Laze away the last of summer's days with these soon-to-be favorites for both kids and parents, recommended by the owners of Black Rock Books.
Picture Books (Ages 0-99)
For new parents:
You Are New by Lucy Knisley
This one is as much for the baby as it is for the parents – a sweet celebration of the phases and milestones of early childhood, and the love that’s present every step of the way.
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
A Caldecott Medal winning title about a hungry kitten who mistakes the moon for a big bowl of milk in the sky. It’s never too early to start reading to kids, and the black and white illustrations are perfect high-contrast imagery for the littlest readers in training.
Favorite bedtime read:
Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter, Illustrated by Oge Mora
Everyone in the red brick building is asleep, until a series of events wakes the residents up one by one. Kids can read along with the sound effects from noisy neighbors, and help soothe the characters (and themselves) back to sleep with this sweet book about winding down for the night.
Favorite silly story:
Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb, Illustrated by Erin Kraan
This lyrical, rhyming story about a cranky Buffalo who has had “enuffalo” is sure to have kids and grown-ups alike giggling through bedtime!
Early Readers (Ages 4-8)
The Orange Wall, by Valerie Bolling, Illustrated by Kai Robinson
This is the third book in Valerie Bolling’s Rainbow Days series, part of Scholastic's early reader line. The full color illustrations paired with easy to read text and artistic story line are sure to delight creative readers.
It Is Time, by Lizzy Rockwell
This non-fiction story for early readers follows the growth and transformation of a single caterpillar egg to a beautiful butterfly. Beautifully illustrated, with new vocabulary words for budding scientists.
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12)
The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown
When a robot washes up on a remote island, she must learn to adapt to her surroundings in order to survive, and finds herself at home among nature until her mysterious past catches up with her. Soon to be adapted into an animated film; read the book first!
The Two Princesses of Bamarre, by Gail Carson Levine
Sisters Addie and Meryl couldn’t be more different; Meryl is bold where Addie is cautious, but they are united by their shared love for each other and their kingdom. When illness changes the course of the sisters’ lives, they both must step out of their roles and chart a new path. Full of adventure, magic, fantastical creatures, and a touch of romance.