Mrs. Wow Never Wanted a Cow
By Martha Freeman
Random House Books for Young Readers
$8.99, ages 4-7
Filled with retro illustrations, Mrs. Wow Never Wanted a Cow is a silly, easy-to-read book that will make early readers giggle at every page. After an uninvited cow joins Mrs. Wow’s farm, the lazy dog and cat try to get out of their chores by teaching the cow to do them. When the cow miserably fails at guarding the farm and catching mice, Mrs. Wow realizes what the cow can do and how they can all benefit from her milk-producing talents.
I’m Not a Baby!
By Jill McElmurry
Random House Children’s Books
$16.95, ages 4-8
Sooner or later, every little kid gets tired of being called a baby. Maybe it happens at age 2, maybe at 4. Or maybe the youngest is always called “the baby of the family.” I’m Not a Baby! follows Leo from babyhood into his teen years and finally into when he becomes the father of his own baby – all the while struggling to convince his family that he is not a baby anymore! The hilarious illustrations and text show Leo’s frustration in all its forms.
The Summer Sherman Loved Me
By Jane St. Anthony
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
$16, ages 10 and up
Minnesota author Jane St. Anthony has written a wonderful, refreshing book. Set in the early 1960s – when time moved a bit more slowly and children clung to an innocence all their own – this book follows Margaret, a 12-year-old who struggles with her feelings for Sherman, who lives next door. With midnight bike rides and a pet squirrel named Little Margaret, this book offers children and parents a refreshing look children’s capacity for love and companionship.
Sparrow
By Sherri Smith
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
$15.95, ages 12 and up
When 17-year-old Kendall’s grandmother dies, she loses her companion, her guardian, and her confidante. The girl sets off for New Orleans to find her one remaining relative. Facing daunting challenges, Kendall befriends several unique characters who add to New Orleans’ distinctive charm. This book teaches an important lesson: When you listen to your heart and recognize the importance of family and the bonds of friendship, you will survive.
