Keep your kid’s nose in a book this summer (moms and dads too!) with these book titles and recommendations from our own Treasure Valley librarians. While you’re at the library this summer, check out the 2010 “Make a Splash” summer reading program and get registered to win prizes for reading and meeting your summer reading goal. For a complete list of participating libraries, go to page 13.   Treasure Valley Family Magazine is the 2010 media sponsor for this program.

        And if you’re looking for even more book lists, go to treasurevalleyfamily.com and check the archived Book Nook lists, compiled each month for the Magazine by Stan Steiner, the BSU Bookman.

        For special “Make a Splash” library events this summer, check out the June Family Event Calendar.

For Preschool age children and family Read-Along 

Bebe Goes to the Beach by Susan Middleton Elya
Mama leaves the shopping behind to spend a relaxing day at the beach. But sweet Bebe won’t sit still! He toddles after the waves, chases a bouncing pelota, and even surfs on a sand sculpture.  Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Make the Team, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest, illustrated by Jill Barton
When Baby Duck is not sure she is ready to get into the pool with the swim team, her grandfather encourages her.  Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Sergio is a penguin. He loves fish, soccer, and water. He loves drinking water, bathing in water, spraying water, just about anything with water! But he has one big problem: he can’t swim. So when his class takes a field trip to the ocean, Sergio must decide whether he should face his fear or avoid something he loves.  Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Don’t Be Afraid, Little Pip by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Nothing scares Little Pip more than the thought of swimming in the deep dark ocean—she would much rather learn to fly just like other birds do. But soon it comes time for all the young penguins to learn how to swim, and while Little Pip might not be able to fly the way she wants to, she discovers she can soar in ways she never thought possible.   Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae, illustrated by David Wojtowycz
This big beautiful picture book is best enjoyed by more than one person. It’s a great book to inspire family talks about sea life. The bright colored animals are partnered with rhymes to make listening fun.  Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

The Circus Ship, by Chris Van Dusen
“[With]  rhymed text and brilliantly caricatured illustrations that evoke the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen has crafted a stunning picture book about the unique bonds of friendship and community.” I couldn’t agree more—this is a perfect book to share with children and the young at heart. And it’s a great book and CD for car travel entertainment!  Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

For Ages 4-6 

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna
This is a Meridian Librarian’s favorite read-aloud book, and our patrons young and old like it too. It is a charming story about having a good attitude.  Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

Smiley Shark by Ruth Galloway
This is one of many great books by Ruth Galloway. Smiley Shark wants to be friends, but every time he smiles all the other fish swim away.  Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

One Small Place by the Sea by Barbara Brenner, illustrated by Tom Leonard
For one entire afternoon, a child observes the cycle of change within a tide pool, a small place at the edge of the sea that is home to many plants and animals.  Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Vacation: We’re Going to the Ocean by David L. Harrison, illustrated by Rob Shepperson
This book consists of a series of poems involving a young boy named Sam who takes a vacation to the ocean with his family.  Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller
Mr. Rabbit is worried about his new neighbors, the Otters. Will he be able to get along with them? Wise Owl has some friendly advice for Mr. Rabbit: “Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you.” This is a fun read-aloud about getting along with others. Azam Houle, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Callahan King
In this wonderful story about friendship, a boy learns how his dad’s secret family recipe for enemy pie can help get rid of his number one enemy. Azam Houle, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

For Ages 7-12 

When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Sixth grader Miranda’s school year is off to a weird start.  Her best friend Sal won’t speak to her, cryptic notes are being left in her backpack, the “laughing man” keeps sleeping under the mailbox on the corner, and the school bully reveals he shares her obsession with Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, posing some interesting questions about time travel.  Stead’s 2010 Newbery Award Winner entices the reader to find out how all the pieces fit together. Sarah Kelley-Chase, Library @ Cole & Ustick

Water Steps by A. LaFaye
Eleven-year-old Kyna has an extreme fear of water.  Her adoptive parents, Mem and Pep, try to ease her fears through magical tales of water-loving, shape-shifting silkies from their native Ireland.  A summer on Lake Champlain will force Kyna to face her greatest fear and unlock the mystery behind Mem and Pep’s stories. Sarah Kelley-Chase, Library @ Cole & Ustick

The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellogg
An older book that is for those who realize picture books have lots to offer. Steven Kellogg’s illustrations delightfully complement the text in a story that sets the reader thinking. Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

The Storytelling Princess by Rafe Martin, illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root
A new twist on an old theme has a spirited princess rebelling against an arranged marriage; she would rather be washed overboard. Told in the language and structure of a traditional tale, the story has many motifs that will be familiar to readers who will, ironically, sense the ending to the story long before it is clear to the prince.  Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

Treasure Trouble by Brian James, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
This is the fifth book of Brian James’ series Pirate School. These short novels are perfect for light summer reading by both boys and girls. The pirate kids find the treasure, but is it cursed?  Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

Creatures of the Abyss (Unsolved Mysteries series) by Sue Hamilton
This book introduces various sea beasts of the past and present that are believed to live in the murky depths of the oceans and lakes, including the Devil Whale, the Kraken, and the Loch Ness Monster.   Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Adventure According to Humphrey  by Betty G. Birney
Humphrey the hamster loves dreaming about being a pirate and watching his friends build ships. But when he mistakenly ends up at sea on the day of the boat race, he finds himself in the middle of more adventure than he bargained for!  Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Uh-oh, Cleo: I Barfed on Mrs. Kenly by Jessica Harper
Cleo has been bonked on the head by an avalanche of toys and had to wear underwear for a hat in a snowstorm, but nothing compares to the trauma of barfing on Mrs. Kenly’s fur coat. Cleo has never been so mortified.  But during a swim club party, she has the chance to show off her fancy diving skills—which helps replace her earlier embarrassment.   Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Emily Windsnap and the Siren’s Secret by Liz Kessler  
When Neptune tells Emily and her merman father and human mother to return to Brightport to try to make merpeople and humans work more closely together, Emily faces problems with old enemies, her new, half-merfolk friend Aaron, and a mystery related to a group of legendary lost sirens. Kessler’s fourth Emily Windsnap tale. Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Wild River by P.J. Peterson                
When 12-year-old Ryan reluctantly agrees to join his experienced older brother Tanner on a camping trip, he never dreamed it would turn into the most frightening day of his life.

Linda Brilz, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Edward Tulane, a selfish toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who loves and adores him.  Azam Houle, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

For Moms & Dads to Read

My Life as a Red Furry Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love, and Laughing Out Loud by Kevin Clash, with Gary Brozek
An autobiography of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind Elmo, and the life lessons he has learned from this furry, little red monster about love, courage, creativity, and optimism.  Azam Houle, Youth Services Librarian, Boise Public Library

Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason by Nancy Pearl
This book, by acclaimed Seattle librarian and book recommender extraordinaire Nancy Pearl, provides book recommendations for every possible scenario.  It’s inspiring to read and gives readers the opportunity to choose from a variety of genres and reading styles. As an added bonus, meet the author on June 3 at 7pm at the Boise Public Library Hayes Auditorium. Rebecca Stroebel, Librarian, Boise Public Library 

The Big Necessity: the Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters by Rose George
At first, this book does not seem like an easy read. The topic is human waste, after all. However, George adroitly and engagingly leads an intrepid, erudite, and entertaining journey through the public consequences of this most private behavior.  She explores everything from the depths of the world’s oldest surviving urban sewers  to Japan’s robo-toilet revolution, increasing one’s knowledge of the global water shortage crisis along the way.   Rebecca Stroebel, Librarian, Boise Public Library 

Stories of the Sea edited by Diana Secker Tesdell
Here’s a gathering of the best maritime fiction from the last two hundred years: tales of shipwrecks and storms at sea, of creatures from the deep, of voyages that test human limits on the wild and limitless waters. This compilation gives the reader another chance to read some of the very best classic sea adventures.

Kathryn Foley, Youth Services Librarian, Meridian Library District

The End of the Road by Tom Bodett
This is a collection of humorous stories about living in Alaska. The first story begins with a parade in a very small town with all the town characters: the parade ends at the town dump!  Jody Vestal, Reference Librarian, Boise Public Library 

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
A small town charmer with a twist of mystery, romance and magic. Heroine Claire Waverly’s carefully tended life is suddenly disrupted by a new neighbor and the return of her prodigal sister.  Marcia Courtney, Outreach Services Specialist, Boise Public Library