“Connor Crowe loved his parents.
He loved his dog.
He even loved his sister.
But he loved one thing most of all . . .
his tablet.”
Children latch on to things that sparkle, bing, and move, especially “techie toys” like smartphones, tablets and video games. Sometimes it’s hard to let go. Howard Pearlstein’s new book tells a timely story of a young boy’s obsession with his tablet. Young Connor loves playing on it so much that one night, he wishes he never had to let it go.
“How deep it goes
How strong it flows
How sweet it sounds
How much it gives
How selfless it is
How forever it lasts…”
Something children around the world have in common is an insatiable curiosity. Alyssa Londoño’s poignant story brings to life an inquisitive child’s quest to find out if love is real and where it comes from. While the child explores the world around her, she discovers that love is not just one thing, but is everywhere. In friendship. In time with family. In everyday remarkable things.
“i really don’t care what you think of my hair… or my eyes or my toes or my nose
i really don’t care what you think of my boots…or if you don’t like my clothes….
i really don’t care
what you think about that
i really don’t care at all…”
Two friends share the little things that set them apart, what makes each of them unique: their eyes and nose. Their boots and clothes. Just when it appears the two are at odds with each other, they begin to celebrate what connects them. They don’t really care about how they look or dress or other surface things. They care about the deeper things—what truly bonds them. Love and acceptance—the heart of true friendship.
Sniff, sniff! went Mouse. Whiff, whiff, went Mouse. “Who left this poo outside my house?…Poo-dunit?”
Mouse is rightly offended when a neighbor leaves a stinking pile of poop near her burrow. The hunt begins! Mouse sniffs out the culprit, blaming one animal after another. Each time, the accused explains why the scat can’t possibly be theirs: too big, too messy, too ploppy.
“Back in his bed, he searches for the moon. In the dark hue of the night, he finds it once more. And right there, between the moon and him, his dreams are waiting. Tomorrow, I’ll tell the world,” he says.
Nigel has BIG dreams. When he gazes at the moon, his future is filled with the same brilliance. His imagination soars! He’s an astronaut, a dancer, a superhero. He’s a star among the cosmos. His pride swells. His eyes sparkle. He’s the most brilliant body in the sky…until it’s time for Career Week at school when he can’t find the courage to share his dreams. He searches for books with pictures of boys who look like his dreams. But can’t find any. He whispers his fear to the moon—his dream companion. “What if I wish to be too many things?”
Bursts of belly-laughs. Raised eye-brows. Teary trickles. Heart tugs. Grumbly mutters and more. Good storytelling sparks emotions and memories in us. It connects cultures and generations. The best words create melodies on a page we can sing reading aloud. These story songs expand, challenge, affirm, and delight us. My hope is that my storytelling creates this magic for you.
