Books are so important. If there is one thing that stands out that my wife, Karen G Clemenson, and I have in common in our upbringing it is that our families ensured that we could read and they were serious about it. The books I grew up with were part of my childhood and part of me. They took me places when there was no one around to take me anywhere. Even as an adult, I am still traveling through books and learning and growing and reading children’s books is saving me from the stress of adult life; I really need this right now. I encourage you, even if you don’t have children that live with you to dig out your favorite children’s books and read them. Let the stress of the day melt off and be reminded of an easier time.
Now without further ado 5 Books for February 2025:
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Standing in the Need of Prayer by Carole Boston Weatherford
I have read and reviewed Standing in the Need of Prayer by Carole Boston Weatherford in the past. It was such an outstanding and powerful, poetry book based on the words of a gospel song and brought to life with the meaningful and strong illustrations by Frank Morrison, that I had found at the Longview Public Library, that I chose to add this book to my personal collection. As I opened the package, last week, I realized that the timing was perfect to share Standing in the Need of Prayer again for Black History Month.
I love this nonfiction book because it doesn’t hide the slave ships that first began bringing stolen people to the United States in 1619, before we were ever the United States of America, yet the artist doesn’t go so far that young children will be too frightened. The chains of oppression are right out in front, but so is hope. The book illustrates how Black people made themselves heard through speeches, music, art, military service, politics, sports, and being willing to stand where others had not before. Within these pages, growth is celebrated.
I also find the resources in the back of this picture book to be helpful and inspiring. We may have more to do, but we have come so far.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Standing in the Need of Prayer by Carole Boston Weatherford on Amazon.
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Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I was a little girl, I enjoyed Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik. This book actually has four stories in it: What will Little Bear Wear?, Birthday Soup, Little Bear Goes to the Moon, and Little Bear’s Wish. Although I enjoyed all of the stories, and I had a hard time choosing between the last two, Little Bear Goes to the Moon is my favorite story because I love when children use their imagination.
Armed with his homemade space helmet, Little Bear, insists he can fly like a bird to the moon, even though his mother bear says that isn’t true. Along with his imagination, he finds that the moon is just like his world and he makes it home in time for lunch, where he can stop living his fantasy and enjoy the lunch Mother Bear made for him.
The illustrations by Maurice Sendak are simple and endearing and add to this classic fiction story, which has a lot of repetition and rhyme, This is perfect for young children learning to read.
I got this adorable book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik on Amazon.
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The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff
The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff moves very fast. there are so many things that happen in this book about animals, elephants, family and France, yet there isn’t time to absorb them. The idea of this story is fantastic but very hard to believe. I was shocked to see that I have read this book before and loved it. It is amazing what a few years can do to one’s perspective.
I do think the illustrations are wonderful and help tell the story quite a lot.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoffy on Amazon.
Read my Review on GoodReads from a few years ago:
The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Story of Babar The Little Elephant by Jean De Brunhoff, was published in 1933 and must have been quite a hit among children. I know I loved it. Even though Babar loses his mother, his adventurous spirit leads him to the city and new human friends. Later he becomes king. What a sweet story that I believe can stand the test of time.
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Days With Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In the book Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel, I found a total of 5 stories: Tomorrow, The Kite, Shivers, The Hat, and Alone. I really had a hard time choosing a favorite but I finally decided on Alone. The reason I chose Alone, is that even the best of friends sometimes needs some time alone and that is what this story is about. Toad went to Frog’s house to find a note telling Toad that Frog was gone and that he wanted to be alone.
Toad spent the day worrying about their relationship, when really Frog was in great spirits and just wanted to spend uninterrupted time being thankful. Being thankful is important, just like spending time with our friends.
I really enjoy the honest and authentic amphibian relationship that Frog and Toad share.
I got this book from my own personal collection. You can get your own copy of Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel on Amazon.
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Harold’s ABC’s by Crockett Johnson
Harold’s ABC by Crockett Johnson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I believe I have read all or at least most of Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon books, but I must admit, Harold’s ABC’s is my least favorite of these children’s classics. The story and the art was tedious and forced to include all the letters of the alphabet in order. This is very unlike the natural flow of Harold’s natural drawing imagination.
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This month our books traveled through many topics: Black History, Imagination, Family, Friendship, and Learning. That is what books do. They are always moving us. I hope you let yourself be moved by books.
Be blessed.
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Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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