The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman: Adventures in                    U.S. Geography and Friendly Letter Writing
                              Written by Darcy Pattison
                               Illustrated by Joe Cepeda
                                          Age Level: 6 - 9

If you’re looking for an unusual adventure story, this is it! When Uncle Ray gets a letter inviting him to visit his niece in California, a quest begins. Uncle Ray sends a letter to Tameka saying he can’t come. He attaches another to Oliver K. Woodman, the wooden traveler he’s sending on a cross-country trip to Tameka. Ray’s directions to each driver: to send him a letter about Oliver’s adventures, and to take Oliver as close to California as possible.

Thus begins a great summer adventure for Uncle Ray, Tameka, and Oliver. This book is a perfect match between illustrations and text, which is found exclusively in a series of letters. Don’t forget to check the last page for the map of Oliver’s entire trip!

​Critical Thinking: Activities for Kids
Written by Taylor Lang, M.ED.
Age Level: 6 - 8
Grade Level: 1 – 2

I flipped through this book and loved what I saw…six chapters broken into themes for kids, like zoos. Each one has critical thinking activities. Here’s an example from the chapter on outdoors. Can your child divide a square into nine boxes, using only three shapes to form a diagonal? Your job is to use only those three shapes, but you can’t put the same ones into one row or into one column. Tricky! This book is a great tool to keep your kids thinking, no matter the season.

​Hurry UP! A Book About Slowing Down
Written by Kate Dopirak
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

I love a book that lives up to its title. The first part, HURRY UP! That’s exactly what the boy on the cover does. The words go faster and faster until you literally hit—STOP!
 
That’s when the book delivers the second half of the title…A BOOK ABOUT SLOWING DOWN. In the next line the words do exactly that. The boy takes a breath, and the pace continues to slacken as the pages show how you can slow down too. 

​​When a T.Rex Comes to Play
Written by Helen Cane-Hardy
Illustrated by Mette Engell
No recommended age or grade level available

​This cover and its title promise a fun romp for a young child, and they deliver! Poor Pip! Summer break has just begun, and he’s bored already…until a T.Rex shows up and wants to play. I LOVED the text and the illustrations, and I bet your child will too!

​I Want to be a Vase
Written by Julio Torres
Illustrated by Julian Glander
Age Level: 3 - 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

​THIS is a very unusual book. Plunger, the toilet kind, wants to be a vase. Living life as  a plunger is just OK, but it has bigger dreams, better ones. Somehow plunger finds a way to become a vase. You’ll have to read to find out how, and it inspires everything in the house to change jobs. The BIG theme in this book—doing the job you’re meant to do; not the job others assign you.

​Mr. Goat’s Valentine
Written by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Kevin Zimmer
Age Level: 5 - 7
Grade Level: K – 2

A cover is a promise, and this one delivered way more than I expected. The pages are filled with bright colors. Add in words, and the story is pure fun.
 
Goats are known for eating anything, so Eve Bunting must have had a ball plotting what Mr. Goat would give his first love. I didn’t have a clue who it was until the very end…It was the best kind of surprise! If you’re looking for a valentine read that’s totally fun, this is it!

The Princess and …The Peas and Carrots
Written by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Travis Foster
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: P – 3

This story is so cute! Dad calls his daughter Princess Rosebud. Her Mom, Princess Fussy because she is. When Rosebud throws one tantrum too many over peas and carrots, she’s sent to her room. Would you believe she throws things too?
 
There is a happy ending. Rosebud actually eats the peas and carrots…when they’re not touching. Then Dad reads a bedtime story. Would you believe it’s about a princess and a pea, or that the bedtime story folds out for you too?
 
The sad part, this book is out of print; it was published back in 2012. The good part, you can buy it as a used book for half price, AND its author has already published 514 titles! I would definitely check her out and this book too!

​Fishing with Grandpa and Skye
Written by Candace Spizzirri
Illustrated by Beverly Love Warren
Age Level: 5 - 8

If you love fishing with someone special, this book is perfect for you! It’s Grandpa and Skye day, and they’re going fishing. The sweet and salty text and illustrations are perfect for this fish-tale. Grandparents and kids will love the catch-of-the-day! The best part . . .  it’s based on the author’s time fishing with her Grandpa Henry.

​Ned the Knitting Pirate
Written by Diana Murray
Illustrated by Leslie Lammie
Age Level: 6 - 9
Grade Level: 2 – 3

The pirates of the Rusty Heap don’t like the looks of  Nick…He knits. They poke fun at his needles. They sing about being tougher than barnicle grit, because they don’t knit. They pester Nick to quit. When he finally does, the unbelievable happens…Knitting saves the day. How? Read and find out! Pirate-loving kids will love this story!

​Trusty Town Hall
Written by & Illustrated by Lindsay Ward
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: PS - 3

The book’s first spread was too busy for me, but there’s a reason…it sets up the rest of the story. The other spreads show young readers the elements that make up their community. From government to voting, recycling to community services, these pieces all work together to support families. Best of all this book is interactive. It’s a great choice for classrooms and homeschoolers.
 
PS—If you like this book, it’s part of a series. Check out the four other titles.