READING SCHEDULE

JULY 23
Mermaids on Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg
A colorful picture book with Brooklyn’s annual Mermaid Parade providing the backdrop for a story about a little girl and her family’s trip to Coney Island.  

My America by Karen Katz
In this beautiful celebration of immigration, children from around the world tell their stories, sharing their love of where they're from and where they live now―homes old and new. As they describe the foods they eat, the languages they’ve learned, the sports they play, and more, the differences and similarities that link us all are revealed.

JULY 30
Tumble Tower by Anne Tyler
 A very messy princess in a very tidy royal family has the opportunity to prove that there are advantages to not being neat.
 
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’O
Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.


AUGUST 6
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Max is frustrated and angry when his mother sends him to bed, but he escapes into his imagination where he can expend his energy having a “rumpus” with the Wild Things. There, he observes reality from an outside perspective and decides to return to "where he's loved.’

Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon
A young fruit bat named Stellaluna who becomes separated from her mother and is adopted by a nest of birds. Stellaluna learns bird-like behavior and important lessons about friendship and acceptance.


AUGUST 13
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Madeline is a timeless children's classic by Ludwig Bemelmans. It follows the adventures of a fearless little girl in a boarding school in Paris.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a picture book about a small caterpillar who emerges from an egg and begins eating everything in sight. After six days of eating fruits, sweets, and “junk” food, he gets a stomach ache. On the seventh day, the caterpillar eats a “nice leaf” and feels much better. The book follows the caterpillar's journey as he eats his way through the pages and the days of the week

AUGUST 20
Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola
Strega Nona, or "Grandma Witch," is a kind-hearted witch living in a small Italian village. She is known for her magical abilities, including curing ailments and creating potions. As she grows older, she hires a clumsy helper named Big Anthony to assist her with household chores. One day, Big Anthony discovers her magic pasta pot, which produces endless pasta when a spell is sung. Ignoring Strega Nona's warnings, he uses the pot while she is away, leading to a pasta flood that he cannot control. Ultimately, Strega Nona returns to save the day, teaching Big Anthony a lesson about responsibility and the consequences of his actions.

 

AUGUST 27
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
The Gruffalo is a British children's picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It tells the story of a mouse taking a walk in the woods and deceiving different predators, including the Gruffalo. The mouse encounters dangerous animals (a fox, an owl, and a snake) and uses cunning to evade them. The story also features an imaginary monster, the Gruffalo, who turns out to be real.

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McKloskey
Blueberries for Sal is a classic children's picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey in 1948. The story is set in Maine and follows the adventures of a young girl named Sal and a bear cub named Little Bear as they both go blueberry picking with their respective mothers before winter.