Our media-driven world promotes material possessions as one of the most essential things people should strive for. Most of us know that the really important things in life don’t come with a big price tag.
Instead, what gives a person the greatest joy is the love of family and friends and simple pleasures everyone can enjoy regardless of money.
Today’s reviewed books help demonstrate this to children and can act as a springboard for further discussions about this topic. Couple that with your behavior sends a clear message that you don’t worship material possessions and that what you value most isn’t something you can buy.
Every effort you make in this regard is time well spent and will benefit children and society as a whole.
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“When I Was Young in the Mountains” by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Diane Goode, Dutton, 26 pages
Read aloud: age 3 – 4 and older.
Read yourself: age 7 – 8 and older.
“When I Was Young in the Mountains” is a warm and loving story based on the true experiences of Rylant growing up in Appalachia. Making do with each other and what they could find in the mountains provided this author with all she needed: a sense of belonging, great security and an abundance of love.
The swimming hole, Crawford’s store, fresh cornbread and hot cocoa — in these and other windowpanes the reader learns a richness of life uncluttered by material things.
Written for younger children, this story teaches us that home is a good place, not because of what you have, but because of those who live there.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Robesonia Community Library, 75 S. Brooke St., Robesonia
Library director: Jennifer Franklin
Youth services coordinator: Leah Ruth
Choices this week: “I Love You Like Crazy Cakes” by Rose A. Lewis; “How Rocket Learned to Read” by Tad Hills; “Sarah, Plain and Tall” by Patricia MacLachlan
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Gray” by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Lauren Child, Candlewick, 2024, 40 pages, $18.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 3 – 7.
Read yourself: age 6 – 7.
While many days can make you feel full of sunshine yellow, bright orange like a balloon and green like the treetops, some days simply make you feel gray. You might not be able to pinpoint a specific reason why you are feeling gray, but it’s a powerful cast shadow that can be hard to shake.
Gray is when you don’t feel like yourself. It’s a lonely feeling and can make you feel like you don’t belong. But there’s nothing wrong with having a gray day now and then, especially when you have the support of someone who cares and loves you however you are feeling, colorful or gray.
With subtle artwork featuring die-cut pages that perfectly capture this story’s important message, children will be assured that feeling sad happens to everyone and that color will return to their lives.
“This Table” by Alex Killian, illustrated by Brooke Smart, Greystone Kids, 2024, 36 pages, $18.95 hardcover
Read aloud: age 4 – 8.
Read yourself: age 6 – 8.
The journey of a table began as a seed that grew into a tree. That tree eventually made its way to a workspace where the wood was measured, cut, sanded, stained and sealed. Legs were carefully attached, and the table became strong and stable.
The table was eventually placed in the middle of a room in a house, where life grew up around it. It was the perfect place to share meals and birthdays and other celebrations, assemble puzzles and play board games, work on schoolwork, conduct secret club meetings and other imaginary things and a place to gather with family and friends to share stories and spend time together.
The table became the heart of the home where memories we made and cherished, miraculously having begun as seed.
Through engrossing text and expressive illustrations, “This Table” is powerful and thought provoking, nudging readers/listeners to take into consideration the importance of everyday objects that enrich our lives.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com.
Source: Berkshire mont