The Ring Bearer by Floyd Cooper

The Ring Bearer by Floyd Cooper (2017) #ownvoices

Weddings may not be the most common theme for storytime, but nervousness is universal. Jackson is very nervous about his role in his mama's wedding--he has to carry the rings! He's also nervous about calling Bill "Dad" and getting a new little sister, Sophie, who is the flower girl in the wedding. Grandpa helps get them ready to walk down the aisle--slow and steady--but Sophie forgets and is about to trip on a stair when Jackson catches her and saves the day. Jackson finds the confidence and comfort he needs within himself in this sweet read-aloud.


Themes/topics: weddings, nervousness, anxiety, siblings, family, remarriage, saving the day, blended families, #ownvoices

Sample text from two spreads:
Grandpop helps them practice, shows them how to walk down the aisle slow and steady. "That way you won't trip," Grandpop says like he knows just what's in Jackson's heart. But Jackson is worried anyway. 

The music starts and Sophie takes off. Grandpop nudges Jackson to get him going, too. Jackson walks slow and steady while Sophie skips ahead, ignoring Grandpop's advice. Mama's having a wedding, and Jackson has an important job to do, and no matter what Sophie does, he will not trip down the aisle!

Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel

Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel (2017)

I really liked Kraegel’s earlier book, “The Song of Delphine” and just love “Green Pants.” My youngest brother actually refused to wear clothing that wasn’t green for a few years—adorable in retrospect, but a bit trying at the time. Jameson will only wear green pants, which allow him to dunk, dive and dance like no other. When he meets his cousin’s fiancée, he is smitten and agrees to be in their wedding—until his mother breaks the bad news: tuxedos have black pants. Jameson truly wrestles with what to do, and ends up solving the problem in a perfectly acceptable and authentic way. Utterly utterly charming

Themes/topics: weddings, clothing, pants, underwear, choices

Most spreads have just a few words or a single sentence. This sample is the spread with the most words:

The next morning, Jameson’s mother said, “You know, being in a wedding is a big deal. There will be a lot of standing.”

“No problem,” Jameson said.

“And you’ll have to smile nicely for all the photos”

“No problem.”

“And you’ll have to use your best manners at dinner.”

“No problem.”

“And one more thing,” his mother said slowly. “You will have to wear a tuxedo.”

“Okay.” Jameson nodded. “No problem!”

“Jameson, the tuxedo will be black.”

“WHAT?” Jameson gasped. “BLACK pants? BLACK? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so.”