For children, summer adventures begin with a book

This is one in a series of monthly reviews of books for young people written by four area teachers of children s literature. Today s are by Barbara St. John, a retired Bowling Green State University professor of children s literature.

The long warm days of vacation ahead are the perfect time for adventure. What would you like to do? Where might you go? Who would you love to meet? Imagination knows no bounds! Perhaps these books will give you some ideas. Happy adventures!

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE. Written by Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick. $18.99. Ages 8-12.

Edward Tulane is a three-foot-tall china rabbit, well-loved by his young owner. Then suddenly Edward is lost at sea and his adventure begins! From a fisherman s net to a garbage heap to a hoboes camp to a dying child, Edward travels. Along the way he learns some important truths about fragile humans, loss, and, most importantly, the power of love.

MY CAT, THE SILLIEST CAT IN THE WORLD. Written and illustrated by Giles Bachelet. Abrams. $16.95. All ages.

What is an elephant doing on the cover of a book about a cat? Readers of all ages will find this cat story hilarious. This cat does all of the usual cat things in the most unusual ways, and he has a trunk.

THE DRAGON OF LONELY ISLAND AND THE RETURN OF THE DRAGON. Written by Rebecca Rupp. Candlewick. $5.99. Ages 8-11.

Hannah, Zachary, and Sarah Emily are to spend the summer on Lonely Island with their great-aunt. The island is the home of an amazing three-headed dragon. The dragon s stories transport the children to times long ago and places far away. The children save their dragon from a billionaire who plans to capture it.

BATS AT THE BEACH. Written and illustrated by Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin. $16. Ages 5-8.

Do you like picnics? So do bats. Join a family of furry brown bats who gather buckets, blankets, banjos, and moon-tan lotion and head for the beach. Games, music and snacks are fun for all, even the smallest. But they must be home before sun-up.

THE TAIL OF EMILY WINDSNAP AND EMILY WINDSNAP AND THE MONSTER FROM THE DEEP. Written by Liz Kessler. Candlewick. $5.99/pbk and $15.99/hc. Ages 8-11.

Emily can t understand why her mother won t allow her to swim. But her first swimming lesson reveals the mystery in water, Emily becomes a mermaid. Emily s search for her father (a merman) and her desire to reunite the family lead to exciting adventures which include sea monsters and meetings with King Neptune himself.

EMMA KATE. Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco. Philomel. $16.99. Ages 3-6.

Emma Kate and her best friend do everything together they even have their tonsils out and eat gallons of pink ice cream. The illustrations reveal just how unusual Emma Kate s friend is. A warm, happy story for anyone who has had an imaginary friend.