It’s BOOK FAIR TIME!!!! At least at my kids’ school it is.
There are few memories as potent and pleasant as those of the book fair at my elementary school. It felt like an entire book store, aimed specifically at my little brain, had been magically transported to my school library. As a mom, I get to walk my own kids through the tables and shelves packed with bright and beautiful books. I eagerly anticipate it every year. It’s my jam.
I am currently cozied up in a corner of my children’s book fair, typing away on my laptop. I figured this would be the perfect place to peruse the stacks and see what jumps out at me. I’m already falling in love with a few picture books that I can’t wait to share with you.
KING KONG’S COUSIN (ages 5-8) words and pictures by Mark Teague:
I’m a big Mark Teague fan. His MRS. LARUE series is hilariously written and illustrated. So when I saw his name printed at the bottom of this cover, I knew I had to read it. The title (which made me giggle) tells you a lot. We’ve all heard of the famous King Kong, but did you know he had a little cousin? Growing up in a King Kong-sized shadow is tough on Junior. While King Kong climbs skyscrapers, Junior climbs onto his piano bench. But when an unexpected emergency arises, Junior will learn that being a hero isn’t always about being the biggest primate on the block.
The black and white illustrations of this book might not engage the littlest readers. But kindergarten through third grade kiddos will be able to appreciate the humor in both the art and text. My favorite part of this warm and funny book is its resolution. Junior doesn’t put out a high rise fire or rescue a beauty queen. Still, his small act of heroism makes him feel ten stories tall.
WILD BLUE (Ages 3-7) words by Dashka Slater, pictures by Laura Hughes:
The transition from little kid bike to big kid bike is a rite of passage many kids view with trepidation. I remember the first time I rode a two-wheeler. I steered myself right into the neighbor’s garbage can. Ouch. I could have used a book like this to build up my courage after that first fall.
Kayla, the main character of this brightly-illustrated book, thinks of her new blue bike as a great stallion. She doesn’t know if she can tame this wild beauty. After her bike bucks her a few times, she’s nervous to try again. But cowgirls don’t give up so easy.
Hughes’s illustrations are full of motion and light. She captures Kayla’s indomitable spirit beautifully. This book will show your pint-sized riders that things don’t always go smoothly. But with pluck and determination, they can tame any mustang that gallops into their lives.
EVERY DOG IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (Ages 4-8) words by Philip C. Stead, pictures by Matthew Cordell:
Being the book nerd I am, my heart skipped a beat when I saw this author/illustrator pairing. Stead’s A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE is a modern classic. Cordell’s wordless picture book WOLF IN THE SNOW was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 2018. These two are giants of the children’s book world, so my expectations were high when I cracked the cover.
I could not have been more impressed. I must buy it immediately and give it a good home on my book case. I hope the other books won’t be jealous.
The story follows Louis and his grandmother as they each work on an important project. Grandma is refurbishing a city park (though the reader won’t fully discover this until the end of the story). Louis is taking a dog census, documenting each canine resident of his neighborhood. He explores his block, encountering all his neighbors along the way. The text is droll and surprising. The dogs (and their owners) are interesting and diverse. With some sweet surprises and chuckle-aloud moments in this book, I was already sold. But when Louis meets the last dog in his neighborhood, tears leapt into my eyes. That unexpected, heart-tingling moment put me over the top. I can’t wait to spirit this book home and read it to my kiddos at bedtime tonight. They always love it when a book makes me cry, (the little weasels). I hope it will tug at your heartstrings too.
