Special Collections
ReadShare Books
Description: Nature, Camping and Friendship themed books for the ReadShare Detroit Summer program.
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Penny & Jelly
by Maria Gianferrari and Thyra HederIn this picture-book companion to Penny & Jelly: The School Show, Penny is invited to a slumber-under-the-stars sleepover! But there's one small detail that derails the dynamic kid-dog duo: no pets allowed. Penny and Jelly have to think quick—if the real Jelly can't go, then maybe a pretend Jelly can! A paper Jelly? Too rough. A yarn Jelly? Too soft. Jelly after Jelly just doesn’t work. But with a little creativity and a lot of heart, Penny figures out how to go to the sleepover—and bring Jelly along with her. Learn more about these best friends at www.pennyandjelly.com.
S Is for S'mores
by Helen Foster JamesNext to picnics and fireworks, nothing else says summertime fun as much as the family camping trip. From what to pack, where to go, and what to do when you get there, S Is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet takes readers on an A-Z trail exploring this outdoor pastime. Veteran camper Helen Foster James tackles topics such as unique camping environments, equipment necessities, famous conservationists, and national parks and other attractions. With the alphabet as a backdrop, beginning readers enjoy simple rhymes while older children discover facts about each letter topic in the accompanying sidebar expository. G is for the Gear you'll need to organize and pack to keep your camping lots of fun and bring you safely back. Whether your idea of 'roughing it' is a blanket in your own backyard or the subarctic ecosystem of Alaska's Denali National Park, S is for S'mores is a fun and informative guide that is sure to help campers of all ages make the most of their 'wilderness' adventures.
Our Great Big Backyard
by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager#1 New York Times bestselling authors former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Bush Hager have created an exuberant picture book tribute to our national parks and the importance and fun of connecting with nature.Our Great Big Backyard follows Jane, whose plans of spending the summer playing video games with her friends are dashed when her parents announce that her family is going on a road trip to national parks around the country. Yet somewhere between the Everglades and Big Bend National Park, things begin to change.Jane starts paying attention to the magnificent sights and spends less time looking at her screen. The stunning views open up her imagination as she and her brother see everything that nature has to offer. And the more Jane discovers, the more she realizes how much there is to love about the outdoors—whether she’s in a national park across the country or right in her own backyard.
Mouse Scouts
by Sarah DillardBadges are better when you earn them together! The Mouse Scouts are ready to earn a new badge . . . but can they make it in the wild without their fearless leader? The Scouts are hitting the nature trail to earn their "Camp Out" badge. But not all of the troopers are gung-ho about sleeping beneath the stars. Violet can't bear the thought of leaving her comfy bed behind, while everything about the great outdoors seems to make Junebug sneeze. But when Miss Poppy goes missing, can the Scouts work together to track down their troop leader? Brimming with lively black-and-white illustrations--including pages from the official Mouse Scout Handbook--these darling stories about the smallest Scouts with the biggest hearts are just right for fans of Ivy and Bean. "Strong characters plus lots of laughs make this a welcome series for new readers." --Kirkus Reviews
The Hike
by Alison Farrell&“These young explorers demonstrate the best principles of time spent in the woods: observing, admiring and learning . . . Delightfully illustrated.&” —The New York Times With lyrical language that captures the majesty of the natural world coupled with fun narrative featured throughout, this spirited picture book tells the victorious story of three girls&’ friendship—and their tribulations and triumphs in the great outdoors. Here is the best and worst of any hike: from picnics to puffing and panting, deer-sighting to detours. Featuring a glossary, a sketchbook by one of the characters, abundant labels throughout, and scientific backmatter, this book is a must-have for budding scientists, best friends, and all adventurers. And it proves, as if proof were needed, what epic things can happen right in your own backyard. &“A delightful field guide for young outdoor enthusiasts, rich with everything from instructions on how to make a leaf basket for foraged berries to scientific labels and tips for identifying animal tracks, constellations, and moon phases. The illustrations represent a multiracial female cast of burgeoning botanists and naturalists enjoying the outdoors, including one particularly beautiful spread where the girls release collected bird feathers into the wind.&” —Booklist &“Well-designed pictures create a depth and fullness that immerse readers in the forest. Endmatter makes clever use of Wren&’s sketch pad to offer additional information about things seen in the woods. Utterly satisfying.&” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review &“[A] lovely chronicle of an outdoor adventure . . . Readers may find it difficult to resist the call of the wild after closing the cover.&” —Publishers Weekly
Uncle John's City Garden
by Bernette FordHow does this city garden grow? With help from L&’il Sissy and her siblings--and love, love, love! A celebration of nature, family, and food.Visiting the city from her home in the suburbs, an African American girl sees how a few packets of seeds, some helping hands, and hard work transform an empty lot in a housing project into a magical place where vegetables grow and family gathers. It&’s the magic of nature in the heart of the city! Bernette Ford&’s autobiographical story is a loving glimpse at a girl, her siblings, and her uncle, and their shared passion for farming. L&’l Sissy&’s fascination with measurement, comparison, and estimation introduces children to STEM concepts. And the progress of Uncle John&’s garden introduces readers to the life cycle of plants. Frank Morrison, winner of multiple Coretta Scott King awards and an NAACP Image Award, depicts dramatic cityscapes as well as the luscious colors and textures of Nature. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
In the Neighborhood
by Rocio BonillaA silly and sweet picture book about neighbors, community, and making new friends where you least expect it.A group of neighbors never talks to one another because they've all made assumptions about each other. Camila the chicken's house is too noisy, Mr. Martínez the fox seems so straightlaced, Felipe the mouse is nervous, and Pepe the ogre--well, you know about ogres. But one day, Mrs. Paquita's internet connection goes out. That starts a domino effect of neighbors helping neighbors. And soon everything has changed.
The Curious Garden
by Peter BrownOne boy's quest for a greener world... one garden at a time. While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world. This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book.
Trouble in the Trees
by Yolanda RidgeEleven-year-old Bree is happiest when she's climbing the trees at Cedar Grove, her urban townhouse complex. She's the best climber around, even better than an older boy, Tyler, who drives her crazy with his competitiveness. When Ethan, a younger boy, falls from a tree and hurts his elbow, the neighborhood council bans all tree-climbing in Cedar Grove. If Bree chooses to ignore the bylaw, her family could be kicked out of their home, so she vows to change the rule instead. After giving a presentation to the Neighborhood Council, she realizes this is not a battle she can win on her own, but rallying the Cedar Grove troops is more difficult than she imagined.
The Raft
by Jim LamarcheReluctant Nicky spends a wonderful summer with Grandma, who introduces him to the joy of rafting down the river near her home, and watching the animals along the banks. [This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts in grades 2-3 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
The Proudest Blue
by Ibtihaj MuhammadA powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.
Ivy and Bean What's the Big Idea?
by Annie Barrows and Sophie BlackallIn this seventh entry in the New York Times–bestselling series, two unlikely best friends get creative as they prepare for the Science Fair.It’s the Science Fair, and the second grade is all over it! Some kids are making man-eating robots. Some kids are holding their breath for a very, very long time. Some kids are doing interesting things with vacuum cleaners. The theme, obviously, is global warming. But what should Ivy and Bean do? Something involving explosions? Or ropes? Something with ice cubes? Or maybe . . . maybe something different.Praise for What’s the Big Idea?“This seventh episode about unlikely best friends Ivy and Bean may be the most ambitious and triumphant yet . . . . Barrows and Blackall know just how to expose situations that are familiar to second-graders—with empathy and a light touch.” —Shelf-Awareness
Equal
by Joyce Moyer HostetterHere is a riveting coming-of-age story about the importance of staying true to yourself and the essential power of friendship in this fifth and final title in the popular Bakers Mountain Stories series.It's the summer of 1959 at the foot of Bakers Mountain in western North Carolina when 13-year-old Jackie Honeycutt first bumps into Thomas Freeman fishing on the riverbank. They hit it off, and Jackie hopes the two of them can be friends. But Jackie is white, and Thomas is Black -- and Jackie quickly learns their growing friendship won't be easy. North Carolina is the focus of the growing civil rights movement, and through his friendship with Thomas, Jackie experiences racism and prejudice first-hand through bullying at school, family turmoil and pressure from his community. Can Jackie free both his conscience and his voice - and ultimately do what's right?
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee
by Chris Van DusenMr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation? Chris Van Dusen, the creator of Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, has filled this new adventure with charming illustrations and a playful, rhyming text. A fun read-aloud for children (and adults!) on campouts or snuggling at home!
Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping
by Peggy ParishA literal-minded housekeeper causes a ruckus on a camping trip when she attempts to make sense of some instructions. Picture descriptions added.
Fred and Ted Go Camping
by P. D. EastmanFred and Ted--beloved canine stars of P. D. Eastman's Big Dog . . . Little Dog--are back in an all-new Beginner Book written and illustrated by P. D.'s son, Peter Eastman! In this story Fred and Ted go camping, and as usual, their uniquely different approaches to doing things (such as packing equipment, setting up camp, and fishing techniques) have humorous--and sometimes surprising--results. A charming introduction to opposites that beginner readers will find ruff to put down!