By the time you are reading this, New Year’s Day will be long over. However, as I am sitting here typing it up, I am still in the middle of that season of reflection and reinvention. It has been amazing to look back over the books I’ve read, the things I’ve learned and the ways I’ve grown over the last year. And, it has been exciting to look forward to what the new year may hold. No matter how old or young we are, we—like the characters in the following books—can always learn new things. And I hope that their adventures inspire some of your own.
My son was drawn to the cover of The Necklace by Amy Smart as he walked by it and he immediately asked if we could bring it home. I am so happy that we did, he has read it (and the sequel) more times than I can count and has lamented the fact that there are only two books in the series.
The book is about an almost 11-year-old girl who learns that her life was a lie: her parents are not actually her parents. She was adopted and her father lives far away. Devastated by this revelation, she runs away to find her father and learn the truth. But the path to the truth isn’t always an easy one, it’s filled with untold dangers, new friendships and a growing evil that threatens to destroy everything she loves. For ages 8 to 12.
The next book is What’s for Dinner by Larysa Maliush. This hilarious tale follows a hungry wolf. While he is hunting for food, he comes across a baby rabbit. But, before he bites the wriggly rabbit, he spies a note that says he will be rewarded with a delicious meal if he returns this wandering rabbit to his home. Now the wolf knows that this is not what wolves are supposed to do. Wolves are supposed to eat rabbits found in the woods after dark. Still, his curiosity gets the best of him, and he decides to find out what sort of delicious meal a rabbit would make. I absolutely adored this book. The pictures are lovely. The text made me laugh. It is definitely a book I can read more than once. For ages 4 to 7.
The third book contains a bit of a heavier theme. The Light of Home: A Story of Family, Creativity and Belonging by Diana Farid and illustrated by Hoda Hadadi is about a young girl who is forced to flee from her home. The only thing she has time to grab is a single painting off the wall as she runs by. But, while this story showcases the reality that many refugees face when they flee, it also reminds us that we can find beauty in hardship. I love the relationship Nur has with her mother and her Baba in this book. I think the author and illustrator effectively captures the connection between a mother and the daughter she is trying to help. For ages 4 to 7.
The fourth book is You Will Do Great Things by Amerie and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa. This incredible poem is wonderful message to our children to remind them that there are so many things they can achieve. They just have to believe in themselves, keep trying when they fail and do things even when no one else understands. And, as a bonus, the illustrations are phenomenal. They make the whole poem feel absolutely magical. For ages 4 to 7.
The final book in my list is the aptly named Time to Split, which is written by Daniel Fehr, illustrated by Raphaël Kolly and translated from the German by Marshall Yarbrough. This book shows us the lovely, relaxing life of Frog. Day after day, everything is the same. And it’s quite lovely. But then one day, a bird comes to visit. In a flurry of feathers and food, Frog learns about friendship, other types of fun and the ways his life may be richer if he just goes outside. For ages 4 to 7.
As the characters in these stories learn, growth isn’t always easy or comfortable. Sometimes it’s not what we wanted at all. But, sometimes, we can choose to learn and discover new ideas, adventures or dreams. If they don’t work out the first time, that’s okay. We can always try again. I hope that your children learn those same lessons as they read these stories.
