Welcome to Read, Imagine & Explore where I share great books for young readers! October was a fun month when I taught school because Halloween excitement began, oh, around October 1st! October is also the entrance to the fall season (my favorite), which ushers in so many things to do and see! Here are three books to kick off the fun! Enjoy!
(Pumpkin photo above by @miguelteirlinck)
Featured Books:
- Boo Books Haunted House of Wax (early reader)
- Owl Diaries The Nature Club (#18) (chapter book)
- Grumbones (middle grade)
Dad wants to visit a wax museum, but Vincent isn’t so sure. However, he’s determined to try new things no matter how hard, even if it means following his father into the Hall Of Horrors. Kids can admire how Vincent finds his courage in a creepy place and how the author puts a fun spin on meeting some classic horror creatures. With lifelike vivd illustrations, short chapters, and larger print, early readers might discover that trying new things might not be so scary after all.
Boo Books Haunted House of Wax/John Sazaklis/ 2023 (Boo Books by Capstone)
Eva and her classmates are celebrating Nature Day, and Eva’s group, Nature Club, is excited to share how amazing nature is for all of her classmates. As they plan and work for the big day, Eva notices that her teammate Sue is feeling sad, so she decides to help her even though they don’t always get along. Community, communication and friendship themes are wonderfully shown in Nature Club, and kids will see examples of classmates working together, even through disagreements.
Owl Diaries The Nature Club/Rebecca Elliot/Scholastic 2023
Middle schooler Helena is missing her beloved, deceased grandmother, Babi, and is desperate to contact her. But nothing is working, not even leaving gifts on Babi’s grave, which have now been stolen. As Helena and best friend Ben investigate the theft, they discover a door inside a crypt that leads them to the vast and bizarre underworld beneath Whispering Pines Cemetery. On their way to finding Babi, they reluctantly team with a guide named Grumbones and travel through an ominous underworld of kingdoms, castles, and treacherous villages that harbor some truly, undesirable players.
Grumbones/Jenn Bennett/Simon & Schuster/2023
Bonus: If you’re looking for even more fall/Halloween books for your early elementary kids, try this link: https://www.weareteachers.com/best-halloween-books-for-kids/
Imagine & Explore:
So many things to do, see and taste this fall season. Go explore! (The first two links are specifically for Rochester NY and its surrounding areas.)
~Halloween events in Rochester and surrounding areas:
https://www.rochesterfirst.com/halloween/halloween-fall-fun-in-the-rochester-area-where-to-go/
~Halloween events in Rochester and the Finger Lakes including Victor, Pittsford, Brighton, Canandaigua, Palmyra and more! All happening on October 22! Visit the link below:
https://www.beautifulfingerlakes.com/events/halloween-happenings-in-the-finger-lakes/
~Easy Fall No Bake Desserts kids can make with you! (Yes, these are sugar and sweet galore, so I definitely included a link below that for a slightly less sugary list –:)
https://www.momtastic.com/recipes/dessert/656555-no-bake-fall-desserts/
~Easy Fall Treats (with wayyy less sugar! They look great, too!)
https://growingupherbal.com/10-healthy-fall-snacks-kids-will-love/
***If you’re not from NY, here’s a link of Fall Festivals Across the country:
https://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/g2588/best-fall-festivals/
This newsletter is for you…parents, caregivers, and teachers! I always appreciate feedback. If you like something, leave a comment! If you think of other books young readers might like, leave a comment about that, too! I’ll respond!
Happy Fall, everyone! See you in November.
(Edition 8)