A Carson Favorite

A new Eric Carle book that Carson just LOVES. (came out last year)
She loves to "read" this one to me and for a daughter who likes me to read her 7-8 books before bed...this is a good but quick read. "I paint a blue horse.....black polar bear.....a polka dotted donkey." Great colors book and fun story!!

Two Little Monkeys

I ordered this today for Carson on Amazon. She loves memorizing books and "reading" them to me. This is perfect since we just signed up for the library summer reading program today!
We just LOVE Mem Fox and this book is no exception....it is just fun to read. The flow reminds me of Where is the Green Sheep.

Irresistible rhythm, adorable monkeys and pitch-perfect rhyme make this a must-have for the preschool set. "Two little monkeys / playing near a tree, / one named Cheeky, / one named Chee." With the familiar rhythm of a nursery-school finger game, the text draws children into this story of two little monkeys. Playing among the high grasses and dirt, Cheeky and Chee are frightened by something prowling and take refuge in a nearby tree. Strong verbs like scramble, tremble, peep and leap are easy to decode and understand, allowing young readers to enjoy the pictures or act out the story along with these brave little monkeys.

Books to Vote For

Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton

Get your classroom libraries ready for the fall with election books. You may want to get an extra copy of Grace for President and Duck for President...as well as Vote for Me.

Vote for Me is a good book for elementary students learning about campaigns and elections.

A blue donkey and red elephant take up residence on either side of each spread and make their cases to the reader. They pander (“Yes, YOU with the great hair and that dazzling smile”), brag (“I’m a SUPER CUTE elephant”), bribe (“if you vote for ME, I’ll give you a sucker”), and inflate their connection to the voter (“I know your friend’s mother’s aunt’s gym teacher’s pastor’s duck-billed platypus. So, we’re practically FAMILY”). Eventually, they go negative and sling mud—literally—while a tiny mouse, seen scurrying in the corners, walks away with the election as an independent. Obviously adults are going to get a kick out of this, but the Mo Willems–like presentation, clever coloring (when the candidates make up, the background becomes purple), and universal anti-arguing message will tickle future politicos, too.

I LOVE This Quote.....

“You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be— I had a mother who read to me.” (Strickland W. Gillilan, The Reading Mother.)

I just read an article about Piggie and Elephant books on the Mommy and Me blog and found this quote...I love it!

Perfect quote for today as I was one proud mommy last night!!! Carson "read" me the entire book Shoe La La by Karen Beaumont. This is not a short book and she pretty much "read" it to me word for word. Now...of course I know my 2 year old is not looking at the words and sounding them out but I was so proud that she listened when I read it, paid attention, and used the pictures on the pages for clues. She even read with my same expressions. Carson is on her way to reading and I am so so so proud! (We made such a big deal about it too....laughing, yelling out, clapping...I can't wait to see what she will read me tonight!)

Life-Size Farm

Life Size is back...and this time we go to the farm! These are some of the most popular books in the library. I do not think I ever put one on the shelf this entire year....they were simply snatched up by the kids. Now there is a new farm book and I know it will be an instant hit! Students will get a chance to get close to a cow, chicken, donkey, pig, turkey, duck, goat, and more!

With more than 200,000 copies in print and Parents' Choice Gold Awards for each of its first three titles (Life-Size Zoo, More Life-Size Zoo, and Life-Size Aquarium) the Life-Size series moves to the barnyard to get readers closer than ever before to 19 of their favorite animals.

With informative facts and fun illustrations accompanying the superlative photographs that depict the animals at features in their actual life size (or at least as much of it that fits on the page!), Life-Size Farm brings readers eye to eye with an alpaca, chicken, dairy cow, donkey, duck, ferret, goose, horse, llama, pig, pony, goat, rabbit, sheep, turkey, and more!

Show Me a Story: Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators

A must read for me this summer!!!! Not a book for children but rather a book for teachers and parents to read about why reading is so important! And of course I was drawn to that crazy Pigeon on the cover!!

Max and Mickey; Miss Nelson; Pack, Quack, and Mrs. Mallard; Pigeon; Sylvester; John Henry; and a very hungry caterpillar — these are just a few of the beloved picture book characters discussed in Show Me a Story. Renowned children’s literature authority Leonard S. Marcus speaks with their creators and others — twenty-one of the world’s most celebrated authors and illustrators
— and asks about their childhood, their inspiration, their determination, their mentors, their creative choices, and more. Why do children love and need picture books so much? Recasting and greatly expanding on a volume published in 2002 as Ways of Telling, Leonard S. Marcus confirms that picture books matter because they make a difference in our children’s lives.

Christmas in June???

Ok, I just love Christmas books...especially with some of our favorite book characters. Be on the look out for these holiday books- most of them coming out in September. They will be popular in the library and perfect for Christmas gifts for your little ones...especially Pete the Cat! I can't wait to hear what song goes along with that book!!!!

Also be on the look out for Scaredy Squirrel Christmas! Cover not available yet.

Seasons Readings!!!

Faster Faster

My daughter will LOVE this book! A sort of sequel to Higher Higher...Carson's favorite book when she was 18 months old. Better for toddlers. I would not order for school. Words simply say- Faster Faster on each page. But Carson likes to think she is reading the whole book- which is great for her age!

Hang on tight for more comic joy in this companion to the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner Higher! Higher!

A day at the park. A ride on Daddy's back. Run, Daddy! Faster! Faster! How fast can Daddy go? Faster than a dog? A horse? How about a cheetah? Must his feet even touch the ground? Leslie Patricelli reprises the duo from Higher! Higher! in another humorous riff on a favorite pastime — a laugh-out-loud-funny tale of few words about doting dads and high-energy kids whose imaginations know no bounds.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 7- Nov. 13

I will have to plan a party in the library for November 13....the next Diary of a Wimpy Kid is coming!
My kids love to guess the color of the next books but no one had ever guessed brown. (We were all thinking black or lime green.) The Third Wheel is sure to be an instant hit...so I am going to pre-order my copy right now!

Love is in the air -- but what does that mean for Greg Heffley? Find out in Jeff Kinney's seventh ''Diary of a Wimpy Kid'' entry, sure to be on every young reader's list this fall!



There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books

This is the perfect back to school book! The kids in my library just LOVE all of the "There Was An Old Lady" books and this is a fun school edition!

There was an old lady who's ready for school!

That lovely old lady has returned just in time for the first day of school. Now she's swallowing items to make the very best of her first day back. And just in time for the bus...

It's Summer Again.....I'm Back!

Let the summer reading begin! I am very excited for this summer as Carson is almost 3 years old and we are involved in Mommy and Me gymnastics and she is going to take ballet and tap lessons. You will also find us at the beach and pool this summer...with a stack of good books. I will let you know what we are reading and what we come across!

Seasons Readings :)