Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
I love Jacqueline Woodson. I’ve had the privilege to see her speak several times and her classic The Other Side almost always comes up. She was inspired by a modern, urban setting, but the illustrator E.B. Lewis interpreted her words as referring to a time and place of segregation. It’s the story of two girls, one black and one white, Clover and Annie, who live on different sides of a fence that divides their town. After watching each other all summer, Clover feels brave enough one day to approach the fence to talk to Annie. They might not be able to go over the fence, but they can sit on top of it together. This is a heart-warming tale of a color-blind friendship, written in a style children can relate to, that I treasure and hope you will too. See this book listed in our catalog
Being Different
Two of a Kind
Submitted by Catherine from Charlotte Hall!
In the world of elementary school, being cool is more important that one might think. Two of a Kind, by Jacqui Robbins and Matt Phelan, tells the story of two friends, Anna and Julsia, who are not afraid to be themselves. The girls know they aren’t the cool girls in class, like Kayla and Melanie, but they are happy being friends with each other. Until one day Anna gets invited to join the cool girl clique, who spend their recess making fun of Anna’s best friend. Anna has to decide if she would rather be part of the “in” crowd and sad, or happy, if a bit uncool, with her true friend. Told through an authentic sounding voice of the third grader, Anna, this book tells a story that many kids have experienced. This is a great book for any child who is dealing with the idea of cliques in school for the first time. See this book listed in our catalog
The Duchess of Whimsy
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
The Duchess of Whimsy: An Absolutely Delicious Fairy Tale by Randall de Seve and Peter de Seve has stolen my heart. The Duchess of Whimsy truly lives up to her title. She is known throughout the land for her unique fashion, fabulous parties, and versatile friends. The Earl of Norm, on the other hand, is quite ordinary. He’s only invited to her soirees because he’s a friend of the king, but he only attends because he’s in love with her. He tries to capture her attention by composing poetry, borrowing flamboyant capes from his brother, even bringing a giraffe to court, all to no avail. One evening, the royal cook takes ill. What shall the Duchess’s guests have to eat? Perhaps the Earl of Norm can finally impress her with his culinary skills! He makes the only thing he knows how: a grilled cheese sandwich. Will the Duchess finally realize that ordinary can be extraordinary? You’ll have to check this fantastic book out today to find out! See this book listed in our catalog
Sunday Chutney
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
“I’m Sunday Chutney and I’m a bit unusual” proclaims the titular character of Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey. What looks like a strange book on first inspection, turns out to be a touching and timely story about what it’s like to be the “new kid” as many of our local military brats might be able to relate to. Because of Sunday’s dad’s job, she’s lived all over the world, which is great, but with new homes, come new schools, filled with new people. Most kids think Sunday is weird, but she doesn’t really mind! She likes who she is! She’s very sure of the things she likes (like drum solos and marine biology) and the things she doesn’t like (like her lazy eye and creamed corn). Sometimes she feels lonely, but she’s getting really good at making new friends. Maybe your child would like to make friends with Sunday Chutney! See this book listed in our catalog
A Porcupine Named Fluffy
Submitted by Carol from Charlotte Hall!
A Porcupine Named Fluffy written by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger is a cute story about a porcupine who has been given the name “Fluffy.” Fluffy spends his time trying to live up to his name. He tries his hardest to be fluffy, which can be rather difficult for a porcupine. He tries everything from soaking in a bubble bath for hours to covering himself with whipped cream. It’s a story about friendship and learning to be yourself. Fluffy finally meets a rhino and learns a valuable lesson. Read and find out if “Fluffy” ever becomes “fluffy.” See this book listed in our catalog
Pink
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
Pink by Nan Gregory and Luc Melanson. Vivi is dizzy wanting pink! She wants to have “perfect pink” like the cool, rich girls at her school. They have all the “perfect pink,” she whines to her mother and her father. Vivi’s father is a truck driver, and her mother cleans the halls in the apartment complex they live in. Vivi wants a perfect pink bride doll that she knows she will never afford. So she runs errands all winter for her neighbors to save for the perfect pink bride doll. On a beautiful spring day, Vivi’s mom suggests that the family goes on a “pinknic” in the park. Her Mom makes pink sandwiches, pink tea, and they even stop to buy pink cakes for desert! They make a list of all the things they see that are pink that day. On the way home they stop by the store to see the perfect pink bride doll that Vivi has so desperately been craving and working for, only to find it has been sold. Vivi learns that you can’t always have what you want that day–the same day she learns that she has all she wants in her family. It is a great lesson about not getting what you want, and fitting in. It is a great tale for little girls! Plus it is filled with PINK! See this book listed in our catalog