Kids Summer Book Bingo: By a Woman Author
May 1, 2020
Kids Summer Book Bingo is Seattle Arts & Lectures’ free summer reading program for kids and young adults ages 0-17—and it’s here early this year! Download your bingo card here, then spend now through September 8th reading for your chance to win fabulous prizes!
Want some ideas on what to read for the “By a Woman Author” square? Get some ideas for kids from pre-school to middle school age from three generations of women: SAL’s Finance & Operations Director, Amanda Carrubba; her three-year-old daughter, Aria; and Amanda’s mother, Jean, a former children’s librarian.
Aria’s Recommendations (Age 3)
Hot Dog, Cold Dog by Frann Preston-Gannon (Ages 0-2). Aria recommends this book because “the dogs are all different colors and heights, they make little and big footprints, and they’re big and small. The drawings are silly and pretty at the same time!”
Little Pea by Amy Krause Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace (3-8). Aria recommends this book because “Little Pea just loves everything, and at the end of the day, his papa flips the spoon and he says ‘again, again!’ And, [she laughs out loud] because it’s so funny!”
Amanda’s Recommendations (Aria’s mom)
Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima (Ages 4-8). “This book is read often in our house because Harriet’s imagination and love of costumes and pretend is fun and relatable. And, how can you not love any book with orcas and hot air balloons!”
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger (Ages 4-9). “She Persisted is a great young kid’s introduction to how women have contributed to history, despite the efforts to silence them. There’s a beautiful balance for my young daughter between beautiful illustrations and inspiring stories of women believing in themselves and changing the world. The book also opens the door to talk about the author’s mom and her place in American politics.”
Jean’s Recommendations (Amanda’s mom)
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (Ages 4-7). “This is the story of a young fruit bat who becomes lost from her mother and ends up adopted by a family of birds. She tries to adapt to the bird’s life as the birds try to adapt to some of Stellaluna’s traits as well. In the end, the birds and Stellaluna discover they are best just the way they are but can remain good friends. A great read together for the family.”
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff (Ages 4-8). “Best read together, this rhythmic romp follows a mouse and his cookie, and the consequences of funny, hairbrained decisions. Children very quickly learn the progress from cookie to milk, and join in the reading of the story.”
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (Ages 8-12). “Told by a two-hundred-year-old oak tree named Red who cares deeply for the people who live nearby, as well as the animals who call him home, this book is about prejudice and the way to acceptance and harmony.”
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton (Ages 12+). “This classic coming-of-age story is really about how socioeconomic class interacts with growing up, relationships, and friendship. Ponyboy is an orphan who, along with his brothers, tries to find his way in a world of haves and have-nots.”