Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Ted is a really cute book by Tony DiTerlizzi, the fabulous co-author/illustrator of the Spiderwick Chronicles. In this story, a young boy who feels neglected by his father finds solace in an “imaginary” friend, a large raspberry-colored, rabbit-like creature named Ted. Ted has a lot of ideas of ways to have fun, starting with a harmless game called Monopoly-Twister, but soon evolving to more destructive activities like giving each other haircuts, or turning dad’s study into an indoor swimming pool. Finally the boy’s father forbids him to play with Ted ever again! Ted lets us in on a little secret though: when Father was little, he had an imaginary friend named “Ned” who his father forbid him to play with… If your child has an imaginary friend, they will probably relate to Ted, which I think is loosely based on DiTerlizzi’s own childhood! See this book listed in our catalog
Tough Stuff
Mom Has Cancer
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
Mom Has Cancer by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos is a simple way to talk to kids about what cancer, chemotherapy, and life with cancer is. In the beginning, the little boy notices that something is wrong with his mother, and he thinks it might be his fault, since he did not do well on a test at school. He notices that his parents are often sad, and going to the doctor. Then one day they tell him about his mom’s cancer, and how things will change. She might rest more, and the medicine she will take will make her lose her hair. He knows that he must be quiet when she is resting, and helps around the house to keep it neat. In the end, the chemotherapy is over, and mom finds out the cancer is gone. The little boy appreciates his mom at his soccer games more, and spends more time with her. This is a simple story with great illustrations to help children deal with a difficult issue.
My Parents Are Divorced, My Elbows Have Nicknames, and Other Facts About Me
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
My Parents Are Divorced, My Elbows Have Nicknames, and Other Facts About Me by Bill Cochran, with illustrations by Steve Bjorkman, is about a boy named Ted. Ted’s parents have split up, but what you really want to know about him, is that he goes to sleep every night with one sock on! His parents live on opposite ends of town now, but did you know he calls one of his elbows Carl, and the other one Clyde? Sure, his dad might have a new wife now, but Ted enjoys wearing a cape, and not just on Halloween. You might think Ted is a weird kid, not because his parents are divorced. A lot of kids have divorced parents, but that’s not who they are. It’s just part of what makes them unique, like Ted.
In Our Mothers’ House
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
In Our Mothers’ House is the latest from celebrated children’s author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco. Reportedly, Polacco was always interested is writing about a book about a non-traditional family, but was spurred into action while visiting a school, and hearing a teacher tell a child who was adopted by two women, that she did not “come from a real family.” Polacco modeled the family in this story after that school girl’s family: Two mothers, with three adopted children, and based her illustrations on her own family (her daughter Traci, and Traci’s partner Nikki, posed as the mothers). In the story we witness family events such as holidays, new puppies, treehouse building, and visits with grandparents. Gay rights are only addressed briefly. The true focus of the story is the love of the mothers for their children.
Mr. Peabody’s Apples
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
Mr. Peabody’s Apples by Madonna. Mr. Peabody a teacher in the very small town of Happyville. On Saturdays he coaches baseball. The team isn’t very good, but they always have a good time. One day after a baseball game, Tommy Tittlebotton thinks he sees Mr. Peabody steal an apple from the fruit market. He tells all his friends, who tell all their friends, and parents, who tell all their friends in the very small town of Happyville. The next Saturday, no one shows up for the baseball game except for Billy. Billy tells Mr. Peabody that everyone in town thinks he is a thief because Tommy Tittlebottom told them that Mr. Peabody stole an apple. Mr. Peabody proves to Billy he is not a thief, and he runs off to tell Tommy. When Tommy finds out, he goes to Mr. Peabody to apologize, but Mr. Peabody tells him it would be as difficult to undo the rumor that he is a thief as it would be to pick up a pillow full of feathers that have been spread around by the wind. This great tale help kids of all ages realize the power of their words, and teaches a great lesson about spreading rumors.
Just In Case
Submitted by county youth coordinator Janis!
Just in Case by YuYi Morales. Senor Calavera receives an invitation to Grandma Beetle’s birthday party, and he can’t wait to go. A moan from beyond the grave reminds Calavera, the not-too-scary skeleton, that he’s forgetting a present. Calavera must choose something that Grandma Beetle will love the most. He picks something that starts with each letter of the Spanish alphabet, from “Un acordeon, an accordion for her to dance to,” to “Yerba buena, good herb to soothe her day.” For each gift Calavera chooses, Zelmiro, the ghost, praises the skeleton’s choices but cautions him to keep searching for something better, “just in case!” The characters are full of life, the colors are vibrant, and the whimsical side to this trickster tale will make it a must read for children. Also relates to a Spanish holiday called Day of the Dead or El Dia de los Muertos.