Life lessons
NEW YORK— A new batch of children’s books has all the familiar trappings — colorful covers, talking dogs and slightly mischievous children — but, beware, there might also be morals to the stories. Authors and illustrators are tackling topics that range from diversity and self-esteem to fears about monsters that lurk in dark closets. Manners are another favorite subject, and so is dealing with a new baby.
Perhaps, though, the idea that might resonate the most, at least to the parents guiding youngsters through these books, is the one that reminds people to routinely stop and smell the roses.
“Someday Is Not a Day of the Week” (Sleeping Bear Press, $15.95, ages 4-8) and “Just for Today” (New World Library/H.J. Kramer, $15.95, ages 4-8) both encourage families to enjoy each other’s company and have fun, even if it means sacrificing a chore or two.
In “Someday Is Not a Day of the Week,” written by Denise Brennan-Nelson and illustrated by Kevin O’Malley, Max the beaver doesn’t understand why everyone else has something to do, but not something better to do, when he wants to go fishing, make a fort or ride the ferris wheel. They always push the fun stuff off until “Someday.”
But when Max pulls out a calendar and shows them that Someday isn’t an option, Momma, Daddy and Grandpa thank him for pointing out their error.
Meanwhile, it’s the Bear family that unplugs from their busy lives in “Just for Today,” written by Jan Phillips and illustrated by Alison Bonds Shapiro. Even if it is only for one day, they put their clocks aside and just have time to relax.
“Imagine a Day” (Atheneum, $16.95, all ages) by Rob Gonsalves has loftier goals. It encourages readers to ponder some extraordinary possibilities, such as not needing wings to soar in the sky and a sand castle that can withstand the highest, strongest waves.
But with just a slight shift in perspective, readers might see that some of these things are possible: “Imagine a day when the edge of the map is only the beginning of what we can explore.”
Peter Holwitz disguises an effective story about tolerance in the humorous rhymes and drawings in “Scribbleville” (Philomel, $15.99, ages 3 and up).
What happens when a family drawn of straight lines moves into a town filled with curlicues?
Stares at first, of course, but then the squiggly folk warm up to their hard-edge neighbors and pretty soon everyone is playing with each other’s pencils.
Embracing those around you is important — especially if they’re around for good.
“Our New Baby” (Kingfisher, $3.95, baby-preschool) by Heather Maiser and illustrated by Kristina Stephenson is part of the First-Time Stories series that aims to prepare young children for new situations. This particular book examines how two kids in the same family react to the idea of a third one joining the mix.
The same brother and sister also have to learn to share in “It’s My Turn!”
Meanwhile, in “Vera’s Baby Sister” (Henry Holt, $16.95, ages 4-7) by Vera Rosenberry, it comes as a relief to the big sister that it doesn’t take long for babies to start to grow up. Even before her tent that’s supposed to be her refuge from the baby is fully camouflaged, Vera finds that the baby “doesn’t look so ugly anymore, especially when she’s asleep. Her face is smooth and rosy.” And, the best part, she doesn’t cry as much!
Even though some children fight it, a daily schedule is inevitable. “It’s About Time” (HarperCollins, $15.99, ages 3 and up) by Stuart J. Murphy and illustrated by John Speirs carves up a 24-hour day into time slots. There’s a time to learn — 9 a.m. — and a time to eat — noon. Jumping should be done at 3 p.m. and bath time is 7 p.m.
Parents might learn something, too, from this book. How many knew that 1 a.m. is time to party with a gaggle of friendly monsters?
It’s not uncommon to hear kids worry about bullies, their first day at school or even about a monster hiding under their bed, but those fears don’t seem quite so dire if the bully is a gorilla and a new teacher is a bear. And the best way to calm a scary monster is to sing monster lullabies so everyone can get some sleep, according to “Is A Worry Worrying You” (Tanglewood, $15.95, ages 4-8) by Ferida Wolff and Harriett May Savitz, and illustrated by Marie Letourneau.
The idea is to both cut the problem down to size and to give children some creative problem-solving skills.
But what if your problem is that you want to be the star of the show, even when you’re not? That’s what happens to Tommy in “Stagestruck” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $16.99, ages 4 and up) by Tomie dePaola.
Tommy has a non-speaking role in the school play but he decides he’ll make the most of it. Unfortunately, he ends up making too much of it and gets labeled a “ham.” In the end he realizes that he stole someone else’s thunder and he apologizes — and then he starts dreaming about the next show.
But good things, like Magic Monkey Banana desserts, come to those who wait, as Florence learns in “No More Cookies” (The Chicken House/Scholastic, $16.95, ages 5 and up) by Paeony Lewis and illustrated by Brita Granstrom, a story that emphasizes patience.
Supposedly, a sign of a proper upbringing is knowing when to say “please” and “thank you” on all the appropriate occasions.
“Yes, Please! No, Thank You!” (Sterling, $14.95, ages 4-8) by Valerie Wheeler and illustrated by Glin Dibley asks children questions — such as “Would you like to go to the fire station and play on trucks?” versus “Would you like to get soaked by the fire house?” — and encourages them to answer aloud. The only question without a right answer comes on the last page: “Would you like to play “Yes, please! No, thank you!” some more?
Sure, if your children were elephants or dinosaurs they could behave like animals but that doesn’t work if “your father wears clothing and your mother does, too.” Anyone who likes the comforts of human life has to play by those rules, according to Bridget Levin and Amanda Shepherd, the author and illustrator of “Rules of the Wild” (Chronicle, $14.95, ages 3-8).
Can’t get your kids to eat peas? Mama Pea has the opposite problem in “Little Pea” (Chronicle, $12.95, ages 3 and up) by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace. She can’t get Little Pea to eat his candy.
With a little prodding, he does have five bites, just enough for him to get dessert: A big bowl of spinach.