Read Around Town: The Post Office

In my latest blog series, Read Around Town, I'm highlighting picture books that celebrate the people and places in a young child's immediate community. These would work well for preschool classes or homeschool groups taking tours of local businesses, or for any child interested in learning about his or her neighborhood. Today's books are about post offices and the mail.  

The Jolly Postman, or Other People's Letters by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg
As the Jolly Postman delivers letters to favorite fairy tale characters, the reader has chance to sneak inside the envelopes and read their correspondence!

Seven Little Postmen by Margaret Wise Brown
This rhyming book tells the story of how one little boy's letter makes it way through the postal system to its intended recipient.

Love, Mouserella by David Ezra Stein
After her grandmouse's visit, Mouserella misses her, so she writes a lengthy letter detailing a week's worth of her daily activities.

A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats
To make it special, Peter decides to send his birthday party invitation to Amy through the mail, but the surprise is nearly ruined when he runs into Amy herself on his way to the mailbox!

Dear Peter Rabbit by Alma Flor Ada
Fairy tale characters write letters to one another in this clever story which reimagines the well-known stories and connects them in new ways.

Good-bye Curtis by Kevin Henkes
On Curtis's last day as a mail carrier before his retirement, everyone in the neighborhood does something special to honor him.

Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett
A meerkat named Sunny sends letters back home as he explores different parts of the world before finally deciding home is the best place of all.

Mr. Griggs’ Work by Cynthia Rylant
Mr. Griggs loves his work at the post office so much that he hardly knows what to do with himself on the first sick day of his career.


Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague
When Ike is sent to obedience school, the letters he sends home to his master, Mrs. LaRue, lament the terrible time he is having, but they may not be exactly honest.

Harvey Hare, Postman Extraordinaire by Bernadette Watts
To thank Harvey Hare for his dedication to delivering their mail no matter the weather, the forest animals come together to present him with a special gift.

Read Around Town: The Farm

In my latest blog series, Read Around Town, I'm highlighting picture books that celebrate the people and places in a young child's immediate community. These would work well for preschool classes or homeschool groups taking tours of local businesses, or for any child interested in learning about his or her neighborhood. Today's books are all set on farms.

Stanley the Farmer by William Bee

Stanley the hamster uses many tools - and the help of his mole friends - to accomplish a good day's work on his farm.

My Farm Friends by Wendell Minor
A group of adorable baby animals invite the reader to visit them on the farm, where they provide interesting facts about their habits.

Hello, Day! by Anita Lobel

All the animals on the farm greet the day in their own voices. 

Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Farmer Brown is enraged when the cows on his farm begin using typewriters to demand better working conditions in exchange for their milk.

Cows in the Kitchen by June Crebbin

While Tom Farmer sleeps, the animals take over the whole household.

Hurry, Hurry by Eve Bunting, illustrated Jeff Mack
When a new baby is born on the farm, all the animals go rushing off to meet the new arrival!

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

The other animals scoff when they see Duck riding a bike, until they have an opportunity to try it themselves. 

Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Jane Cabrera
Old MacDonald has a farm, and a wife, and some animals, and... a baby!

Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Felicia Bond
This simple story tells of the activities from dawn to dusk of a group of animals living near a big red barn.

I Love Animals by Flora McDonnell
The little girl in this story loves her dog, Jock, as well as many other animals she meets on the farm.

Read Around Town: The Library

In my latest blog series, Read Around Town, I'm highlighting picture books that celebrate the people and places in a young child's immediate community. These would work well for preschool classes or homeschool groups taking tours of local businesses, or for any child interested in learning about his or her neighborhood. Today's books are all about the public library.

I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Blanche Sims
When animals come to the library, their wild behavior makes it difficult for other library users to enjoy themselves.

Quiet! There’s a Canary in the Library by Don Freeman
At the library, a girl's imagination runs away with her as she considers what it would be like if she were the librarian and animals were her patrons.

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris, illustrated by Brad Sneed
Every day after school Melvin visits the library, where the librarians help him find books on every subject that interests him. Even when Melvin goes off to college, he never forgets the librarians who influenced him during childhood.

Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson
Otto, a bear who lives inside a book, seeks refuge in a library after he loses his home.

D.W.’s Library Card by Marc Brown
When D.W. gets her own library card, she is frustrated by having to wait for the book she wants, and horrified by the thought of losing her card over a lost or damaged book.

Stella Louella’s Runaway Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Stella Louella's lost library book takes her on a wild goose chase all around town, where various helpers in the community give her clues as to where it went, while also revealing to the reader hints about which book Stella Louella borrowed.

Library Lily by Gillian Shields, illustrated by Francesca Chessa
Lily loves books, but her new friend, Millie, does not. In this story, the two girls learn from each other and have many adventures together.

Read It, Don’t Eat It by Ian Schoenherr
This book lists rules for the proper treatment of library books, accompanied by illustrations of animals acting out the wrong things to do.

Leo Loves Baby Time by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson
Every Wednesday, Leo goes to baby time at the library, where he sings and plays with all his friends.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
After the library is closed, the bats swoop in through an open window to have their own night of literary fun.

Read Around Town: The Bus

Read Around Town is a series where I highlight picture books that celebrate the people and places in a young child's immediate community. Today's post focuses on buses and bus drivers.

School Bus by Donald Crews
Follow the daily travels of a school bus in this boldly illustrated title from Freight Train creator Donald Crews.

The Wheels on the Bus by Maryann Kovalski
While two kids wait for the bus with their grandmother, they sing the favorite children's song so exuberantly they forget to board the bus.

The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom

At the bus stop on the first day of school, Tess asks her friend Gus whether each of a series of vehicles is the bus or something else.

The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz

In this vibrantly colored book based on "The Wheels on the Bus" the driver and passengers on the bus are all babies!

Busing Brewster by Richard Michelson, illustrated by R.G. Roth
This historical picture book relates Brewster's experiences being bused from his primarily black neighborhood to a white school.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

When the driver must leave the bus for a moment, he instructs the reader not to let the pigeon drive the bus, but the pigeon is not very compliant.

Bus Stops by Taro Gomi 

A public city bus travels its route, picking up and dropping off various passengers throughout the day.

My Bus by Byron Barton
A bus driver picks up and drops off groups of feline and canine passengers in this companion to My Car. (Read my review here.)

The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

In this silly version of "The Wheels on the Bus" wild animals noisily ride the bus all around the town.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
As CJ rides the bus home from church with his grandmother, he expresses his frustrations over having to take the bus, not having the latest technological devices, and living in a poor neighborhood, to which his grandmother responds with kindness and patience. 

Read Around Town: The Laundromat

In my Read Around Town series I'm highlighting picture books that celebrate the people and places in a young child's immediate community. These would work well for preschool classes or homeschool groups taking tours of local businesses, or for any child interested in learning about his or her neighborhood. Today's books are all related to doing the laundry and/or visiting the laundromat.

A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
When Lisa brings her stuffed bear, Corduroy, with her to the laundromat, he is meant to sit and wait for her, but instead he becomes fascinated by the concept of a pocket and wanders off to search for one for himself, winding up in a stranger's laundry bag.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
On the way home from the laundromat, toddler Trixie becomes very upset as she tries to communicate to her dad that her beloved Knuffle Bunny has been left behind.

The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble
A little girl recounts the various exciting things that go wrong on her class trip to the farm, all of which can be traced back to classmate Jimmy's boa constrictor.

Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks
In Mrs. McNosh's barrel of laundry, which she hangs out to dry every Monday, there are the usual shirts, pants, and stockings, as well as many strange items, including the newspaper, the dog, and the telephone.

Wishy-Washy Clothes by Joy Cowley
Mrs. Wishy-Washy hangs her clothes on the line. The cow, the pig, and the duck decide to wear the clothes. Though Mrs. Wishy-Washy seems angry at first, she can't help but laugh at how silly they all look.

Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara
When a witch must rid a haunted house of its ghosts, she washes and dries them and puts them to good use.

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle by Beatrix Potter
A little girl named Lucie loses three handkerchiefs and a pinafore and is shocked when she learns they have been taken and washed by the animals' laundress, a hedgehog named Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.

Laundry Day by Maurie J. Manning
A young boy who shines shoes sees a red piece of cloth fall from a clothesline and goes around his neighborhood of diverse immigrants trying to find its rightful owner.

Washday by Eve Bunting
A young girl and her grandmother do the family's wash in the late 1800s, before the invention of washers and dryers.

Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook
The articles hanging on clotheslines help readers identify the chosen jobs of their owners.

Doing laundry with your kids? Try some of these early literacy activities specifically for the washing machine.

Kids' Nonfiction Books for Exploring The Great Outdoors

June is Great Outdoors Month. On top of that, it is also the month when many libraries will be kicking off their On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! summer reading programs, which will focus on exercise, play, and enjoying nature. Therefore, this is the perfect time to highlight a few books to help kids get excited about being outside.

The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry
Edited by J. Patrick Lewis 
2015; National Geographic
9781426320941

This comprehensive collection of nature poems is beautifully illustrated with amazing National Geographic photographs. Though some of the poems were old favorites of mine ("The Pasture" by Robert Frost, "maggie and milly and molly and may" by E.E. Cummings, and "To Make a Prairie" by Emily Dickinson, etc.), there are also lots of lovely pieces which were previously unknown to me. There are ten sections all together, and the categories make it very easy to find a poem to suit a particular theme, such as the sky, the sea, or the forest We used this book on our very first poetry picnic, and it has become one of our go-to poetry books.

National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A.
by Sarah Wassner Flyyn and Julie Beer
February 9, 2016; National Geographic
9781426323140

This book is a great resource for families, and a fun read for upper elementary audiences. Maps, fun facts, and full-color photos show all the beauty and excitement of America's National Parks. This would be a great companion to take along on a family vacation during which you might pass by or stop at any of the parks, but it's equally perfect for armchair traveling, and for helping kids appreciate the beauty of different areas of our country. There is also a companion book for adults: National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States. 

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World
by Julia Rothman, with help from John Niekrasz
2015; Storey Publishing
9781612122311

We received this book as a Christmas gift from my sister, and it was a pleasant surprise. It's basically a collection of illustrations of various natural phenomena. Types of clouds, the differences between snowflakes, kinds of feathers, water bugs, and the anatomy of a fern are just a few of the many topics explored by illustrator Julia Rothman. Though the book is not really directed at children, it definitely appeals to Miss Muffet, who finds something new to be excited about every time she flips through it. It;s a versatile book, with equal appeal to toddlers and middle schoolers, that will be a great companion on hikes and other outdoor excursions.

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature
by Nicola Davies; illustrated by Mark Hearld 
February 2012;  Candlewick
9780763655495

This collection of simple poems, geared toward ages three to seven, provides a basic introduction to the world of a child's own backyard. Davies's poetry describes everything from squirrels and bees to tracks in the snow and worms in the rain. Though the text is decent, it is the illustrations that are truly evocative. The pictures fill the page with vibrant colors which evoke the four seasons and the weather associated with each. Miss Muffet was less than two when we borrowed this book from the library, and she loved poring over the pictures. We never did finish reading the text, but it was still a great way to introduce the basics of the natural world.

I received review copies of National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry and National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A. from the publisher.

8+ Kids' Books Illustrated by Erin McGuire

I first discovered Erin McGuire's artwork when I reviewed French Ducks in Venice in the early days of this blog. Ever since then, I have kept an eye out for her distinct style and have discovered that she has done the covers - and sometimes the interior artwork - for many chapter books and novels. Today's list is a sampling of some of the wonderful covers she has done!

• A Song for Bijou by Josh Farrar
  When Alex develops a crush on Bijou, he does not realize how her strict family, her experiences during the 2010 Haitian earthquake, and the judgmental attitudes of their classmates will impact their budding relationship. 
• Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
  When Hazel's best friend Jack is hit by a snowball containing a shard of glass, he suddenly becomes cruel and callous, then disappears into the woods with a mysterious woman. In this retelling of The Snow Queen, Hazel realizes she must be the one to save him and bring him home again.

• The Hard Pan Trilogy by Susan Patron
  In this series, which begins with the 2007 Newbery Medal winner, The Higher Power of Lucky, a young orphan from a very small town in California struggles to come to terms with the loss of her mother, the love of her guardian, Brigitte, and various other problems that befall her community. The first two books were originally illustrated by Matt Phelan, but Erin McGuire redid the covers when the third book was published in 2011. The titles in this trilogy, with links to my reviews are below:
• The Higher Power of Lucky (2006)
• Lucky Breaks (2009)
• Lucky for Good (2011)
  
   

• Nancy Drew Diaries series by Carolyn Keene
  This latest middle grade reboot of the Nancy Drew series represents a return to the traditional sleuthing associated with the character, without relying on a lot of technological gadgets and other modern aids to solve her cases. There are ten titles in the series. (Links are to my reviews, where available.)
• Curse of the Arctic Star 
• Strangers on a Train
• Mystery of the Midnight Rider 
• Once Upon a Thriller
• Sabotage at Willow Woods
• Secret at Mystic Lake
• The Phantom of Nantucket 
• The Magician's Secret
• The Clue at Black Creek Farm
• A Script for Danger
   

• Saranormal series by Phoebe Rivers
  Sara Collins is a twelve-year-old psychic who tries to lead a normal life while also communicating with ghosts and discovering more and more of her own supernatural powers. There are 11 titles in the series. (Links are to my reviews.)

• Ghost Town
• Haunted Memories
• Mischief Night
• Spirits of the Season
• Moment of Truth
• Giving Up the Ghost
• The Secrets Within
• Kindred Spirits
• Playing with Fire
• A Perfect Storm 
• Yesterday and Today

• Shelter Pet Squad series by Cynthia Lord
  In this chapter book series, Suzannah, a second grader, can't have a pet of her own due to her landlord's strict rules, so instead she joins the Shelter Pet Squad, where she is the youngest member. In each book of the series, the squad works to find a home for a specific animal by researching it needs and finding the best potential owner to meet them. There are three books so far. (Links are to my reviews.)

• Jelly Bean
• Merlin
• Paloma

For samples from these books, and more art by Erin McGuire, visit her website. See more illustrator book lists here.

Five Favorite Board Books to Read Aloud

Today's challenge for Bout of Books was Five Favorites. 

Everybody loves sharing favorites and now we're giving you free rein to do just that. Pick the topic of your choice and share your 5 favorite books that fit. Topics could be a favorite genre, a favorite trope, book boyfriends, or ANYTHING. There's no limit to where you can take this!

I have two small children with colds so I am very late in getting around to this, but since I read so many of them, I wanted to share five favorite board books that I enjoy reading to Little Miss Muffet (age 2.5) and Little Bo Peep (7 months). These are not my only favorites, just five of the many! 

• My Lucky Little Dragon by Joyce Wan
  As someone who often calls her children affection names like "monkey" and "wombat," I enjoy the way this book uses animal names as pet names for young children. My kids have also both loved looking at themselves in the mirror on the last page of the book. I reviewed this book in 2014, and called it "an absolutely perfect book for baby story time." 

• Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden
  This book is so short and small that it is easy to dismiss, but it impresses me that so few words can be used in such a clever way. The rhymes still amuse me, even though I have read the book many, many times, and it's the perfect length for a little baby with a very short attention span.
  
• Dig Dig Digging by Margaret Mayo
  We haven't looked at this book in a while, but it's a fun rhyming introduction to diggers and other types of vehicles, including fire trucks, garbage trucks, and even helicopters. I also discovered that most of the text can be sung to the tune of "Going to the Zoo" by Raffi, which makes it that much more fun to read!
  
• Larry Loves Washington, DC!: A Larry Gets Lost Book by John Skewes
  Since we live not too far outside of DC, this book is a great way to introduce some of our local landmarks to our little ones. I really enjoy the vintage-style artwork, and my toddler enjoys asking me, "What is Larry doing? What is the boy doing?" as she turns the pages.
  
• Lullaby and Kisses Sweet: Poems to Love with Your Baby edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins
  As evidenced by our recent poetry picnics, we are poetry lovers in my house. This book, a poetry collection in board book format especially for babies, was a gift for Little Bo Peep's first Christmas. The poems are very short, but each one captures an important emotion or milestone in the life of an infant. Some of the poems have only just recently become relevant to our lives, as the baby has begun to crawl and eat solid food, but others have been appropriate for her since birth. Poetry is a great way to sneak some reading into your baby's day, so this book is really ideal for the age group. 

Get in the Game: Read! Young Adult Reading List for Summer Reading 2016

There are many wonderful fitness and sports-themed titles for teens that perfectly complement this year's summer reading theme of Get in the Game: Read. This list includes some of my favorites.

45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson
Ann Galardi's mother is always nagging her to lose weight, but it isn't until she learns she will be attending her aunt's wedding that she decides to make a change for herself.

Ironman by Chris Crutcher
Bo Brewster, whose anger toward his father threatens to consume him, finds a way to handle his emotions through anger management classes and training for a triathlon. (Chris Crutcher has many other sports-themed books for teens.)

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
When Auden, who can't sleep, meets fellow insomniac Eli, she begins to enjoy fun things she missed out on during her troubled childhood, including riding a bicycle.

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
When fifteen-year-old Felton Reinstein undergoes a huge growth spurt, he suddenly develops speed and strength overnight, landing him a spot on the football team. (Stupid Fast is the first book in a trilogy. The other two titles are Nothing Special and I'm With Stupid.)

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge
Fourteen-year-old baseball player Kevin Boland is stuck in bed with mono when he begins writing poetry about baseball - and other important things in his life - in his journal. (There is a sequel to this book entitled Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs.)

One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte 

Fourteen-year-old Bobby Marks spends his summer learning to stand up for himself and slowly becoming physically fit. (There are two sequels to One Fat Summer: Summer Rules and The Summerboy.)

The Batboy by Mike Lupica
Brian is thrilled when he gets a job as a batboy for his local major league team just when his hero, Hank Bishop returns to play, but he quickly becomes disillusioned when he learns that Bishop is not all that he seems.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Tomboy DJ Schwenk loves football, but since her father won't allow her to try out for the team, she has to settle for training the new quarterback. (Dairy Queen is followed by three sequels: The Off Season, Front and Center, and Heaven is Paved with Oreos.) 

Slam! by Walter Dean Myers

Greg "Slam" Harris, who loves basketball, struggles to overcome the academic and family hardships that threaten his place at his new magnet school. 

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong by Prudence Shen and Faith Erin Hicks

The friendship between science nerd Nate and basketball player Charlie is put to the test when the science club and the cheerleading squad get into a fight over club funding. (This book is a graphic novel.)  

On the Road to Find Out by Rachel Toor
When high school senior Alice Davis is rejected from her first-choice college, she takes up running and slowly learns how to handle failure and defeat.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! Easy Reader Book List for Summer Reading 2016

This list of leveled easy readers is almost exclusively sports-focused, but there are a couple of titles that also highlight other health-related themes. The titles are sorted by reading level, with easy books at the top of the list and more difficult books at the bottom.

Levels D - F

Biscuit Plays Ball by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories

No dogs are allowed in the ball game, but Biscuit still wants to play!

Aaron is a Good Sport by P.D. Eastman

Aaron Alligator gets in trouble no matter what he's doing, and that includes playing ball. 

After School Sports Club series by Alyson Heller, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman

A diverse group of kids gets together after school to try out different sports.

See Me Run by Paul Meisel
A yellow dog runs away as he is chased by a pack of several other dogs.

Puppy Mudge Wants to Play by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
Though Henry is busy, Mudge won't stop dropping hints until he agrees to play.

Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems
Elephant and Piggie are excited to go out and play, but worry when it starts to rain.

A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems
When a big guy takes Piggie's ball, Gerald vows to help her get it back.

Twins in the Park by Ellen Weiss, illustrated by Sam Williams
Young twins ride the bus to the park for a day of fun.

Levels G-I 

Don't Throw it to Mo! by David A. Adler, illustrated by Sam Ricks
Mo is the youngest kid on his football team, but it's a mistake to underestimate his abilities.

Hooray for Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Buzz's coach needs one more player for the big football game, but a fly isn't exactly what he has in mind.

The Bike Lesson by Stan and Jan Berenstain
A funny lesson in bike safety from Father Bear to Small Bear.

The Day I Had to Play with My Sister by Crosby Bonsall
A big brother and little sister try to play hide-and-seek but they each have different ideas about the rules.

Dixie Wins the Race by Grace Gilman, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers
When Emma runs an important race, she warns Dixie to stay on the sidelines, but the dog has trouble obeying after Emma takes a fall.

Ballet Stars by Joan Holub, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
A ballet recital is described from warms-ups to curtain call.

Pinkalicious: Soccer Star by Victoria Kann
Pinkalicious and her soccer team, the Pinksters, are having trouble beating the girls on the Ravens until Goldilicious takes Pinkalicious on a magic ride to learn more about the game.

Katie Woo Has the Flu by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Katie Woo rests in bed to help her recover from the flu.

Nina, Nina, Ballerina by Jane O'Connor, illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo
Nina is worried that her mother won't be able to spot her among her classmates during the ballet recital since they will all be dressed alike.

Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli

Sam loves to race as long as he wins, but he's not sure how to handle coming in second.

Levels J-M

 

Pete the Cat: Play Ball! by James Dean
Pete the Cat is the model of good sportsmanship when his team, the Rocks, play against the Rolls.

The Littlest Leaguer by Syd Hoff
Harold is the smallest player on the team, but during one game he gets his chance to prove his talent.

Soccer Sam by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Blanche Sims
Sam's cousin Marco doesn't speak much English, but the two boys bond over their love for soccer.

Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl by Jane O'Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
When Nancy, who is not a natural athlete, is teamed up with a mean girl from her class on Field Day, she must learn to stand up for herself.

Amelia Bedelia Hits the Trail by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Averill
Amelia and her classmates go on a hike to collect items for their class nature table.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Drop the Ball by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard
When Mr. Putter decides he should take up a sport, Mrs. Teaberry knows just the team for him to join.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Run the Race by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard
Mrs. Teaberry convinces Mr. Putter to participate in a marathon for senior citizens.

Loose Tooth by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Allan Eitzen
A basketball game serves as the pivotal point in this story about Peter, who hopes not to lose his loose tooth until after school picture day.

See my list of picture books for the On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! theme here.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! Picture Book List for Summer Reading 2016

The CSLP theme for this summer focuses on fitness and wellness. This list of picture books related to the theme is divided into four categories: Sports, Play and Exercise, Healthy Habits, and Bodies and Movement.

Sports

Miss Nelson Has a Field Day by Harry Allard and James Marshall

When the football team at Horace B. Smedley Elementary School has trouble winning games, Miss Viola Swamp appears on the scene to whip the players into shape.

Poem Runs: Baseball Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian
In his signature style marked by fun turns of phrase, Douglas Florian evokes all the emotions associated with playing baseball.

Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Andy Robert Davies
Using clothing and equipment as clues, readers are invited to guess which sports different people play.

Fall Ball by Peter McCarty
At the end of the school day, before it gets dark, a group of friends and a dog gather to play football.

Mouse Practice by Emily Arnold McCully
A little mouse who wants to play baseball practices long and hard to prove himself to the older mice.

Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales
A young boy name Nino happily wrestles any opponent who will face him.

The Greatest Gymnast of All by Stuart J. Murphy and Cynthia Jabar
This story about Zoe, a great gymnast, is also a lesson about opposites.

The Boys by Jeff Newman
A group of caring elderly men help a new boy in town work up the courage to play ball with the neighborhood kids. (Read my review of this title here.)

Randy Riley's Really Big Hit by Chris Van Dusen
Randy may not be the best baseball player, but he has a great mind that will cleverly save the earth from the fireball heading its way.

Play & Exercise

Samantha on a Roll by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Christine Davenier
While her mother takes a phone call, Samantha slips on her skates and goes out for a roll.

Get Up and Go! by Nancy Carlson
Bright colors and an exuberant pig invite preschoolers to have fun with exercise.

Play With Me by Marie Hall Ets 
A little girl seeks out animal playmates in a meadow.

Jump! by Steve Lavis
Young readers are invited to move as the animals do.

A Child's Day: An Alphabet of Play by Ida Pearle
Presents a different way to play for every letter of the alphabet.

Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
A little girl's dad walks her through the process of learning to ride a bike.

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
The barnyard animals scoff when Duck rides a bike until they have a chance to join in.

Healthy Habits

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
Big brother Charlie convinces picky little sister Lola to eat her vegetables by giving them new names.

Reading Makes You Feel Good by Todd Parr 
In his signature bold illustrations, Todd Parr celebrates the benefits of books.

Rah Rah Radishes by April Pulley Sayre 
An enthusiastic chant, accompanied by photos, which celebrates the many types of vegetables.

Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat, illustrated by José Aruego and Ariane Dewey
Despite his parents' insistence that he eat like a proper goat, Gregory only has a taste for fruits and veggies.

We Are What We Eat! by Sally Smallwood
Photos of diverse children show off the different things kids love to eat.

The Gulps by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Marc Brown
A family learns about healthy eating habits when they realize their family car can no longer hold their weight.

Bodies & Movement

All of Baby, Nose to Toes by Victoria Adler, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

A poem about each part of the body celebrates the sweetness of babies from head to toe.

Incredible Me! by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
A demonstration of all the things the human body can do.

Can You Cuddle Like a Koala? by John Butler 
Young children are invited to move like the animals, then curl up for a nap.

If You're Happy and You Know It by Jane Cabrera
Illustrations of jungle animals liven up this version of the popular children's action song.

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
A series of diverse children copy the movements of zoo animals.

Dancing Feet by Lindsay Craig, illustrated by Marc Brown
When animals dance, their feet make different sounds, which are clues for the reader to each animal's identity.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Many babies from disparate backgrounds all have one thing in common: ten fingers and ten toes.

Henry's Heart by Charise Mericle Harper
Explores the physical and emotional responses of Henry's heart to the events of his daily life.

Pretend You're a Cat by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Young children are invited to move and behave like animals.

How Can You Dance? by Rick Walton, illustrated by Ana Lopez-Escriva
This introduction to dance shows kids ways to move their bodies.