Brooke's Kids Book Recommendations
I’m a sucker for picture books. I think I like them more than most kids do. Madame Chapeau is a lonely hatmaker who has lost her prized birthday bonnet. Packaged in pale pink and filled with pictures of outlandish headwear and delicious cakes, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADAME CHAPEAU is so pretty you’ll want to eat it.
After her grandfather dies, Kit has to leave the West Indies to live with her uncle in New England. Impulsive and strong-willed, Kit is often at odds with her uncle and the townspeople but she finds solace in her friendship with an old Quaker woman. Her only other friend is the elusive Nat Eaton, the son of a ship’s captain, who she met on the voyage over. One of my absolute favorite books growing up.
This book is fantastic! These weasels are bent on world domination, but something has gone terribly wrong with their machine. Watch as the weasels scurry to and fro, trying to find a solution. Full of hilarious details that reward repeat readings, Weasels is one adults will enjoy as much as kids.
Junior is a nerdy cartoonist living on the Spokane Indian Reservation. After transferring away from the reservation school to one where he is the only Indian, Junior tries to fit in, but knows he hopelessly stands out. Meanwhile, back on the rez, his relationship with his best friend is falling apart. As hilarious as it is heart-breaking, Alexie’s debut YA novel will delight readers of all ages.
The genius of this story is its simplicity. It’s just about a bear who lost his hat. There are no quotation marks or attributions - each character’s words appear in a color that corresponds to their appearance. A snappy story with a hilarious conclusion. You can tell how much this bear really loves his hat. For more Jon Klassen check out the splendid This Is Not My Hat.
What fun! As a kid I loved the whitewashing episode. I was particularly taken with the “dead rat and a string to swing it with” that one of the neighborhood boys gives Tom in exchange for the privilege of whitewashing. Packed with adventure, memorable characters and even treasure, Tom Sawyer is a must-read American classic.
I spent my entire childhood reading and re-reading these books, then running around in a blue cotton bonnet I bought at an antiques store, pretending I was Laura Ingalls Wilder. Great for reading aloud or for young readers to jump into on their own. I LOVE THESE BOOKS.