Books for Kids (ages 6-8)

One Cool Friend

By Toni Buzzeo; illus. by David Small

(Picture Book; ages 4-7 years)

Elliot visits the aquarium and comes home with a pet, a penguin named Magellan.  After doing his research, Elliot sets out to make Magellan feel at home, with lots of seafood in the freezer and skating in his bedroom.  Elliot’s father seems completely oblivious to the fact that Elliot has this new pet.  Or, is Elliot’s father hiding a pet of his own?

Follow  Follow: a Book of Reverso Poems

 By Marilyn Singer; illus. Josee Masse

(Juvenile Non-fiction; Poetry;  ages 6 and up) 

Allowing only for changes to punctuation and capitalization, Singer has created a style of poetry in which a poem can be read both from top to bottom and bottom to top.  Each version of the poem tells a different side of the same story.  Like her first reverse collection, Mirror Mirror, this collection focuses on the classic fairytales.

Lego Super Heroes: Batman Visual Dictionary

By Daniel Lipkowitz

(Juvenile Nonfiction; ages 6-12 years)

Filled with text and pictures in the popular DK visual dictionary format, Batman and Lego fans can spend hours poring over anything and everything related to Lego’s line of Batman merchandise.  Have fun with everyone’s favorite caped crusader in Lego form!

I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus

By Jack Prelutsky; illus. Jackie Urbanovic

(Juvenile Non-fiction; ages 5-10 years)

This latest collection from the perennially popular Prelutsky features poems about animals real and imaginary.

Who Built the Stable: a Nativity Poem

By Ashley Bryan

(Poetry; ages 4-8 years)

According to award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Bryan, “A child built the stable/A little shepherd boy/Apprenticed as a carpenter/In his father’s employ.”  That boy then welcomes Mary and Joseph into his stable and the new baby into the world.  Gorgeously illustrated in vibrant, swirling colors.

The Story of Hanukkah

By David A. Adler;  illus. by Jill Weber

(Juvenile non-fiction; ages 4-8 years)

Vibrant illustrations and straightforward writing tell the tale of the Maccabees and why Hanukkah is celebrated.  With a recipe for latkes and directions for the traditional dreidel  game included at the end, this is a wonderful book for the holiday.

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