Seems kids can never have too many books, and gift-givers can never have too many ideas for books to give. Here are some recent fiction choices for young readers from Minnesota authors.
“The Animals Speak” by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Brittany Baugus (Beaming Books, $18.99)
Subtitled “A Christmas Eve Legend,” this picture book by award-winning Minnesotan Bauer reimagines the old story of how the animals were given speech for one night to honor the newborn child. Bauer’s poetic text is so lyrical adults will enjoy reading it aloud, and children will be entranced by the beautiful, colorful pictures of sheep, donkeys, chickens, cows and whales who the artist has given expressive faces.
“All lift their heads,/to the starry sky/and cry/REJOICE!/ … Forever and forever, the story shall be … sung in treetops,/whispered in woods,/bayed in yards, purred in pillows … and repeated in/home after home after home/by every one of God’s creatures/’The Child is here! Rejoice!’ ”
“The Adventure of Mr. Mouse” by David Schulenberg (Self-published, $9.99)
An inexpensive stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift, this sweet story of a mouse who has adventures will appeal to little ones who can’t read, as well as youngsters who are being introduced to chapter books. Mr. Mouse, who has a friendly face, lives in a fully realized forest world, where there is a stone shaped like a mouse head, and he’s comfortable wherever he goes. It’s a story about bravery and friendship, too, as he encounters various other creatures. Although Mr. Mouse is looking for adventure, this is a soothing story that will send the children to sleep happy and unafraid. The author says this book began about 20 years ago as a bedtime story he told to his two girls. When he saw their reaction, he decided to write the stories down for safe-keeping. The girls are grown up now, and Mr. Mouse is meeting a new generation. (There are coloring pages at: facebook.com/theadventureofmrmouse.
“Mabel on the Table” by Sandra Quinn (Swiner Publishing Co., $12.99)
Quinn, a practicing psychiatrist in Minnesota, tells the story of Mabel, a silly puppy who’s always snatching food. Mabel learns some lessons along the way, encouraging children to identify and communicate the emotions they are feeling, and that all emotions are valid. Professionally, the author considers teaching children about emotions is among the most important things children can learn, even at an early age. (Be careful when ordering; there is a book with a similar title, “Mabel at the Table,” by Lynda Modell.)
“Drop the Puck” by Jayne J. Jones Beehler (Whitaker House Publishing, $12.99 each)
This series of three books, aimed at 7- to 11-year-olds, are written by a former Minnesotan who taught history at Concordia University. She is a hockey fan and advocate for children with disabilities. The first book, “It’s Hockey Season,” introduces brothers Blaine and Cullen. Cullen is the all-star team captain and Blaine, who has Down syndrome, is the manager. In the second, “Hooray for Hockey Day!” the brothers make new friends, including a girl with Down syndrome and Aiden, who has only one leg. In “Hockey Every Day, Every Way,” Lila and Makenna have cerebral palsy. The author, who lives in Florida, earned a degree from William Mitchell College of Law and founded Margaret’s Missions, a chaperone travel program for people with special needs.