express is like no other train you've ever seen! With a scaly exterior and doors that look like pterodactyl wings, all little dinosaurs climb aboard for a fantastic journey...and someone might even get to drive the train!
The Adventures of Hungry the Chick by Dolores Keaveney
Hungry the Chick decides to venture outside the hen run for some tasty grasses and seeds. But this is not a good idea. When Hungry finds himself in a sticky situation, he gets lost. It's nice to know that there is someone looking out for him.
Grumbug (Troll and the Oliver 2) by Adam Stower
Oliver and his best friend Troll run a cafe in the woods. They make the best cakes EVER! But rumours of the meanest, scariest troll in the world come to light when Olivers' sister, Dolly vanishes one day. So, it's off to Munch Mountain to rescue Dolly from the Grumbug! (Brilliant!)

The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber and Nicola Bayley
 A highly anticipated new edition of this beautiful, exquisitely illustrated book is now available.Mowser the Cat lives a quiet happy life with fisherman Tom. But one night, this idyllic life is threatened when the Great Storm Cat comes clawing and growling at the harbour walls. Mowser and Tom brave the ferocious storm to discover it might just take a cats' perspective to tame the angry weather. Stunning and wonderful story for everyone.
The Lighthouse Keeper stories by Ronda and David Armitage
Any of these wonderful tales about Mr. Grinling, the old lighthouse keeper, is a perfect way to step lazy summer days. Now classic, these are some of my all time favourites about friendship, community, the seaside and, of course, lighthouses!





So....there's a few for you! Enjoy!

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