Books | Page 37 of 81

Spooky America, The Haunted South, bite-sized ghost nuggets for 9 and up

As I child I remember one of the most popular books in our elementary school library was about the ghosts of North Carolina. I don’t recall the name of it, but every kid had read it, was privy to someone else reading it aloud, or supposedly had seen the ghost in question. Every geographic area has a ghost book like this that enthralls readers in third grade and up. The Ghostly Tales of The Haunted South is a collection of hauntings, sightings, and bumps in the night that have raised spirits in the southern United States.

Spooky America is a series that distills real-life spooky stories in ones that kids 9 and up will love. The Haunted South looks at the lower 11 U.S states.

Informational spooks and ghouls for ages 9 and up

Once Upon A Camel is mglit (and younger) for the forever bookshelf

I love great books. Actually, it stands to reason that anybody who likes to read loves great books. It’s probably even more important for reluctant readers and younger readers to dig into those great books. If you have a third-grade reader then The One And Only Ivan is a great book. It’s a novel that feels big and gives those ages confidence that they’re able to read, understand and enjoy books that they thought were previously out of their range. It’s a modern classic that elementary school readers will still be reading in 100 years. In reading the press about Once Upon A Camel, it was often compared to that book, which I found a little insulting. Ivan is a book that gave our kid confidence and taught our youngest son. That book has memories. How dare something new and unproven be compared to the book that provided the literary bridge to our child, I thought. All of that was until I actually read Once Upon A Camel.

Here is a book that kids will be reading for generations

Ghoulia and the Doomed Manor, a loved and detailed graphic novel

Readers love seeing one of their favorite book series as they continue to improve upon its initial quality or enjoyment. Ghoulia, a graphic novel series from author/illustrator Barbara Cantini has maintained its very high level of quality and proved that a dead girl, and her also dead family, can bring life and excitement to ages eight and up. Ghoulia and the Doomed Manor is the fourth book in this series that really has that something special.

The details on the cover allude to something really cool inside

Be The Dragon, self-help for kids that’s disguised as fun reading

Our 9YO is still trying to figure out who he is. He knows what he doesn’t like and is constantly trying to figure out a shortcut to get to the things or characteristics that he does want to emulate. That is a work in progress as any parent or educator can attest to. Be The Dragon, 9 Keys to Unlocking Your Inner Magic seeks to help those kids aged eight and up ask and answer questions that might direct them to figure things out a little bit.

Be The Dragon is self-help for ages 8 and up that’s loaded with great, engaging art, fun quizzes and stories they can relate to.

Self-help for the 8YO you seek…

Ganbatte!, breaks down the secret sauce to being happy

Come get some. For Bruce Campbell or Joe Rogan fans, that phrase is as empowering as they come. For only three words, that phrase, to those who are down with the character Ash from the series can mean almost anything. Ganbatte is a Japanese phrase that loosely translates to ‘do your best’, but that’s where things can get lost or watered down in translation. In reality ‘ganbatte’ is an encouraging way of thinking that can power a society, and more specifically you. That phrase may be a bit too ‘chicken soup for the empowering phrase soul’, but hear me out. Even if you know nothing about Japanese language or culture, Ganbatte! The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward is a book that upper-middle readers through senior citizens will grasp something from.

Ganbatte! is a unique book that occupies the space in the business thought/motivational/life improvement/cultural studies shelf at the store. Western audiences can somewhat equate its meaning to some sports analogies, but “ganbatte” is much stronger, personal, powerful, and impactful.

vague in definition, but, ganbatte can help anyone

Pigskins to Paintbrushes, a life and book to inspire readers 8 and up

Non-fiction illustrated books have a special place in the classroom and library. Depending on the reader’s level they can provide a brief introduction into a true story, a deeper dive into a piece of history, motivate further reading, or more. Pigskins to Paintbrushes, The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes is one of those illustrated books that will have readers in those categories and more. It’s a book that will also draw in those kids who want to read about sports. Of course, all of this is a moot point unless the book is entertaining and one that kids will relate to.

Pigskins to Paintbrushes is so much more than the story of an artist turned football player, or vice versa. It’s inspiring, fun to read, empowering and teachable also.

This is an example of what non-fiction illustrated books should aspire to

Vegetables In Halloween Costumes, dress-up mirth for crawlers

Jared Chapman potty trained my children. It’s not that author/illustrator, Jared Chapman has a side hustle wandering the country training toddlers about the virtues of going to the bathroom in the toilet. Among other books, he’s the author of Vegetables In Underwear. Vegetables In Halloween Costumes takes that theme, focuses on the carrot, and lets crawlers through pre-k kids loose with the laughs.

Vegetables in Halloween Costumes has the produce Jared Chapman has made famous and gives them the chance to dress up.

This is a great halloween board book to start the crawlers out with

Beautifully Me, a well-intentioned book kids won’t want to read

The Venn Diagram of authors, publishers, and readers is complex. Authors want everyone to read their books. Publishers love books that sell and readers have a variety of entry points. That last category could be a book that’s entertaining, fun to read (or look at), makes you think, teaches a lesson, or educates. It’s those last two classifications that are often the trickiest to maneuver in illustrated books. Beautifully Me is the story of Zubi, an overweight kid who is starting pre-K. It’s an illustrated book whose message about accepting everyone for who they are needs to be heard by young readers.

Beautifully Me is a book that wears its noble intentions on its sleeve, but doesn’t stick the landing due to the illustrations and ironically, the message.

A message that kids need in a book that’s preachy