The OWTK June/July kid's literature picks include talking radishes, a tall tale of our beloved States, and a classic song put to paper.I Heard It From Alice Zucchini by Juanita Havill with illustrations by Christine Davenier. $15.95 from Powells.com
Alice Zucchini is our daughter's first book of poetry. The poems arc artfully along with the lifecycle of a garden from early Spring's last frost to Winter's first blanket of white snow. Author Juanita Havill injects personality into packs of seeds eagerly awaiting the soft soil of springtime and their turn to become full-grown adult vegetables, the mixed bag of ingredients used to make stew, and the schoolyard gossip queen - our title character Alice Zucchini. The twenty poems in this collection are terrific veggie tales that a child of any age will enjoy. Christine Davenier's illustrations are out of this world, some of the best work we have seen in any children's book. Our daughter cannot get enough of the poem Seedlings which describes the comings and goings of ordinary garden weeds. This one resonates with her the most as she often enjoys assisting Mom in the garden, especially with yanking out those pesky weeds. The Monster is another of her favorites. In it, we are so cleverly allowed to eavesdrop on the "interaction" between the scarecrow and the vegetables which surround him. I Heard It From Alice Zucchini is a wonderful collection of children's poetry written in an imaginative, unique, and playful manner. We have no doubt that your children will fall in love with these poems of real veggie tales, just as ours did.
The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller. $6.95 from Powells.com
Ever wonder if Oklahoma dreams of dipping it's panhandle into the Pacific Ocean or if the rest of the States ever get bored of their surroundings and long to see a new part of the country? Well, Laurie Keller has and the result is a geography book that is just flat-out hilarious and (sshhh...educational). Within 3-4 reads, our daughter could identify on a map; our home state of Pennsylvania, as well as California, Florida, New York, and Kansas (which may seem random until you read the book). The Scrambled States of America is a fun, easy and subtle way to teach your children about the United States, geography, and some of the more famous state exports (Corn from Iowa, Peaches from Georgia, etc). The Scrambled States of America is also available as a board game for ages 8+.
This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie with illustrations by Kathy Jakobsen. $7.98 (w/ 8 song audio CD) from Powells.com - On Sale
This classic song of freedom, love for one's country and the potential of it's places and people by one of this nation's greatest songwriters, American icon Woody Guthrie, is paired with vivid illustrations depicting numerous scenes from our country's past and present. On each page you and your children will discover America, from California to the New York Island, through the eyes of Woody. This hardback book is currently on sale at Powell's for a low $7.98 and it is accompanied by an 8 song CD featuring the famous title track as well as other original and fun Guthrie-penned kid songs performed by himself and son Arlo. This Land is Your Land is a must read and listen for any family - truly inspiring words by a musical and cultural legend.
Jeff
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