Red Balloon Bookshop will celebrate its 40th birthday with a community bash Nov. 23 but, in the meantime, its employees have a gift for all of us: a list of 40 books for young readers that we all should know about.
The list, which looks beyond classics such as “Black Beauty” to titles readers may have missed, is packed with: gems from beloved writers such as Newbery Award winners Matt de la Peña and Kate DiCamillo. New favorites such as Ada Limón’s “In Praise of Space,” an ode to the wonders of space exploration by the U.S. poet laureate. Twin Cities creators such as “Moo!,” by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka and “Pizza and Taco” by Stephen Shaskan. And the basis of current blockbuster movie “The Wild Robot,” by Peter Brown.
Not surprisingly, Red Balloon owner Holly Weinkauf said it was not easy for her 15 staffers to narrow the list to just 40 books, aimed at ages from birth to adolescence: “I kept saying it would be so much easier if we were celebrating our 150th birthday.”
All 40 books are available at the store (and, of course, area libraries) and are “great additions to any home library,” Weinkauf said.
Red Balloon has events planned from Nov. 17 (the actual anniversary) to the 23rd, which will feature a full day of readings, face painting, music and discounts. If you’re debating what to use those deals on, here’s the store’s full list:
“All the World,” by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
“All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team,” by Christina Soontornvat
“Baby Monkey, Private Eye,” by Brian Selznick and David Serlin
