Take a leaf out of our book: Holiday reads for the kids this summer

Posted on 24 December, 2014

I read somewhere that the act of sitting and reading to children from the time they are born means they grow up associating reading with a warm, comfortable and nurturing feeling. As I am always giving children books for every celebration (and sometimes just because it’s a good-book-occasion) this gave me another reason to justify my book buying addiction!

Here are some new books the children in my life have recently enjoyed…

Ages 0-4

Just Right for Christmas by Birdie Black and illustrated by Rosaline Beardshaw is just gorgeous with the message that giving is as fun as receiving.

One snowy Christmas eve, the king buys some soft red cloth to make a cloak for the princess – little does he know that the left-over cloth will be used to make presents for many more of the kingdom’s inhabitants, right down to the last teeny bit of cloth made into a scarf, which is just right for the smallest mouse to protect him from the winter chill.

Ages 3-6

Paris Hop! By Margie Blumberg

On a visit to Paris for just one day, Grandma Goldie is eager to show her granddaughter, Aimee, how the city sparkles in the sun from the top of the Eiffel Tower. But the other joys of “Paree” create delightful detours along the way. Will this peppy pair make it to the tower before sunset? Find out in this charmingly illustrated rhyming tale about the City of Light . . . and happy surprises.

Paris Hop! also includes a French-English glossary.

Ages 6-9

The TalkativeTombstone: The Cryptic Casebook of Coco Carlomango (and Alberta) Book 6 is the latest book by Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by Terry Denton.

Coco Carlomagno is the well-respected, if somewhat easily startled, Chief of Police in Buenos Aires. Alberta is his more sensible cousin. Together they crack the cases that confound this puzzling city.

Coco’s nerves are all a-jangle. Deep in a cemetery in Buenos Aires, the tomb of the famous, much-lamented tango singer Anibal Manzana has everyone baffled. It is talking! Could it be haunted?

Luckily Coco has his commonsensical cousin Alberta on hand to help. Can they unravel this ghostly riddle?

Ages 9-11

Hansel and Gretel retold by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti

The enduring story of the children, the breadcrumb trail and the gingerbread house is brought to life by master storyteller, Neil Gaiman. Who better to retell the Brothers Grimm’s greatest, and perhaps darkest, fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel? Coupled with breathtakingly haunting illustrations from Lorenzo Mattotti, you will be enticed into the world and into the woods . . . so beware.

Ages 8+

Jet the Rescue Dog… And Other Extraordinary Stories of Animals in Wartime by David Long and illustrated by Peter Bailey

As mascots, messengers, rat-catchers and even spies, animals have long marched into war alongside servicemen and women. Dogs, horses, cats (even birds, camels and elephants) have saved thousands of lives through instinct, intelligence, courage and devotion. Like Jet, a dog who searched through ruins during the Blitz bombings to find survivors, or Sergeant Stubby, a dog who caught a spy. Or the pigeons who braved hurricanes, hawks and even snipers to help during WWII…Engaging, uplifting and deeply moving, Jet the Rescue Dog tells the stories of these brave, silent heroes with sensitivity and gentle humour.

Ages 8-12

Cartboy Goes to Camp by L.A. Campbell

In the tradition of Diary of a Wimpy Kid comes this laugh-out-loud sequel to L. A. Campbell’s Cartboy and the Time Capsule.

Hopelessly hapless Hal Rifkind, a.k.a. Cartboy, is off to summer camp. And not just any old camp, but history camp. Campers have to learn how to churn butter, plant maize, and carry water from the stream – or they get punished for not doing their chores. What else could possibly go wrong for Cartboy? Read Hal’s journal to find out!

Filled with photos, drawings, and timelines, Hal’s journal chronicles his hilarious adventures at Camp Jamestown – where nothing has changed in 400 years.

Ages 13+

This is Your Afterlife by Vanessa Barneveld

Sixteen-year-old Keira Nolan has finally got what she wanted—the captain of the football team in her bedroom. Problem is he’s not in the flesh. He’s a ghost and she’s the only one who can see him.
Keira’s determined to do anything to find Jimmy’s killer. Even it if means teaming up with his prickly-yet-dangerously-attractive brother, Dan, also Keira’s ex-best-friend. Keira finds that her childish crush is fading, but her feelings for Dan are just starting to heat up, and as the story of Jimmy’s murder unfolds, anyone could be a suspect.

Happy reading!