By our Smarty friends at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
With all the busy days coming up full of shopping, cooking, visiting family and fun outings – make sure you set aside time to snuggle up and read a picture book with any children in your life. Picture books provide a bite-sized format: you can mostly finish reading them aloud in about 5 minutes or less. However, they can also pack a big punch with messages that are tender, philosophical, inspiring or just plain funny.
Visit the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s catalog to find any of the titles mentioned below. Also visit www.picturebookmonth.com to find out more about Picture Book Month, the great authors and illustrators involved, and many fun ways to expand connection after reading a book.
The Rabbit Listened
by Cori Doerrfeld ©2018
When something terrible and unexpected happens, we need a friend who can just listen while we process grief. This is a great book for people of any age, but especially those who don’t know how to feel yet. And this is also helpful for people who want to show their care for someone who has suffered a loss in a loving way. Taylor could also be either boy or girl, there is nothing in the text or illustration that says this child is one or the other.
The Three Questions
by Jon J. Muth ©2002
What does it mean to be wise and good? How do you know when it is the right time to do something? A lovely take on Leo Tolstoy’s original story of the Three Questions that could have a profound and long-lasting effect on old and young alike. There’s a small nod to Tolstoy in the wise tortoise named Leo. Enjoyable and dreamy watercolors add to the thoughtful prose.
Because
by Mo Willems, Illustrated by Amber Ren ©2019
Because many people worked together to achieve a night of music, because of a coincidence that lets a young girl attend that night, because that girl was inspired and changed and worked hard thereafter, another night of music can be achieved. This book is thoughtful about all the behind the scenes work that happens before one can reach a big goal. Put on your favorite orchestral piece, classic or soundtrack, and enjoy this book with the little music lovers in your life.
Llama Destroys the World
by Jonathan Stutzman, Illustrated by Heather Fox ©2019
Llama didn’t set out to destroy the world. All Llama wanted was some cake. Sadly, because of too much cake, Llama’s pants ripped so forcefully the next day, that it ripped a hole in space time and created a black hole. The cake vs. pants struggle is real, you guys. Silly, adorable fun in both text and illustration. You’ll want to prepare some silly voices and extra-groovy dance moves when you read this one.
There are so many wonderful picture books to read in November. Pick up and give at least one of the books on this list a good read-through and then visit your neighborhood library for more!
