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The Better Tree Fort

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The Better Tree Fort by Jessica Scott Kerrin, Pictures by Qin Leng
Format: Picture Book
Who’s it For: Children (and parents)

Russell has the perfect tree for a tree fort in his back yard. He wants to build a tree fort with his Dad. Though the task is beyond both of their skill set they are determined to figure it out. Russell and his Dad research, plan, measure, walk the store aisles and they succeed! Russell thinks he has the perfect tree fort until…a tree fort appears in the back yard of a neighbor a few houses down. The neighbor’s tree fort has many more bell and whistles. After much thought and discussion Russell realizes both his tree fort and his Dad are perfect for him. There will always be a better tree fort but, not for Russell. A heartwarming book and ever warmer lesson.

An excellent example of International Children’s Literature, both Jessica Scott Kerrin and Qin Leng are from Canada.

International Children’s Literature (ICL)

Find The Better Tree Fort in the catalog here!

Homer

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Homer  by Elisha Cooper
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Kids (and adults)

If only you had more money, then you would be happy.

If only you had more friends, then you would be happy.

If only you read more books, watched the hottest new tv show, then you would be happy.

If only you had more vacations, went on more adventures, then you would really be happy.

If only you found a way to lose those pesky extra 15 pounds you’ve been carrying for years, then you would truly be happy.

One of these thoughts has probably crossed your mind at some point.  It’s certainly what we’re being told on a day-to-day basis.  Movies, television, and even our books (Have you seen books like this before? 1,000 books to read before you die: a life-changing list), are constantly telling us that we need to do all the things to be truly happy.  There will always be something more to do.  Another book that you absolutely MUST read.  Another Netflix show that everyone is talking about.  Another thing that you’ve always wanted to do.  They are all waiting for us as soon as we’ve finished with the last thing.

Now, please consider this: if we’re feeling it, then the children in our lives are feeling it as well.

Homer, written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper, is a friendly reminder that we absolutely do not need to do all the things to be happy.  In fact, there is nothing that we have to do at all.  We simply have to Be.  Here.  Now.  Present.

Homer is essentially a story of a dog who is perfectly happy to watch his friends have fun and feels no need to participate himself, but at its core it is a story about the nature of contentment.  Contentment, as in to feel content in the present moment. To be happy with what you have at this exact moment.

There are not many children’s books that express this idea so clearly.  Taking less than five minutes to read, it is well worth the small amount of time it would take to complete it.  Homer teaches a very important lesson that is sorely needed in a society that seems to glorify the doing of all the things.

Find it in the catalog.