Dear Readers,

We hope you’re hanging in there! It’s been a rollercoaster of a month for us here at Old Town Books, I’m sure it has been for you, too. What better way to start the week than with some cheerful kids books? Colorful artwork, memorable characters, and a few minutes out of your day where you’re not stress-reading the news. Sign me up!

To spread some joy I also wanted to share our new shop dog Scout coloring sheets. Download and print out one (or one hundred) and color them in. Mail us your artwork at 104 S. Union Street, Alexandria, VA, we’ll display it in our shop windows!

We also have these cool new reading challenge sheets. Reach your goals for reading daily and record your progress. When you’re done, bring it to the store in two months when we are (hopefully, pleasepleaseplease) reopened! If you would like us to mail you a printed color copy of the reading challenge along with some Scout stickers, simply let us know in the notes field at checkout, and we’ll include one with your next order.

Don’t forget to join us for our weekly story time online - we’ll be live on YouTube for Story Time with Scout every Saturday at 10am. We start every story time with a fact about Scout and some tricks, then read two books.

And now, some reading suggestions from Hilary Barrineau, our Children’s Book Buyer.

How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander
ages 4-8

A beautiful book with collage style artwork and poetic storytelling … all about reading! By Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet. Alexander has a website full of at-home video lessons about poetry: athomewithkwame.com

The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder
ages 3-5

A sweet story about friendship and accepting our differences. A great read - it’s funny, too! - for the under 5 crowd. If your kid thinks a naked turtle butt is at least 1/10th as funny as my kid thinks it is, this book will be a hit in your household. The author has a great Instagram account with craft ideas and bright, fun illustrations.

Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton
ages 6-9 

A great “beginner reader” graphic novel. It’s the first in a series, too, so if your kid gets hooked there are many more adventures to follow! Author Ben Clanton hosts a Facebook Live talk every Monday at 12pm EST. 

Catstronauts: Mission Moon (Book 1) by Drew Brockington
ages 6-10

A beginner novel filled with cats, jokes, and science! Also first in a series. The author is doing YouTube live activities like drawing classes, readings, and more!

Happy reading! I can’t wait to see you again in the shop one day. Stay strong + safe, read hard, and see you on the other side of this, book friends!

Ally