A Blog To Inspire Adults to Read to Their Children

The Red Chalk By: Iris van der Heide Illustrated By: Marije Tolman

2013-02-05T21:52:00.000-05:00

Clearly if you have children you have been in that scenario where everything they own is boring and there is nothing fun to do. This book is the parents proof that your mind has endless power to create wonderful things all around you. But of course it is all up to them!

Sara who is bored of playing with her red chalk, becomes envious of her friend with the "better" toy. She cleverly attracts him to the chalk to trade for his toy. But after playing with it for a short while she is bored again and goes to friend after friend enticing them with the toy she is now bored of to trade for their fun toy. Eventually she runs out of friends to trade with and sees her friend using the red chalk to play hopscotch. Sara thinks hopscotch would be fun so she decides to trade again to get her red chalk. But this time she sees the value in the red chalk. She draws a large hopscotch and invites all of her friends to play along too. Sara finds an important life lesson; imagination can be endless and nothing is as pleasing than a bunch of great friends to share it with!

The Red Chalk is a book worth picking up and reading with your little one. Your children will be astonished to see that the toys Sara thought could provide no more amusement have provided a lot of enjoyment for her friends. I love a book that has a valuable lesson hiding in a fun read! Enjoy!

Lulu and the Brontosaurus By: Judith Viorst Illustrated by: Lane Smith

2013-01-26T14:55:00.002-05:00

This is a tale of a girl who can throw one wicked tantrum whenever her parents attempt to tell her "no". Her parents always give into Lulu but when she asks for a Brontosaurus as a birthday present her parents just won't say yes. This leaves Lulu no other choice but to head out into the forest on her own to find a pet Brontosaurus herself. (Leaving her parents sipping tea, eating cookies quite relieved to have some quiet time.) The fact that her parents forget about her cracks me up! Most kids think they are always the center of our universes but when they go acting a fool it is good for them to find their own way sometimes!

Go on Lulu's journey with her and see if she can find her birthday present and if she can find herself a set of good manners. This is a clever tale that will have your kids wanting you to read it from start to finish. It is also a great book for young readers to read solo. The author includes several endings letting you choose which you like best. The pencil drawings of the animals and of Lulu are alive with movement and personality.

This book is a great way to show a child how very silly they look when they go bananas (and they all do at some point). It is also a great way to mirror to a child the power of good and bad manners and how it can make a big difference on the outcome of any situation.

You will find a lot of humor and wit spread throughout the story much like any of Judith Viorst books. Pick up this great read and if the kids love it there is sequel to check out: Lulu Walks the Dog.

The Snowy Day By: Ezra Jack Keats

2013-01-16T21:42:00.001-05:00

The 1963 Caldecott Medal winner

The Snowy Day is a fantastic book to read anytime of year but especially in the thick of winter. What child isn't dreaming of playing in the snow right now? The boy in this book Peter wakes up to find his world all white as far as he can see. You then follow him as he sets out alone to make silly tracks in the snow, smack a snow covered tree (oops), make a snowman and angels, attempt to play with the bigger boys in their snowball fight and slide down a big mound of snow. The illustrations are simple and soft and at the right times bright and vibrant. Ezra Jack Keats really portrays the images of the 1960's but this book is timeless and any child will love this story!

The publisher of this book Viking/Penguin declared January The Snowy Day month and their website has a lot of great activities. Why not read the book and combine it with an activity to get the kids excited about reading? Check it out here: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/

If your children like this book try reading another of the six books where Keats uses Peter as a character. My girls also like watching the Ezra Jack Keats Scholastic DVD that includes seven of his stories read aloud with all the images of the books displayed for them.

Don't forget many of the books are available at your local library and to utilize your library as often as possible!

I'm a SHARK By: Bob Shea

2013-01-08T21:53:00.003-05:00

I'm a shark is a hilarious story that is sure to bring children and adults lots of giggles from start to finish!

What could an awesome shark be afraid of? According to him nothing! But as you will see the way he sees things are drastically different than reality.

A little crab and fish prod the Shark with questions on what he could be possibly be afraid of and when they ask him if he would be afraid of a squid he answers "A scary squid that's not really a creepy spider? Bring him on! He'd say: I'm going to get you! Then I'd say: Good luck! You'll need it! And he'd say: Oh no, I didn't see you were a really awesome shark! I'm totally scared! Then he'd ink himself in front of everybody. So embarrassing!"

The Shark obviously is afraid of spiders and the shrimp and crab mention it and he responds by saying "If I saw a spider, I would swim away as fast as my fins would take me. That's not scared-that's smart."

You will not be disappointed you picked up this great book to share with the kids! It will brighten up every ones mood. And who doesn't like sharks?!

The humor in this book will not be lost on anyone who reads it. Enjoy!

Ponyella By: Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans Pictures by: Lynn Munsinger

2013-01-04T14:13:00.001-05:00

Ponyella is an adorable twist on the tale of Cinderella. My girls absolutely love this book. What little girl doesn't love a fancy pony, a princess, a fairy godmare and a happy ending? In this version of the classic tale Ponyella gets bought by a new owner who brings along two horses Bun Bun and Plumpkin. Bun Bun and Plumpkin are not nice to Ponyella and Ponyella is made to do all the hard labor around the farm. One day Princess Penelope shows up and she is going to pick the winner of the "Tippington 25th Annual Grand Royal Pony Championship". Sounds pretty fancy right?! Plumpkin and Bun Bun tell Ponyella she is too dirty to participate and she begins to cry. As the story goes she is visited by a godmare who makes Ponyella spectacular and fancy not to leave out a pair of diamond horseshoes.

"Now remember, you must be home by the stroke of noon." Ponyella ends up impressing the princess but has to retreat before the spell turns her back. Princess Penelope doesn't give up and tries the diamond horseshoe left behind on every horse she finds until she comes across Ponyella. She buys Ponyella with all the money in her piggy bank and treats her like a pony fit for a princess.

The book ends "As for Plumpkin and Bun Bun, they were sold to a new owner. But that's another story."

Any little girl will have fun with this story and want to read it again and again!

If You Take A Mouse To The Movies By: Laura Numeroff Illustrated by: Felicia Bond

2013-01-01T19:50:00.004-05:00

You'll see in this book if you take a mouse to the movies it will lead you on a very exciting and tiring journey. The mouse leads the boy on a sequence of activities that will have you laughing all the way! It just so happens with everything he asks for it will in the end have him asking for the same thing he did at the beginning leading right back to where he started!

The book set around Christmas time has lots of winter fun sprinkled throughout the pages. The illustrations will capture little readers attention with all the sparkle and detail paid to every page! My girls love when the mouse makes Christmas ornaments, many, many, Christmas ornaments! They especially love the angel mouse he makes.

This is one of three books about this adorable mouse. All written in the familiar fun way watching the little mouse going in a circle of activities to find himself back where he started!

If your children enjoy this book take a trip to your local library and bring home the series of these books :

1. IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE
2. IF YOU GIVE A MOOSE A MUFFIN
3. IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PANCAKE
4. IF YOU GIVE A CAT A CUPCAKE
5. IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO SCHOOL
6. IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO THE MOVIES
7. IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PARTY

Also check out the author here: http://www.lauranumeroff.com/index.htm

She has a lot of excellent reads and also some activities for the kiddos!

My Garden By: Kevin Henkes

2012-12-28T16:41:00.005-05:00

In this Kevin Henkes book My Garden you get a chance to see a little girl and how she imagines her very own garden would be. Her mother has a garden that is very hard work but her garden would be one of wonder and whimsy! Her flowers in her garden would change color by just thinking about it, and there would be no rabbits in her garden stealing lettuce instead there would be chocolate bunnies for her to eat! "If I planted jelly beans, I'd grow a great big jelly bean bush." "The tomatoes would be as big as beach balls, and the carrots invisible because I don't like carrots." This little girls idea of her perfect garden lights up my child's eyes and brings such wide grins to their little round faces. This book really sparks a child's imagination. The illustrations are fun and adorable. This book is definitely worth a read especially when it is winter and you are dreaming of warmer times in your garden!

A Charlie Brown Christmas By: Charles M. Shulz

2012-12-24T16:30:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to everyone! And thank you to everyone who has read my blog this year!

A Charlie Brown Christmas is an iconic tradition and one that I have personally grown to love more and more each year. Besides the fact that the book and movie are filled with all kinds of humor and make you reminisce about being a kid it is also filled with such a wonderful lesson. The peanut gang are a must at any holiday and they have wisdom beyond their years! I love how they get passed all the "commercialism" that is weighing down Charlie Brown's spirits and find the true meaning of Christmas.

Every time we hear the piano music from the movie that Schroeder plays we can't help but do the silly dances from the Peanut Gang!

I think we all remember lines from this movie "Of all the Charlie Browns in the world you are the Charlie Browniest", "Oh, no. My own dog has gone commercial. I can't stand it", and Sally asking Charlie Brown to write a letter to Santa "How about tens and twenties?".

The best part of this great story is hearing Linus give his speech about what Christmas truly means and watching Charlie Brown thinking he has killed the little tree he rescued only to find his friends making the tree the happiest, little Christmas tree they ever saw! And it ends with the whole gang singing Hark, the herald angels together around the tree.

It's never too early to introduce your kids to such a wonderful book that captures what is right and wrong with Christmas!

The Spirit of Christmas By: Nancy Tillman

2012-12-19T22:03:00.000-05:00

Another beautiful story by Nancy Tillman the author of On The Night You Were Born.

Follow the Spirit of Christmas through amazing scenes and beautiful passages spoken about Christmas and all the brilliant things that arouse such a spirit in all of us! But as we all know without our family and the special people in our lives Christmas won't feel like Christmas in your heart! Flown across many pages in this book are passages of beautiful Christmas carols. It is so much fun to start singing each carol and see if you little ones can sing one of the beloved Christmas songs with you!

Have fun with your children finding the spirit of Christmas hidden on each page. This book is really delightful and is a perfect way to end each night during the Christmas season. You won't be disappointed with this great book and the happiness it will bring to you and your child! I believe one of the best gifts you can give your kiddos is reading to them as often as you can! And it costs practically nothing! Here is to a Season of giving with love and nurturing what is truly important in life!

The face of the Spirit of Christmas is hidden in the snowball

"And so then, my darling, wherever you roam, may you always be safe...may you always come home.

For as long as the world still spins and still hums, wherever you are, and no matter what comes, the best part of Christmas will always be...you beneath my Christmas tree."

Santa Claus By: Rod Green Illustrated by: Jon Lucas and Carol Wright

2012-12-17T15:36:00.001-05:00

This is a book I bought before my daughter was born. I knew even as an adult how much enjoyment this book would provide for my children.

The book is full of facts about the North Pole and its animals, how the elves work and play, Santa's house, the mail room, Santa's workshop, Mrs. Claus's cookies, all the reindeer including Rudolph, Santa's Magic Snowsuit, Santa's Sleigh, how he travels and deliver the presents and much, much more! The book has letters you can open and read and stickers to use. It includes a spot to play peek-a-boo with an elf, and a pull out on the animals of the Arctic. Your children will be mesmerized by this book and will spend lots of time looking over each page! It is a great addition to Christmas time and it explains a lot of the magic behind Santa but is also very informative and factual. I think at any age a child would appreciate this book! Isabela as a one year old was stuck on the page with the Elves having their Christmas Day party. Both my girls love pulling this book out each year with our holiday things and reading it over and over again! There are secrets on every page and lots of fun to be had with this book!

Santa's Diary and a pull out route map too!

The Polar Express Written & Illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg

2012-12-12T15:44:00.003-05:00

The Polar Express was read to me as a young child at school during the Christmas season. Along time before it was a movie it was one of my absolute favorite books. I remember I even wrote a letter to the author with the help of my teacher. As a little girl I did believe in the spirit of Christmas and I hoped The Polar Express would come pick me up and take me to see Santa!

The little boy in the book gets to take the Polar Express to the North Pole. He is then chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas. He asks for a silver bell from Santa's sleigh. You feel so terrible for him when you find that he has lost the bell after he gets back on the train because of a hole in his pocket. The train drops him back home and in the morning after opening all of his gifts he finds a small box at the back of the tree. It is his bell with a letter from Santa! The boy and his sister can hear the magical sound of the bell but his parents can't. The last page and paragraph is my favorite part of the book and would always bring a tear to my eye.

"At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe."

Such a profound concept! It is so important to me that my children's imaginations flourish and that the magic of their childhood lasts as long as possible. It is only once that we are truly innocent and it should not be taken away too quickly instead it should be fostered and encouraged! Reading helps kids believe that anything is possible! Happy reading and a Very Merry Christmas to all!

A Pussycat's Christmas By: Margaret Wise Brown Illustrated by: Anne Mortimer

2012-12-08T20:59:00.001-05:00

What child doesn't like a cute cat and a great Christmas story? Well this book has got both. Go on a journey with a pussycat who loves snow and get a vivid description about how she perceives the holiday of Christmas. The illustrations are adorable and lovely and the verses are melodic.

The picture of the pussycat getting into the gift wrapping and playing with the Christmas ornaments is spot on. Anyone with a cat can picture theirs doing the same with their big black eyes ready to pounce on anything that moves or rustles. My little Emy thinks it is so neat that the cat eats snow just like her! Pussycat even catches a glimpse of Santa in his sleigh way up in the night sky. The story ends with her sleeping all curled up with a present left by Santa waiting for her when she wakes.

"For if there was anything that this little cat loved, it was the cold, dry, fresh, white, wild, and feathery, powdery snow. She went pouncing around in it, bouncing with joy. And she at some of it. And she rolled in it and dug in it and played with it."

By the author of Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny.

Morris's Disappearing Bag A Christmas Story by: Rosemary Wells

2012-12-03T16:18:00.005-05:00

One of the funniest Christmas stories that is a favorite in this house is Morris's Disappearing Bag. By the author of Max & Ruby this book is a funny look at how siblings get along and share their gifts on Christmas.

Morris is the youngest and none of his older three siblings want to share their presents with him and they aren't in the least bit interested in his teddy bear he got. So while they use each others gifts Max becomes more and more depressed. He sits under the tree while his family is eating and he sees one last gift left unopened. It was a disappearing bag and in he went. His siblings start searching for him and when he reappears they can't wait to try the bag out. So Morris opens the bag and in they disappeared while Morris gets to use all of their gifts without anyone else around!

"Bedtime.!" said Morris. "May I use the bag tomorrow?" asked Rose "I want to sleep in it tonight," said Betty. "Morris," said Victor, "I hope you remember where you put the bag." But Morris was already fast asleep. Now don't we all wish we had a bag like that for holidays and birthdays? Imagine using your brothers or sisters gifts while they disappeared!

Here is to a Merry Christmas in this wonderful season of giving and sharing!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz By: L. Frank Baum Pictures By: W.W. Denslow

2012-11-26T15:26:00.002-05:00

This blog is dedicated to my daughter Isabela turning five on Friday. She is having a Wizard of Oz theme for her party and she will grace us as Glinda the good witch. My youngest will be her supporting cast coming as Dorothy, in tow with Toto.

Late this summer we picked up the annotated version with the original drawings and the original text. We read it from front to back and enjoyed every minute of it. Everyday we tried to read at least two chapters and discuss the differences between the movie and the book. Our reward for finishing the book was to have a movie party with the original movie and lots of snacks! We also watched the Disney movie Return to Oz (which was a favorite of mine growing up) based on the third Oz book Ozma of Oz.

There are fourteen books in the series written by Baum. I read the introduction which gave a great biography on the author and illustrator. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is an imaginative and wonderful book! A map of all the countries of Oz as well as there corresponding colors are in the front of the book for reference as you read your way through the land. I try to picture a child in the early 1900's receiving this book. They were probably blown away by the dream like story. I can see why so many children wrote to the author asking for more tales from Oz. I adore the pictures in this book. It is an enchanting tale to share with your children and one they will never forget.

The 1939 movie does not include many of the fun details included in the book. It is amazing how many things were left out. Some interesting things that were left out of the movie: Dorothy wore silver shoes not ruby red shoes. There is a special Golden Cap that Dorothy gets after defeating the wicked witch that allows her to call upon the Monkey's for help. The Mice help the friends escape from the Poppy fields. When Dorothy, Toto, Tin Woodman, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion make it to the Emerald City they are made to put on green glasses.

Happy Birthday to my precious book worm Isabela!

My daughter Emma called the Lion the Canterby Lion and on our walks liked to pretend she was being chased by the wicked witch!

The Money We'll Save By: Brock Cole

2012-11-24T15:27:00.001-05:00

The Money We'll Save is a comical tale of a father who is told to go to the market for two eggs and a half a pound of flour and to not spend a penny more because Christmas was coming "and we must save every penny". Well Pa comes back to their flat with a turkey poult. He convinces his wife and children that it will fatten up to a nice bird to eat for Christmas dinner. "Think of the money we'll save!" He tells the family it will live in a box and all we need to feed it is table scraps. Ma is skeptical to say the least. The turkey "Alfred" grows big and ends up being a menace to their small apartment, their kids, and their neighbor Mrs. Schumacher from upstairs. Pa's ideas of how to keep the turkey out of their way turn into amusing messes. When Christmas finally arrives the children can't bare the idea of eating Alfred. And they can't imagine keeping him either. They come up with the perfect solution. Give the turkey to Mrs. Schumacher. "What with his messes and eating everything in sight, Alfred reminded her not a little of the late Mr. Schumacher." As for the family they cleaned up their tiny flat, put up a modest tree, and each child received one gift. They ate oatmeal for dinner. "But it isn't much of a holiday feast, it it? said Pa sadly. Ah, but think of the money we saved, said Ma, and she gave him a kiss because it was Christmas."

My kids always get a kick out of all the messes Alfred makes! I also like to read this book and explain to the girls the importance of being frugal with money and point out how happy they children are to get that one special gift they really wanted. It really is a wonderful Christmas book that will be a tradition for us for years to come!

Here is to the beginning of a wonderful holiday season!

Snowflake Bentley By: Jacqueline Briggs Martin Illustrated by: Mary Azarian

2012-11-20T20:39:00.001-05:00

Winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal

A true and inspiring story of Wilson Bentley a man who loved the beauty of snow. A man who dedicated his life to sharing the beauty and originality of all snowflakes. Find out how he learned to use a microscope armed with a camera to take photographs of snowflakes that would never been seen again because no two snowflakes are alike. He did this in a time when people looked down on him and thought it was silly. He never made much money from his snowflake work but that didn't bother him. He just wanted to share what he had found. In the summers he would take pictures of dew drops on spiderwebs and flowers, but it never compared to his love for snow. Scientist who respected Mr. Bentley's work raised money for him to make a book out of his best photographs. He had it published when he was sixty-six years old. Shortly after that he became ill and died from pneumonia after walking six miles in a blizzard. The town in his honor set up a museum for their "snowflake authority".

This is really a fascinating book that showcases a child who had a dream and a passion and followed it dispite not making any wealth from it. It is really inspiring and a wonderful message for our children to follow their dreams!

The first time I saw a snowflake for the beautiful thing it really was, I was sitting in a cold car watching them drift down onto the windshield. I watched them for as long as I could. Up until that point I just thought snowflakes were little puffs and that a snowflakes beauty was fabricated. My girls are looking forward to catching a snowflake and getting a chance to admire it for as long as it will stay.

To learn more or if you are intersted in visiting the museum in Jericho Vermont here is a link:
http://snowflakebentley.com/

Annie And Snowball and the Wintry Freeze By: Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by: Sucie Stevenson

2012-11-17T20:41:00.000-05:00

I can't say enough about the author of this book Cynthia Rylant. She does many series books that are easy to read, funny, and the characters are very lovable! Some of her series books are Brownie & Pearl, Mr. Putter & Tabby, Henry and Mudge and of course Annie and Snowball. We love each of them. Henry is Annie's cousin and Mudge his Henry's dog. Henry and Mudge live beside Annie and Snowball and they are usually having an adventure together.

In this book Annie gets to put on all her pink snow gear and head out into a wintry wonderland that has been frozen over by an ice storm. Annie's dad told her "she looked like a big pink marshmallow." She goes outside with Henry and Mudge to enjoy the icy adventure while Snowball stayed inside watching from the window. Henry ice skates and Annie gets slid around by Mudge. When they come in they are greeted by warm apple cider and cinnamon buns. "They peeled off their icy mittens and icy hats and icy boots." Annie ends up sleeping all warmed up with Mudge and Snowball by her side.

I can remember the blizzard we had in the 1990's and walking over fields covered with the slick ice. How much fun it was to try to walk gingerly to not crack the ice and slide onward. I can vividly picture my mittens being taken off after coming in from a long day out in the snow. The ice clinging to the mittens making them almost useless outside but the thought of coming in was not an option until you were frozen solid! Isabela in her first real snow was all done up in her pink snow suit armed with a wooden spoon and an Elmo cup. Both of us playing outside together almost disappearing in the snow that was so deep. She loved it so much and her frozen pink kissed cheeks looked so sweet warming up inside our house waiting for her "warm" cocoa with marshmallows! Emma for her first snow would get stuck standing in one position or fall and not be able to get up! She was so little and I would have to swoop her up and take her to another spot so she could eat the snow. =)

The Mitten By: Jan Brett

2012-11-15T15:53:00.002-05:00

The Mitten is a Ukrainian folktale. It is about a boy who asks his Baba (grandmother) to knit him white mittens. She warns him that if dropped in the snow they will be hard to find. But he still wants them and she makes them for him. While out playing he drops one of his white mittens. He continues to play without noticing one of his mittens is gone, but the animals notice and one by one go inside the cozy mitten. Each animal bigger than the one before goes into the mitten until the biggest of all a bear fits himself in the mitten. By this time the mitten is quite big and very stretched out. Then a tiny mouse perches herself on the bears nose causing the bear to sneeze and all the animals get shot out of the mitten! The boy sees the mitten flying up in the air and runs for it. "From the window, Baba watched Nicki catch the mitten. "See, Baba!" he called to her. " I have both my mittens." And Baba smiled.

Each page has two mittens drawn on each side that act as a window. From one you see what the boy is doing and from the other you can see what animal is coming next. My youngest daughter Emma also likes the flowers and hearts that adorn each page and likes to tell me her favorite one as we read this book together. This is a fun book that any child will get a good laugh out of! Share with them the magic of this great folktale and see if they believe that this indeed could happen to one of their mittens! What a great read for a cold winter day! Follow the story up by trying to see how many things they can stuff into a mitten or how many stuffed animals they can get to fit. If they are like my children they have plenty of mini sized stuffed animals just waiting for them to use.

I love the last picture in this book of Baba looking at the stretch out mitten!

The Lion and the Little Red Bird Story & Pictures by: Elisa Kleven

2012-11-10T21:21:00.003-05:00

In honor of my oldest daughter Isabela's birthday this month I share with you the Lion and the Little Red Bird. I remember pushing Isabela in her stroller from our home to our library one hot summer day. I can vividly picture Isabela at 7 months old holding onto this book tightly against her chest the whole stroll home. (The book almost half her size) I should have seen it then that her love of books was real even at this young age. Isabela turns five on the last day of this month and as I have seen these first five years fly past I really can't wait to see what this amazing girl will do with all the years of her life!

This story is a beautiful tale of an odd friendship forged between a lion and a little red bird. The bird wonders why the Lion's tale changes every night after he enters his cave. She tries to ask him but the lion can not understand her but enjoys her chirping. The lion has busy days filled with chasing butterflies, splashing in the water, and picking red berries. His days our filled with color and his tale changes each night. One night a storm comes and the lion runs out to bring the Little Red Bird into his cave to protect her. She then sees why his tale changes colors. He paints beautiful scenes every night on the walls with his tale.

"The bird sang while the lion painted. She sang a song without any questions, full of color and joy. The lion had never heard anything so unusual and so pretty. Just listening made him happy."

This book has beautiful illustrations and a great message. Teach your children about colors and animals with this book and teach them one of the most important lessons of life; friendships without prejudices. A lesson worth learning.

Happy Birthday Month Reading!

First Snow By: Emily Arnold McCully

2012-11-07T15:45:00.000-05:00

First Snow is such a delightful read. The illustrations are adorable and nostalgic. The text is as simple as it comes with one word sentences adorning most pages. This allows the illustrations to really speak for themselves and allows parents to become an active participant in the descriptions.

I really love the simplicity of this book and look forward to reading it every year to my little girls. My girls like most children can't wait for the white stuff to start piling up outside and this year they are ready to try out their own sleds! Like the little character Bitty my girls will have to climb a steep hill and see if they too have the courage to slide down. Will they be like Bitty and find the nerve to do it? Will they want to do it over and over and make us drag them home?! I can't wait to find out! I will post pictures as a follow up of the girls sledding and I hope like Bitty they have such a magical time that when they get home they end up falling asleep in front of their hot chocolates.

The author of First Snow Emily Arnold McCully is a Caldecott Medal winner. Here is to a brilliant read and to many snowy days this winter.

Our first sledding adventure was some of the most fun I have ever had with my girls! It was a really steep hill and they were both not afraid and went up and down probably 15 times! Great winter fun just like Bitty had!

The Thanksgiving Beast Feast By: Karen Gray Ruelle

2012-11-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

This month we celebrate Thanksgiving and I have an easy read fit for this holiday season. The Thanksgiving Beast Feast is a great introduction to little ones about the importance of our Thanksgiving celebrations. The story is about two cat children Harry and Emily. Their mother clues them in that Thanksgiving is much more than eating a big meal but that it is about giving. The two of them then get an idea to help some animals prepare for the winter, by giving them their own "beast feast" in the same spirit that the American Indians helped the Pilgrims so long ago.

It is a simple lesson but such an important one. This holiday season is really about gratitude. We need to show our appreciation for the earths many bounties and for the special people we share them with. Giving is so important and although many children like to be on the receiving end they will learn from example and that is a reminder to us adults to be giving all year round!

The Tooth Mouse By: Susan Hood Illustrated By: Janice Nadeau

2012-11-01T21:25:00.001-04:00

Have a child that is close to loosing teeth? Then this would be a great book to read. If your children are like my girls then they love any talk about the "tooth fairy" but have they ever heard of the Tooth Mouse? I know I never have until we came across this book. Isn't it wonderful the knowledge you can get from a book and at any age continue to learn?

The illustrations in the book look like water colors and are beautifully done. The story takes place in France and some french language is included in the text. The Tooth Mouse is about a little mouse named Sophie who doesn't want to go to bed. And while dodging bedtime she finds that the Tooth Mouse who has served for many years will be choosing a successor. Sophie accepts the challenge and tries to compete for the job. Does she prove that she can be brave, honest and wise? Read the book to find out if Sophie succeeds and what she comes up with to prove herself. The end of the book will bring a smile or toothless grin to everyone who reads it.

At the end of this book they list some traditions of countries where baby teeth are taken. Botswana the moon takes the teeth, Egypt the sun, Brazil birds and many countries have a fairy or a mouse. It is such a wonder to be a child with such fairy tales and dreams running through your head at every moment. That is the beauty of a child's mind and engaging it. Books help do that in such brilliantly simple way!

Don't forget parents that whoever takes the teeth leaves something in its place. At my house the fairy will be leaving pennies!

Red Sings from Treetops a year in colors By: Joyce Sidman Illustrated by: Pamela Zagarenski

2012-10-29T15:58:00.000-04:00

A 2010 Caldecott Honor Book

Imagine trying to explain the wonders of the seasons to young and inspired eyes. How can you do it justice? How can you explain something so magical and beautiful? I know a way. A beautiful and awe inspiring way. A book that takes you on a poetic journey to experience the different seasons with color and through brilliant imagery. Red Sings from Treetops a year in colors provides parents with a colorful tool to discuss seasons and bring our children on the journey with us. I love the illustrations in this book. The woman and dog with their crowns followed by the cardinal on each page are fun and whimsical.

My children love color. They will often recite their favorite colors to anyone who is listening "I like pink and purple best. Oh, and silver and gold. Well I guess my favorite color would be rainbow". Like all children color is so important to them. Not only artistically but they see the world so brightly and lit up! Living in a part of the US where we are lucky to have a taste of each season my girls have grown to love each one of them. And as of recently winter is their favorite. As an adult long removed from childhood it reminded me of a time where snow was such a delight and wonder. Children have a wonderful way of reminding us of what is fun and how magical our world really is!

SPRING: "In spring, Yellow and Purple hold hands. They beam at each other with bright velvet faces. First flowers, first friends." Describing Pansies.

SUMMER: "In SUMMER, White clinks drinks. Yellow melts everything it touches...smells like butter, tastes like salt." Imagine lemonade, and corn on the cob.

FALL: "Brown gleams in my hand: a tiny round house, dolloped with roof." The author describing an acorn.

WINTER: "Pink prickles: warms fingers against cold cheeks." Imagine going out without your mittens.

Do something to spark your children's love of learning. Read them this amazing book and provide them with a wonderful learning experience in a beautiful way!

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes Story By: Eric Litwin Art By: James Dean

2012-10-27T21:43:00.001-04:00

Looking for a fun book to read? Check out Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. Pete the cat has some new white shoes that happen to keep stepping in different things to turn them into different colors. But does "Pete cry? Goodness, no! He kept walking along and singing his song." It's a book that will get the kids attention immediately and once you play the song for them they will be laughing,singing along and learning their colors!

Pete the cat was imagined years ago by the illustrator James Dean. With his recent collaboration with Eric Litwin who wrote the words a great book was born. The song sounds like a smooth jazz tune that is fun and silly!

You can find the song for free at www.harpercollinschildrens.com/petethecat
The publishers also offer some Pete the Cat activities for more fun!

Parents need a couple of free minutes to yourself? Turn on this video of the book performed by the author. Included are all the pages of the book for viewing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U

It is a catchy tune and quite a cute tale! If your children enjoy this story there are other Pete the Cat books to check out. Including a Christmas story just in time for the holidays!

The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books by Dr. Seuss By Seuss, Dr. (Google Affiliate Ad)

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything By: Linda Williams Illustrated by: Megan Lloyd

2012-10-23T15:26:00.003-04:00

Go on a walk with a little old woman on a dark and eerie night. As you walk with her you will find that she is being followed by various clothing items and each of them makes a spooky sound. Even after she yells to them she isn't afraid they continue to follow her. By the end of her walk she has a pair of shoes (CLOMP), pants (WIGGLE), a shirt (SHAKE), gloves (CLAP), a hat (NOD), and a very scary pumpkin head that goes BOO, BOO! The old lady begins to run all the way home and locks the door behind her. She then hears a knock on the door and when she opens it there are all the items waiting to scare her. When she tells them she isn't afraid of them they become sad. So the little old woman has an idea. She looks out her window the next morning and there you see the scarecrow she has made out of all the items scaring the crows away!

This story is one that I can remember being read to as a young child at school during the Halloween season. It stuck with me and I couldn't wait to share it with my girls. My girls get a lot of laughs out of making the silly noises and I like to try to scare them with a big "BOO"! The sounds of the items following her are all in capital letters, repetitive, and easy to point out and get your kids "reading" along. Remember to engage your kiddos with questions about what they might be afraid to see on a night walk or ask if they could be as brave as her. Kids love elaborating on the what ifs of a story. My little girl Emma has told me many times she would like to jump into a book or movie so she could be apart of the fun.

Bring delight to your little ones with the story of The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.