Fun Children’s Books: A Nana’s Perspective

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The Bat Can Bat | Gene Barretta

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Summary: My Grandchildren and I enjoyed this book of homonyms. The Bat Can Bat provides a fun introduction to homonyms. It is a fun reading experience with little ones, all while teaching one interesting nuance of English linguistics.

Recommendation: I enjoy going to the library with my grandchildren. We all found this book truly innovative and creative. After reading this, we had a lot of fun figuring out other homonyms. The library is a bright and cheerful place to explore. If you want your grandchildren to be bright, you will take them there often.

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Potato Pants | Laurie Keller

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Summary: Potato is excited because today – for one day only – Lance Vance’s Fancy Pants Store is selling Potato Pants! This is a one of a kind story about misunderstandings, forgiveness and of course – Potato Pants!

Recommendation: My grandchildren have requested this book from the library on several visits. We have a great time, when we read this book. It creatively addresses desire, patience and forgiveness. There is a whole potato pants collection on the last page and we enjoyed picking out our favorites. Mine: The red polka-dots with blue trim.

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The Tree and the River | Aaron Becker

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Summary: A woodless picture book that creates a fascinating story giving the reader a chance to make their own interpretation of the relationship between two mighty global forces: nature and humankind.

Recommendation: Not only is this book aesthetic pleasing, after reviewing it over and over, the conversations we had about the artwork were profound. My grandchildren’s perspectives were refreshing and optimistic. This book is an epic time-lapse of human civilization, destruction and renewal. A meditative book illustrating the cyclical nature of our world.

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When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left | Marc Colagiovanni

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Summary: An extraordinary celebration of the power of choice. This Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) book provides an enduring message of determination and perseverance. A reminder that even when things don’t go right, you can always go left.

Recommendation: This book creatively addresses big emotions that we all experience. My grandchildren and I enjoyed this book a great deal. It reminds us that we have the power of choice with our big emotions. Whether you are 5 or 65, the message in this book is a helpful reminder that sometimes we need to go left, especially when our emotions don’t feel quite right.

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The Princess in Black | Shannon Hale & Dean Hale

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Summary: Stopping monsters is no job for prim and perfect Princess Magnolia. Good thing Princess Magnolia has a secret. In this first book of the popular beginning reader series, can she transform into her alter ego, Princess in Black, in time to defeat the monsters before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?

Recommendation: My granddaughter is beginning to read chapter books on her own. This is an exciting time for a young reader. This series captured her interest and was instrumental in giving her the confidence to continue reading on her own. Also available at our library through Hoopla, you can access audio versions for this series. She enjoyed exploring this option, as well as reading on her own. Presently there are 11 books in this series at our Smithton Public Library. This continuing story, with returning characters, makes going to the library more fun. It teaches newly independent readers how to search for specific material at the library, building confidence in the library setting for lifelong learning.

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