Our California

Our California by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Rafael Lopez 2008

The vastness and history of California are evocatively represented in this book. The story begins with a two-page spread map of California and the trail that the reader will travel with the text. The artwork by Lopez is vibrant, and pulsates with the wonder of this great state. Each region explored in the book is covered in more detail in the back.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Don't Touch My Hat!

Don't Touch My Hat! by James Rumford 2007

In the western town of Sunshine, the job of keeping things under control and civilized goes to Sheriff John. He depends greatly on his ten-gallon hat to help keep the peace, and round up the rowdies.

In the middle of the night, Sheriff John gets the summons to help in an emergency. He unknowingly grabs his wife's fancy hat, instead of his own, and high tails it out the door. He takes care of the robbers and the rustlers, and restores peace to the town, all before sunup. On appearing at his doorstep he realizes the hat mixup. He also comes to terms with the fact that it's his heart, not his hat, that helps him succeed.

The text is written in Western dialect and includes some silly punch lines that would make this a wonderful read for a group.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

James Rumford on Amazon