This week’s summer reading color is red. What I really want to say is this week’s Check It Out column is brought to you by the color red. Sound familiar? If you grew up watching “Sesame Street” on television, you’ll remember hearing, “Today’s episode of ‘Sesame Street’ is brought to you by the letter A.” Now if I could just figure out a way to have Elmo make an appearance in this column (he’s so happy and so red!), my happiness would be boundless.
I have several reasons for choosing red this week. Have you seen the beautiful fruit arriving at local markets and grocery stores? I love summer fruit — raspberries, cherries, watermelon — red deliciousness! And then there’s the whole Fourth of July theme happening — red, white and blue on display as neighbors celebrate Independence Day. Now, my third reason for highlighting red is all about weather. First, I need to you to visualize a color wheel. Normal summertime temperatures in Southwest Washington are supposed to be warm which on a color wheel would show up as orange — as in the orange found in orange popsicles. Friendly and yummy. But the recent wave of terrible, awful temperatures which lasered the area with an intensity hard to describe? The only choice on the color wheel is scarlet — a bright, burning scarlet. Not friendly at all. Let’s hope we don’t experience a repeat of temperatures over 110 ever, ever again. We love you, red, but sometimes you can be a bit extreme.
To celebrate the softer side of the color red, here’s a sample of children’s books and DVDs with rosy-hued themes. Cats, hens, sheep and llamas are superstars in these delightful titles as well as — wait, did he really show up? Yes — Elmo! Don’t forget a little red stroller, a red sky at night, and a spirited girl who is decidedly not a little red riding hood.
Get ready for red!
- “Cat Likes Red” written and illustrated by Christopher Russo.
- “Elmo’s World: Elmo Explores!” (DVD) published by Shout! Factory Kids, Sesame Workshop.
- “It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood” written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor.
- “The Little Red Hen” written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.
- “Little Red Riding Sheep” written by Linda Ravin Lodding, illustrated by Cale Atkinson.
- “The Little Red Stroller” written by Joshua Furst, illustrated by Katy Wu.
- “Llama Llama Red Pajama” (DVD) published by NCircle Entertainment.
- “Red Sky at Night” written and illustrated by Elly MacKay.
Jan Johnston is the collection development coordinator for the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.
