When fellow parents ask how I find time to read with a newborn and toddler at home, I tell them I read what I love! Here’s a peek at what I’m enjoying and what my children and I are reading together, because finding books they love will help your kids read more too. Both of these titles, and many more, are available as eBooks or audiobooks in KCLS’ digital collection.
What I’m Reading: “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Moreno-Garcia’s deliciously creepy novel is set in 1950s Mexico at a decrepit mansion owned by a once-wealthy silver mining family. Responding to a desperate letter from her cousin Catalina, who has recently married into the mining family, Noemi Taboada travels to isolated High Place. She quickly realizes that something strange is happening at the house. Catalina is ill and listless; her new husband is alternately warm and cruel. The family’s aging patriarch is deeply racist, but also obsessed with Noemi. I don’t always enjoy horror, but stubborn, independent Noemi appealed to me. I found this just dark enough to be scary, but also fun. If you’ve been enjoying HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” (based on a book by Seattle author Matt Ruff!), you’ll love this genre-bending read.
What We’re Reading: “¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat” by Raúl the Third
Little Lobo and his friends head to the food trucks to pick up lunch for their favorite luchadores in this sequel to “¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market.” Along the way, they pick up tacos, elote, frutas picadas and more. The story is simple, but packed with new vocabulary in both Spanish and English. Raúl the Third’s comic book style drawings are a 21st century answer to Richard Scarry—packed with detail and full of anthropomorphized animals going about their business. Bonus: all the food talk inspired our family to visit the taco truck ourselves!
Find more book picks from Emily Calkins here
