My Friend Isabelle by Eliza Woloson & Illus by Bryan Gough

Today is National Down's Syndrome Day! I saw this book in the library a few weeks ago and brought it home because it was so cute. After reading it, I realized it was about a little girl with Down's Syndrome. 

It is such a delightful little book. And it was written by the mother of a little girl, Isabelle, with Down's in Colorado, which makes it even more delightful! 

The illustrations are so dear and sweet. 

I like all the bright clear colors.

Charlie and Isabelle are good friends that are not the same. 

Charlie is tall, Isabelle is short. 

Isabelle is a little slower on her feet. 

One of the reasons I love this book is that it doesn't talk about Down's Syndrome. In a book for older kids, a discussion of Down's would be great, but for a younger age, it would be useless words. This book just focuses on things young children would notice and understand. 

As a Down's mother, I adore the message this book sends. 

We are all different, but being different can make things interesting and fun! 

Yo! Yes! by Chris Raschka

This is one of Gilbert's favorite books. It delights him. With good reason. 

A lonely little boy meets a friendly sort of boy in his seemingly new neighborhood. Friendship ensues.  

Are you talking to me?

The writing in this book is minimal, but that is part of the reason Gilbert loves it. He can read it. 

He can't really believe he is talking to him. 

I think it is charming how my slightly dampened and then dried book looks in the evening sunshine. 

Oh the shame of having to admit to no friends. 

This boy has no tolerance for people with no friends. He is going to fix things up pronto. 

Isn't he perfectly adorable? As well as the friendliest guy around. 

Consideration.

Agreement!

Exultation!

We are all better off with friends. 

m,

The Sleepy Songbird by Suzanne Barton

This book is... average. It is sweet, with cute illustrations and a good message, but it doesn't stand out as being exceptional. But it is a solid book. One kids will enjoy and parents won't mind reading. 

Peep woke up one morning to a beautiful song. 

He asks various animals if that is them singing. 

Poppies and wheat stalks.... Cute!

This is one of my favorite pictures! 

Peep finds the song--it is the dawn chorus. 

Peep is eager to join. The conductor tells him to come to the next day's practice. 

Notice the little birds blowing each other away with their song? I do love the delight these birds get out of singing at the top of their voice.

Peep goes home and gets a good rest before heading to join the dawn chorus.

Oopsie! He overslept.

Peep goes home to practice some more.

That night he forced himself to stay awake.  

But then he was so tired he could hardly sing. 

"Oh dear, Peep," the conductor sighed. "Perhaps you are just not meant to sing with us."

Sadness and sorrow. Peep goes home to contemplate the unfairness of life on his little tree branch.

That evening, as he is softly singing in the evening, he hears another little bird just like him.

"Why can I sing in the evening," asked Peep, "but not in the morning with the Dawn Chorus?"   

"Because you're a nightingale, just like me," said the bird. "Nightingales don't sing at dawn, they sing at night."

So the nightingales sang their hearts out while the Dawn Chorus slept. 

This is a book that will appeal to kids. Failure, and finally success is always appealing. I like the idea of difference too. Success does not always look the same for every person. 

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf & Illus by Robert Lawson

Ferdinand the bull is a big deal. In 1938, two years after it was written, it was the best selling book in the United States, edging out Gone With the Wind. (Thanks wikipedia!) Hitler burned it. Gandhi loved it. In 1945 US soldiers handed out 30,000 copies to German children to promote peace.

It has been in continuous print since it was written 80 years ago.

Not bad for a book written in less than an hour as a favor for his friend, Robert Lawson who was looking for a book to illustrate. 

Ferdinand is an inspiration to us all. To not run around like crazy trying to impress everyone, but to be calm and enjoy life. And to smell the flowers. Always smell the summer flowers. 

I am going to assume that at some point in your life, some teacher or parent read you this book. 

We all know about the little bull who would rather sit and smell the flowers...

...than run around acting crazy like the other bulls.

In his flowers

Under the cork tree--his favorite spot to sit and smell the flowers.

His mother worried a little.

But after questioning him-- 

His mother saw that he was not lonesome and because she was an understanding mother, even though she was a cow, she let him just sit there and be happy.

Time went by and Ferdinand grew into a big, strong bull that liked to smell the flowers.

All the other bulls had hopes and aspirations to the bull ring.

One day, a group of buyers for the bull ring came to see the bulls. They look a lovely bunch don't they?

The bulls did their thing, showing off as best they could.

Ferdinand was unconcerned. There were flowers to smell.

Unfortunately, as he sat down in his favorite spot, he sat on a bee.

The bee sting pepped him up no end.

He rampaged around the field, impressing the buyers.

So Ferdinand was taken to the bullring. Where all the ladies had flowers in their hair.

The parade into the ring began.

The matador.

Everyone was petrified of the incredible Ferdinand. 

But as Ferdinand came into the ring, he smelled the ladies' flowers and sat down to contemplate them.

Nothing the matador could do would induce Ferdinand to fight.

So they sent him home. 

And for all I know he is sitting there still, under his favorite cork tree, smelling the flowers just quietly. 

He is very happy. 

I love Ferdinand.

 I hope there is some sitting around smelling the flowers in your summer!