Why shop small & local
plus, graphic novels we think your kids will love
Hi, Frog Troublers! You’re probably getting a lot of emails and texts asking you to buy things online today. And that can be good—time-saving and even carbon-saving. But books, our favorite presents, are best bought in local bookstores. I’ll let Bea tell you why:
One of the things I love about our local bookstore (McIntyre’s) is that there are new book displays every week, with different sections for mythology, science, history, realistic fiction, fantasy, picture books, and graphic novels. Usually I go in with no idea what I want to read next, but the staff recommendations or booksellers like Keebe and Johanna will help me find something cool. Just browsing is also fun. Plus, McIntyre’s is local—they’ve supported my school by helping us host author events and giving gift cards as incentives for our PTA fundraiser. It’s one of the only stores where I can shop for literally everyone in my family.
Also, can you imagine if Amazon was the only place to buy books? That would be horrible! You’d probably have much more boring, ordinary books. Plus I have no desire to work at Amazon but I’d love to work at McIntyre’s someday.
So today we have another book guide for you, this time with favorite books for readers who don’t love reading… yet! Here’s what Bea has to say about encouraging reluctant readers:
My favorite way to help my friends fall in love with books is just to pick one of my favorites that I think they’ll like. Sometimes I make them try it—try it! just try it!—other times I’ll just leave a book around where they can find it. I left a Dog Man book on the desk of the kid who sits next to me last week because I thought he’d like it. He started reading it right away, and when he was done I said, “Oh thanks for finding my Dog Man book! Would you like to borrow the next one?” Now he’s hooked…
Books for Reluctant Readers
Bea’s picks:
Dog Man or Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey: Both of these are really funny, with bathroom and gross-out humor that all kids love.
Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel: This series that my cousin Becky started me on is funny, easy to read, and it has a lot of actual facts about cats.
Babymouse by Jennifer and Matthew Holm: Harriet (who can’t read yet) likes this early graphic novel series (the covers are pink!). She also likes The Princess in Black.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney: Lots of plot twists in this series about a normal boy in middle school and all his wacky shenanigans.
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson: I got these comic books from my Nana and Grandpa’s basement! These comics about a boy and his stuffed tiger are so funny. I bet any kid would like a Calvin and Hobbes book.
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao: A great book about friendship and difference that my friends have loved to borrow.
Freestyle by Gale Galligan: I got this book about dancing, yo-yo tricks, and friendship as an advanced reader from McIntyre’s and loved it.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson: a great graphic novel about middle school and roller derby!
I also recommend anything by Raina Telgemeier.
Belle’s picks:
It’s no secret that graphic novels are hugely popular with kids (including Bea). When I had a fifth grade class the graphic novel baskets were always empty, because kids were reading them. But I thought I’d add in a few of my favorite illustrated books that aren’t in this category:
Ivy and Bean by Annie Burrows: This is a great, quirky series about two best friends. They have a cute gift set, and the audiobooks are great too.
Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon: My go-to gift books for kids, written by a former NYC public school teacher and a favorite with parents and teachers because they are hilarious as read-alouds. We wish Hanlon would write a new one about Mrs. Gobblegracker in Zoom school…
For little kids who already have Frog and Toad etc., I love the Dragon series, also by Dav Pilkey. I vividly remember reading this to my first graders, who’d be rolling on the floor, laughing their little heads off. Dav Pilkey has an interesting backstory to talk about—he has ADHD and as a kid would often be sent to do his work in the hallway outside his classroom, which is where he started drawing and writing comics.
Plus, don’t overlook books about your kids’ favorite subjects.
We’ve written before about All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat, which would be a great gift for soccer/sports fans. Our friend Cat Warren’s What the Dog Knows Young Reader’s Edition (in stock at McIntyre’s) would be a wonderful gift for kids who love dogs and science.
The DK Wonders of… series is also extremely beautiful and well-priced.
We’ll be back with more picks (nature books and novels) on Friday! In the meantime, in honor of her ninth birthday (last Thursday!), Bea would like to introduce a “Dear Bea” series. She invites you to write to her (c/o belleboggs@gmail.com) with questions about helping kids find their new favorite books or outdoor activities. She’ll pick one or two letters a week and respond to them here.
P.S. for local readers: The annual Donald Davis storytelling in the barn event is coming up in Fearrington Village on December 17 and 18—get your tickets here and bring canned goods for CORA. Our favorites are stories about his childhood and getting in trouble with his little brother—here’s one he told about peas and carrots for the Sounds of the Mountains festival last year:
How about you, Frog Troublers? Any new favorite stories? Do you ever go to storytelling events?
FTT is perfect on Monday or any day you post !