Great books make first-rate learning tools

September 03, 2011 Last Updated: September 03, 2011 03:08 PM Community

“The Boy Who Wanted to Cook”

I've often heard people say that it really doesn't matter what you read to children as long as you read something.

Well, I suppose reading something is better than reading nothing. But with so many excellent books for children, why read something that is only mediocre?

Reading to children serves multiple purposes. It helps to entertain, educate, feed a child's imagination and teach youngsters about being good, decent people. Reading to children improves their attention span and vocabulary at an incredible rate, and delivers the silent but iron-clad message that reading is fun, and when that message is received, it is simultaneously understood that learning is fun.

While all of this might sound obvious, what isn't always obvious is to know which books will meet the high standards that will assist in accomplishing these important goals. That's my job and obligation — to find the first-rate books and leave the others behind.

You'll always find the “breaking news” in children's literature here, first. For additional excellent book suggestions, visit this column's companion website, Greatest Books for Kids at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.

The following book is available at many public libraries.“Roxaboxen” by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney, Puffin, 30 pages; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 and 8.To some, the hill across the street looked like any other rocky hill — nothing but sand and rocks and some old wooden boxes. But to Marian and her neighborhood friends, it was Roxaboxen — a special place that the children made into their own imaginary town.There, the children built houses, gathered treasures and created many shops where the residents could buy bread and as much ice cream as they wanted.Roxaboxen had roads to drive their cars on, a jail for drivers who went over the speed limit, and plenty of room to ride horses. Roxaboxen held all of these treasures and so much more. “And so it went. The seasons changed, and the years went by. Roxaboxen was always there.”Based on the true story of author Alice McLerran's mother, “Roxaboxen” is an extraordinary and wonderful celebration of a child's limitless imagination.In our current age, “Roxaboxen” is an important reminder that such play helps to form children in deep and significant ways, and that the memories of such imaginative play last a lifetime.Librarian's ChoiceLibrary: Prospect Community Library, 357 Main St., ProspectLibrary Director: Lou PocchiariChildren's Librarian: Jill HambleyChoices this week: “Flotsam” by Davis Wiesner; “Duck Soup” by Jackie Urbanovic; “Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf” by Judy SierraBooks to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.“Busy Gorillas” by John Schindel, photographs by Andy Rose, Tricycle Press, 2011, 20 pages, $6.99 board book; read aloud: birth to age 3; read yourself: age 7 and 8.What is a gorilla and what sort of things do gorillas do?Through simple, rhyming text and outstanding photographs, young children will learn about gorillas, action verbs describing things they do, and view awesome photographs of gorillas throughout their day.An excellent introduction to nonfiction books for our youngest readers, “Busy Gorillas” is spot-on. One of many in the Busy Book series by Tricycle Press, be sure to look for other titles in the series.“The Boy Who Wanted to Cook” by Gloria Whelan, illustrated by Steve Adams, Sleeping Bear Press, 2011, 36 pages, $16.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 6 and older; read yourself: age 8 and 9 and older.Ten-year-old Pierre's parents own a little restaurant, La Bonne Vache, in the south of France.More than anything, Pierre wants to be a great chef like his father. Although Pierre pays close attention to cooking techniques, his father tells him that he is too young to cook.One day, though, when a stranger arrives from far away to dine, Pierre gets the chance he's been waiting for, and his contribution will have important consequences for Pierre, his family, and the restaurant.Charming in every way, this delightful tale of a determined, talented boy will resonate with every child who has a dream of their own.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.