We looked at a selection of summer themed and activity based books to have on hand while traveling or for a lazy afternoon at home. We are still on this path, the first part of the series focused on very young children, this post is for slightly older children. Reading might not be on the agenda for kids but sneakily these books are fun and easy to read. Children will be more interested in trying the adventures written and illustration in the books after a few reads.
The Green Ship by Quentin Blake
Ideally for children 4-7. This book follows siblings, Alice and her brother, who go exploring then stumble upon a magical green ship and they let their imagination take over for the rest of the book. They encounter different adventures from tropical sunshine to thundery storms as they travel to Italy, Egypt, and the Equator. At the end of summer the Green Ship must be moored and becomes overgrown as the years pass by.
Where to buy? RMB 40-114 through Douban
The King of Capri by Jeanette Winterson and Jane Ray
The story is more fable-like, which tells of a selfish ruler of Capri, an island off Naples, Italy-whose fortune is blown away into the arms of a washer woman and her cat. The Illustrations will captivate children age 4-7 years.
Where to buy? RMB 33.30 on Amazon China
The Mousehole Cat by Antionia Baker
Set in the English countryside of Mousehole, Cornwall, the story tells of a brave cat who accompanies Old Tom, a fisherman, on a perilous journey out of the sea in the middle of a howling storm to find food as many of the children will go hungry if they don’t replenish supplies. The illustrations are detailed enough to spark children’s imagination as they set out on a small fishing boat to conquer the Great Storm Cat.
Where to buy? RMB 60 on Amazon China
Paddington Abroad by Michael Bond
The infamous bear is heading to France for the holidays. This books covers his misadventures at the airport as he embarks to tackle a busy airport for the first time. The Browns tag along the trip and Mrs. Brown has Paddington take charge of their itinerary which is ends up with hi entering the Tour de France bike ride. This is just one of the many adventures to read about.
Where to buy? RMB 27 on Amazon China
Katie and the Bathers by James Mayhew
Ever loved a painting so much that you wish you were part of it? Well Katie visits a gallery full of exciting and rather inviting masterpieces- George Seurat and Camille Pissarro. She imagines jumping into the water in the painting and as lady luck was smiling at her, she does find herself joining the character for a summer boat ride. There is one problem, how to stop the gallery from flooding.
Where to buy? RMB 40 on Amazon China
Photos courtesy of douban books.com, amazon.com, random house UK ,
