Laura Dean Bennett
Staff Writer
Unsinkable Sam
by Cheryl Kula
Kula is a West Virginia author from Summers County, and this 2023 release is her third children’s book.
The book is based on a true story and is appropriate for early chapter-book readers – grades 2 through 5.
It’s the tale of a little black and white cat who survived the sinking of three war ships during World War II.
The amazing black and white feline was originally a German-born cat named Oskar. He went to sea on the German ship Bismarck and was rescued by British sailors from the wreckage after Allied Forces sank his ship.
He was renamed Unsinkable Sam, became a mascot on board a British vessel and miraculously survived two more disasters at sea.
The Flower Princess and Because Someone Cared
by Storm Young
Bridgeport author Storm Young was known for adult mysteries set in the Mountain State until recently, when she branched out into children’s literature.
Her first children’s book, The Flower Princess, was inspired by her daughter who called herself The Flower Princess and insisted a pot of flowers was talking to her.
The story is appropriate for preschool children.
Because Someone Cared is a sweet story about a little girl who grows her hair to share it with a friend.
Little Luna takes good care of her hair, measures it every day and finally has it cut and sent to her friend.
The book teaches the joy of giving and the beauty of friendship. For ages 4 to 8.
Close to Famous
by Joan Bauer
A story about a 12 year old girl with a talent for baking and dreams of, one day, having her own cooking show.
She and her mother move to a new town and receive a warm welcome there. But when the past threatens to catch up with them, with the help of their new friends, they discover the strength to overcome it.
For 5th and 6th grade readers.
Messy Larry
by West Virginia author David J. Perri
Larry is a creative child who just makes a lot of messes. He’s different from the other kids in his grade school class. For starters, he’s big, and he’s clumsy, and he looks kind of like a bear.
He wants to make art, but his messiness keeps getting in the way – with hilarious results. Finally, his great uncle helps him accept himself and learn how to express his talent.
For elementary school readers.
I Love You as Big as West Virginia
by Carole Marsh
Marsh’s clever rhymes and illustrations express the love of a parent for a child and what your mountain home means to your family. This will be one of your child’s favorite bedtime stories. For ages 1 to 4.
Wild Animals of West Virginia Coloring and Activity Book
by Sam Morrison
More than a coloring book, this 90-page activity book features the mammals, fish and birds of West Virginia.
It includes word search, journaling, matching, drawing, tracing, puzzles and mazes perfect for kids who love animals. For ages 6 to 10
Four books set in West Virginia by children’s book award winner Betsey Byers
Goodbye Chicken Little, After the Goat Man, Summer of the Swans and The Midnight Fox were written while Byers was living in Morgantown.
The first three are suitable for elementary school readers and The Midnight Fox would be of interest to readers through middle school and beyond.
Goodbye Chicken Little
Ever since his father’s death, Jimmie Little is scared of everything, even nicknaming himself Chicken Little.
And after not doing more to help save his drowning uncle, Jimmie feels worse than ever until understanding relatives show him how to face life instead of running away.
After the Goat Man
This is the poignant story about how family and friends – even youngsters – can come together to help someone adjust to the inevitable.
A local character known as the “Goat Man” loses his home to make way for a new superhighway. He refuses to accept the new house provided for him and runs away.
A young grandson turns to his friends to help him find his grandfather and show him he can face the future. For elementary school readers.
The Midnight Fox
Adjusting to life in the country is hard for a city boy. No one asked Tom if he’d like to spend the summer at his Aunt Millie’s farm. He doesn’t like animals, and they don’t seem to like him.
But when he discovers a fox and her cubs living in the woods, he changes his mind and needs to think fast to save the animals he has come to love.
A touching story about the power of animals to capture the heart of a boy. For 5th grade through middle school.
Summer of the Swans
Turning 14 changes everything for Sarah. She must come to terms with complicated family dynamics and her own confusing feelings, all while helping a mentally handicapped brother whom she loves very much. Suitable for middle school students.
Chuck Yeager Goes Supersonic
by Alan Bierman
Chuck Yeager, one of the most famous West Virginians, led an exciting life of adventure.
This biography takes us from his childhood during the Depression, through his experiences in World War II to flight school and piloting the first supersonic flight.
Besides being a real-life science lesson, this book features harrowing and sometimes hilarious vignettes from Yeager’s life, such as the time he crashed a test plane through a chicken coop.
Bierman’s explanation of the science behind sound waves, the sound barrier and supersonic flight is clear and memorable, and sure to fascinate readers – from middle school through high school age.