The Magic of Summer Reading
K5's resident book reviewer, Sheila Welch, has found her magic touch and conjures up four magic books we recommend for Summer reading. These four books will entice even the most device-dependent children into their magical worlds.
Bill Peet’s THE WHINGDINGDILLY is perfect for reading aloud. Children from three to ten will enjoy the expressive artwork on each page that helps tell the story of Scamp, a farm dog, who wishes he were as important as the neighbors’ handsome horse. When his young owner laughs at him, Scamp runs away and stumbles upon a “helpful” witch who uses her magic to turn him into a huge, unique creature. Of course, there is a happy ending with Scamp returning home as a happy dog.
Children who’re just starting to read independently will be thrilled to discover Ruth Chew’s Matter-of-Fact Magic series. NO SUCH THING AS A WITCH takes its title from a statement that Nora and Ted’s mother repeats several times. The two children know better. They are certain their new neighbor is a witch, but is she a good one or a bad one? With just the right mixture of reality and magic, Chew’s books make a wonderful introduction to the world of fantasy literature.
The King and Queen and their older son are missing, and the castle is as upset as the remaining royal siblings. The castle? Yes! In TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE, by Jessica Day George, the ancient stone Castle Glower has tremendous magical power. So will the castle do something drastic to get rid of the enemies lurking within? Then something terrible happens, and the youngest princess, Celie, thinks the castle has died. Can three royal children save the kingdom . . . and bring the castle back to life? This story is full of adventure with a good dose of humor and intrigue to keep both boys and girls in grades three through five turning those pages.
BIGGER THAN A BREAD BOX by Laura Snyder is best for readers in fourth grade and above because it deals with real issues such as divorce and loss. Even the magic in this book takes on a slightly sinister tone when an old bread box keeps granting twelve-year-old Rebecca her wishes. The simple adage dealt with in many stories, “Be careful what you wish for,” is handled here in a thought-provoking manner and would make an excellent choice for a family read-aloud book this summer.
Sheila Kelly Welch is a mother, grandmother and retired teacher. She’s been writing all her life and counts among her children’s fiction books Little Prince Know-It-All and A Horse for All Seasons. Sheila's most recent book, WAITING TO FORGET, published by namelos, has been selected by Bank Street College and Pennsylvania School Library Association for their lists of best-books-of-the-year.
You can learn more about Sheila on her web site.
