My Overflowing Book Basket

My book basket is over-flowing with books to enjoy while sitting in the shade on a summer afternoon.

First, a wordless picture book that will plunk you on your own little Northwood’s island or maybe in a canoe paddling across one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. Feel the cool breeze on your face and as the sun sets, listen to the eerie call of a loon or the sonorous honking of trumpeter swans circling overhead. One Spring Up North by John Owens (University of Minnesota Press) is the third of his wordless books. His earlier ones, One Summer Up North and One Winter Up North (brrrrr) will fill your senses with frosty snow or the lush green growth of ferns, mosses, white-trunked birches and towering pines.

You will enjoy journeying up to the Boundary Water wilderness with this delightful author/illustrator, John Owens. Close your eyes. Pick up your canoe paddle. Maybe swat a few mosquitoes …. Imagine ….

For all the readers who love riddles, mysteries and an excellent spy book, I highly recommend, The Bletchley Riddle, co-written by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (Viking Press). Learn about the Enigma Machine, a World War II coding wonder. In the words of James Ponti (whose City Spies series are terrific!). “In this thrilling, code-breaking adventure, ‘two of the absolute best writers in kid lit have come together to craft an amazing work of historical fiction. This book has adventure, excitement, humor, heroism, and heart.’ Just read it. You will be glad you did.