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Welcome to The Storytellers, a monthly newsletter of outstanding children’s literature to read and read aloud from preschoolers to teens.
Fall is here, the leaves are turning, the pumpkins are ripe, and it’s a great time for storytelling. The books featured represent some of the best of imagination and fun in children's literature and are presented for reading and listening enjoyment.
For more information on reading to children and great books to read and read aloud, log on to our web site at
www.tchliteracy.com.
BEAR OUT THERE
written/illus. by Jacob Grant, (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, $17.99. June 2019, ISBN 978-1-68119-745-6), 40p, Ages 3-5
Bear and Spider, from Bear’s Scare (2018), return in a quest for a runaway kite. Spider is anxious to fly his new kite, but stay-at-home Bear would rather tidy up his house and have a cup of tea. “But plans have a way of changing.” When a gust of wind blows Spider’s kite away, Bear grudgingly agrees to help, but complains about the “filthy ground,” “itchy plants,” and “pesky bugs.” As it begins to rain, Bear decides to give up and return home, until he realizes that Spider is sad over losing his kite, and they continue the quest no matter what. Kids will love the persistence, compromise, and kindness of two opposite friends, and will love the surprise ending.
Themes: Adventure, Animals, Bears, Friendship,
Insects, Series
BEDTIME FOR LITTLE BULLDOZER
written by Elise Broach, illuis. By Barry E. Jackson, (Henry Holt & Co., $17.99, March 2019, ISBN 978-1-250-10928-6), 40p, Ages 3-5
Meet Little Bulldozer, who needs a bit of help getting to sleep at night. After a story, bath, teeth-brushing (with a push broom), and fluid levels checked by dad, he snuggles into bed. “There was just one problem. He wasn’t sleepy AT ALL.” He checks under his bed for strange sounds (accidentally flipping it over), gathers his stuffed animals for a read-aloud (The Little Engine that Could), and gets a cup of oil to quench his thirst. When attempting to sneak downstairs, he trips and crashes to the bottom. Needless to say, mom and dad are not happy. Back in bed and lonely, he comes up with the perfect solution involving his stuffed animals and the floor in his sisters’ room.
While parents might wonder why humans are raising three construction vehicles, kids will giggle at the absurdity of the bedtime issues and will thoroughly enjoy Little Bulldozer’s antics.
Themes: Bedtime, Families, Humor, Vehicles
THREE CHEERS FOR KID MC GEAR!
written by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illus. by A. G. Ford, (Chronicle Books, $17.99, Sept. 2019, ISBN 978-1-485241-5582-1), 40p, Ages 3-7
The newest addition to the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site crew is a skid steer by the name of Kid McGear, who is small in size, but energetic and eager to learn. Told by the other construction vehicles that she’s just not big enough for the job, she replies, “No problem, guys, I understand. / I’ll help out some other day.”
When an emergency arises and Excavator and Bulldozer are trapped at the bottom of a hill, Kid McGear comes to rescue, overcoming obstacles and directing the rescue effort. “Now Kid McGear has joined the crew. / Five old friends—and someone new! / Six friends in the construction yard, / big and small, all working hard … / each one greater than they seem, / because they’re working as a team.” Kids will love this heroic little skid steer with a heart of gold.
Themes: Adventure, Vehicles, Rhythm & Rhyme, Series
Others in the Series
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site | Mighty, Mighty Construction Site | Construction Site on
Christmas Night | Steam Train, Dream Train
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SNOWMEN AT HALLOWEEN
written by Caralyn Buehner, illus. by Mark Buehner, (Dial Books for Young Readers, $17.99, Aug. 2019, ISBN 978-0-525-55468-4), 32p, Ages 4-7
When a surprise October snowfall arrives, children have fun building snowmen and dressing them with Halloween costumes. That night after trick-or treating one boy imagines the fun the snowmen might also have while everyone is asleep.
“It’s a dark and spooky night, but the snowmen aren’t afraid— / They’ll follow one another in a Halloween parade, / Gliding down the moonlit street into the village square, / Beckoned by the twinkling lights and lanterns hanging there.” At the festival they carve pumpkins, play games, face paint, bob for apples, enjoy caramel treats, wander through a maze, listen to ghost stories, trick-or-treat for candy on their way home, and leave a special message for the children to find in the morning. Kids will enjoy the humorous costumes, as well as finding hidden pictures on each page.
Themes: Holidays, Humor, Rhythm & Rhyme, Series
Others in the Series
Snowmen at Night | Snowmen all Year | Snowmen at Work |
Snowmen at Christmas
PUMPKIN ISLAND
written/illus. by Arthur Geisert (Enchanted Lion Books, $17.95, Nov. 2018, ISBN 978-1-59270-265-7), 40p, Ages 5-8
West of the Mississippi River in Northeast Iowa is Elkader City, a small quiet town, until one rainy day a small pumpkin is washed downstream to Elkader, where its seeds sprout and vines grow into the town eventually causing a major pumpkin problem.
“People made pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie, and sweet pumpkin spice to serve with their coffee.” The townspeople converted pumpkins into boats and houses, had a pumpkin festival, and played games with them. The pumpkins began taking over the town and people were forced to cart them away to a town quarry.
When Halloween came, the thousands of pumpkins were carved into Jack-o’-Lanterns through out the streets, alleys, and rooftops. Afterward the vines are cut and the pumpkins turned into mulch and next spring the town was filled with flowers, however, it is widely known that vines rarely keep to themselves. Kids will enjoy trying to count the plethora of pumpkins from Arthur Geisert’s clever illustrations.
Themes: Food, Holidays, Humor
THE SCARECROW
written by Beth Ferry, illus by The Fan Brothers, (HarperCollins, $18.99, Sept. 2019, ISBN 978-0-06-247576-3), 40p, Ages 4-7
A lonely, old scarecrow is the feared guardian of the fields. ”Scarecrow stands alone and scares / the fox and deer, / and mice and crows. / It’s all he does. It’s all he knows.” No one dares to come near, until one day a baby crow drops from a tree nearby and lies helplessly on the ground. Moved by kindness, the old scarecrow breaks his pole, bends down and keeps him warm in the bib of his overalls, singing a lullaby. Over the seasons they become inseparable, until the fledgling learns to fly and Scarecrow realizes that someday he will leave. Watching his friend fly off, Scarecrow now lacks both his pole and his friend to keep him upright.
All through fall, winter, and spring, Scarecrow wallows in loneliness, until a familiar face returns to make another nest for babies in Scarecrow’s bib. “And he will love them from the start, / and they will grow up in his heart. / And they will peep and perch and play / and make him happy every day. And as the seasons come and go, / they will love their dear Scarecrow” Readers and listeners will love this simple tale of love, kindness, friendship, and generosity.
Themes: Animals, Friendship, Heroes, Holidays, Rhythm & Rhyme
TURKEY TRICK OR TREAT
written by Wendi Silvano, illus. by Lee Harper, (Two Lions, 2015), 40p, Ages 4-7
It’s Halloween and the barnyard animals are longing for candy. Realizing that a costume is needed, they look to Turkey for a solution. He does his best to cobble together a ghost costume but, “Farmer Ben’s son looked at Turkey. ‘I can see through this trick. Halloween treats aren’t for turkeys. I’m BOO-ting you out!’” The animals then suggest a ballerina, a pirate, and a superhero costume, but every time another farmer sees through the disguise and turns him away. Time was running out, until he learns that being himself works just fine. When Mable Mayberry, blind as a bat, thinks his costume is marvelous, she and gives him all her candy. The animals agree, “It was the BEST Halloween ever!” Kids will love the facial expressions of the animals and Turkey’s inventive costumes.
Themes: Animals, Food, Holidays, Humor
THE SCARECROW’S HAT
written/illus. by Ken Brown, (Peachtree Publishers, 2001), 32p, Ages 4-7
When a resourceful chicken admires a scarecrow’s hat for a potential nest, a chain of events begin, which in turn produce creative solutions for other animals. Chicken is overjoyed that Scarecrow is willing to give up his hat in exchange for a walking stick to lean on. “Now Chicken didn’t have a walking stick, but she knew someone who did.” Thus begins a series of trades, in which Badger’s stick is swapped for a ribbon to tie his door open, Crow’s blue ribbon is traded for warm, soft wool for his nest, Sheep’s wool is given for glasses to help her look out for wolves, Owl’s glasses are traded for a blanket to sleep under, and Donkey’s blanket is swapped for feathers to shoo away the pesky flies, which Chicken happily supplies. After obtaining her hat, Chicken uses it for a cozy nest. “And I wouldn’t swap it for anything!” Kids will enjoy Ken Brown’s captivating and delightful watercolor illustrations, while adults will approve of chicken’s resourcefulness.
Themes: Animals, Concept, Heroes, Humor
STUMPKIN
written/illus. by Lucy Ruth Cummins, (Antheneum Books for Young Readers, $17.99, July 2018, ISBN 978-1-5344-1362-7), 56p, Ages 4-7
What’s a pumpkin to do when he’s a beautiful color of orange and perfectly round as a basketball, but no one will choose him for their Halloween jack o’lantern? Due to his missing stem, buyers overlook him as Stumpkin sits expectantly on the shopkeeper’s shelf as other pumpkins are purchased and displayed in windows across the street.
As Halloween draws near, the shopkeeper’s black cat tries to help by squatting on top of Stumpkin to hide the missing stem, but is frightened away by a dog. Even the gourd goes home with someone. Find out how Stumpkin’s home might just be under his yet-to-be carved out nose in this delightful, charming book about differences and acceptance.
Themes: Holidays
SOMEONE NEW
written by Jill Twiss, illus. by E.G. Keller, (HarperCollins, $18.99, June 2019, ISBN 978-0-06-293374-4), 32p, Ages 4-7
“When Jitterbug woke up, she could already tell: Something was New. Jitterbug was a careful chipmunk. She liked it when things stayed the Same. When Something was New she got a little quiver in her tummy.” That Something is Pudding, a slow moving, slow talking snail from a flooded garden over the hill, who is looking for a new home.
Prompted by fear of change, Jitterbug orders Pudding away. Her friends, Toast the Butterfly, Geezer the goose, and Duffles and Nudge the otters, remind her that everyone was new at one time, it’s okay to make mistakes, and “even though New can be scary, kindness is stronger than fear.” Acknowledging her mistake, Jitterbug searches for Pudding, begs his forgiveness, and brings Pudding back to make a new home. Kids will enjoy the sweet illustrations and adults will love the message of change, acceptance, and kindness.
Themes: Animals, Friendship, Heroes
THE RABBIT, THE DARK, AND THE COOKIE TIN
written/illus. by Nicola O’Byrne, (Noisy Crow, $15.99, March 2019, ISBN 978-1-5362-0576-3), 32p, Ages 4-7
“Once upon a time, there was a rabbit who didn’t want to go to sleep” An idea pops into Rabbit’s head that if there is no darkness, then there’s no need for bedtime. At that point, he comes up with the perfect solution—catch the Dark in a cookie tin. With one cookie left, Rabbit coaxes the Dark into the tin and ignores all his pleadings. Rabbit doesn’t care that many animals (bats, owls, and fox cubs) need the dark, that grumpiness will set in without sleep, and that he’ll miss breakfast. Then, unexpected consequences occur—Rabbit’s prized carrots are wilting with too much heat. After releasing the Dark, Rabbit is amazed at the beauty of the nighttime sky, and kids will also when the pop-up is released.
Themes: Animals, Bedtime, Humor
CARL AND THE MEANING OF LIFE
written/illus. by Deborah Freedman, (Viking Books for Young Readers, $17.99, April 2019, ISBN 978-0-451-47498-8), 48p, Ages 4-7
Carl is a happy and contented earthworm. “He lived underground, moving, always moving burrowing, tunneling, digesting dead leaves, feasting and casting, turning hard dirt into fluffy soil, day after day . . .” until a field mouse asks him, “Why?” Carl searches for answers from a variety of animals, who tell him why they do what they do. When he comes upon a ground beetle, who can find nothing to eat because of the hard ground, Carl finally understands his purpose in life. “For hours into days, weeks into months, Carl munched, digested, left castings, and tunneled … and turned that hard dirt back into rich soil …” As he worked, the dry landscape became beautiful, the grass flourished, seeds grew, and the animals came back to the land. An Author’s Note explains the delicate balance and interconnectedness of nature and creatures.
Themes: Animals, Nature
LIBRARY GINGERBREAD MAN
written by Dotti Enderle, illus. by Colleen M. Madden, (Upstart Books, 2010, ISBN 978-1-60213-048-7), 32p, Ages 6-9
This clever retelling of the traditional Gingerbread Man tale finds the little cookie in a book on a library shelf at 398.2. Deciding to escape, the naughty little guy runs past the librarian, a Word Wizard (thesaurus at 423.1), a giraffe (from 599.638), a robot (at 629.892), an origami bird (from 736.982), a jokester (from 818.602,) a crowd from the biography section (at 982), a space alien (from 001.942), a philosopher (at 180), and a Cyclops (from 292.11).
As he is chased through the library, the little cookie shouts, “Run, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” When he encounters an Arctic Fox (at 989) waiting to eat him, the librarian knows just what to do because, “It is particularly hard to outsmart a librarian.” Kids are not only introduced to the Dewey Decimal System, but will enjoy the many humorous titles that the Gingerbread Man runs past, such as How to Build a Doo-Hickie, If You Give a Fox a Gingersnap, Mammals That Eat Cookies, 54 Hungry Wolves, Rumpled Shirtskin, and My Favorite Earrings by Anna Lobes.
Themes: Adventure, Food, Humor
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SPY PENGUINS #1
written by Sam Hay, illus. by Marek Jagucki, (Feiwel and Friends, $13.99, Sept. 2018, ISBN 978-1-250-18838-0), 240p, Ages 8-11
Two adventure-loving, gadget-obsessed penguins, Jackson and Quigley from the town of Rookeryville, long to join the FBI (Frosty Bureau of Investigation). Dismissed as too young to join up, they are determined to prove their detective abilities. When one of Quigley’s inventions misfires, Secret Agent OOZero Jackson is dropped into an FBI stakeout. There they discover that rare and exotic fish are vanishing from the local aquarium.
To solve the crime, they must evade Jackson’s mother’s behavior detective skills (“She was a detective at Waddles’ Department Store. She had security camera-style eyes), avoid Frost-Wasp Bots, and outmaneuver Coldfinger, owner of the Shark’s Pit Restaurant. Kids will love this middle grade chapter book with its fast-paced action, penguin humor, and quirky inventions (wall-climbing poo-glue, the voice-activated flipper-print quadruple locking system, and sardine invisibility suits).
Themes: Adventure, Heroes, Humor, Mysteries
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RUFF VS. FLUFF (Queenie & Arthur #1)
written by Spencer Quinn, (Scholastic Press, $17.99, March 2019, ISBN 978-1-338-09139-7), 304p, Ages 9+
Arthur is a happy, big-hearted, loyal, but not too smart dog. According to Queenie, she is a beautiful, elegant, intelligent, and choosy cat. Both love sausage; both are mortal enemies. They live with their humans, twins Harmony and Bro and their mother at the Blackberry Hill Inn in the snow county of New England. With no guests, the Inn is experiencing financial difficulties, but relief comes in the form of a guest, who is interested in hiking, specifically the old Sokoki Trail.
When Mr. LeMaire fails to return that evening and is found murdered, the bumbling local sheriff decides that Matty, mom’s cousin and the best professional trail guide in the area, is guilty. The twins are determined to solve the crime, with only an old map and postcard to go on. Arthur and Queenie realize that they have access to more information, however, they must, horror of horrors, work together.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Queenie and Arthur, kids will enjoy the animals’ quirky humor, some history surrounding the rum running era of Prohibition, and the surface of family secrets in this fun middle school mystery.
Themes: Animals, Families, Friendship, Heroes, Humor, Mysteries
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ADDISON COOKE AND THE TREASURE OF THE INCAS #1
written by Jonathan W. Stokes, illus. by David Elliot, (Philomel Books, $16.99, 2016, ISBN 978-0-399-17377-6), 336p, Ages 12+
Addison Cooke is a smooth talking, impeccably dressed seventh grader, who has a passion for history, archeology, and adventure. He and his sister, Molly, live with their aunt and uncle, world-famous archeologists, who travel the world in search for hidden treasure and dodging danger.
When Uncle Nigel discovers a clue to ancient lost Incan gold, he and Aunt Delia are kidnapped by members of a ruthless band of thieves’ intent on stealing the riches. With a positive attitude, knowledge of the Incas, and endless optimism, Addison, Molly and friends, Raj and Eddie, fly to Columbia, South America (using Uncle Nigel’s credit card), where they begin a quest to find three Atahualpa keys to the Incan treasure, stay one step ahead of the kidnappers, and rescue Aunt Delia and Uncle Nigel. Addison leads his team through death traps, crocodile infested rivers, booby trapped caves, and wild car chases to reach the famous Machu Picchu.
Kids will enjoy the exciting adventure and nonstop humor in this story of family love, friendship, and loyalty. An Author’s Note explains the real history of the Incan treasure, which is, “stranger than fiction.”
Themes: Adventure, Countries & Cultures, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Humor, Mysteries, Series
Others in the Series
Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas #2 |
Addison Cooke and the Ring of Destiny #3
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INVASION (C.H.A.O.S. Novel #1)
written by Jon S. Lewis, (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010), 321p, Ages 14-18
16-year-old Colt McAlister, youngest son in a family of eight brothers, is a typical California teen who loves surfing. However, he is far from normal whether he knows it yet or not. When his parents are killed in a mysterious car accident, Colt is sent to live with his grandfather, an old World War II hero, known by only a few as the "Phantom Flyer", on which a popular comic book is based.
After learning of his parents’ assassination for his mother’s investigation of Trident Industries, a company specializing in biotechnology and mind-control, Colt and his friends investigate and find themselves in the middle of a secret war to thwart an alien invasion. Teaming up with C.H.A.O.S. (Center Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural), they fight to expose the underground world of alien monsters, who are trying to take over Earth. Kids will enjoy the flying motorcycles, jet-packs, flashy gizmos, mechanical men, and shape-shifters.
Themes: Adventure, Heroes, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Suspense, Series
Others in the Series
Alienation #2 | Domination #3
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Over the years, we have researched thousands of children's books, and can recommend some of the best in outstanding children's literature for parents to read aloud and children to read.
Our recommendations must meet certain criteria: fun, creative and imaginative stories, delightful illustrations, and excellent for age appropriate listening and reading. We hope that you enjoyed our recommendations. If you desire further information some of the best in children's literature, please visit our website, www.tchliteracy.com.
CONTACT US:
The Children's Hour
2966 S Church St #309
Burlington, NC 27215
Email: info@tchliteracy.com
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