Ferndale Public Library Staff Recommends: Jessica’s Read-Aloud Picks

This article was written by Jeff Milo and Jessica Keyser.

Happy cruising, everyone (or, maybe not, for all of us)! 

The annual autopalooza event already is kicking into high gear leading up to the main event Saturday. Both of the library's parking lots (including the east side, facing City Hall) will be utilized for sponsored events and displays; with access to the library thus proving essentially impossible, we will be closed Aug. 17.

Ferndale Public Library Jessica Keyser has a list of books that might benefit parents of littler ones – those who may be too small or too young to brave the exhaust-fumed, loud-engine revving car bazaar – ideally those who enjoy a good picture book, read by an accommodatingly theatrical narrator.

So maybe, if staying in this weekend, you can settle in with some marvelous picture books. I should note that Jessica is keen to highlight a good amount of newer titles here, charming, coyly informational and culturally enlightening books. Those additions are a credit to our Youth Services Librarian, Jillean McCommons – but you’ll get her picks later on in the season.

For now, it’s Jessica’s turn.

Jessica’s Picks: 'Great picture books to read aloud'

When I am not hard at work at the library, you will usually find me spending time with my five-year-old son. We really enjoy reading books together. Here are a few of our favorites this summer:

This is a really fun story about ten puppies who all decide they want jobs. One by one, they each find a job. Not only does this book teach subtraction in a very subtle way, it also shows some of the many important jobs that service dogs perform. Hardworking Puppies is a perfectly charming book that we read over and over again.

In my home, we are about to embark on a new adventure: kindergarten! As with any change, we are all excited and a little scared of what the unknown will bring. A good friend recommended this sweet book to me. It is about a little raccoon who is about to go to school. He is afraid to separate from his mama. His mama comforts him by kissing the inside of his palm. She tells her son that the kiss will stay on his hand, and whenever he misses her, he can press his hand to his cheek, and he will feel her love. This book strikes the perfect chord for us right now, and I highly recommend it to any parents of kids who are feeling trepidation about starting school.

BoBo is a sock monkey, and the best friend of Willy. Willy’s cat Earl steals the show in these books, as he is always sneaking up and dragging Bobo away when Willy isn’t looking. My son loves to spot Earl in the illustrations, lurking around the corner, waiting to snatch Bobo. My son squeals with delight every time Earl gets away with Bobo.

You could file The Dumb Bunnies under “guilty pleasures.” This book is pure silliness, but my son absolutely loves it, and begs for it every night. Our personal copy is literally being held together with Scotch tape because it is so well-loved. I think our favorite part is when the dumb bunnies go bowling in the public library. We can always count on this book for some good laughs!