The Book Nook

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 slices white bread on a baking sheet. Spread 1 Tbs. marinara sauce on each slice. Top each of 2 slices with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Add pepperoni, spinach, olives, or other desired pizza toppings. Place remaining bread slices on top of the filling. Make a toasted heart design: Cut two 2-in. hearts out of aluminum foil, then cut a 1/2-in. heart out of the center of each foil cutout. Place one foil cutout on top of each sandwich. Bake until the top is golden and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Remove foil to reveal the heart design.

Pulled Pork With Carrot Slaw

Divide 1 cup leftover cooked pulled pork (or shredded cooked chicken) tossed with your fave barbecue sauce between 2 whole-wheat hot dog buns. Mix 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp. honey, 2 tsp. olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir in ½ cup shredded carrot, ½ cup thinly sliced celery, and 2 Tbs. finely chopped scallions or chives. Top each bun with slaw. Wrap sandwiches in aluminum foil before packing.

T H E B O O K N O O K

Your monthly guide to making the most of storytime and raising forever readers

5 New T itle s t o P ic k Up Now

1. Out of a Jar

Written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero The tale of a school-age bunny who stuffs his good and bad feelings into jars may help kids open up about their own big emotions. After a while, the bunny reaches a breaking point, which is strikingly depicted in a colorful cascade of shattering glass. His reaction—and the book’s upbeat ending—affirm that feelings should be shared and heard. Ages 3 to 7

2. Animal BFFs

Written and illustrated by Sophie Corrigan This graphic novel–style nonfiction book introduces kids to unlikely partnerships between different species in an engaging way. In word balloons, more than 20 creature pairs share how they mutually benefit from being pals: “I have fantastically wiggly tentacles that will zap any predator,” says a sea anemone to a hermit crab, who responds, “You really do protect me! You are the best jiggly friend ever.” Besides doling out factual nuggets that will make your curious kid go “Whoa,” this book helps young readers realize that differences can bring animals (and people) together. Ages 7 to 9

3

5 An emotional

journey

1

2

Punny wordplay

4

3. The Ice Cream Machine

Written by Adam Rubin, multiple illustrators This collection of six quirky short stories is as delicious as a multilayer sundae. Subtitles hint at what’s to come: “The One With the Alien Space Lab” is a sci-fi thriller that gives Twilight Zone vibes, while in “The One With the Ice Cream Eating Contest,” siblings hilariously face off against an unusual competitor. Rubin, author of Dragons Love Tacos, wrote all the stories, but they’re each illustrated in black and white by a different artist, helping to make every one a satisfying stand-alone read. Ages 8 to 12

4. People Are Wild

Written and illustrated by Margaux Meganck A big-hearted story told from the animals’ point of view may stretch preschoolers’ minds. One baby elephant sees a human parent and child and asks, “Mama, what is that?” The animal parents warn their young about the dangers of people until a little sloth tells its mom, “People are also just like us!” It’s an observation that helps kids fathom that they’re part of a bigger world and that everyone, including animals, deserves to be free. Ages 3 to 6

5. Knight Owl

Written and illustrated by Christopher Denise How to Catch a Monster meets the King Arthur legends in this charming bedtime read about perseverance and finding common ground. A tiny owl becomes a knight and gets chosen for the Night Watch at the castle. While he’s on guard, a dragon wants to eat him. Owl comes up with a wise solution that involves—spoiler—fire-roasted pizza. The final scene celebrates the strength of friendship. Ages 4 to 8

B O O K C R U S H

Late -Nig ht Bedtime Stor y With Seth Meyers

The comedian and NBC show host has realized a childhood dream of writing a book for the younger set.

Growing up, Seth Meyers relished his trips to the local library. “My parents were huge readers and instilled their passion in me. I never wanted to go anywhere without a book,” says Meyers, 48. The SNL alum wants to foster literary zeal in his three kids: Ashe, 5, Axel, 3, and baby Adelaide. “I love watching the faces on my older children when I can tell they’re engaged with a plot,” he says. Meyers, who always wanted to write a children’s book, drew on their affection for dialogue and adventure when writing I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared!, a humorous picture book featuring a bear and a bunny who face their fears. We caught up with Meyers, who has hosted Late Night With Seth Meyers for eight years, shortly after he announced Adelaide’s birth.

What do you hope families take away from your book?

I would be thrilled if kids wanted to read it more than once and if parents weren’t bored if their kids wanted to read it 20 times.

Walk us through your kids’ bedtime reading routine.

They get three books, but they will talk me up to four every now and then. My oldest likes chapter books now, so we usually do two or three picture books—Richard Scarry does very well these days—and then read a chapter from The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden, or Stuart Little, by E. B. White. The two books that make them laugh the hardest are Guess Again!, by Mac Barnett, and Blue Hat, Green Hat, by Sandra Boynton.

What was your favorite childhood book?

Too many to name, but Moose, by Michael Foreman, has a beautiful message about avoiding unnecessary conf lict.

If you could voice one children’s book character, who would it be?

I guess Fantastic Mr. Fox, but only because George Clooney wasn’t charming enough.

What have you read for fun recently?

Mark Harris wrote a wonderful book, Mike Nichols: A Life, that I tore through. If you love Mike’s work like I do, this book is a must read.

Meyers’s bedtime

read-aloud

Y O U R K I D , T H E L E A D C H A R A C T E R

If you remember having a book like this when you were little, now you can pay it forward: These companies create custom books incorporating any child’s name for a smidge more than off-the-shelf fare.

I See Me! The publisher’s line of personalized books featuring Disney and Marvel characters will blow your little fan away. You can also customize stories for a wide array of occasions, including adoption and baptism. Starting at $30; iseeme.com

Wonderbly With dozens of subjects ranging from holidays and birthdays to special experiences (like getting a new sibling), this company allows you to personalize with multiple names and choose from characters of all colors. Starting at $35; wonderbly.com

Librio This publisher takes your child’s name and puts it in a seek-andfind book, similar to Where’s Waldo? Kids ages 2 to 7 will explore European cities looking for musical instruments, food, animals, and more. You can even leave a personal message for them to find. Starting at $28; librio.com.

R A I S I N G T H E F U T U R E

B O O K C L U B

HELP KIDS BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES

In the inspiring picture book Why Not You?, singer Ciara and her husband, Russell Wilson , quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, assure readers there’s “absolutely nothing that you can’t try or reach or do.” The message is an extension of the couple’s Why Not You Foundation, which aims to foster future leaders. Head to @Parents Instagram on March 2 to watch the Wilsons read the book to their own children. Get more details at parents.com/BookClub.

1

Cutie puts her paw in my hand so we can hold paws.

2

My big brother named her. It’s perfect because even strangers call her cute.

A n ima l Hou se!

Emeline, 7, communes with her German shepherd mix, Cutie, 9, whose name says it all.

photograph by P R I S C I L L A G R A G G

We got Cutie from the West Los Angeles pound when she was 8 weeks old. My mom picked her “because she was the only puppy not barking.”

3

The silliest thing Cutie does is roll back and forth on the grass with her legs up in the air.

4

Cutie loves to run on the beach and go hiking.

5

Once she got into trouble because my grandpa bought me a pretty box of macarons, and Cutie somehow opened it and ate them all.