Kids Picks
Summer is here and there is so much to do on these beautiful days. Whether it’s having fun at camp, riding the waves, joining in a game of paddleball, or just soaking in the sun, make some time for reading so that the summer slide doesn’t catch up with you. Here are some fun titles for you to enjoy.
Ages 3-5
“Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson
What begins as a nature guide quickly dives headfirst into delightful absurdity in “Don’t Trust Fish,” a wildly imaginative, laugh-out-loud picture book that swims against the current of your typical animal facts. You can never be too trusting, especially when it comes to life in the sea. With reasons that grow increasingly ridiculous (and suspiciously convincing), like their secretive underwater existence or their suspiciously bus-sized cousins, Sharpson builds a comic case proving why you can’t ever trust a fish. The beautiful illustrations by Dan Santat are the perfect companion in this chaos. From shifty-eyed sardines to shark-sized suspects, the artwork captures the escalating paranoia with clever humor and eye-catching detail.
“My Path” by Jana Curll
In “My Path,” author-illustrator Jana Curll delivers a heartfelt and visually stunning tale about courage, self-trust, and the slow but steady journey of discovering one’s own way. At the center of the story is a small snail with a big goal: to forge a path that’s truly his own. While the world around him offers shortcuts, detours, and even the pressure to follow others, this little snail listens to his inner compass, one slow step at a time. Along the way, there are challenges: towering mountains, swirling rivers, and moments of doubt. But with quiet resilience, the snail proves that determination doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, the best path is the one you make yourself – even if it takes a little longer.
Ages 6-8
“Nobody Hugs a Cactus” by Carter Goodrich
Hank is not your average storybook character. He’s cranky. He’s spiky. And he’s very proud of both. In “Nobody Hugs a Cactus,” author/illustrator Carter Goodrich brings readers into the sun-baked, solitary world of a cactus who insists he’s perfectly content being left alone … until he realizes that maybe, just maybe, he isn’t. Perched on a windowsill in the middle of a quiet desert town, Hank scoffs at every visitor, whether it’s a cheerful tumbleweed, a friendly cowboy, or a curious tortoise. But as the world keeps spinning without him, Hank starts to wonder: If nobody wants to hug a cactus, is anyone going to care if he’s all alone? The story is a gentle, relatable exploration of what it means to let others in, especially when you’ve convinced yourself that you don’t need them.
“Growing Home” by Beth Ferry
Beth Ferry’s “Growing Home” is a delightful blend of heartfelt whimsy, magical mischief, and the kind of offbeat humor that makes you believe your houseplants might just be plotting something extraordinary. At the center of this charming tale is Ivy, a houseplant with a quiet kind of wisdom and a front-row seat to the lively chaos of the Tupper household. Ivy’s closest companion is Jillian, a curious and kind-hearted child who treats her plant like family which, much to his dismay, doesn’t sit well with Toasty, the self-declared “official” pet goldfish. From his antique octagonal tank, Toasty simmers with jealousy, until a splashy accident sets off a series of magical discoveries. Enter Arthur, a one-legged spider with a brain full of facts and a penchant for poetry, and Ollie, a school plant with a sunny disposition and a surprising singing voice. What begins as a humorous rivalry between plant and fish blooms into a story of unexpected friendship, as the crew uncovers the secret powers of Toasty’s tank and the very real danger posed by a man in suspiciously purple shoes.
Ages 9-12
“Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment” by Anna James
In “The Age of Enchantment,” Anna James crafts a luminous, richly imagined fantasy that enchants from the first page to the last. At the heart of the story are twins Juniper and Rafferty, whose paths diverge but remain tightly bound by love, loyalty, and secrets. When Juniper discovers she’s one of the rare Enchanters and is able to channel the full magic of all four seasons, she’s whisked away to Thistledown Academy, a school unlike any other. There, she dives into magical studies, grapples with her growing powers, and begins to unravel the mysteries of her unique gift. Meanwhile, Rafferty takes a quieter path, apprenticing at a nearby bookbinder’s shop. But his journey is no less thrilling. A chance encounter draws him into a secret society, a world of after-dark meetings, coded messages, and creeping shadows. The seasonal magic is both beautiful and dangerous, and as secrets begin to unravel, the twins must face not only external threats but the truths they’ve been avoiding about themselves and each other.
“The One and Only Ruby” by Katherine Applegate
Picking up shortly after “The One and Only Bob,” this novel centers on Ruby the elephant, who now lives safely in a wildlife sanctuary, but whose past still echoes loudly in her heart. When Ruby’s former caretaker from the African orphanage visits, long-buried memories surface. Through quiet conversations with Ivan and Bob, Ruby reflects on her life before the circus, revealing moments of joy, pain, and transformation on the African savannah. Told in gentle, lyrical verse, her voice is filled with vulnerability and wisdom beyond her years. Ruby’s journey is not only a personal one but also universal about healing from trauma, embracing your past, and finding the strength to move forward. The story brings an intimate depth to Ruby’s experience, enhanced by vivid imagery that will resonate with readers long after the last page.
