6 minute read

BEST BOOKS

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WONDERFUL BOOKS FOR CHILDREN WE HAVE COME ACROSS THIS MONTH. WE HOPE TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME YOU HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE AND ALSO INTRODUCE OTHERS BEING RELEASED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ENJOY.

Lena, the Sea, and Me

by Maria Parr Trille and Lena may be getting older, but they still find everyday adventure—and trouble—in their coastal village, including sinking every raft they build, getting little sisters stuck up flag poles, and attending those dreaded music lessons. But that’s not all. The arrival of a less-than-encouraging new soccer coach is putting twelve-year-old Lena’s goalkeeping career in doubt. And Trille is wondering how to impress the girl who has just joined his class. As the best friends battle the elements and their own emotions, one thing is for sure: they’re not giving up, not if Lena has anything to do with it! In Maria Parr’s follow-up to Adventures with Waffles, the acclaimed author returns to Mathildewick Cove with a rib-tickling story of growing up. Ages 7 yrs - 10 yrs candlewickpress.com

Merci Suárez Can’t Dance

by Meg Medina Seventh grade is going to be a real trial for Merci Suárez. For science she’s got no-nonsense Mr. Ellis, who expects her to be a smart as her brother, Roli. She’s been assigned to co-manage the tiny school store with Wilson Bellevue, a boy she barely knows, but whom she might actually like. And she’s tangling again with classmate Edna Santos, who is bossier and more obnoxious than ever now that she is in charge of the annual Heart Ball. Ages 9 yrs - 12 yrs candlewickpress.com

Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter

by Jamie Michalak Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter is both a rollicking story with a dash of danger and, in its final eye-popping spreads, a seek-and-find challenge. As the clock in the great museum tick-tocks past midnight, a little mouse with a sack and a treasure map scurries past the guards. Plucky and intrepid Dakota Crumb scours the museum for artifacts, including the famous Purple Jewel of Cairo (a gumdrop stashed in an exhibit). By day, the little mouse shares her carefully curated finds with fellow tiny creatures that flock to Miss Crumb’s tiny Mousehole Museum. A feast for sharp-eyed readers—who’ll delight in circling back after the story to pore over the illustrations in search of treasure—this gently suspenseful tale, splashed with soft, dusky hues, evokes a world of wonders after dark. Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

The More the Merrier

by David Martin “I like your moves. But I’m not like you. So I’ll just do what I can do.” Some like to kick their feet and bend their knees to the music. Others prefer to slip and slide . . . or swoop down . . . or skip high and low! Whatever their style, children will be drawn by David Martin’s buoyant rhymes and Raissa Figueroa’s vibrant illustrations as Bear, Moose, Snake, and other forest animals dance to their own groove in a rhythmic celebration of individuality. Ages 3 yrs - 7 yrs candlewickpress.com

Ride the Wind

by Nicola Davies Javier has a secret. On one of his father’s fishing trips, still hurting from the loss of his mother, he finds an albatross caught on the hooks—alive, if only barely. Against the orders of his father, who has been distant and disparaging, Javier smuggles the bird to safety and begins nursing it back to health. Every day the albatross accepts a little more food, but she shows no sign of wanting to use her wings. And if Javier’s new friend refuses to fly, how will she ever find her way home? From award-winning author Nicola Davies, with dramatic watercolors by Salvatore Rubbino evoking the setting of Chiloé Archipelago, off the coast of Chile, comes a stirring tale of loss, loneliness, and the power of empathy. Ages 5 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

Ergo

by Alexis Deacon Ergo wakes up and sets off to explore the world. The first things she discovers are her toes. Wiggle, wiggle. Then she finds her wings. Flap, flap. Then her beak. And her legs. She has discovered everything! I am the world and the world is me, she thinks. Until she considers the wall around her. Is that part of her, too? And is that noise from beyond the wall . . . something else? At once humorous and inspirational, this lighthearted foray by Alexis Deacon and Viviane Schwarz is for dreamers and philosophers, the foolish and the enlightened—a picture book experience told with simplicity and style. Ages 2 yrs - 5 yrs candlewickpress.com

Heads and Tails: Underwater

by John Canty Swimming, gliding, croaking, or clawing . . . can you guess which underwater creature will appear next? Follow the clues from page to page, from tail to head, to discover whether it is a crab or an eel, a frog or a starfish, an octopus or a seahorse, or . . . what is that sneaking in the water? With beautiful, fluid illustrations inspired by nineteenth-century prints, this intriguing guessing game—a follow-up to Heads and Tails and Heads and Tails: Insects—will have curious children diving right in. Ages 2 yrs - 5 yrs candlewickpress.com

It Could Be Worse

by Einat Tsarfati As a pair of shipwrecked sailors float on what’s left of their ship, Albertini is none too happy. The rain, he observes, is unfair enough. Then the flying fish appear overhead—the ones with the sick stomachs. And the singing mermaids, leaving infernal earworms in their wake. There’s the ghost ship full of pirates and the ark teeming with ravenous beasts. But no matter how bad the situation seems, George, cheerfully playing his harmonica, reminds his friend it could always be worse. Ahhhh! But hang on . . . is that a giant whale with an overpowering case of tuna breath? Delightfully detailed illustrations add visual comedy to a meditation on tough times that shows that even the worst days can turn around—especially with friends. Ages 4 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

Kookaburra

by Claire Saxby Kook-kook-kook. Kak-kak-kak. What is that sunrise chorus that sounds like laughter? It is a kookaburra and her family, calling over the river. Follow these iconic Australian birds as they search for food and team up to defend their territory in preparation for the nesting season. With rich paintings and poetic text, threaded through with intriguing facts, Kookaburra offers insight into the lives of these fascinating birds. Curious readers will find more information about kookaburras at the end, as well as an index leading them back through the book to explore these distinctive creatures more closely. Ages 4 yrs - 8 yrs candlewickpress.com

Zion Unmatched

by Zion Clark; James S. Hirsch This stunning photographic essay showcases Zion Clark’s ferocious athleticism and undaunted spirit. Cowritten by New York Times bestselling journalist James S. Hirsch, this book features striking, visually arresting images and an approachable and engaging text, including pieces of advice that have motivated Zion toward excellence and passages from Zion himself. Explore Zion’s journey from a childhood lost in the foster care system to his hard-fought rise as a high school wrestler to his current rigorous training to prepare as an elite athlete on the world stage. Included are a biography and a note from Zion. Ages 8 yrs - 12 yrs candlewickpress.com

A TREASURE CHEST FOR FOUND & NOSTALGIC OBJECTS, NAUTICAL ODDS & ENDS, CLASSICS AND SO MUCH MORE!

I-29 TEA EXIT 73 • WEST 1/4 MILE • 46990 271ST ST. TEA, SD (605) 368-5810 • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 9AM – 5PM

deserve it! Because you

• day to night • denim • cocktail dresses • shapewear • fine Italian leather • accessories

The Historic Harvester Building 196 E. 6th St. Ste 100 (605) 271-1824 www.siouxfallsboutique.com Open Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm Saturday: 11am - 4pm