Everyone wants to feel that they belong and are not alone. Friends can provide comfort and belonging. The community where we live, organizations we might belong to, the school a child attends and other social interactions can provide a sense of being a part of something bigger than oneself. In fact, one of the greatest fears in being human is the fear of being alone.
Today’s reviewed books address this shared yearning of the need to belong. Like most excellent children’s books, there is a message for the child and for the adult in each of them. Take a look for yourself, then share these books and others with the child in your life.
Books to borrow
The following book is available at many public libraries.
“TOOT TOOT ZOOM! by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, Candlewick, 36 pages
Read aloud: age 3 – 7.
Read yourself: age 6 – 7.
Pierre was lonely. He lived by himself at the foot of a huge mountain, and he longed for a friend. Thinking he could perhaps find a friend on the other side of the mountain, he hopped into his little red car and zoomed up the winding mountain road.
Along the way, he narrowly missed hitting several animals, but each time he slammed on his brakes, picked up a new passenger and continued on his way. When Pierre and his passengers finally reached their destination, the car smashed into bits and Pierre realized no one lived on the other side of the mountain anyway. Did this mean he’d never find a friend? Of course not! Pierre had already made three friends — his passengers!
Perfectly rendered in every way, “TOOT TOOT ZOOM” is certain to become a favorite of every child.
Librarian’s choice
Library: Brandywine Community Library, 60 Tower Drive, Topton
Library director: Heather Wicke
Youth services coordinator: Amber Hadley
Choices this week: “A Story, A Story” by Gail E. Haley; “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo; “Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones” by Ruth Heller
Books to buy
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.
“Here & There” written and illustrated by Thea Lu, Eerdmans, 36 pages, $19.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 5 – 9.
Read yourself: age 6 – 9.
Dan is a café owner and lives in a small coastal town. Dan likes his life and has never been to places far away from his town.
Aki is a sailor, constantly traveling alone from place to place, never settling down. Aki also is very content with his life and all the colorful things he sees on his journeys.
Dan sometimes wonders what life would be like in other places, and Aki sometimes wishes he had a friend to talk with. And although Dan and Aki like their lives, when they have those feelings, “… they feel so distanced from the world.”
As readers will discover, despite Dan and Aki’s different lives, they really are very much the same. And eventually, when the man from the sea joins the many others gathered at Dan’s café, Aki and Dan both feel very connected with others and the world.
Evocative illustrations are perfectly paired with this powerful story, making “Here & There” a book not to be missed.
“Searching for Home” written and illustrated by Chantal Bourgonje, Beaming Books, 40 pages, $17.99 hardcover
Read aloud: age 3 – 8.
Read yourself: age 7 – 8.
A house-sprite named Noa lived alone and was very good at finding things. But the one thing he wanted to find more than anything in the world was friends. Noa looked high and low in his house for friends, but none could be found. And so, Noa decided to leave and find a new home where he could find the friends he longed for.
Noa packed a sandwich, put on his favorite hat and headed out into the snowy day. When the wind promptly blew his hat off his head, Noa chased after it. Just as he was about to give up on finding his hat, Noa saw it was caught on something. The something turned out to be a bear who was stuck inside a hollow log. Noa sprung into action, freed the bear, and asked Bear if he would help him find his new home. Bear agreed, and the two set off.
After rescuing a ferret who joined in the journey and meeting a wolf who was also looking for a home, the four set off on their house-hunting expedition that was amazing at times, occasionally dangerous, but filled with wonderful adventures. And much to Noa’s surprise, they did find a home, filled with everything Noa and the others could have hoped for.
Absolutely charming in every way, “Searching for Home” will command repeat readings.
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com.
