PENGUIN KIDS 30 DAY PICTURE BOOK CHALLENGE! 

 

At a loss for which picture book to read next? Penguin has provided this clever 30 day Picture Book Challenge - perfect for the month of September.

I won't be able to post a book for every day because we will be on vacation for a couple of weeks - but I do have one for today!

 

Piglette's Perfect Surprise by Katelyn Aronson; pictures by Eva Byrne

This is a "perfect" book for the Read a Book about Cooking category! You may have already encountered our precocious pig in her first book, Piglette. In this book, Piglette returns to Paris where she simply must create the perfect gift for her mentor, Madame Paradee. She learns how to make lots of different pastries at the local patisserie and when the day of the surprise party arrives, Piglette is ready! But of course, things do not go as planned. Poor Piglette is distraught until Madame Paradee once again provides her with the encouragement she needs, plus some valuable wisdom. 

This book will no doubt inspire some baking adventures in your own kitchen, so be prepared! But it also stresses that practice is important in the kitchen and that it is important to appreciate the simple things in life also. Piglette may want everything to be simply perfect but sometimes, things are best when they are perfectly simple. 

The illustrations are lovely and Piglette is adorable. Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of the book!

 WOOF!

Happy National Dog Day!

What's your favorite dog book? Here are a few of mine!

      

      

      

       

 

PICTURE BOOKS        

Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd

A dog named Dog starts off the day with one black spot on his ear, but collects nine other spots on his fur as he goes about his canine business around town

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

Mother dog is very concerned because her pup, George, makes lots of animal noises but no barks. Can the doctor help George find his bark?

RRRALPH by Lois Ehlert

Would you believe that Ralph the dog can talk? Yip, yip, yip--it's true!

BEGINNING READERS 

Big Dog and Little Dog series by Dav Pilkey

Houndsley and Catina series by James Howe

CHAPTER BOOK SERIES

Diary of a Pug series by Kyla May

McTavish series by Meg Rosoff

Bowser and Birdie series by Spencer Quinn

CHAPTER BOOKS 

Almost There and Almost Not by Linda Urban 

An encounter with a ghost dog changes a girl's life. 

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate 

Bob is a very brave dog who will steal your heart.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Great things happen to Opal after she finds her dog, Winn-Dixie, in a grocery store.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

I love this series! Dog Man is a crime fighter with the head of a police dog and the body of a policeman. 

Pawcasso by Remy Lai

One Saturday, eleven year old Jo follows a grocery shopping dog into town. And thus begins a story of mistaken identities and new friends.

NON-FICTION

Honey, The Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln  by Shari Swanson

When he was a young boy, Abe Lincoln rescued a dog. Soon it would be Honey's turn to repay that favor. 

 

 

   

If You Were an Elephant by Leslie Staub; illustrated by Richard Jones; published July 20, 2021

This book is filled with fascinating facts about elephants! It is written in a lyrical style that is not quite rhyming; instead the author uses words that sound alike or share vowel or consonant sounds so the words almost feel like they rhyme. It was a joy to read out loud!
Staub's book presents facts about elephants - how they behave, bond, and remember. Our next book relates the true story of a herd of elephants that actually do all of the things mentioned in Staub's book.

The Elephant's Come Home: A True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship by Kim Tomsic; illustrated by Hadley Hooper; published May 18, 2021.

I loved this extraordinary story! It is definitely one of my favorites for the year. Lawrence and Francoise (and their dog, Max) live at Thula Thula - a game preserve in Zululand in South Africa. (You can go visit, if you like!) One day, a ranger calls Lawrence and asks if he would take on a small herd of elephants. Lawrence has no experience with elephants but the ranger explains that these elephants are very angry because they have been hunted and that the local village officials are going to kill them because angry elephants are dangerous elephants. So, of course, Lawrence agrees and the elephants come to Thula Thula. Initially the elephants are still angry and break out of their enclosure. Then it is a race to see if Lawrence and his rangers will get to them before the hunters and poachers. With a lot of patience and compassion, Lawrence manages to forge a strong, enduring bond with the elephants.  In addition to the lovely story, Hadley Hooper's illustrations are extraordinary. Her color palette helps accentuate the mood of the story as it progresses.

I really hope this book makes it onto a lot of lists this year! It would be a perfect Bluebonnet nominee. 

 

 

Leslie Staub's book If I Were an Elephant was one of the books Penguin Random House sent me and it was true serendipity that I read it right after Tomsic's book!  These two books go together so well! Thanks Penguin Random House!

     

 

 PICTURE BOOK PALOOZA

I love picture books. And I have read a LOT of picture books over the past few months. But today - I received a box from with forty-two ARCs of picture books!!  So I wanted to publish this post which highlights a few of my recent favorites before I dive into this new batch of books.

Availability note -  Amos McGee Misses the Bus won't be published until November but the rest are available - hopefully at your local library.

Amos McGee Misses the Bus by Philip C. Stead; illustrated by Erin E. Stead; to be published November 2, 2021

I am so happy to see Amos again! And this story is so lovely. Amos has a special outing planned for his zoo friends but - he is so tired! He misses his bus and is afraid his outing will have to be canceled. Unbeknownst to Amos, everyone pitches into help - especially tortoise. Can you guess where they are going on their outing? Erin Stead's illustrations are, as always, amazing and Philip's story heartwarming and humorous. I can't wait to add this to my library! 

A big thank you to Macmillan for making a digital ARC available.

Grandma's Tiny House: A Counting Story! by JaNay Brown-Wood; illustrated by Priscilla Burris August 8th 2017

I loved this book! Maybe because I'm a grandma who loves having people over to eat? Maybe - but also because it's an engaging book that could be used for a Thanksgiving story time. It has lots of yummy food and it reinforces counting. Plus it's a little one that comes up with a solution to the over crowding problem. "I know!" she confidently tells her grandmother. The book could easily be adapted for a lot of different story times - problem-solving, food, and counting - to name a few. Plus the above-mentioned Thanksgiving.

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover) by Helen Yoon; published January 12th 2021

I loved this! At first you think it's going to be the typical "wolf in sheep's clothing" tale. But our sheep friends are not so easily fooled! And wolf may not be so bad after all. 

Moose, Goose, and Mouse by Mordicai Gerstein and Jeff Mack;published January 12th 2021

A moose, a goose, and a mouse need a new house. One that isn't old and cold - they want a house that is sunny, funny, and comes with a bunny! And so this wild ride of a house-hunting adventure begins! Be sure to read the author's note -- Jeff Mack and Mordicai Gerstein worked on this book together, and sadly Mack had to finish it alone. It's a loving tribute to friendship and creativity!  

 Shy Willow by Cat Min; published February 16th 2021

Willow is a small rabbit that lives in an abandoned mailbox. She would much rather stay insider her mailbox - venturing out is always so worrisome. But one day, a young boy drops a letter into her mailbox - addressed to the moon. And Willow knows that she must deliver the letter to the moon - no matter how many obstacles are thrown in her way.

What a lovely, whimsical book! The illustrations are simply breathtaking and I truly loved Willow's determination to complete her mission. It was so rewarding in unexpected ways.

 Best Day Ever! by Marilyn Singer; illustrations by Leah Nixon; published June 29th 2021

I think we have all had days that start out as a great day but then quickly turn into a bad day - but end up in a good day frame of mind. That's what happens with the dog in this book. And his owner, also. Best Day Ever quickly turns to Worst Day Ever. But it doesn't have to stay that way.

Being a librarian, I know that there just are not that many book out there that have a main character in a wheelchair going through their daily routine. Getting up, getting dressed, going to the park, hanging out in the back yard, giving their dog a bath, and getting upset when the dog is a little too rambunctious. This book will fill a huge hole in both library and classroom collections.

In addition, the author explains that the events in the book were inspired by two of her own dogs. The illustrator, Leah Nixon, had a spinal cord injury which left her partially paralyzed. She uses a wheelchair and has a very helpful pet dog. She was happy she could use both herself and her dog as models for this book!

 

    

 

           

 

"Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag" and go camping!

The only camping I did as a kid was church camp. And that was in a cabin. I was in my early 20s before I actually went tent camping but I have loved it ever since! So this year I requested a tent for my birthday. We will be heading out to our very own back yard in a few weeks to watch the Perseids meteor shower from the comfort of our new tent. (It has a mesh roof.) The next trip is a little more intense - Wind Cave National park in South Dakota after Labor Day.

Since you may have some aspiring campers in your sphere of influence, I thought I would give you a list of ten books about camping for the younger set. Some are about backyard camping and some about summer camp but most are about camping out in the wild! I think almost all of them reference S'mores, though. Speaking of S'mores - have you heard of S'mOreos?  Yep - a S'more with an Oreo instead of a graham cracker. Or you can keep the graham cracker - your choice! YUM!

Bowwow Powwow = bagosenjige-niimi'idim / by Brenda J. Child; translated by Gordon Jourdain; illustrated by James Thunder (picture book)

Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination. From Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. Windy can tell such stories herself–about her dog, Itchy Boy, and the way he dances to request a treat and how he wriggles with joy in response to, well, just about everything.
When Uncle and Windy Girl and Itchy Boy attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers in their jingle dresses and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Now Uncle's stories inspire other visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. In these magical scenes, Windy sees veterans in a Grand Entry, and a visiting drum group, and traditional dancers, grass dancers, and jingle-dress dancers–all with telltale ears and paws and tails. All celebrating in song and dance. All attesting to the wonder of the powwow.

This playful story by Brenda Child is accompanied by a companion retelling in Ojibwe by Gordon Jourdain and brought to life by Jonathan Thunder's vibrant dreamscapes. 

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi; illustrated by John Rocco. (picture book)
Time for the last camping trip of the summer as the family (mom, dad, two brothers) heads toward their favorite camping spot on Mountain Pond. The younger brother is a bit worried about moving up from Kindergarten to 1st grade. He loved Kindergarten but 1st grade is a big unknown. Plus, mom is making him take more responsibility - and he isn't sure he wants to grow up. These doubts and fears, plus a longing for summer to never end, manifest into a small tiger that visits their campsite and talks to them. Everyone can see and interact with the tiger - it requests its own tent and goes fishing with them when they paddle in their canoe. But the family also seems to know that the tiger is not something to fear - just like changes that happen as you grow older. Camping week over, the family returns home but the young boy retains some of his tiger-ness as he gets ready to head to school the next day. I think kids will grasp this story more easily than some adults. If you like magical realism type stories, then you should enjoy this - just keep an open mind for all those tigers out there waiting to interact. 

A Campfire Tail by Sarah Glenn Marsh; illustrated by Ana Gómez ISBN -
9781454919933 (picture book)

Dragons should be great at camping - but this is dragon's first day at camp. And he's a little nervous. Fortunately, he finds a buddy to show him the ropes but -- things don't go so well during swimming. Or the puppet show... Will dragon ever get the hang of camping? Maybe - and he might even save the day!

I liked the play on words in the title Campfire TAIL but my library has it cataloged as Campfire TALE instead. So you might want to search for this one under the author or ISBN. 

Camping: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure by Keith Baker (Beginning Reader - 24 pages)

Mr. and Mrs. Green want to go camping but Mr. Green is a bit anxious about being far away from home. So they camp in their own back yard! I enjoy all of the Mr. and Mrs. Green books - stories about an alligator couple.  The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann  (graphic novel - 56 pages)

Ernestine (or E) has never been camping but she KNOWS she will love it. And she does - though there are some things that initially are not so great. For one thing - she misses her dad. And there are FISH in the lake where they are supposed to swim! EEK! But E learns a lot and by the end of the book, she can't wait to go camping again! This is a good introduction to graphic novels AND camping! A win-win for sure!

 

The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann (graphic novel - 56 pages) 

 

Ernestine (or E) has never been camping but she KNOWS she will love it. And she does - though there are some things that initially are not so great. For one thing - she misses her dad. And there are FISH in the lake where they are supposed to swim! But E learns a lot and by the end of the book, she can't wait to go camping again! This is a nice introduction to what you might expect on a camping trip. And also a nice introduction to graphic novels. A win-win for sure.

 

Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk & Badger #2) by Amy Timberlake; illustrated by Jon Klassen - to be published on September 15, 2021. (chapter book - 160 pages)

Badger has a very special rock - an agate - that was stolen from him by a nasty, mean cousin when he was a much younger badger. Nostalgia for his purloined agate is interrupting Badger's Important Rock Work so - Skunk proposes a camping trip to find a replacement rock. Skunk has never been camping and his preparations are... a bit over the top. But camping does indeed happen. Along with adventures that include a cave, a dinosaur egg, the mean cousin, a few rats and some chickens. And maybe even a bear! Just as in the first story, important lessons are learned by both Skunk and Badger. I love these books and hope that Amy and Jon create many more in the series.

Fatima's Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq; illustrated by Stevie Lewis. (picture book)

Fatima Khazi is excited for the weekend. Her family is headed to a local state park for their first camping trip! The school week might not have gone as planned, but outdoors, Fatima can achieve anything. She sets up a tent with her father, builds a fire with her mother, and survives an eight-legged mutant spider (a daddy longlegs with an impressive shadow) with her sister. At the end of an adventurous day, the family snuggles inside one big tent, serenaded by the sounds of the forest. The thought of leaving the magic of the outdoors tugs at Fatima's heart, but her sister reminds her that they can keep the memory alive through stories--and they can always daydream about what their next camping trip will look like.
Ambreen Tariq's picture book debut, with cheerful illustrations by Stevie Lewis, is a rollicking family adventure, a love letter to the outdoors, and a reminder that public land belongs to all of us

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt (picture book but has a graphic novel feel to it)

Scaredy Squirrel is - unsurprisingly - afraid of camping. So he decides to play it safe and watch a television show about camping instead.  However, he quickly realizes will need electricity for this adventure to work - and the nearest outlet is in the local campground. Hmmm. Scaredy hatches a plan to quickly brave the great outdoors just long enough to plug in his television. Of course, things don't go quite the way he planned. And being outside isn't so bad after all! 

Summer Camp Critter Jitters by Jory John; illustrated by Liz Climo (picture book) 

The Critters are going to Summer Camp! They are - for the most party - nervous about what to expect. Will there be scary stories? (Skunk is not a fan.) Will they have to swim? (Duck never learned how!) And Rabbit has so much energy - how will he calm down at night?! Our friends arrive and discover they are all in the same cabin! Hooray! And their kitty cat counselor is stuck up in a tree! Oh no! But they work together to help their counselor. They have a great first day at camp but their first campfire has a few surprises. 

Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark by Jonathan Stutzman; illustrated by Jay Fleck. (Picture book)

Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are a little worried about camping in the back yard. It is so dark! And there are so many noises! As Tiny says, "It is hard to be brave when you are scared of the Crawly-creeps." Not to mention the Grumbles and Nom-bies. But there is always light - you just have to look for it. 

 

 

Every year, the Texas Library Association creates a reading list for books aimed at kids in K-2nd grade. I usually try to read as many as I can and this year - I read them all!  Hooray for me! I've included my own reviews for some books; for others I have provided the publisher blurb. And I have highlighted my personal faves. So if you are looking for some great books, this list is a great place to start. I found all of these at my local library!

TLA'S 2021 2x2 Suggested Reading List

Boxitects by Kim Smith. Clarion Books.  

Meg goes to Maker School to hone her talent for building with boxes, but when Simone, another boxitect, arrives they become so competitive they nearly fail in the annual Maker Match. Be sure to have a few boxes on hand to build your own creation!

Every Night is Pizza Night by J. Kenji López-Alt. Illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero. W.W. Norton.  

Convinced that pizza is the best food, Pipo will eat nothing else until her fed-up parents send her on a quest to prove that no dishes in their multicultural neighborhood are better. Be prepared to order - or make - pizza after reading this one! Fortunately, it includes a pizza recipe.

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex. Nancy Paulsen Books.  

Robots try to figure out the difference between facts and opinions. A cute introduction/reminder for this extremely important topic.

Federico and the Wolf, by Rebecca Gomez. Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. Clarion Books.  

A modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood in which Federico rides his bicycle to the market for Abuelo's groceries, then stands up to a hungry wolf. Includes a recipe for pico de gallo and glossary of Spanish terms.

First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John. Illustrated by Liz Climo. Dial Books for Young Readers.  

The animals are worried about the first day of school. Sloth is afraid that he won't get there on time. Parrot has a tendency to repeat things, and doesn't want to annoy anyone. Snake can't figure out how to carry a backpack. But when they get to class on the first day, the critters are all surprised to find out that they aren't the only jittery ones, and that it's easier and more fun to face new things when you do it together.

Hike by Pete Oswald. Candlewick Press.  

In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive -- and closer than ever -- as they document their hike and take their place in family history. Wordless! 

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes. Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Penguin. 

This upbeat, empowering, important picture book pays homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.

Louis by Tom Lichtenheld. Illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch.  

Louis the bear has had enough. From day one, life has been one indignity after another. If he's not being used as a hankie, he's being hung out to dry--literally. (No one likes clothespins used on their ears!) This teddy is sneaking away just as soon as he can. Then again, no use running off in the rain . . .or during a show-and-tell routine. Maybe Louis has something to lose, after all.  It's adorable - and funny!

Packs – Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

Out of all of these books, this was my least favorite. I appreciated the information on names for different groupings of animals -- herd for American bison; cloud for bats; and an implausibility of wildebeests, for example. And it is good to be reminded that there are endangered animals. And also that diversity is important. But I felt that the book couldn't really decide what it wanted to be. And I was very distracted by the smiling animals. What about the wildebeests? No smiles on the wildebeests, butterflies, ants, bees, or coral. But all of the other animals were drawn with smiling faces. And I'm not sure why....

A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett. Art by Shawn Harris. Candlewick Press. 

Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic animals and even a human...where is he going? This book is fun AND filled with information!

See the Cat – Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle. Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick Press.  

What happens when the book gets it wrong? Max is not a cat-- Max is a dog! But much to his dismay, this book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a dog? This is a trio of stories for beginning readers that build to an immensely satisfying conclusion.

Shapes by Shelley Rotner and Anne Woodhull. Photographs by Shelley Rotner. Holiday House.  

Beautifully photographed, a diverse group of children explore the unexpected shapes of everyday sights and objects. So many shapes!
I really enjoyed this shape book. I liked that it included some information at the beginning about the importance of learning shapes - "Some studies suggest that seeing different shapes might help children see the different shapes of letters and numbers." This book does a great job of encouraging little ones and their parents to look for naturally occurring shapes.

Speak Up by Miranda Paul. Illustrated by Ebony Glenn. Clarion Books.  

You don't always have to use your voice to speak up. You can write it down, pick up trash, stand by a friend or make some art to show how you feel. Sometimes you do need to say something, though. If you make a mistake, say you are sorry. If a name or word is hard to pronounce, ask the person to help you pronounce it correctly. Don't tell lies. Don't spread false information. And if you know others are doing that, then try to find a way to show the truth. The book includes ideas on how to speak up - both using your voice and not using your voice. And it provides an example of how one kid speaking up made a difference.

The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya. Illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez. G.P. Putnam’s Sons.   

A wonderful retelling of one of my favorite folktales - The Three Billy Goats Gruff - the book starts with a vocabulary list of Spanish words that the reader will encounter in the text. And then our story starts off with cabritos uno and dos tricking the troll into letting them cross. But goat number three wants to know WHY the troll is so grumpy. Observant readers will already know the answer - and the goats are quick to figure out a way to help.

Underground: Subway Systems Around the World by Uijung Kim. Cicada Books Ltd.  

An informative book with an element of play, Underground is a Where's Waldo type book for anyone who loves subways. In addition to the search and find, there are lots of facts about each of the subways listed. What's the busiest subway in Europe, for example? The busiest subway in the world? How about the largest subway? Also - there is a glossary included in the back of the book that provides a definition for all of the interesting items you are looking for! A Noh mask in Tokyo and a pretzel in New York, for example. I am glad this is on the 2x2 list. It might have gotten lost in the stacks but now kids and parents will have fun learning amazing subway facts!

Up on Bob by Mary Sullivan. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  

It's hard work getting everything just right for a nap -- and then Someone has to come along and create a hiccup in the process... What's a Bob to do?

What About Worms!? by Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems. Hyperion Books for Children. I love Ryan T. Higgins' books. And I love Elephant & Piggie. So it's no surprise that I loved this book! Tiger is very afraid of worms. But what about the worms? Do you think they are afraid of Tiger? Or have they discovered an awesome way to deal with their fears?

What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  

Another winner for Steve Jenkins! Would you like to carry a joey around in a pouch for six months? Weigh a python? Count penguins? Or help a hyena cool off by feeding it a blood Popsicle? Those are just a few of the many things that zoo workers do every day. I especially liked that a timeline of zoos was included in the back along with a list of the world's best zoos. There was also information on how zoos are constantly changing and why they are important. And now I want to go volunteer at a zoo! Though I'd probably be assigned to shoveling poop - a VERY important job at the zoo! 

The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos. Dial Books for Young Readers. 

Two friends are having a sleepover. They plan to stay up all night and have a long list of all the things they are going to do. But then, out of nowhere -- the Yawns are there! They try to resist but eventually give in to the inevitable sleepies and snoozes. Most importantly? They wake up happy the next morning (because they actually slept) and create a new list of adventures.
Very cute - though I'm not sure it will convince the night owls that sleeping is more important than night-time adventuring. 

You Matter by Christian Robinson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Christian Robinson is an amazing children's book author and illustrator! In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored--from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they're feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone - and everything - matters.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you worry? Or - as I prefer to think of it -- are you someone who over thinks things? I am definitely one of those people. And the pandemic brought out the absolute worst of my worrying. But like Pig,  I have learned that everyone worries about things. And that friends and family can be very helpful in taming worries. Both of these books talk about worry and being afraid. And they are both wonderful.

What If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter

 published June 8, 2021

Pig is kind and caring and generous. He loves his friends so much - he decides to throw them a big party. Plans are made; invitations are sent; party goods purchased - BUT pig has a problem. He is a worrier. A "porky panicker" (I love that description!). And he lets his worries and fears overtake him. He is so worried that things won't be perfect - he runs and hides. Fortunately, Pig's friend Mouse is there to intervene. And with the help of friend Mouse (and other friends) Pig's joy is restored. He learns that everyone has fears, worries, and anxieties - and that he is not alone.

As this books demonstrates - everyone has worries - even our smallest and youngest friends. This book helps address those worries and find positive ways to help manage them.  

I don't think pigs in real life are worriers but there are a few memorable ones in literature! Pooh's dear friend, Piglet, is a bit of a worrier though more so in the Disney version than Milne's books. Wilbur, in Charlotte's Web, is definitely a worrier though, truth be told, he does have a few things to worry about. But one pig that is not much of a worrier?  Mercy Watson, created by Kate DiCamillo. 

Which brings us to...

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key 

by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Chris Van Dusen; 

published June 8, 2021. 

Tales from Deckawoo Drive #6

If you know me a tiny bit, you should know that I am a big fan of Kate DiCamillo. I love everything she writes and her latest installment from Deckawoo Drive (hint - Mercy Watson lives on Deckawoo Drive!) is no exception! A marvel! And - a bit of a mystery. 

Franklin Endicott is a worrier. In fact, he has a notebook where he records all of his worries. But then - he begins to have nightmares about these worrisome things. After researching nightmares, he thinks, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone sit at the foot of your bed and eat your nightmares?". Wouldn't it? He borrows Mercy to see if she will eat his nightmares but you can imagine how that worked! 

Frank is good friends with Miss Eugenia Lincoln. He peruses her encyclopedias and shares warm milk with her on sleepless nights. One day, he accompanies her to Buddy Lamp's Used Goods store to have a key duplicated. A sign in the store window says KEYS MADE, SAWS SHARPENED, MYSTERIES CONSIDERED, USED ITEMS BOUGHT AND SOLD. This is how Kate DiCamillo describes Buddy Lamp - "He looked like someone made from a piece of paper that had been folded over and over again until it was creased and worn." Can't you just picture that! (If not, Chris Van Dusen's excellent illustrations will help!) On the way home, Frank discovers a mysterious third key has been included in the small envelop containing the original key and its duplicate. And thus the story unfolds - where did the key come from and what is its significance? A true mystery - and a bit worrisome! Can Frank discover where the missing key came from? And its purpose? Maybe.

Near the end of the story, we find Frank drinking hot milk with Miss Eugenia and "Frank thought how mysterious the world was, how unexplainable and sometimes frightening. But to sit in the kitchen and read to someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story -- that was a wonderful thing." And this book is a wonderful thing. Be sure to share it with someone you love and push back the darkness in your own world. 

This book can be read on so many levels! In it, Kate introduces the reader to a collection of short stories which includes "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry; "The Door in the Wall" by H. G. Wells; and "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes. You don't necessarily have to read them. And not every child that reads the book will be ready to read them. But they are marvelous stories, just like this book.

As for Frank's worries - with the help of his friends, Frank is able to turn his list of worries into a list of marvels. And that, my friends, is a fine thing indeed.