Barneblad: Be all you can be. Read. — And have fun!

Brought to you by Lori Ann Reinhall

It’s summer, a time for fun, but that doesn’t mean that it needs to be a time for learning loss. And, by the way, who ever said that fun and learning don’t go together?

Here at The Norwegian American, we love books and reading, and that is why our editorial staff has put together a list of summer reading recommendations just for children.

There are many ways to enjoy reading. You can snuggle up in a comfy chair or bed with a book, but in the summer, you can also nestle yourself in a hammock or sit down under a shade tree. Wherever you are, a good book will keep you company.

Of course, these books can be enjoyed by the young and young at heart alike, so why not read them together? Reading aloud is a great way to develop pronunciation and speaking skills, and it’s fun to share with others. You can also ask mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa to read to you.

In the past, we’ve talked about creating a summer book club with friends, and we still think this is a great idea. Get together and swap books and ideas. In the end, you can vote on which book was the best of all.

You may also want to write about the books you have read. Just a few lines are enough.

Here are few ideas:

1. My favorite book was …

2. I like this book, because …

3. A new word I learned was …

4. My favorite character was …

5. I would recommend this book to a friend, because …

As the famous saying goes, “Be all you can be. Read.” We would also like to add “And have fun!”

Lori Ann Reinhall, editor-in-chief:
Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen & Moe is a classic, and Tiina Nunnally’s translation brings the stories to new life in English. Children and adults can enjoy this book; it makes for perfect bedtime storytelling.

Becky Kruse Gjendem, copy editor:
Why Kings and Queens Don’t Wear Crowns is a cute story written by Princess Märtha Louise about Danish royalty learning how to be “more Norwegian than Norwegians” by putting away their crowns and learning how to ski.

Cynthia Elyce Rubin, travel editor:
Why not travel with the most free-spirted girl in the world, Pippi Longstocking, in Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren! First written in Swedish, it has been translated into 95 languages and is a favorite all over world!

Ragnhild Hjeltnes, editorial assistant:
Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder by bestselling author Jo Nesbø tells the hilarious story of a professor who invents a magical fart powder and an 11-year old boy who has to prevent it from falling into the wrong (evil) hands.

Kristi Bissell, Taste of Norway editor:
Nordic Family Kitchen by famed Danish chef Mikkel Karstad is a cookbook that families can enjoy together, showing them how to make easy, healthy, and sustainable meals with lots of meat-free, delicious recipes.

Michael Kleiner, business & sports editor:
Nils, by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire, is the story of an American boy who dreams of becoming a cowboy. He gets teased when he wears some hand-knit socks from his Norwegian grandma, but he learns the joy of being unique.

This article originally appeared in the July 8, 2022, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.