Kids Picks
Ahhhh, the hot days of summer are here. These are the days you should be spending on the beach, out in the boat, at the playground and just having fun with your family and friends. All of that playing can catch up with you, though, and you are going to need to take some time to relax. Here are some hot new titles for you to enjoy when you are taking a break from your adventures!
Ages 3-5
“Heal the Earth” by Julian Lennon
This is the second book of the Beatle’s son’s White Feather Flier Adventure Series trilogy. “Heal the Earth” invites the readers to board a magical plane that can take them anywhere they want. The only catch is that their destination has to include doing something to help someone in need. Choices include: delivering medicine, diving to the coral reefs, bringing green spaces to the city and helping the animals of the rain forest. Children will enjoy the interactive portions of the story, while learning about how they can help to save our planet.
“Summer Color!” by Diana Murray
What better way to celebrate summer than through all of the amazing colors it brings to our world! In “Summer Color!”, two kids have a fun-filled adventure in their own backyard. With each new part of the story, they discover another beautiful aspect and color of nature. When the skies start to look like rain, it only means more colors to discover!
Ages 6-8
“The Great Treehouse War” by Lisa Graff
The last day of fourth grade should be happy, exciting and full of fun, but not for Winnie. This was the day she found out her parents were getting divorced. Her summer would involve spending three days with her mom, three days with her dad, and every Wednesday in her treehouse between their houses. Things had to be equal and fair, after all. It wasn’t long before Winnie was frustrated and angry, and she knew something had to change. By the end of fifth grade, she decided to lock herself in her treehouse until her parents could grow up. What she didn’t plan on was her friends joining her for what would be the biggest, most fun slumber party ever.
“Possum and the Summer Storm” by Anne Hunter
Life isn’t easy when you are a wild animal, especially when you have babies of your own to take care of. The weather took a nasty turn one summer afternoon for Possum and his family. Although everyone made it home before the storm hit, what is a father to do when his family’s home is being swept away by the rising water? It’s time to find a new location! At first, no other homes seem like the right fit. But everything has a way of working out in the end.
Ages 9-11
“Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island” by Liz Kessler
Emily isn’t an ordinary girl. She’s half-mer (mermaid), just like her boyfriend Aaron. Although she might not be on the lookout for adventure, it always seems to find her. In this new addition to the best-selling series, Emily is on a tropical island with her friends and family, enjoying a relaxing, long-overdue vacation. While out exploring, she ends up on the other side of a waterfall and finds a forgotten island. Only she and Aaron can get to this island, and the people who live there think they are the key to helping them avoid a devastating earthquake that a prophecy foretold. Will Emily and Aaron be able to help the island people?
“All Summer Long” by Hope Larson
Summers when you are a kid can be the best and most memorable times. Bina usually spends all of her time with her best friend, Austin, but this year he’s heading off to soccer camp for a month. Now Bina has to create her own fun and it isn’t turning out to be easy. She starts off with some guitar playing and a lot of bad-TV watching but then finds herself hanging out with Austin’s older sister, who is stuck at home with a broken arm. The two are enjoying their summer until Austin comes home. He’s acting strange and Bina doesn’t know what to make of it. Why is her best friend shutting her out and how can they fix what’s wrong with their relationship?
