Catherine recommends "Clive Penguin" & "Umami"

  

These two penguins in search of adventure are sure to make you smile!

Clive Penguin is a bit grumpy. He’s always cold and he is sure there is more to life than just huddling with the other penguins on the ice, so he sets off to see what he can discover. When he finds an orange hat, he can’t believe his luck! Will he be satisfied with his life now? Read it and see!

Umami is not quite so grumpy, but still dreams of a life where there is more than cold fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She sets off to discover the wider world and delights in all the new foods she encounters – sour, bitter, salty, sweet, and even spicy. She is so excited, she decides she must share these wonderful new tastes with the penguins back home – what will they think?

If you are in the mood for charming and adventurous heroes and heroines, these are the penguins for you!

Perfect for preschool and up.

 

 

Catherine recommends "Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees"

I love a good road trip, and I love trees, so I had to read this book of poems that takes you on an imaginary road trip to see some of the coolest trees in the United States. Whether admiring the beauty of the changing leaves in my own neighborhood or staring up at the grandeur of the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park (did you know it is as tall as 16 giraffes stacked upon each other and weighs as much as 10 blue whales?), time spent with trees is good for the soul. In this book, you can visit more than a dozen magnificent trees – most have historical or cultural significance; all of them are just plain awesome. Some highlights: the 4,600 year old Methuselah Tree in California; trees whose seeds have traveled to the moon; the Survivor Tree that stood amidst the destruction of the Oklahoma City bombing; and the bur oak that inspired the first Arbor Day. This is a lovely book to read together with kids – and then go outside to see what cool trees are in your own neighborhood.

Preschool & elementary children