Book Reviews

Picture Books

The Giant Hug, by Sandra Horning, illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev. When Owen the pig wants to send his grandma a hug through the mail, everyone who handles the letter gets involved. Watch as the hug travels from one end of the country to another, and see what Grandma sends back to Owen!

Because Your Daddy Loves You, by Andrew Clements, illustrated by R. W. Alley. When things go wrong, a daddy could do a lot of things, but he always chooses the loving way to solve problems.

Imagine a Night and Imagine a Day, by Sarah L. Thomson, illustrated by Rob Gonsalves. These beautifully illustrated companion books show the power of the imagination. What do you think: Do these books represent dreams, or do they show a new way of looking at the world?

Henry and the Kite Dragon, by Bruce Edward Hall, illustrated by William Low. Henry and his neighbor, Grandfather Chin, make beautiful kites that they fly over the narrow streets of New York City’s Chinatown. But not everyone likes the kites. Find out why other children try to bring the kites down.

For Children Ages 5 to 9

Lowji Discovers America*, by Candace Fleming. Nine-year-old Lowji used to live in the big city of Bombay in India. When his family moves to the United States, Lowji learns how to adapt to a different culture and make new friends.

Don’t Tell the Girls: A Family Memoir*, by Patricia Reilly Giff. Using her own family’s stories as a starting point, this well-known children’s author follows clues to discover her family’s past. Illustrated with family photos and documents, this is a book that will help young readers want to find out about their own family history.

Down Girl and Sit: Smarter Than Squirrels*, by Lucy Nolan, illustrated by Mike Reed. These silly adventures of a dog who thinks her name is Down Girl, and her next-door neighbor, Sit, will keep dog lovers laughing as the doggy duo tries to keep the world safe from dangerous squirrels and other menacing creatures.

The Greatest Skating Race, by Louise Borden, illustrated by Niki Daly. During World War II, a young Dutch boy gets the assignment of a lifetime. He must skate along the frozen canals and cross the Belgian border in order to guide two children to the safety of their aunt’s house.

For Children Ages 10 to 12

Far Traveler, by Rebecca Tingle. After the death of her mother, Aelfwyn has to escape from her uncle the king. Disguised as a bard, she journeys across 10th-century Britain and into the life of the northern ruler, King Wilfrid.

Project Mulberry, by Linda Sue Park. While working on a project for an after-school club, Julia, a Korean American girl, and her friend Patrick not only learn about silkworms, but also about tolerance, patience, and friendship.

Nonfiction

Stars Beneath Your Bed: The Surprising Story of Dust, by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Ann Jonas. Did you know that the dust under your bed might be made of the scales from a butterfly’s wing? Or it might have come from a distant galaxy! Discover the surprising beginnings of dust—without the sneezes.

Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems, by Kristine O’Connell George, illustrated by Barry Moser. A mother hummingbird wove a nest, then laid her eggs and waited for her babies—all on the back patio! These poems record the remarkable spring when one family watched a hummingbird family grow.

These reviews do not constitute official Church endorsement of these books, but the books have been carefully reviewed to ensure that Church standards are observed. Warning: Occasionally, characters who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will drink coffee or tea. Selections where this occurs are marked with an asterisk (*).

Illustrated by Brandon Dorman