On the Shelf: Bonus books that offer joy and hints of sorrow
Joy and sorrow run through April’s bonus books. From summer kitchen fun, to exploring environmental activism, to a gentle tale of pregnancy loss for siblings, take a look at the creativity hitting the shelves of your favorite bookstore.
“Ramen for Everyone” by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Shiho Pate (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, ages 4 – 8)
This tasty tale is a wonderful lesson in persistence, patience and even the joy of individual tastes. It includes a recipe for making your own ramen, so kids can read about Hiro’s kitchen efforts and then try it for themselves. This lovely book would be a terrific gift for a young chef, along with the fixings for an at-home ramen feast.
“Linh’s Rooftop Garden” by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Samara Hardy (Peachtree Publishing, ages 3 – 7)
Keep the cooking going with this beautifully illustrated story. Kids can learn all about fruits and vegetables that can grow in a rooftop (or backyard) garden. Once they help Linh find her blueberries, the whole family can work on a weekend breakfast of Blueberry and Banana Pancakes, with the recipe included.
“Flipflopi” by Linda Ravin Lodding and Dipesh Pabari, illustrated by Michael Machire Mwangi (Beaming Books, ages 5 – 8)
Based on a true story, this wonderful tale focuses on the growing problem of plastic polluting the ocean. In this case, flip-flops and other plastic waste were shaped into a Kenyan sailing boat (a “dhow”). And once children and parents are inspired by this story, there is a list of resources to help families act to make a difference.
“Dear Star Baby” by Malcom Newsome, illustrated by Kamala Nair (Beaming Books, ages 5 – 8)
For the many families who experience pregnancy loss, miscarriage or stillbirth, there are few ways to include children in the grief process. This book is a gentle start. Written by a father of five whose family suffered multiple miscarriages, this is the story no family wants, but it is a beautiful healing path for helping little ones grieve a sibling they will not get to welcome home.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: On the Shelf: Bonus books that offer joy and hints of sorrow
