When longtime friends Shoshana Smith and Marian Adducci opened Flashlight Books, their independent children’s book store, in Walnut Creek last year, they gave locals something they had long missed: a downtown bookstore that could serve as a gathering place for people who love to read.
“I’m super into the idea that book stores can be a ‘third place’ for a community,” Smith said.
The name? Imagine a child reading by flashlight long past bedtime.
Read-aloud books
“The Princess and the Pony” by Kate Beaton: Princess Pinecone’s birthday is coming up, and like any sensible young warrior princess, she asks for a mighty steed to ride into battle. Unfortunately, the steed she gets is more roly-poly pony. Will (they) find a way to win the day after all? We love this silly, girl-power picture book about defying stereotypes and fat ponies! (Kindergarten to second grade)
“Baby Monkey, Private Eye” by Brian Selznick and David Serlin: Baby Monkey has a mystery to solve! Simple, bold text with no more than five words on a page on average, with adorable and detailed illustrations make this a great book for kids building and sustaining their very early reading skills over the summer. Each chapter is its own mystery, with many repeating phrases to help with fluency and confidence. Plus, it’s adorable!” (Preschool to first grade)
For young readers
“Pie in the Sky” by Remy Lai: This book follows Jingwen, who moves to a new country and doesn’t speak English. The only thing that makes him feel better is baking with his little brother, but his mom has made it clear: No using the oven when she’s at work — and it seems like she’s always at work. (Third through sixth grade)
“From the Desk of Zoe Washington,” by Janae Marks: Zoe’s not sure about this summer: She’s in a fight with her best friend, and she has to figure out a way to convince her mom and stepdad that she’s old enough to handle a Food Network baking competition. Life throws her another curveball when she receives a letter from her birth father, who she’s never met. Soon her days are filled with a bakery internship and secret letters. (Third through seventh grade)
For teens
“The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo: Xiomara knows how to cut people down to size, but when it comes to what she’s feeling or thinking — about family, about boys, about religion, about poetry — it’s safer to turn to her journal than to speak up. An invitation to her school’s slam poetry club might force a change.
“Seafire” by Natalie C. Parker: Sisterhood and female pirates, ahoy! Caledonia is the captain of her all-female crew, determined to foil the nautical warlord Aric Athair, who slaughtered her friends and family when she was young. But when one of Aric’s own defects and asks to join her crew, can she trust him and take down Aric once and for all, or is it all a trap? Fierce, funny, fantastic.
Need more book recommendations for great summer reads? You’ll find them here: 12 Bay Area bookstores pick the best 50+ books for all ages.
