Can you believe August  is drawing to a close and school is beginning? I feel like the summer is flying by! As this happens, I’m thinking more and more about books I can share with you on Red Canoe this fall as your kids begin the school year. Of course, your calendars will be full with activities, back-to-school nights and homework, but I hope all of you can find a little time each day to read a fun book. It might be listening to an audio book while you’re doing car pool or hurrying to the next activity, or it might be reading an ebook with some of the kids while you wait for a practice or a lesson to conclude. However you find time to squeeze in a bit of reading, just enjoy! And if you’re wondering what you might read, just add these titles from Kids’ Books to Remember to your list for your next library visit!

kids’ books to remember: read alouds

Ruby Lu Empress of Everything by Lenore Look

“Starred Review from School Library Journal. Grade 1-3–Ruby Lu takes her role as Smile Buddy to her deaf cousin, Flying Duck, so seriously that her work suffers, dooming the second grader to a vacation marred by summer school and a repeat of last year’s swimming lessons.”

Pigs Might Fly by Dick King-Smith

By the author of Babe, “It’s impossible to remain unmoved . . . a soaring, heartening fantasy.”—Publishers Weekly

kids’ books to remember: picture books

Imogene’s Antlers by David Small

“Young Imogene wakes up one morning to find she has sprouted antlers. Unflappable, Imogene takes the whole thing in stride; the same cannot be said for her mother, who faints every time her daughter comes into view….The effervescent, softly colored illustrations incorporate all the humor inherent in the tale. A laugh-aloud read-aloud.”–Booklist

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

I wrote about The Curious Garden in this post, Author, Peter Brown.

Otis by Loren Long

“Starred Review, School Library Journal: PreSchool-Grade 2—Otis is a fun-loving tractor who roams the fields after a hard day’s work and plays in the haystacks. In the barn one night, his engine provides a gentle purr that helps a frightened young calf fall into a peaceful sleep. The two become inseparable.” This is a heart warming book and the first of many Otis stories your kids will love.

kids’ books to remember: Middle Grade Chapter Books

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

“School Library Journal Review: Gr 4–8—Eleven-year-old Ellie Cruz’s life changes dramatically when her mother brings a teenage boy home one night and she learns it is her estranged grandfather. Melvin is a scientist who has figured out how to reverse aging and is now 13 again.”

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

You might remember Harriet from your own childhood. She’s still observing and recording everything around her and in the process alienating some friends.

Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech

Each short page in this story is written in verse about Jack’s struggle with poetry in Miss Stretchberry’s class. It has lots of humor and is perfect for a reluctant reader.

links for mom and dad

This post is about a new middle grade chapter book you will want to know about. This is a story of friendship and stars a third grade boy on the autism spectrum.

A Boy Called Bat

Do you have a hard time reading to your kiddos, because they just won’t sit still? These titles promise to change that!

Read Alouds for a Child Who Won’t Sit Still

These inspirational posts are from two of my favorite blogs.

Change the World

Education is a Political Act by Donlyn Miller

Have you found some old favorites during your library visits? Have you read a recent story or article about reading that has inspired you? Please share them with all of us in the comments.

As always, thank you for inviting me into your inbox. I write Red Canoe Reader, because my passion is to help moms, dads and kids learn about some great books, and to help kids become lifelong readers. I hope you found some inspiration in something you read today on Red Canoe Reader!

More about Susan

Hi! I'm Susan, a wife, a mom and a recently retired elementary school librarian with 22 years of experience. One of my greatest joys is to connect kids with a perfect book, which then leads them to a lifelong love of learning. Through my blog, I'm hoping to reach parents, their children and teachers to help them find those special books. I’m also hoping to offer some tips and techniques to use with your children as you read aloud.