BOOK MARKED
“If My Love Were
a Fire Truck: A Daddy’s
Love Song”
by Luke Reynolds
Ages: 3-7. The bond between a father and his
son is as powerful as a rocket ship blasting
into space, a giant whale splashing across
the ocean, and booming, colorful fi reworks
lighting up the night sky. Celebrating that
one-of-a-kind relationship between Dad and
his favorite little guy, this book is a rhyming
love song from fathers to sons.

“What is Given
from the Heart”
by Patricia C. McKissack
Ages: 4-8. It’s been a rough couple of
months for James Otis and his mama. But
his mama always says as long as they have
their health and strength, they’re blessed.

One Sunday before Valentine’s Day, Rev-
erend Dennis makes an announcement
during the service — the Temple’s have
lost everything in a fire, and the church
is collecting anything that might be use-
ful to them. James thinks hard about what
he can add to the Temple’s “love box” and
decides that giving from the heart is what
matters most.

“My Heart”
by Corinna Luyken
Ages: 4-8. This picture book is about car-
ing for your own heart and learning to
live with kindness and empathy. “Some
days your heart is a puddle or a fence
to keep the world out. But some days it
is wide open to the love that surrounds
you.” With lyrical text, this book empow-
ers readers to listen within, love and
learn about self-acceptance.

Happy Birthday,
Megan McDonald!
Each month, we celebrate a birthday
of literary signifi cance.

When Megan McDonald took her
first writing class, her professor
told her to go
home and rip up
her poems —
because, in fact,
she was meant
to be a prose
writer. McDonald
took that advice,
took to writing
fiction and has
been entertaining
children and their parents for many
years with the tales of her ever-
dramatic, every girl heroine Judy
Moody and her young brother, Stink.

McDonald grew up in Pittsburgh,
the youngest of five daughters,
and her childhood adventures have
often inspired and informed her
Judy stories. They have become
so well known that readers may
not know McDonald has written 20
other titles, none of them about the
Moody family. Her latest book, “Judy
Moody and the Right Royal Tea
Party,” came out this past fall. ■
“Sealed with a Kiss”
by Beth Ferry
Ages: 4-8. What’s a seal to do when she’s new
to the zoo? Make new friends, of course! But
when the other animals aren’t so friendly, a
wise sparrow inspires them to surprise Seal
with a special treat. Full of heart and humor,
this story of friendship and forgiveness is
full of giggles and fun — and perfectly timed
for Valentine’s Day. ■
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