Maybe it’s the slow pace of the sticky days or the calmness of the cooler nights that makes summertime and books go together like peanut butter and jelly. Hot temperatures evoke memories of flashlights scanning pages in tents and long afternoons seeking shady places to devour another chapter. Today, we thought we would combine these two symbols of summer to bring you the ultimate summer moment. If you live for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, then grab your library card and tie on your apron as we take you through some classic summertime books and their perfect summer food/beverage pairings. All recipes are linked. Books for AdultsThe Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald“Men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” The story’s title character, Jay Gatsby, is well known for his dazzling, over-the-top parties that drip in diamonds and luxury. And what food better embodies the decadence of West Egg than champagne? That’s why we thought these champagne cupcakes would be perfect to pair with the dazzling decadence of The Great Gatsby. “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.”
"You is kind, you is smart, you is important."
While the book looks at many serious topics, it’s not without its light moments. If you’ve read The Help, or watched the popular 2011 film based on the novel, you know the deeper meaning behind the word “pie”. Being set in the South, there are probably an infinite number of dishes that would work well with this book, but none quite so as iconic as Minny’s chocolate pie. Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo“ You can always trust a dog that likes peanut butter.” Because of Winn Dixie shares the sweet story of a young girl and her summer in a new town. Early on, the main character, Opal, adopts a scruffy dog who wrecked the local grocery store. Despite the mess he made, Opal sees something special in the dog, who she names Winn Dixie after the store in which she met him. This is a theme carried throughout the story as Opal meets more of the town locals. From a mean next door neighbor girl to a recovering alcoholic, Opal discovers that the people around her might have darkness in their past, but each one has a story and is special and valuable in their own way. “Maybe being happy isn't having everything in your life to be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things; making those count for more than the bad stuff.”
When we think of summer and being a teenager, pizza just seems like the perfect fit! We decided to pair this series with a sourdough pizza. Why sourdough? Well, if you’ve ever baked with sourdough, you know you need a starter. This can be made by you, or, more often, people will get some from a friend. Starter must be continually “fed”, so if you don’t share it, you end up throwing extra away. A sourdough pizza perfectly combines the connected friendships of Brashares’s series with the fun food of teenagedom. “Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.” What would it be like to live forever? Natalie Babbitt’s novel asks this age-old question and explores the topic through the eyes of young Winnifred Foster. Winnie’s life is regimented, regular, and, to her, suffocating--especially at the height of summer, when this book takes place. When she meets the Tucks, she is challenged to view the world around her--and even life itself--differently.
Just Grandma and Me, by Mercer Mayer![]() This cute picture book follows Little Critter and his grandma to the beach where Little Critter gets into all kinds of beach fun and mischief. The story celebrates some of the special parts of the beach such as swimming, digging in the sand, and finding sea shells. To go along with this book, we suggest a beach boardwalk staple--the hot dog! The How Sweet Eats blog shares how to spice up your average hot dog and create a fun hot dog bar! |
![]() Tom Brenner’s picture book is a celebration of all things summer, from the sound of the lawnmower to the cold drip from an ice cream cone. Since the book ends with the characters camping, we paired this book with a summer and camping classic, the s’more. If you aren't a camper, try these oven-baked s'mores from Butter With a Side of Bread. |
Come On, Rain Written by Karen Hesse & illustrated by Jon J Muth
This is a sweet story that perfectly captures that height-of-the-summer feeling of time slowing down. Through captivating illustrations and artistic wording, the author manages to make readers feel like they are right there with the main characters, waiting, waiting, waiting on the rain. As you flip the pages, it’s easy to feel the sticky air, the hot pavement, and the elation that comes with that first, glorious drop. |
A. Blob on A Bus and This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos

As a bonus, we're throwing in a sweet treat to pair with our own Blob Series books, This is A. Blob, and A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos. The books show that there is often more to someone--even a bully--than meets the eye...much like a chocolate covered pretzel!
As children make these treats shaped like A. Blob, they will discuss why some people bully others and what they can do to help.
A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
The history of summer reading programs is long, reaching back more than 100 years. As far back as the late 1800s, librarians realized that children had less access to reading materials in the summer months and, more concerning to them at the time, the few books they were reading were often of poor quality. Today, nearly every library in the nation offers some sort of summer reading program that encourages a love of reading and incentivizes turning the pages.
The Early Days
For the Joy of Reading

Taking Sides
Fun for All

What was the response? Participation numbers leaped from 50% to 76%! In an attempt to shift focus to an enjoyment of reading, rather than competition, some libraries moved away from certificates and began entering anyone who participated in the program into weekly drawings. This is a system that continues to be followed in many libraries today.
The Digital Age
The Great Debate Continues?
https://ils.unc.edu/MSpapers/2977.pdf
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/evaluating-summer-reading-programs-suggested-improvements/
A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
It’s SUMMER!! That means sunshine, pool days, barbecues, and, best of all, summer reading! Some of my favorite memories of summer involve stretching out in front of the giant fan that always made its way to the kitchen each June and getting lost in the latest Boxcar Children adventure and sneaking my favorite Ramona book under the narrow beam of a flashlight on hot, sticky nights. To me, summer was a time of endless adventure and that adventure was often found in a not-so-neatly stacked pile of books. For some children, though, reading doesn’t come as easily and the idea of spending summer with a book seems more akin to a punishment rather than a privilege. |
1. Create a Reading Nook
You’ve heard it before--location, location, location! Where an activity takes place can play a significant role in the way we view and tackle that activity. With reading, the most important aspects of an inviting space are that it is comfortable, relatively quiet, and removed from distraction. It doesn’t have to be fancy. | ![]() Bean Bag Book Nook from How Does She |
2. Write Letters
3. Give Choice
4. Create a Book Club

5. Make a Silly Game
6. Subscribe to Magazine
7. Get the Scoop
8. Mix it Up
9. Write Your Own Story
Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. If you have a reader who just can’t find something he enjoys reading, why not turn the tables and have him write his own story? It can be a work of fiction, an autobiography, or even a review of his favorite tv show or game. When it’s all done, encourage him to read it out loud for everyone to hear! |
10. Go for the Gold

Who – or what – is A. Blob? Find the answer in This is A. Blob, a beautifully illustrated tale of a playground bully’s antics. Discover that A. Blob and, perhaps others like him, may not be exactly what they seem. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
Trapped inside a bus with a bullying pile of goo, what will the kids of Lincoln Elementary School do? The sticky, purple bully, A. Blob, is back in this second installment of The Blob Trilogy, and it seems it still hasn’t learned that being mean won’t make friends stick. As A. Blob pokes and pesters on the school bus, it seems the kids are stuck in quite the sticky situation. But can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in the masterfully illustrated sequel to This is A. Blob. |
I don’t know about you, but when I think of summer, I think of blockbuster films. I’m instantly transported back to warm summer nights at the drive-in, sitting under the stars and watching epic stories unfold. As a child, it felt like I could be and do just about anything as I watched those fantastic characters dance across the screen.
One fun new movie that recently hit theaters is an animated film called The Secret Life of Pets. In this movie, we humans are given a rare glimpse into what our pets think and do when we aren’t around. Children get to see how their animals might feel when they get left at home and how they might react when placed in a difficult scenario, providing the perfect opportunity to begin a conversation about empathy and the importance of considering the thoughts and opinions of others.
The Secret Life Of…
Step 1: Choose a character
Step 2: Describe the characterDescribe how the character is perceived by others, how the character perceives him/herself, likes and dislikes, and general personality traits. You can get as creative as you like with these steps, making collages, drawing pictures, or even making video diaries in character! |
Step 3: Tell the story
Step 4: Continue the story
Have conversations about why your children’s characters would respond the way they do. Ask if this is different than how they themselves would respond. Open up about how you would respond, as well. By the end of the activity, your children will have experienced at least three different thought processes, reactions, and responses to the exact same scenario.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |

School is finally out!! No more tests! No more studying! No more homework!...but what about bullies? As much as we would like to believe bullies get locked away with the stacks of history books, it simply isn’t true. Bullying can occur at any location and at any time of the year, even during these blissful summer months.
This isn’t fun to think about, but taking some time now to prepare can ensure a smooth summer and an even a better school year in the fall. Here are some points to consider as you head into your summer vacation:
Where is bullying likely to occur?
Take some time to compile a list of places your child will go this summer where he or she may be confronted with a bullying situation, such as the park, the pool, camp, or a sport’s practice. Talk about what those situations might look like and how your child would respond. Keep it light and conversational. The goal isn’t to scare the child and make it so he or she doesn’t want to participate in any activity; it is simply to prepare them for any situation that may arise. |
Establish Trusted Adults
Again, the goal is to prepare your child, not frighten them. So, instead of saying “If someone teases you or steals your things at camp, tell your camp counselor” you could say “If you ever need help, remember, your camp counselor, Cindy, in there to help you with whatever you need. Her job is to make sure you stay safe and happy, just like your teacher at school!”
On your end, take a little time to establish a relationship with these adults, as well. If you’re able, volunteer to help out. This is the best way to get a front row view of the true dynamics of the group. However, many aren’t able to volunteer, and that’s ok! Again, this doesn’t have to be anything too intense. Simply introduce yourself, exchange contact information, and check in every now and then to see how everything is going.
Gossip
Consider speaking to the person who's spreading rumors. If you can, approach her. Calmly say something like, "I know we don't get along. You don't have to like me, but you need to stop spreading rumors about me and talking behind my back." Don't be angry or mean. Avoid yelling. Just say what you want calmly, clearly, assertively, and maturely. After you've said what you want, you can simply walk away. There's no need to wait for her to say anything back. Leave her to think about what you said. |
Before you try talking to the person, though, talk with an adult about what to say and how to approach her. Every situation is different, and you want to make sure things don't turn into more meanness, yelling, or fighting. It can also help to have a friend stand with you when you talk to the girl.
Don’t pass on gossip if you hear it. Make sure it stops with you
Responding to other types of bullying
Fun preparation games
Sometimes the best way to understand another person is to actually step into their shoes. This blog offers some simple role play activities that can help children get a small taste of what it feels like to live with a disability, have an injury, or go hungry. This idea can be expanded to explore any perspective of your choice.
Teamwork: The internet is filled with team building activities for all ages. This website lists a few that are both fun and inexpensive. |
Perspective:
This activity is great for helping kids of all ages put themselves—literally—in the shoes of another. The activity can be tailored to fit the needs of your particular group.
***
BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Looking for your next summer read? Check out This is A. Blob by L.A. Kefalos! This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children to issues such as bullying, differences, and empathy using easy to read rhyming text. Join the sticky, purple "A. Blob" on a journey of learning that there is usually more to someone than first meets the eye... |
About Laughing Leopard Press
Hello! We are Laughing Leopard Press, an independent book publisher from Akron, Ohio. At Laughing Leopard Press, we’re interested in publishing works that contribute to our understanding of this wonderful world. Through this blog, we hope to add to that understanding with commentary on life, literature, and a few things in between. We hope you enjoy the blog and take some time to talk with us in the comments or on our social media sites. Happy reading!
For some more great reading, check out our latest release, This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. This is A. Blob is a picture book that deals with the sticky issue of bullying through an unlikely character that is a bit sticky itself! As readers follow the antics of A. Blob, they learn to put themselves in the shoes of another and discover there may be more to this bully than meets the eye…
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
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