Lauren is a graduate from the University of Montevallo. She is a Birmingham native and loves reading, animals, camping and the “Golden Girls.” She currently works in the children’s department of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. With summer approaching, Lauren is eager to share her love of reading with the community—especially the littlest readers. Here, she recommends her top five reading selections children will love this summer.
Katie the Catsitter (Book One)
By Colleen AF Venable | Middle-grade Fiction/Graphic Novel
We read “Katie the Catsitter” for our Tween Graphic Novel Book Club, and it was easily an all-around winner. It’s funny. How could it not be when it involves cat sitting 217 cats? It follows Katie, who experiences the woes of friendship, growing up, cats with super abilities and of course, superheroes (and villains). Katie is attempting to find odd jobs to help pay for summer camp, which leads to a great mix of realistic problems and goofiness with great side characters and fun antics.
Mama’s Home
By Shay Youngblood | Picture book
Mama’s Home is one of my favorite all time reads. It takes you on a journey with the main character. Her mom is a single, working mother, and her job takes her away from home a lot. The main character spends different days of the week with different family members. With each family member, she learns a new task or skill, and we learn more about what her loving family looks like. The books ends with a large family gathering for Sunday dinner. This book is so kind and comforting. The illustrator, Lo Harris, is also a Birmingham native, so it’s a fun way to read and support a local artist at the same time.
The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane
By Nikki Shannon Smith | Chapter Book series
Oh, how I love Azaleah Lane. She is so smart, funny and full of great ideas. I also love how she has a wonderful family full of supportive and communicative parents and siblings. In her many adventures, Azaleah always faces a problem. No matter what the problem is, she is empathetic and asks the great adults around her for advice. She is a wonderful peace-maker and always tries to help her friends shine.
Love in the Library
By Maggie Tokuda-Hall | Picture Book
Told amid the harsh environment of a Japanese internment camp, and based on the author’s grandparents, this story describes how love will find a way. It also allows us a glimpse into a part of U.S. history that is not always told and can sometimes be difficult to digest, but is important, nonetheless. I love the unconventional start to the love story that is told and the representation that this book provides. Not surprisingly, the setting of love beginning in a library is also one that is near and dear. It’s so encouraging to read about how a bright spot can be found in dark times. It also includes an author’s note about her grandparents and their experience that is interesting to read.
The History of Underwear
By Hannah Holt | Nonfiction
Where in the world would we be without underwear? Well, “The History of Underwear” doesn’t answer that question for you. However, it does give you a hilarious and thrilling history on how classic favorites such as underwear, bloomers, briefs, boxers, knickers and “Long Johns” all came to be. This is a fun read-aloud for the whole family.
