Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan

Anyone with a little sister (or is a little sister) will appreciate this story, a recent Award winning children's book - Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do?

Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book. (from Good Reads).  Here is a review from the NY Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/books/review/Downes-t.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1311897446-HJOBr+8Vr7X3+fTah7Zqrw
Here are some other connections and ideas - http://planetesme.blogspot.com/2010/06/big-red-lollipop-picture-book.html

Here is the author's website as well - http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/books/bigredlollipop.html 

Lighthouses - THe Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by

Sorry, have to keep with the shore/beach theme for a few more posts, it just screams SUMMER! 
For a great list of children's books - amlhcc.org/pdf/ALCC_LH_Child_Book_Biblio.pdf

Here are several -

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by H. Swift, Lynd Ward
This book, a true story, recounts the building of the George Washington Bridge and the lighthouse that watched. Published in 1942, this children's book uses the story of the building of the George Washington Bridge next to the small lighthouse to affirm the idea that even the small are important. The book begins by introducing the lighthouse and its job of warning the boats on the busy Hudson River of the rocks nearby. Every night a man climbs up to the top of the lighthouse and turns on its flashing light. When there is fog, the man additionally turns on the lighthouse's fog bell. The lighthouse is pleased with and proud of its important job.  Check out the book to continue the adventures.  For information on visiting this historic relic - http://hudsonlights.com/littlered.htmHere are some activities as well.  http://www.jacobtanenbaum.com/webquest/lighthouse/index.html

The Lighthouse Cat by Sue Stainton, Anne Mortimer, When a fishing boat is caught in a storm, a lighthouse cat named Little Mackerel gathers other cats to try to help out.

Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, by Roop and Roop  There are many activities to go along with this classic story. americanhistory.si.edu/ourstory/pdf/water/Water_Reading.pdf  www.progenypress.com/pdf/Samples.../KeepLightsBurningAbbie_smpl.pdf
http://new.thesolutionsite.com/solutionsite/data/1109/wileshillelB1.htm

Introduce young readers to history through the stories of both real and fictionalized people. By focusing on a single important episode that describes a historical event, these books engage readers' interests and imaginations. Written in a story format, each account relates events that really happened, often followed by a brief summary of the historical event to further explain the significance it had on history.

The Story of the Sea Glass by Anne Wescott Dodd

 The Story of the Sea Glass is a touching tale full of love and the importance of seeing the good that can come from even sad events. The vivid illustrations evoke the warm sun and fresh sea breeze of a Maine coast summer. Also included are directions for making your own sea glass sun-catchers.








Sea Glass Summer - Eleven-year-old Poppy Ray longs to be a veterinarian, but she's never had a pet. This summer, she's going to spend a month with her uncle Sanjay, veterinarian and owner of the Furry Friends Animal Clinic on an island off the Washington coast. Poppy is in for big surprises. She loves tending to the dogs, cats, and even a bird, and she discovers the fun of newborn puppies and the satisfaction of doing a good job. But she learns that there's more to caring for animals than the stethoscope and cotton swabs in her Deluxe Veterinarian First-Aid Kit. She's not prepared for quirky pet owners, gross stuff, or scary emergencies. With help from a boy named Hawk, a chunk of seaglass, and a touch of intuition, Poppy gains a deeper understanding of the pain and joy of working with animals. With warmth and humor, Anjali Banerjee tells the story of a resourceful, determined girl who can't wait to grow up, but begins to realize just how much she has left to discover.

To the Beach by Linda Ashman

TO THE BEACH!, is a humorous story sure to resonate with anyone who's ever tried to get a family out the door for a big outing. No sooner have parents and kids piled in the car for the beach than they begin remembering what's been forgotten: dog, ducky pail, beach umbrella, kite, ball and cooler -- and, whew, the list goes on! The liveliness of the text is perfectly matched by Nadine Bernard Westcott's vivacious artwork." Children's BookPage

"TO THE BEACH is a very funny rhyming text that will have you laughing out loud by the end of the story. The hilarious and artfully drawn illustrations, by Nadine Bernard Westcott, go along perfectly with the story. This is a most fun read-aloud." Meridian Magazine

Visit the author's website at http://www.lindaashman.com/to_the_beach__44934.htm

Beach Day by Patricia Lakin

What a fun book to read this summer!  This author has a whole set of "day" books.  Her website is fun also with a "scrabble" theme.  Check them out - http://www.patricialakin.com/  She has some reading tips for parents and educators as well - http://www.patricialakin.com/guides/dayBooksGuide.pdf

Another book - same title, different author - Karen Roosa - In this charming picture book, a cheerful family tumbles out of the car and onto the beach, ready for a perfect day. Buoyant verse just right for reading aloud and bright, playful illustrations capture the singular feeling of a hazy, lazy day by the ocean, complete with a ball game with new friends, water-skiers and sailboats, and a picnic lunch of fried chicken and deviled eggs. This book is a captivating introduction to the beach for young children and an irresistible gift for beach lovers of any age.