This week’s selection was made by Cheryl Swart, school librarian at Woodbridge Primary School in Milnerton. “All the books I have chosen appeal to both boys and girls. The ones for the younger children are great Read Aloud books that older children will also enjoy reading to themselves. At home or in the library, these books are real assets.” Parents, Cheryl recommends that you buy your children a good bedside reading lamp and dictionary. Make reading part of the bedtime routine. Even when your child is able to read to himself, continue reading to him so that he can hear the correct pronunciation of words, but give him time to explore words on his own. Why not negotiate a slightly later bedtime, if he is going to use the extra time for reading (not TV or computer games?) Happy reading.
For parents and teachers I recommend The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease.
My choice for 3 – 4 year olds:
Handa’s Surprise by author and illustrator Eileen Browne
As Handa walks from her village to her friend’s village, animals and birds take one fruit at a time from the gift basket she has balanced on her head.
This book is a wonderful way to get on first name terms with the a variety of fruit and African animals. Children hate watching Handa’s carefully arranged gift being stolen before she can give it to her friend and love the solution to the problem. You are bound to hear, “Read it again!” when you have shared it with someone precious to you. It is an ideal introduction to a chat about friendship or crime or even number concepts (How many are left when one is taken away?) After reading, make and share a yummy fruit salad!
If you enjoyed this book, you might also like, Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert.
My choice for 5 – 6 year olds:
Football Fever by Alan Durant and illustrated by Kate Leake
A big sister can’t understand how her brother and dad can be mad about soccer. After watching her brother play his first match, she too is hooked.
This book is full of action and the simple drawings perfectly complement the story. It is a firm favourite.
If you enjoyed this book, you might also like, Winners Never Quit by Mia Hamm.
My choice for 7 – 8 year olds:
Jamela’s Dress written and illustrated by Niki Daly
Children love hearing about other children making mistakes. Jamela’s mistake is huge. She ruins her mom’s freshly washed material, intended to be used for a new dress to be worn to Thelma’s wedding. With no money, how will the problem be solved?
The pictures are full of life and the author draws on the reader’s own experience by having Jamela teach her mom the song , “I’m a Little Teapot.”
If you enjoyed this book, local author Niki Daly has other books about Jamela. His books are also available in Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans.
My choice for 9 – 10 year olds:
Judy Moody, M.D.: The Doctor is In written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter Reynolds
This easy chapter book is delightfully funny. It opens with Judy attempting to bunk school, by pretending to be sick. Maybe she has a mump even though she was vaccinated against Mumps? Neither her mother, nor her brother are fooled. At school Judy learns about the human body. This triggers a series of hilarious activities. Judy dresses up as the first lady doctor, Elizabeth Blackwell, and performs an operation on a baby marrow. She routinely lands herself in trouble. In an act of characteristic kindness Judy cleans and mends the dolls from the local hospital’s children’s ward.
The good news is, if you love this book, there are two series about Judy and her brother, Stink. Although the series is set in America, the kids in my school love these stories. Children who are not home language English speakers make the effort to read books they really enjoy. I also recommend The Pain and the Great One, brother and sister series by Judy Blume.
