Hi! My name is Najla and welcome to Najla’s Corner. I am thirteen years old and I worked as an intern at LitWorld this summer for two weeks and I read five very interesting picture books. These books are great for everyone at all ages and have dazzling illustrations. These are my top 5 picture books for the summer!
#5. The Friendly Four
Eloise Greenfield, Jan Spivey Gilchrist
This story told in poem form is about four children named Drum, Dorene, Louis, and Rae who meet one summer and create a close friendship. I love this book because all of the children learn many lessons from making new friends, to overcoming obstacles with maturity and responsibility. This book will warm your heart with the imaginative games that the children play together and the ideas that they bring to life. I recommend this book for people who like to read about friendship and overcoming fears and obstacles.
#4. I Have the Right to Be a Child
Alain Serres, Aurelia Fronty
This book describes the different rights that children have as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I love this book because it explains the types of rights from friendship, to no violence, and the importance of respecting these rights. I particularly enjoy the beautiful illustrations of the diverse children. This diversity lets all kids know that no matter who you are, you have the same rights as others. I recommend this book for all kids who want to learn about their rights.
#3. Pushing Up the Sky
Joseph Bruchac, Teresa Flavin
This book is a collection of seven Native American plays. At the beginning of each play there are a few facts about each tribe, so not only are you reading a great story, but you are learning at the same time. Some of the lessons you can learn from the plays are not bragging and working together. I like how imaginative and lively the stories are, from people looking down from the sky at night, to people and animals on earth pushing up the sky. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy dreaming and believing in unusual things.
#2. Poems to Learn by Heart
Caroline Kennedy, Jon J Muth
This book is a collection of poems that tell many great tales. I love this book because every poem is paired with a dazzling painting. From stories about building with blocks to lessons about disobedience, this book has many different poems that show great emotion and also simple lessons. I would recommend this book to all people who like to read poems with beautiful language and a great lesson to learn.
#1. Infinity and Me
Gabi Swiatkowska, Kate Hosford
This book is about a young girl named Uma who looks at the sky one night and begins to ponder about the concept of infinity. I like this book because it explores what children think when they wonder about infinity. The theme of the story is, once you realize infinity isn’t as big as you imagined, the thought of such a large number doesn’t seem as big or scary. It also shows that loves goes on forever, unlike physical activities such as recess. With great illustrations and a heartwarming story, this book is definitely one of my favorites. I recommend this book for people who like to think big.