I keep humming this song from the play Carousel. June days are long. The weather is beautiful. The trees and plants are in full bloom.

Musical theater is so catchy. Songs from childhood shows (some from shows I performed, some from shows I watched) bubble up at the funniest times. Here are a couple of fun children’s books about the theater.

Oldie but Goodie

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Caroline Binch, is about a little girl who loves acting out stories. No character is off limits in Grace’s mind – she throws herself into the roles of Joan of Arc, Anansi the Spider, and Aladdin. When Grace’s teacher announces that the class will perform the play Peter Pan, Grace wants the lead. But her enthusiasm is dampened by her classmates’ skepticism that a black girl can take on this role.

With the support of her family and an outing to an inspiring dance performance, Grace follows her passion and tries out for the part of Peter Pan. Pegged for children ages 4-8.

New and Fabulous

Rifka Takes a Bow by Betty Rosenberg Perlov, illustrated by Cosei Kawa transports us back to the 1920s and a young Jewish girl grows up with an insider’s view of the Yiddish theater where her parents perform. Readers follow Rifka as she makes her way around the theater, through prop rooms and dressing rooms, trying on makeup and joking around with the actors, and finally ending up onstage where Rifka gets to perform herself. The pictures are wonderful, enveloping the reader in the magic of the theater. Pegged for grades K-3.

Share your favorite children’s books about the theater.

This week I am attending my eldest daughter’s graduation from law school! Here are a couple of young people’s books about the law.

Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene. I picked this out of the Nancy Drew series because it was one of my favs. But the entire series is classic. Nancy’s dad is a lawyer who is a sage guide balancing out his daughter’s sometimes impulsive zeal for crime investigation. Written over a half century ago, the characters of Nancy Drew’s stories may seem a little dusty to today’s young folk but once you crack the cover, you may be hooked by the irresistible charm of the sleuth and her lawyer dad. For kids 8 and up.

Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U. S. Supreme Court by Peter W. Barnes, illustrated by Cheryl S. Barnes, looks at the mouse Supreme Court where the justices are deciding an important question. Should mice have the right to eat any cheese they please? This is a fun way for kids to learn about the Constitution, laws, court processes and opinions. Pegged for grades K-up.

Share your favorite children’s books about lawyers.

I’m doing a lot of traveling this graduation season. That’s got me thinking about the importance of place in some children’s literature. We all know New York is unique – some of us love it, some of us avoid it like the plague. For those whose kids are interested in New York rhythms, here are a couple of my old favs.

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is about the adventures of Claudia and her brother Jamie from suburban Connecticut just outside New York who run away to Manhattan. What better place to hide out than the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Just the idea of taking up residence in such a majestic place is mesmerizing. But there’s more. The kids get caught up in a mystery surrounding a statue in the museum. Pegged for kids ages 8-12.

Eloise by Kay Thompson, illustrated by Hilary Knight, follows the minute-by-minute adventures of rambunctious little Eloise who lives in the very fancy and very big Manhattan Plaza Hotel. From pouring water down the mail chute to driving the elevator operator crazy with her endless rides up and down, Eloise’s escapades are quintessential New York. And lots of fun for any kid who has a mischievous heart. Pegged for ages 6-9.

Share your favorite children’s books about New York.

To one of the most beloved children’s writers of all time. Here are the classics:

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary centers around youngest child Ramona but has much to do with the sibling relationship of Ramona and her older sister Beezus. Ramona and Beezus are such a joy to read about because we all recognize ourselves in them. They are at times demanding, bossy, cranky, etc but they are loving kids who try hard to do what’s right while at the same time having an interesting and fulfilling childhood. What’s not to like?! Read one and I’ll bet you will check out the entire Ramona and Beezus series. Pegged for ages 8-12.

Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary centers around Henry Huggins and his irrepressible and mischievous dog Ribsy. Like the Ramona books, there is a Henry series. It gets even more fun as Ramona and Beezus live in Henry’s neighborhood and show up in Henry’s stories. Both series share the same true to life, timeless experiences that we all have in some form or another. Pegged for ages 8-12.

Share your favorite Beverly Cleary books.