Kiddie Lit - Children's Literature And Books For Kids

Hal The Unwashed Dragon - Book Review

2009-10-07T13:18:00.005-05:00

I just read Hal The Unwashed Dragon by Marc Archambault. This children's book is illustrated by Lorna Foot and self-published via Lulu.com. This is the first published book for both the author and the illustrator.

Hal has a problem. He is cute and friendly but he seems to scare everything and everybody away from him. The flowers wilt and the animals run away when Hal comes near. He doesn't know what is wrong.

Hal feels hurt and sad and confused. Why is everyone treating him like this? Why can't he make any friends?

Hal finally meets an honest bobcat who tells Hall that he STINKS! Hal has bad breath and body odor. He runs home and takes a shower and brushes his teeth. He is soon a clean, happy dragon with plenty of friends.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It deals with a common skill that all children must learn. The subject of personal hygiene is presented in a very humorous and engaging manner. Hal exhibits very realistic emotions when his friends reject him. Children will relate to Hal and will understand how important it is to develop good grooming and hygiene habits. The colorful illustrations in this book are just outstanding. The facial expressions on Hal and the other characters in the story are just delightful.

I predict that this author/illustrator team will soon receive offers from established book publishers. I look forward to many more books to come.

The Jesus Book - A Book Review

2009-08-31T14:06:00.003-05:00

The Jesus Book, by Stephen Elkins, is a Bible storybook for young children. The book is divided into the following parts;

Who Jesus Is
What Jesus Did
What Jesus Taught
When It Happened
Where It Happened
Why It Happened
How It Happened

This book uses very simplified versions of Bible stories to tell the story of Jesus. There are Biblical references included in each of these short stories. You can read the story and then show your child exactly where the story is located in the Bible. Most of the stories in this book are one to two pages long and are accompanied by a color illustration.

The author defines key words right in the story. This helps children really understand the story and apply it to their own lives. I like the definition of repent; "to repent means we change our hearts, and we change our lives."

This book provides a colorful timeline of the important events in the life of Jesus. There are also maps that show where these events took place. The maps and timeline are good resources for older children who want more detail and clarity.

The author tells children how to accept Jesus and receive eternal life at the end of the book. The book has a Scripture Index, Topical Index and An Index of Names and Places.

Children will be delighted to find a CD in the book that features children singing 30 favorite Christian songs. This CD is a great sing-along resource. You can use the CD with the book or as a separate singing activity.

I highly recommend this book to parents, grandparents and Sunday School teachers. The book is appropriate for children in pre-school through 2nd grade. The Jesus Book will make a wonderful gift that keeps on giving.

Louise, The Adventure Of A Chicken BOOK REVIEW

2009-07-30T09:00:00.007-05:00

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken, by Kate DiCamillo and Harry Bliss, is a real inspiration. Louise is a chicken but she is also a brave, intelligent problem solver.

Louise lives in a barn yard but she longs for adventure. She is involved in three exciting and dangerous adventures. Louise battles pirates, is almost swallowed by a lion and escapes imprisonment in a far-away country. Louise remains hopeful and optimistic in these dire circumstances. She comes up with an action plan and she returns to the safety of her farm home.

The illustrations is this book are fantastic. The facial expressions provide additional excitement and drama to the story. The pictures are large and colorful.

Each time Louise finds herself in a dangerous situation, she remembers her happy home back on the farm. These memories make her determined to overcome many difficult circumstances so that she can return home. Louise never gives up hope. She learns that home sweet home is truly where her heart is.

When Louise comes home for the final time, she shares her adventures with the other chickens in the chicken house. Perhaps she will inspire the other chickens to live their dreams.

That Book Woman - Book Review

2009-07-20T09:07:00.003-05:00

That Book Woman, by Heather Henson, is a wonderful tribute to librarians. I am thrilled to see a book that features a librarian as a heroine and an important part of our country's history.

This historical fiction picture book tells the story of the Pack Horse Library Project that was founded in the 1930s as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration. Librarians (mostly women) were hired to take books to remote areas in the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky.

Cal and Lark live in a small cabin in the mountains. Lark is a real bookworm and always has her nose in a book. Cal believes that reading is for girls and he is too macho to show an interest in the books. Cal is amazed that the Book Woman rides her horse up the mountain to exchange books every two weeks. She comes in the rain, fog, cold...even a blizzard.

Cal respected the Book Woman for her courage, dedication and persistence. One day he picked up a book and asked Lark to teach him how to read it. Lark is a good teacher and Cal is a determined student. Now, there are two readers in the family instead of one. The last illustration in the book shows Cal and Lark sitting on the the front porch of their cabin...they are both engrossed in their books. Thank you to the Book Woman!

This book is written in Appalachian dialect and the illustrations make it seem very realistic. The book is appropriate for early and middle elementary students. I think it would be perfect for a history lesson on The Great Depression and the 1930s. There is an "Author's Note" in the back of the book that gives details about the Pack Horse Library Project and other resources to find more information.

God's Little Princess Devotional Bible; A Review

2009-07-07T16:10:00.003-05:00

God's Little Princess Devotional Bible: Bible Storybook, by Sheila Walsh, is a wonderful Bible for young girls. The cover of the book has a crown with diamond-like jewels on it. There is an "Introduction For Parents" in the front of the book. This introduction explains that easy-to-read Scripture selections from the International Children's Bible are combined with songs, plays, beauty secrets, activities and stories.

This Bible Storybook starts with the story of Adam and Eve. It progresses through the Old Testament and New Testament and highlights stories that will be meaningful to children. The stories are written in large-print and are easy and fun to read. The pages are colorful and decorated with patterns and designs. I really like the activities at the end of the Bible stories. These activities will help the readers apply the Biblical principles to their lives.

This book would make a good read-aloud for mother-daughter sharing time. There are many activities that include mothers and daughters. Mothers should be available to answer questions and help young girls understand what they are reading in this Bible.

This Bible is designed for ages 4 to 7. I think it would be very well suited for girls up to the age of 10-years-old. This Bible Storybook will make your daughter feel proud of owning her very own Bible. This is a book that she can read, learn and share with friends and family members.

100 Bible Stories And Songs

2009-06-01T11:48:00.005-05:00

100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs, by Stephen Elkins, is a delightful Bible storybook for young children. The book is divided into two sections; Old Testament and New Testament. There is a very helpful Table Of Contents in the front of the book. The Table of Contents lists the name of the story, the Bible verse that the story is based on and the name of a song that accompanies the story on the CD.

Each story is very short and is written on one page in large print. There is also a large color illustration, a story summary and a life application sentence. Bible verses are included with each story so that you can show children where these stories are found in the Bible.

There are two music CDs that contain 100 Bible songs that accompany the stories. The name of the song is listed on the page with the story. Many of the songs are popular Sunday School songs. Here are a few of the titles;

Be Careful Little Eyes
Who Built The Ark?
Father Abraham
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
I'm In The Lord's Army
Dry Bones
This Is My Father's World
Kumbaya
The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock
I Will Make You Fisher's Of Men

I am a little disappointed that the lyrics to the songs are not printed in the book. It would also be helpful to have the song number printed with the story. You are given the title of the song but not the number on the CD. There are 50 songs on each CD so it takes a little of time to locate your song.

I am going to use this book to supplement my Vacation Bible School material. The stories and songs are suitable for pre-school and elemenatry school children. I recommend this book to parents, Sunday School teachers and VBS teachers. It is great to find such a wonderful variety of stories and songs in one package.

The Wee Woman Finds A New Home

2009-05-26T11:45:00.004-05:00

There Was a Wee Woman . . . (Melanie Kroupa Books), by Erica Silverman, is a delightful story based on the popular Mother Goose rhyme. An old shoe housed the little old woman, her many wee children and their tiny pets too.

One day, the little old woman exploded and said, "Get me out of this shoe." So, they all packed up and set off down the road. Jack, one of the wee children, was afraid to venture out into the unknown. Jack said, "Let's not go. Thre are giants out there!"

The Wee Woman pressed on...and overcame serveral obstacles along the way. She knew she would find a better life for her children...if she didn't give up.

One day the wee family decided to take a nap in a huge garden pail. They soon learned that the pail belonged to a friendly GIANT. The giant took the family home and told them they could live with her. The giant had some giant toys spread-out on the floor. In the center of the floor was a giant-size doll house!

The Wee Woman and her family had a brand new home - and a new friend. This is a wonderful rhyming story with lively color illustrations.

I Love You More Than Rainbows

2009-04-28T14:26:00.008-05:00

I Love You More Than Rainbows, by Susan Crites, is an endearing picture book for young children. This is the perfect bedtime story for little ones and even older children. A parent can never use those three magic words too often..."I love you".

Has your child ever asked this question, "How much do you love me?" This book is a beautiful answer to that question. Children will love the rhyming words and will soon be reciting the text with you. The colorful full-page illustrations are lively and fun.

Susan and Jeff Crites started Operation Rainbows to distribute copies of this book to children of wounded warriors, fallen police and firefighters. Susan recently delivered copies of her book to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

"So many things are nice
and things are fun to do.
But none of them compare
to the love I have for you."

Cinderella In Rhyme

2009-04-23T09:03:00.010-05:00

A Gentleman of high Renown
Whose second wife was Proud,
Two Daughters like her Self she had
Their tempers, Rang aloud.

The Step Dame made her Cinders sift
Sure never was her fellow,
And from this dirty work she got
The name of Cinderella.

It happened once upon a time
The King's son gave a Ball,
And he the Lady's of the town
Invited one and all.

In Feathers and in Rich array

To Court the Sisters went,

While Cinderella sat and Cry'd

And did her fate Lament.

Her Godmother A Fairy was
Of Cinderella fond,
And said you to the Ball shall go
Bring here my dear that Wand.

A Coach she from A Pumpkin made
A Coachman from a Rat,
Four Mice to four fine Horses changed
Most Beautiful and Fat.

After the Midnight hour is struck
Says She my Power is gone,
Your finery will change to Rags
As sure as you are Born.

But as she Danced the clock struck twelve
No finery could She find,
And as she out with Terror Flew
One Slipper left Behind.

The Prince he promised he would wed
Whoever that shoe would fit,
But no one in his Court their foot
Could in the Slipper get.

The Page unto the Sisters went
As they were at the Ball,
Alone would Cinderella fit
Which much Surprised them all.

Orginally printed and published by G. Martin (London) approximately 1810. Edited by Janette Fuller.

Read And Share DVD Bible

2009-04-15T14:12:00.002-05:00

I just watched the Read And Share DVD Bible; Volume 1 from Thomas Nelson. This DVD is a collection of 13 Bible stories from the Read and Share Bible: Over 200 Best Loved Bible Stories by Gwen Ellis.This DVD includes the following Bible stories for children;

The Beginning - Six Days of Creation
Adam and Eve - Sneaky Snake; Out of the Garden
The Flood - Noah's Big Boat; Animals Inside; The Dove; The Rainbow
Abram - Promised Land; Abraham's Visitors; Sarah Laughs; Baby Isaac
Isaac and Rebekah - A Wife for Isaac; Water for the Camels; Rebekah
Jacob and Esau - The Twins; Sneaky Jacob; Foolish Esau
Rachel - A Ladder to Heaven; Rachel; Tricked by Laban
Home Again - Jacob Wrestles With God; Jacob and Esau Meet
Jesus is Born - Mary's Big Surprise; Joseph Marries Mary; Sleepy Shepherds
John the Baptist - Angel's Message; A Baby Named John; John Baptizes Jesus
Jesus Tempted by Satan - Stones to Bread; Top of the Temple
Jesus Loves Children - Healing a Sick Boy; Bringing a Girl Back to Life
One Lost Sheep - A Son Spends His Money; Eating Pig's Food; Home to Father

Each one of these stories is approximately three minutes long. That is an excellent length for the attention span of little ones. The stories are colorful and the music is delightful. The animation is suitable to the content and really brings the stories to life.

This DVD was made for a pre-school/kindergarten audience but I think it could be used as an introduction to Bible study with older children. Older children would enjoy watching a single story on the DVD and then using their Bible to delve deeper into the story and it's meaning.

I would not recommend sitting your child down in front of the TV and watching this entire DVD in one sitting. I think each story should be viewed and then discussed with children. Parents could ask children to recall the main parts of the story by using a "Who?, What?, When?, Where? and Why?" game. A children's Bible would be very helpful to provide more details and help answer questions.

Thomas Nelson will be releasing 3 more volumes of the "Read and Share DVD Bible" this summer. Each DVD will feature stories from the Old and New Testament of the Bible.

I think this product is a good way to introduce your child to the Bible. Sunday School teachers could use this product to supplement their teaching materials. I want to emphsize that this should be used as a teaching tool. Children will have questions about the stories and an adult should be available to answer them. This product will promote a love of the Bible that will lead to a life-time of Bible reading and study.

Understanding Asperger Syndrome

2009-01-29T10:05:00.006-06:00

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk and Liezl Venter is a picture book about a young boy with Asperger Syndrome.

One out of every 150 children in the United States is diagnosed with some form of autism according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sam was different. He liked to giggle but he did not like loud noises. Making friends was hard for Sam. Sam love to play his cello and played the same song over and over again. School was hard for Sam and sometimes the other kids would tease him.

Sam's parents took him to a doctor and she explained that Sam had a form of autism called Asperger Syndrome. The doctor suggested that teachers, parents and counselors should work together to help Sam be the best that he can be.

There are ten tips to help children understand Asperger Syndrome at the end of this story. These tips are excellent to share with siblings and classmates of a child with Asperger Syndrome.

This story is outstanding and the illustrations are colorful and full of emotion. I am happy to see a children's book that promotes empathy and understanding. We are all different and we need to respect each other because of this.

Mary Had A Little Lamp

2009-01-22T07:38:00.003-06:00

Mary Had A Little Lamp, by Jack Lechner, is a hilarious version of the popular nursery rhyme. Bob Staake's illustrations add to the joyful quality of the story.

Mary took her desk lamp everywhere she went. She caused quite a ruckus when she took her lamp to school. Her parents were embarassed and took her to a doctor. Her friends thought she was crazy. She even slept with her beloved lamp.

One summer Mary's parents sent her to summer camp and she left her lamp at home. When she came home, her lamp was replaced with a new companion.

You will get a good laugh when you read the last page of this book. This rhyming story is a great book to supplement your Mother Goose books. The story will delight everyone who ever carried around a blanket or stuffed animal.

Farting Made Him Famous

2009-01-19T09:31:00.006-06:00

Fartiste, by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer, is based on the life of a real man named Joseph Pujol. The cover refers to this story as "an explosively funny, mostly true story".

Young Joseph was an eight-year-old French boy when he first discovered his unusual talent. He learned that he could take air into his backside and then make a variety of hilarious sounds when he released it.

When Joseph was older, he was hired at the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. The crowd went crazy when he got on the stage and started farting. He could sneeze, make animal sounds and blast off like dynamite. He could even perform Beethoven and Mozart! People laughed so hard that nurses were stationed in the aisles to assist people who passed out.

There is an Encore at the end of the book that gives additional biographical information about Joseph Pujol. There is also a list of Sources for students who want to search for more information about this unusual performer.

There are a few words in the book that will send most readers to a dictionary. I was stumped when I read the word "discombobulated".

This book will make history come alive and leave your children absolutely cracking up. They say that truth is stranger than fiction - this book is a great example.

If this book leaves you searching for more stories about flatulence, I highly recommend the Walter the Farting Dog books. Kids love them!

No Hugs Till Saturday

2009-01-15T10:53:00.005-06:00

No Hugs Till Saturday by Julie Downing is a story about a young dragon named Felix and his mother. Everyone loves a hug and this book is full of them. This story is also an excellent lesson in learning that there are always consequences when you break a rule.

Felix is having fun throwing his ball in the house. Mother reminds him of the rule; "No playing ball in the house". Felix ignores his mother's warning and a broken vase is the result of his bad behavior. Mother takes the ball and sends Felix to his room. Felix is furious at his mother. He declares that there will be "no hugs till Saturday".

Felix begins to soften when he realizes that he needs his mother's hugs as much as she needs to give them. The story ends with a whole lot of hugging and love.

This is a wonderful book to share with young children. It demonstrates that there are consequences for bad behavior but that does not diminish a mother's love. This book could be used in a discussion on rules and the need to have them.

Boomtown Is A Blast

2009-01-13T14:26:00.010-06:00

I just read Boomtown; Chang's Famous Fireworks by Nowen N. Particular. This book was published by Thomas Nelson Publishers in 2008.

Boomtown is not an ordinary town. It's the home of Chang's Fireworks Factory and the people of Boomtown love to blow things up. This unusual town is where Arthur Button moves his family in the 1940s. He's the newest pastor at Boomtown Church. Actually, he's the 25th pastor of Boomtown Church. The 24 preceeding pastors have all died in very unusual ways.

Written in the first-person voice of Rev. Button, this book presented memories of his family's adventures, the townspeople, and his struggle to feel comfortable in a new community. The author includes lessons on acceptance, trust, history, science and family devotion.

Your imagination will stretch and grow as you read all the hilarious incidents described in this book. This book has 323 pages and is illustrated with photographs, diagrams, drawings and maps. Boys in the middle grades will find this adventure story a real blast!

The Early Years Of Buster Keaton

2009-01-12T09:52:00.006-06:00

Keep Your Eye On The Kid; The Early Years Of Buster Keaton, by Catherine Brighton, is a biography for children.

Little Joe Keaton was born in a boarding house in Piqua, Kansas. His parents were traveling show people and Joe spent most of his young life traveling across the country.

One morning Joe took a nasty fall down the stairs. Harry Houdini picked him up and said, "Gee, that was some buster the kid took". The name stuck and Joe was known as "Buster Keaton" from then on.

Buster was incorporated into his parent's comedy show and was known for the sad look on his face.

When he was old enough to leave home, Buster moved to New York and met his vaudeville friend Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Buster worked with Roscoe until he went to California and opened his very own movie studio. His most famous films were made in the 1920s and Buster became a famous silent movie star.

This book features full-page illustrations that add lively detail to the story. The text consists of two or three sentences on each page. The information in the book is factual and entertaining.

There are very few children's picture books that tell the story of the vaudeville era in America. I think this book will send children back to the library or the internet to search for more information about these early entertainers. There is a bibliography at the end of the book that lists all the Buster Keaton films that are now available on DVD.

I have never seen a Buster Keaton film but I am sure going to find one to watch. I am putting Steamboat Bill, Jr. on my must-see list.

A Very Stinky Dinosaur

2009-01-06T11:24:00.009-06:00

Gorgonzola, by Margie Palatini, is the story about a dinosaur with some serious hygiene problems. He had a bad case of D.O. - dinosaur odor.

Gorgonzola had no idea that the real reason everyone ran off in such a hurry was not because they were frightened. It was because he smelled "so doggone awful."

One day a brave little bird confronted Gorgonzola about his major dinosaur odor problem. Gorgonzola explained that he was an orphaned egg and never had anyone to teach him about hygiene.

The bird agreed to help Gorgonzola clean up his act. He brushed his teeth, flossed and rinsed with some mouthwash. He scrubbed himself from head to toe with soap and water. He applied some dusting powder and plenty of lotion. He was a new dinosaur. The bird told Gorgonzola that he would have to take a bath and brush his teeth everyday if he wanted to be her friend. He agreed.

Gorgonzola was happy to be the first dinosaur to be declared "ex-stink".

Children will love this story that deals with a sensitive subject in a humorous manner. It is a great book to use in a health and hygiene unit. The illustrations are colorful and add to the humor of the story. Dinosaurs are always popular with kids. Thumbs up!

Dirty Joe The Pirate

2009-01-05T08:34:00.003-06:00

Dirty Joe The Pirate is a hilarious story by Bill Harley. If you are ready for a good laugh, this book is for you. When I first chose this book, I thought it would be a good book for boys. I was in for a big surprise!

Dirty Joe was a cruel and evil pirate who roamed the seas looking for unique treasure. Dirty Joe was not interested in gold or jewels, he would board a ship, tie up the crew and steal their dirty socks. He would then hang the socks upon his rigging lines for all the world to see.

One day Dirty Joe and his crew approached the ship of Stinky Annie, the head of a band of female pirates. Stinky Annie and her girls were searching for a different kind of treasure; they collected pilfered underwear.

Dirty Joe's crew boarded Stinky Annie's ship and the pirates fought a terrible fight. At first it looked like Dirty Joe would win, but then he noticed that the lady pirates were fighting barefoot - they had no socks or shoes!

Stinky Annie cornered Dirty Joe and realized that Joe looked familiar. Annie was Joe's long-lost older sister. That did not stop Annie from claiming her treasure. Joe and his entire crew had to surrender their undies to the lady pirates.

The last page of the book issues the following warning;
"If you've got an older sister, then I feel bad for you,
'Cause just as long as she's alive, she'll tell you what to do."

This rhyming story is a real winner. There is a video of Bill Harley telling "The Ballad of Dirty Joe" on YouTube. You will love this video. Get a copy of the book and then watch Bill on YouTube. You will laugh your socks off!

The Ballad of Dirty Joe on YouTube

Three Horrid Little Pigs

2008-12-30T08:54:00.006-06:00

I love fairy tales and so do kids. Everyone knows the story about the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. This book gives us a different point-of-view.

The three little pigs in this story are rude, lazy and mean little brats. They are so bad that they are driving their mother crazy. Mother Pig kicks the little pigs out of the house and they go out into the world to find a new place to live.

The first little pig piles up some straw around himself. A kind wolf, who happens to be a carpenter, is passing by and offers to help the little pig with his house. The rude little pig yells at the wolf and threatens to HUFF and PUFF and KICK HIM OUT! The wolf only wanted to help so he goes on his way.

The kind wolf eventually meets the other wolf brothers and offers to help them build their houses. The wolf gets the same rude and nasty responses from the brothers.

Well, things do not work out for the three little pigs and they soon find themselves homeless. They head for the wolf's strong, cozy brick house.

I like this book because the wolf is totally kind and good. He is all about helping others. Yes, the story has a happy ending and the reader wants to grow up and be just like the kind carpenter wolf.

Librarian's Night Before Christmas

2008-12-17T14:04:00.006-06:00

This book should be in every libarian's Christmas stocking. It is a delightful version of the classic "Twas The Night Before Christmas" poem that was written for librarians everywhere.

The story begins with a frazzled librarian sitting at her desk repairing old library books because there is no money to buy new ones (been there, done that).
When the librarian looks out the window, she sees a bright red bookmobile cruising through the sky. Santa jumps out of the vehicle with a pile of books in his hands. He is wearing a green cowboy hat and shiny black boots.

The elves go to work repairing the library walls, replacing worn carpet and stocking the shelves with new books. Santa sits down by the Christmas tree and reads stories to the children in the library.

It was soon time for Santa to be on his way. He has many other libraries to visit. As he flew out of sight, he boomed from his book van;

"Have a real merry Christmas - teach someone to
read!"

A Lump Of Coal And A Christmas Miracle

2008-12-08T09:21:00.010-06:00

This is a story of a lump of coal who can think, talk, and move itself around. The lump of coal is interested in becoming an artist. He dreams of a miracle - that one day he would draw rough black lines on a canvas.

The story begins when our lump of coal rolls out of a bag of charcoal that was left out in a snowy yard. He gets up and starts looking around for a miracle. He rolled around the town and met several interesting people but they had no use for a lump of coal. He is about ready to go back to the bag of charcoal when he spots Santa Claus standing on a street corner. It is not the real Santa Claus, but Santa says he could use a lump of coal to put in his disobedient stepson's Christmas stocking.

On Christmas Eve, the lump of coal finds himself lodged inside a Christmas stocking and hanging on a fireplace mantle. When Jasper finds the lump of coal, he is delighted. He says he has been wanting to create some abstract art featuring rough black lines. Jasper is astonished when he finds out his lump of coal can talk. It is a miracle...but the best is yet to come.

Jasper and the lump of coal created many beautiful pieces of art which were sold for a fortune. They used the fortune to visit Korea and when they came home they opened a Korean restaurant. Jasper and the lump of coal spent many happy years together and they never saw the Santa Claus again.

This story is not like the average Christmas story. It is, however, about a series of Christmas miracles. Children will find this book humorous and meaningful. There are miracles all around us...we just have to recognize them.

Tim McGraw Loves His Little Girls

2008-11-19T13:45:00.007-06:00

Country music superstar, Tim McGraw, has written a book about a day with his little girl. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are the proud parents of three daughters. This book is a beautiful tribute to daddy/daughter relationships everywhere.

Katie was excited because her daddy said tomorrow they would have a spectacular day together...just the two of them. She imagined exotic places they might visit and things they might do.

When Katie got up the next morning, her daddy said they were not going to do anything in particular. They were just going to hang-out together. They got in the pick-up truck and headed for the co-op. Katie's dog, Palio, went with them.

Katie and her daddy ate lunch together and played together. They ended the day with daddy telling Katie a bedtime story and saying prayers.

It was an ordinary day but it was also a spectacular day.

The most precious gift a parent can give a child is their time. Love is an action word. This book should be required reading for all daddys...and mommys too.

Gus The Pilgrim Turkey

2008-11-17T11:01:00.007-06:00

Gus was living the good life on a farm. One day when he was making plans for New Year's Eve, one of the farm animals told Gus he probably wouldn't be around on New Year's Eve. The animals told Gus that he would be the farmer's Thanksgiving dinner.

Gus was very upset. He decided to pack his bag and go south with the other birds. Everywhere he went people looked at him with hungry eyes. He walked until he was so tired that he couldn't walk anymore.

Gus spotted a ship. He boarded late one night and hopped into the lifeboat. When the ship stopped, he discovered he was at the South Pole. One of the sailors on the ship spotted him...it just happened to be Thanksgiving Day. Gus ran for his life.

Gus found a new home where he could feel safe. He realized that he was like the Pilgrims...he had found a new home in a faraway place. He was thankful for a new beginning.

Children will find this story amusing and fun. This book is a great way to teach children about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Children's Thanksgiving Book List

Thanksgiving Feast For Mouse

2008-11-17T10:37:00.006-06:00

This story begins when the Thanksgiving dinner is over. The leftovers are still on the dining room table. Mom and Dad are taking a nap and the kids are outside playing football. The family cat is curled up by the wood stove.

Mouse crept out of his hole. He scampered up the tablecoth and surveyed the contents of the table. He spotted a pea under a plate. One would be a feast. He rolled the pea across the table to take it back to his hole. Then he spotted six cranberries. One would be a feast. So he balanced the cranberry on top of the pea and started back to his hole.

Mouse's eyes were bigger than his stomach. Each time he passed a tasty morsel on the table, he added it to his bounty. Soon, he had so much food that he could hardly balance it on his hand.

Unfortunately, Cat was waiting for Mouse at the edge of the table. Mouse dropped the food and ran toward his hole. He made it to the hole just in time. He peeked out and noticed one "teensy-tiny, round and toothsome, green and luscious pea" on the floor near his home.

"Give thanks! One is a feast for me!", said Mouse.

This is a delightful Thanksgiving book. The illustrations make the story come alive. Children will see how you can be thankful for small blessings...like a teensy-tiny pea. Thanksgiving is all about an attitude of gratitude.

See My Thanksgiving Book List

Halloween Book List For Children

2008-10-31T21:41:00.006-05:00

I just completed a Halloween Book List For Children on Squidoo. This is a list of all my favorite Halloween books and songs.

Kids love to read scary books all year round. These books will be in constant demand in any library.

I hope you all have a happy and fun Halloween.