Five Favorite Underwater Adventures

Summer always entices me to jump in the water, soak up the sun, and then wish as hard as I can that I can just stay there forever. Responsibilities and life make it impossible to live this reality, but it can't stop me from virtually taking a trip under the surface of the water.

Blankie
By Ben Clanton

Tundra Books of Northern New York, 2021. Board Book

How can you NOT love anything Narwhal and Jelly!? The new board books have stolen my heart, especially this one, Blankie. The friends find a mysterious object and try and figure out its purpose in this adorable and comical story.

Constellation of the Deep
By Benjamin Flouw
Tundra Books, 2019. Picture Book.

While exploring the shore, Fox learns about an underwater plant that glows in the dark called the constellation of the deep. He prepares his gear and heads to the deepest parts of the ocean in search of this mysterious plant. The journey takes help from some friends and Fox shares his knowledge of sea life along the way with both them and the reader. Several pages are spread out into a categorical layout to share information about different underwater species, making it a perfect teaching tool for younger readers. My favorite part though, are the colorful and captivating illustrations throughout the entirety of the book.

Hidden Treasure
By Elly MacKay
Running Pr Book Pub, 2021. Picture Book

Although this book is a bit of a stretch to say underwater, this book takes place by the beach, including a few dives under the surface. The beautiful illustrations capture the magical time this girl has in the water searching for the true treasures of the moment.

Not Quite Narwhal
By Jessie Sima
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2017. Picture Book

With a Ugly Duckling feel, this book features a unicorn who thinks he is a narwhal. Although he loves his life, he realizes that he is not the same as the other narwhals and doesn't know why until one day he sees creatures on land that look like him. This darling book is so sweet and my favorite unicorn story I've read.

Oona
Written by Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture Book

An adventurous mermaid and her sidekick otter search to find treasures in the deep. One treasure proves particularly challenging to reach and it takes many attempts before they find success. With beautiful illustrations and a fun storyline, this book is a delight.

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Painting for Peace in Ferguson

Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.

Dragon Run

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013. 336 pgs. Fantasy Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life. He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines. Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...

From Story Time: Summer Week 5

Stories in the Park Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art By Jane Breskin Zalben New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. Picture Book. Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured. --Editor Stories in the Park Gray Written by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Lauren Child Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you're gray, or even night-sky black-like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don't feel like yourself, or like you don't belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from fo...

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