2015 Summer Children's Reading

For pre-school to grade 3

Kathi Appelt; illustrated by Marc Rosenthal, Mogie: The Heart of the House (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 40 pgs., June 2014, 978-1442480544, $17.99). Based on a true story about a dog who helps children at a Ronald McDonald House, the newest story from College Station children's author Appelt is sure to find fans everywhere.

For grades 1 to 4

Duncan Tonatluh, Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote(Abrahams Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 32 pgs, May 2013, 978-1419705830, $17.95). When Pancho Rabbit’s father didn’t return after going north to find work for his family, Pancho sets off to find him, only to be taken in by a coyote who eats all of Pancho’s food, and then tries to eat Pancho. This allegorical picture book brings to light the hardship and struggles faced by thousands of families who seek to make better lives for themselves and their children by illegally crossing the border.

For grades 4 to 6

Paige Britt, The Lost Track of Time (Scholastic Press, hardcover 320 pgs, March 2015, 978-0545538121, $17.99) Penelope is running out of time! Penelope dreams of being a writer, but how can she pursue her passion when her mother schedules every minute of her life—until one day she finds a hole in her schedule and falls into it and the adventure is on.

For grades 4 to 6

Jacqueline Kelly, The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate (Henry Holt, hardcover, July 7, 2015, 320 pgs., 978-0805097443). Callie Vee, Travis, Granddaddy, and the whole Tate clan are back in this charming follow-up to Newbery Honor-winner The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Travis keeps bringing home strays. And Callie has her hands full keeping the wild animals-her brother included-away from her mother's critical eye. Whether it's wrangling a rogue armadillo or stray dog, a guileless younger brother or standoffish cousin, the trials and tribulations of Callie Vee will have readers laughing and crying and cheering for this most endearing heroine.

For grades 4 to 7

Liz Garton Scanlon, The Great Good Summer (Simon and Schuster, hardcover 224 pgs., May 2015, 978-1481411479, $16.99). Ivy and Paul hatch a secret plan to find Ivy’s missing mom and say good-bye to the space shuttle in this evocative, heartfelt novel reminiscent of Each Little Bird that Sings and Because of Winn-Dixie.

2015 Children's Summer Reading Showcase

Downtown Abilene to be transformed into a childhood bookish destination in 4th annual CALF, June 11-13

On June 11-13, 2015, downtown Abilene will be transformed into a childhood adventure featuring the work of David Shannon in the fourth annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival. The event will include a costume contest, a parade during ArtWalk, several performances, and movie showings. Registration is $10 for children and $15 for adults.

This year, the festival celebrates the work of author and illustrator David Shannon (pictured at right; photo from CALF Facebook page).

Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Spokane, WA, Shannon graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, and then moved to New York. His awards include the Caldecott Honor for No, David! and the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball. David is a passionate baseball fan and softball player. He and his wife live in Los Angeles with Fergus, their eighteen-year-old Westie.

The CALF is sponsored by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce dedicated to promoting the arts in Abilene. This three-day event is packed full of events all over downtown Abilene, including:

Thursday (6-11)

• 4PM David Shannon Character Costume Contest (Elks Arts Center, 1174 N. First). All winners receive a prize.
• 5-8 PM Art Walk theme, Shannon’s Shakin’ It. Music, characters, balloon man, and more. All museum exhibits will be free and open during Art Walk.
• 5:30 PM Storybook Parade. Participate in the parade by wearing your most creative David Shannon costume and carrying your favorite Shannon book.
• 6:15 PM Unveiling of new Storybook Sculptures  project pieces inspired by David Shannon (NCCIL and T&P Depot).
• 6:45 PM Artist Talk by Caldecott winner David Shannon (Paramount Theatre). Shannon will share his creative process with an interactive conversation, followed by a book signing. (Please purchase your books at the NCCIL).

Friday (6-12)

Dramatic Reading and art project. Enjoy nine David Shannon books at six reading locations throughout Friday and Saturday  These books are read aloud while books are projected onto a big screen for visual and aural learners. Each dramatic reading includes a costumed character, an art activity, and a chance to earn a button for your lanyard.

• 9 AM Dramatic Reading & Art project (NCCIL: How I Became a Pirate).
• 9:45 AM Balloon Sculptor
• 10:15 AM Dramatic Reading & Art project (Grace Museum: A Bad Case of Stripes)
• 10:30 AM Book signing
• 11:00 AM Movie, A Bug’s Life
• 12:45 AM Dramatic Reading & Art project (CCA: Jangles)
• 1:00 PM Magical World of Lonnie Chevrie
• 2:00 PM Dramatic Reading &Art project (Library: Bugs in My Hair and Alice the Fairy)
• 3:15 PM Dramatic Reading & Art Project (The Well: No, David & Too Many Toys)
• 4:00 PM Music with Mister Park
• 5:30 PM Character Autographs & Photos
• 7:30 PM Meet Frozen characters
• 8:30 PM Frozen singalong

Saturday (6-13)

• 9A M Dramatic Reading & Art project (Frontier Texas: Duck on a Bike and Good Boy Fergus)
• 11 AM Instrument Petting Zoo at the Philharmonic
• 2:30 PM Character Autographs and photos
• 4 PM Movie, WALL-E

For more information, call the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, (325) 677-1161.

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