Summer is a great time for exploring
For youngsters, summer vacation should be filled with all sorts of exploring.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines "explore" in several relevant ways: "to investigate, study, or analyze: look into; to become familiar with by testing or experimenting; to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery."
Youngsters need a lot of exploring to discover and understand the world around them, to find out who they are and who others are, and how all of this fits in their picture of life.
Much of this happens when we allow children to play, especially with other children and especially outdoors, in a loosely unsupervised way.
If adults are always on top of youngsters, directing, correcting, and interfering, the child will be far less likely to learn how to handle life situations alone.
Books play an important part of exploring, both books you read aloud to a child and those children read independently. Exposing children to great books can provide laughs, ideas, inspiration, and an idea of what it's like to face challenges and overcome them.
Keep books in the forefront this summer vacation along with lots of healthy, fun playtime, and watch how much a child can grow over a couple of months.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery" </B>by Deborah and James Howe, illustrated by Alan Daniel, Atheneum, 98 pages; read aloud: age 6 to 7 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.Harold's full-time occupation is being a dog, and he lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons, and Harold's good friend, Chester the cat. A recent addition to the family is Bunnicula — a rabbit, from the Carpathian Mountain region of Transylvania.Owing to vegetables that have been sucked dry of their juices (and hence color), the well-read, intellectual cat Chester firmly and fearfully concludes that Bunnicula is a vampire.Chester feels compelled to save the Monroe clan from the evil Bunnicula, yet no one seems to grasp the gravity of the situation. Chester's hilarious attempts to warn the family and save them from their ill fate are completely misunderstood.An enormously popular book for years, this very funny selection is certain to elicit smiles and outbursts of laughter, start to finish.
<B>Library:</B> Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St.<B>Library Director:</B> Lori Campbell<B>Youth Services Librarian:</B> Peter Bess<B>Choices this week: "Maisy Goes to the Library"</B> by Lucy Cousins;<B> "Nate the Great and the Owl Express"</B> by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat; <B>"The Secret Garden" </B>by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"No Easy Way: The Story of Ted Williams and the Last .400 Season" </B>by Fred Bowen, illustrated by Charles Pyle, Dutton, 2010, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 7 to 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.As a boy in San Diego in the 1930s, Ted Williams loved baseball.Most of all, Ted loved to hit. He dreamed of someday becoming the greatest baseball hitter who ever lived. Through constant work, practice, and playing, he eventually achieved that goal and beyond when, in 1941, Ted Williams ended the baseball season with a batting average of .406.How did Ted accomplish this astonishing feat? Ted knew it wouldn't be easy, but this outstanding baseball player wasn't a quitter, and his perseverance paid off in more ways than one.This exciting selection will thrill baseball fans and act as a springboard of motivation for young readers.<B>"Ladybug Girl at the Beach"</B> by David Soman and Jacky Davis, illustrated by David Soman, Dial, 2010, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Lulu and her family are off to spend the day at the beach. When they arrive, Lulu declares to her older brother that she loves the beach. He reminds her that she has never been to the beach before, but Lulu just knows that she will love the sand and swimming, until, that is, she sees how big and noisy the ocean really is.A charming look at childhood fears and overcoming them, this selection will resonate with young readers in many ways.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
