Who Loves Reading??

Who Has the Most Fun Reading??

I know it’s been a very long time since I’ve posted an entry but…well…I’ve been busy, it’s been the summer, it’s been hot, I was caught up in other things.  You know how it goes. Finally…I’m back!

I love this picture of brother and sister with their uncle having a good read first thing in the morning–sitting comfortably in their jammies and enjoying a good story together.  If you ask almost any child between the ages of 2 and 10 (and probably even older) how many books they enjoy reading or listening to a day, they’ll tell you 20 or a zillion!  All of us and our kids need to step away from our iPad and iPhone games and videos, get to the library, go to a Little Free Library  or just pull out some of our favorite books from our own bookshelves and READ.  Research has shown that children who are read to often and read a lot, have much great imaginations and creativity.  Take a look at some of the books I’ve described below and read them together and see for yourself!  Children have a much better opportunity to imagine the magic of the settings, the emotions of characters and the sense of excitement, fear, hilarity, and thrill from a book much better than a video game or movie.  And this is coming from someone who loves movies!  See for yourself.

                   

       The World’s Greatest Elephant by Ralph Helfer/ illustrated by Ted Lewin

I loved this book!  it’s based on a true story of the relationship between a young boy and an elephant who grow up     together.  It reminded me so much of another one of my favorite reads as an adult, Water for Elephants.  It reinforces our knowledge about the close ties humans can have with their pets and with animals as well as how sensitive animals really are.  You will all enjoy reading this true story together.  Read it next to Two Bobbies  by Kirby Larson.  Ages 4-10

                   

       Tsunami!  By Kimiko Kajikawa /illustrated by Ed Young

This story and original paper cut-out illustrations by Ed Young make a wonderful book for the slightly older children to read or listen to.  In light of the horrific tsunami in Japan a few years ago, children will be able to relate to that event in Japan.  It has a warm and caring message that will be good for all children to hear.  Ages 5-10.

       Dave the Potter – Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill/ illustrated by Bryan Collier

This beautifully illustrated Caldecott Honor book will teach you and your young listeners not only about how to make pottery, but about the life of a slave who lived about 200 years ago.  I would call this book a narrative expository book because the author has to imagine some of the facts but it is based on the story and life of a real person.  You and your children will gain a new appreciation for this artist and his famous work.  Ages 4-10

     

        A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley

I’ll be the first to admit that I prefer fiction to non-fiction but when I looked through this book, it really grabbed me.  The photographs by National Geographic photographers are breathtaking, of course, but the message about the universality of water as a basic need to all of us throughout the world really came across.  Talk about this one together.  What are some of the problems people in the world face in accessing fresh water?  You won’t regret it!  Ages 4-10

                 

       Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back by Shel Silverstein

I thought I knew all of Shel Silverstein’s books, but continue to find new ones I haven’t read.  This was definitely meant to be read out loud.  You’ll have a blast with it.  I don’t know what it is about his books that draw both children and adults together but they do!  Even if you’re a bit squeamish, as I am, about guns or certainly about lions eating hunters, it is underplayed and will make you laugh right out loud.  The illustrations are the best.  Like Lafcadio, maybe you will crave marshmallows after reading this book!  Ages 4+

Who Doesn’t Love Dinosaurs??

Now find me a child who doesn’t love books about dinosaurs.  Stories about monsters–preferably silly or not-so-scary are also big hits. I only have a few books here to share and expect to hear from all of you about some of your favorite dinosaur and monster books.  Depending on the age of your listeners or readers, you can always talk about the different names of the dinosaurs, theories about how they became extinct, what they eat, the difference between dinosaurs and mammals, what animals are alive today that are closest relatives of dinosaurs and what’s the difference between a dinosaur and a monster.  Of course, you’ll have that discussion first about what extinct means and try to steer them away from talking about things that stink—ha-ha.  It’s a good time to go to the library together and hunt down fiction and non-fiction books about dinosaurs.  I guarantee–they will be a hit!  Here are a few to consider.  My granddaughter likes them all!

   

 

     How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?  By Jane Yolen/  illustrated by Mark Teague

Anyone out there have trouble with the youngsters when it’s time to go to bed?   Come on now…admit it.  This is the book for you!  Read it together and you all might have more pleasant nighttime routines.  It’s worth a try anyway, plus the illustrations are awesome and will make you smile.  Each time you read it (maybe every night!) let the little ones guess how the dinosaur will behave.  Of course, you’ll want to compare it with their very good behavior at night.  I loved it!  Ages 2-5

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? By Jane Yolen/ illustrated by Mark Teague

Everybody knows kids love dinosaurs—especially if you can make them cute and non-threatening…at least to 1-6 yr. olds.  This book will be a big hit, especially when you read to a little guy or girl who is not feeling so well and might need a visit to the doctor’s office.  Those tantrums and screaming/sobbing fits might be eliminated after reading this together.  Well…maybe not eliminated, but the decibels might be less!  The bold illustrations will be fun even for the really youngest listeners.  Ages 2-5

   

      Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs by Ian Whybrow/ illustrated by Adrian Reynolds

This is the best!  Harry finds a bucketful of old plastic dinosaurs up in his attic that he takes excellent care of, only to lose them on a train.  As expected, he is heart-broken but all good things happen to little boys who take good care of their pet dinosaurs and this is no exception.  Check it out.  The boys will love it and so will the girls!  Sweet story.  Ages 2-6

     

     Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! By Sandra Boynton

You’ve probably seen Sandra Boynton’s greeting cards, but this is a pretty cute book—especially to go along with the dinosaur theme.  The little ones will like the pictures and have fun turning the sturdy pictures to see all sorts of silly dinosaurs.  They can learn some new vocabulary while they’re at it.  Which one is your favorite?  Ages 1-4

     

     Dinosaurs Halloween by Liza Donnelly

For some inexplicable reason, my 4 yr. old granddaughter LOVES Halloween books all year round and this is her most recent favorite.  It’s not an earth shattering dinosaur story, but a good one to help teach kids about bullying.  It’s a good story to remind kids that even little guys have bigger siblings and friends so….don’t mess with them!  Ages 3-6

   

      Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley

While this is not technically a dinosaur book, it falls into that “Monster Book” category and is a good one for the younger kiddos. Scary things always seem to appear around bedtime and prevent “lights out” with a bit of a scene, so try this book at bedtime.  The clever cut outs will be fun for the little guys and the bold colors will just pop out for them.  Kids will feel like they actually have control over those nighttime monsters.  Don’t forget There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer while you’re at it—one of our all time faves! Ages 1-4

Fruits and Veggies!

Summer is arriving–at least on the East Coast it has arrived with a vengeance.  Our strawberry harvest is nearly over but what a great opportunity to take advantage of fun books about fruits and vegetables…and more, of course! (I admit that I stole a couple of these pictures right off my son’s blog, psoutowood.wordpress.com)

The young guys love to help organize and plant the gardens and, of course, harvest the fruits and veggies when they are ripe!  These are great opportunities to make charts together and label all the fruits and veggies and then talk about what letter each one begins with. Maybe you can draw veggies and sort by the letters they begin with.   Start gathering all the books you can about gardens, fruits and veggies.  I’m including a  few of my favorites below.

     

         The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood/ illustrated                   by Don Wood

This is just the cutest story with adorable illustrations—did that sound too sweet??? Well, it is, darn it!  It’s a great story to teach kids about the value of sharing—never mind it saves the little mouse’s life!  Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, but it’s a great story anyway.  A must read—get it! Ages 2-5

   

     

     Rah, Rah, Radishes!  A Vegetable Chant by April Pulley Sayre

Your kids may not be great vegetable eaters but maybe this book will help motivate them to at least learn the names and identify all kinds of different vegetables.  The photographs are colorful and the rhymes with the veggies are fun.  Good luck getting them to eat their vegetables.  You’re on your own for that, but this might be a fun game to play when you go to the local market or grocery store to look for different vegetables.  Ages 1-6

   

 The Gardener by Sarah Stewart/ illustrated by David Small

Notice how I keep presenting and reviewing a lot of the Caldecott Honor and Medal Winners?  There is a reason for that.  They are selected by a group of qualified children’s librarians and authors as the best illustrated and written children’s books each year.  Check them out if you haven’t already.  They are all wonderful.  This book is no exception.  The Gardener is written about a young girl who loves to garden and plant flowers.  She is sent to the city to live with a cantankerous older uncle whom she tries to win over.  The illustrations are fabulous showing all the subtleties of the characters and the story is very dear.  Read it together then go and plant something together!  Ages 4-8.

     June 29,1999 by David Wiesner

Here’s another great David Wiesner book—just as creative as all of his other ones!  Let’s tie this in with the vegetable theme books.  It’s not only a fun and imaginative story but a great way to learn the names of more vegetables.  The ending is a surprise.  Now let’s all create a science project like the one in this book!  Ages 4-9

Don’t Forget the Really Young Children!

I’ve been asked to include some books that can be read to the very young children to help get them interested in books.  Here’s what I say…start them early, start them young!  They are NEVER to early to be read to.  Don’t forget my mantra…the more children are read to, the earlier they will learn to read for themselves, the better readers and writers they will be become and the stronger students they will be in school.  You don’t believe me?  Give it a try, then get back to me in about 12 years and let me know how well my statement holds up.  Notice that I didn’t say “theory”.  It’s not a theory, it’s fact!

My son-in-law is sitting down with our granddaughter here and reading one of her favorites.  Actually, I think she’s getting ready to chew on it before he reads it to her.  Make a visit to your public library and check out some of these books for your young guys.  They’ll thank you for it in about 12 years!

         

     

     Mama Cat has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming

Now this really is a great book to show how all children in families are different and how that is not only OK, it’s a good thing.  Cute book with vivid illustrations that the youngest listeners will love looking at.  A great book for the littlest guys.  Ages 0-2

 

 

 

 

       

   

      Counting Kisses by Karen Katz

What a warm and snuggly counting book for infants and toddlers.  These bright, graphic pictures will draw in the youngest of listeners and the story can help toddlers learn to count to ten while, by the way, perhaps even falling asleep at night while you read it out loud.  It’s even more fun if you do all the things it says for each number!  Have fun!  Ages 0-4

 

 

 

   

     

     Snoozers by Sandra Boynton

Here’s another bedtime book to help those youngest guys get into bed at night.  They can select the story they want, but you know you’ll end up reading all of them.  They can help pick out the rhyming words—especially after you’ve read each story 300 times and they know them all by heart!  Ages 1-3

 

 

 

   

     Tiger Can’t Sleep by S. J. Fore/illustrated by R.W. Alley

     We all know that many 2 and 3 year olds are afraid of things lurking in their closets or under their beds.  You will both  love the illustrations and story to help those little guys get over being afraid of things in their closets.  Of course, many of us still believe it’s simply a ruse to not have to go to bed.  First, however, check under your bed and in the closet…just in case.  Fun read aloud.  Ages 2-6

 

 

 

     

     

     My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

This delightful, wordless picture book won the Caldecott Medal.  The illustrations will be great fun to follow and help predict what will happen next.  It’s a great problem-solving book for the youngest readers and they’ll enjoy finding different animals on the pages—especially the little mouse.  Ages 1-4.

 

 

     

     Bark George by Jules Feiffer

This is a fun and colorful book to read to the young guys.  The youngest listeners will enjoy the story, the sound effects you make reading it aloud and the big, colorful pictures.  The slightly older preschoolers can help predict what will happen and make the sounds themselves.  I didn’t much care for the idea that the dog was expected to behave in a certain way that was expected of dogs—could send a message that conformism is important, but I suppose the youngsters won’t really see it that way.  Ages 1-4

Sheep Sheep Sheep

I don’t know why I’m drawn to books about sheep.  I’m not particularly fond of sheep.  I’ve been told that sheep don’t really make such great pets, although, no one can deny that lambs are pretty cute.  I’ve heard that sheep aren’t all that smart and they make lemmings behavior look like Einstein.  They stand in clusters on the roads in Scotland and England and won’t move no matter what you might shout–or perhaps suggest to them.  All that being said, I love sheep books but I think it’s just the clever illustrations that draws me to them.

 So here are a couple of books I think you’ll enjoy reading together…about sheep, of course!

 

  Where is the Green Sheep? By Mem Fox/ illustrated by Judy Horacek

Well isn’t this just the cutest book for those little ones?  You’ll love the fun animated pictures and the kids will love learning and saying all the different kinds of sheep in the story.  They will like hearing this one over and over.  Great opportunity to talk about vocabulary.  Maybe they can even imagine different kinds of sheep to talk about.  Ages 1-5

 

Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton

I don’t know what my attraction to stories about sheep is but this book is just great fun!  You know it’s written by someone who lives in England and is most likely surrounded by a lot of sheep.  The illustrations are a hoot.  It’s about a sheep who can’t fall asleep at night and all the gyrations he goes through to help fall asleep.  You’ll get a good chuckle out of it—and so will the kids too!  Ages 2-5

 

  Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw/illustrated by Margot Apple

Here I go again with another sheep book.  This isn’t the world’s best literature, by any means, but fun rhyming for the youngest guys with funny illustrations.  I even think it’s a great book for emerging readers to enjoy—much better than many of those publisher’s reading program books.  Everybody will like it. Ages 1-6

Now, if you have any other really clever and irresistible sheep books, please share!

More Good Books for Boys

I’ll admit right up front that these are my two sons reading to their cousin when they were young .  So, as you see, “Books for Boys” can also be appropriate for girls.  While I’m pretty sure that the book they are reading is not a Dungeons and Dragons or an Avengers-type book, this young girl is still pretty engrossed in it.  The other thing I like about this picture is it’s verification that reading together and reading aloud is not just restricted to parents reading to their own children.  Summer is quickly arriving, so grab armfuls of books from the public libraries, borrow from a Little Free Library (see littlefreelibraries.org), or pull from your own collections and sit down and read books together!

I’m sharing some more interesting books that I’ve read that I’m just sure boys will love but feel free to let the girls take a peek too.  You’ll notice a certain theme with a few.  Let me know what your little guys –or big guys –think of my selection.  While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a couple of other good websites with book reviews, like the Nerdy Book Club at nerdybookclub.wordpress.com or picturebooklog.blogspot.com.  It’s all about finding great books for kids.

   

   

 Into the Unknown by Stewart Ross/illustrated by Stephen Biesty

     Wow!  What a fabulous discovery this was.  This is one of those books that 3 yr. olds and adults will  love.  I am having a hard time selecting an age  group for this creative book.  I’m not a huge history fan but was riveted to this book.  It presents great discoveries and exploration from the Greeks to landing on the Moon in a way that draws you in.  The partnering with the illustrator and the creative fold-outs with elaborate details will hold the attention and interest of everyone who looks at them.  I can’t write enough kudos about this book.  Check it out!  Ages 4+.

   

      A Street Through Time by Anne Millard/illustrated by Steve Noon

Notice a theme here??  I’ve been looking at a number of these cross-section books and up-close books much like many of the wonderful David MacCauley books.  This colorful book is fascinating because it identifies a particular location—in England, I presume—and follows it’s growth, development, demise and strife through the ages from pre-historic times until today.  The fun thing is to locate the character in each illustration who is the Time Traveler.  By the way, not that you care, but I found all but one picture of the Time Traveler—maybe two.  Kids will love the details and have fun looking for different objects the writer asks for.  Talk about the good as well as the  bad things that happen in civilizations and how events are often repeated.  How could we avoid some of the problems with the progress of our country?  Great fun for kids and parents!  Age 8+

Egypt in Spectacular Cross-Section by Stewart Ross/illustrated by Stephen Biesty

Here’s another one!  Children love learning about the pyramids and the building of that sophisticated empire.  Let’s not forget that that empire and most of the awe-inspiring structures were built by slaves—another matter. A young boy, his father, one of the engineers for one of the many buildings, and his family are at the center of this story.  The reader follows them along their lives to discover all about how that huge empire was built.  Another fabulous cross-section book to find minute figures and details.  Fun way to learn about that period.  Ages 8+

 

 

  Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

It is hard to believe that this wonderful series of books was initially written in 1929.  Its stories of adventure, imagination and resourcefulness are fun for children to read today.  Young adults and older children as well will love how this family relies on each other and their cleverness to get them through exciting adventures involving boats, islands, pirates and more!  Anyone who loves the sea and boats will definitely love it.  Hard to put down and is still popular.  Get all the books in the series.  This follows the lives of the family members as they grow up.  I couldn’t resist showing a picture of the boat they used in the series.  Don’t you just want to hop in?  Ages 8+

   

 

   

       The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

     This fantasy series has been around a long time but still stands out as one of the best.  It is pre-Harry Potter but has many similar elements of that famous series.  Susan Cooper is a good writer that will hold the reader for this entire series.  Best to start from the beginning of the series with Over Sea, Under Stone so as not to get too confused.  It might be fun to have kids compare Harry Potter with this series and discuss similarities and differences and what they like about each.  Ages 10 +

Great Books for Boys

I’m reluctant to title this blog as “Great Books for Boys” when, in fact, I know that it’s not reasonable to assume that there are books that are really only geared for boys or girls.  I do know, however, that this post won’t include any of the Fancy Nancy books or the story of Cinderella or the Angelina Ballerina  stories — which, by the way, is one of my very favorite series.  I’ve selected books that I do feel, however, are sure fire hits with most boys who love the idea of adventure and exploration.  Watch out boys!  The girls will be stealing these books out from under your noses to read when you’re not looking!

My own sons while growing up, couldn’t put the books down.  My oldest son is standing here in front of the Atlantic Ocean on the OuterBanks of North Carolina, totally oblivious to the dancing dolphins and parading pelicans as he’s absorbed in some wild adventure.  He was too engrossed in the story to even sit down to read!  This is as it should be!

Now let’s talk about some of these books and tell me what you think.

                                             

 

                                           Spy Cat by Peg Kehret

This Newbery Award winning book is a fun read.  The story is written from two perspectives—a cat and a young boy who loves to spy.  While the story isn’t riveting, it does have a contemporary theme about burglars and kidnapping.  It demonstrates the bravery of a young boy along with the intelligence and creativity of a pet cat.  Good read for those young readers. Ask kids to talk about what were smart things the young spy did and maybe some things that might not have been such a good idea.  Ages 8-11.

                             

                                  The Indian in the Cupboard – by Lynne Reid Banks

Now here’s a winner.  My boys absolutely loved this series when they were young.  And while I heard them talking about it, I never read it.  What a clever idea for a story,,,magical.  This even makes a dandy read-aloud to all ages.  What could be more exciting than following the ad ventures of a plastic miniature cowboy and Indian as they magically become alive?  It’s a great opportunity to talk about friendship and the responsibilities that are an important part of friendship.  You know…always a lesson to be learned and talked about.  Ages 7-10

   

                           Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca

Even though the U.S. space program may be on a temporary (we hope) hiatus, kids still love learning all about the original astronauts and going to the moon.  The illustrations and story here about the Apollo 11 flight to the moon will have even the die-hard fiction readers intrigued.  Kids who love learning about space flight will love it the best.  It’s a winner. Ages 4-10

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

             Looking for good books for young adult boys?  Well—look no further.  This book really surprised me—nothing like anything I’ve read before.  It’s sort of autobiographical of the Native American author, Alexie.  It’s written from a young 14 yr. old Indian’s view and talks about living on a reservation “rez” in Washington.  He’s bound and determined to fight against the odds thrown at him—a disability at birth, poverty and alcoholism on the rez and in his family, dysfunctional school and bullies all around.  Pick it up and read it together.  The cartoon illustrations are great fun.  A must read for boys, especially boys who live on a reservation.  Highly motivational.  A note…there are some references to “boy stuff” and some language some may shrink at, but it’s real and heart wrenching yet said with humor.  See—I can’t stop talking about it!  Ages 13-16+

 

 

 

 

             

 

                                    Incredible Explosions by Stephen Biesty( illustrator) and Richard Platt (text)

Stephen Biesty, who illustrated the book Egypt in Spectacular Cross-Section  and Into the Unknown , creates a fascinating close up look at a variety of things from windmills, a base station in the Antarctic and even the human body.  We’re supposed to provide more non-fiction sources for our children these days and this is a great place to look.  You can spend hours—OK, maybe not hours—but a good long time, looking closely and learning the minute details about how things are built and work.  Guaranteed hit with the older guys.  Ages 9+

Read Aloud Challenge

You see?  What have I been telling you?  It’s never too early to start reading aloud to the little guys.  OK, I’ll admit that these are my grandchildren and their Dad (my son) loves to read aloud to his kids so maybe I’m just slightly biased.  So here it is…I challenge anyone who reads this blog to select at least 3 books from the books I’ve reviewed and provide a comment including your own feedback about reading those books aloud to kids, grandkids, students, the babysitting coop or just providing the books in local Little Free Libraries ( see littlefreelibrary.org. If you’re not sure what Little Free Libraries are, just check out this link). Let’s just see what the rest of you think about the books I’ve recommended.  The public library is a great place to start.  You can use some of the books I review below or others from previous blogs.  TAKE THE CHALLENGE!  While I’m at it…let’s not leave the Mom out of this picture.  This child is doubly lucky to have adoring parents who LOVE to read!

The Impudent Rooster adapted by Sabina Rascol/illustrated by Holly Berry

  This adaptation of a classic Romanian story is absolutely wonderful.  It’s a folktale about greed vs. selflessness.  Caring and sharing overcome greed and meanness.  It’s a good story for helping kids appreciate the importance of sharing and helping those less fortunate than themselves.  Oh—couldn’t we all use this lesson?  Ages 3-7

 

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

         Where has this book been all my life?—Hilarious, marvelous, creative illustrations.  What a creative way to encourage young children about the wonderful value of reading.  Parents, you’ll love it as much as the kids.  Notice the last page—a surprise.  Ages 3-7

 

 

                           Maxine in the Middle by Holly Keller

Great for any middle child or child feeling left out – cute illustrations.  This might even be good for siblings getting a new sibling and who feels left out.  I should know—I was the middle child in the  middle of five.  My mother always said, “Well you’re in the middle which is the best part of the sandwich”, when I felt left out.  Ages 2-5

 

 

           

                        Winter Waits  by Lynn Plourde/ illustrated by Greg Couch

This is a beautiful book – gorgeous, imaginative illustrations.  Young children who frequently ask, “Can you come play with me now?  Look at me.  Look what I made.  Look now.  Look now!” and who often get the response, “ Not right now, honey.  In a minute.  I’ll be there in a few seconds”….will love this book.  The rhyming and creative words add to the magic.  Ages 2-5

 

 

How Snake Got His Hiss by Marguerite W. Davol/illustrated by Mercedes Mc
Donald 

For those of you who have read Kipling’s Just So Stories when you were young, you’ll love this variation.  Snake is a bit of a bully so that’s also a good lesson for all young listeners.  Have fun talking together about all the changes snake has as he moves towards getting the look snakes have today.  The words appear on the page as the shape of the snake.  How fun is that??

Ages 3-5

Grandparents

Grandma has a special reading time with her granddaughter.

Grandpa reads all about dinosaurs to his grandson.

Some of my own children’s favorite memories were being read to by their grandparents.  They were so lucky because all of their grandparents had a love for reading and enjoyed sharing their enthusiasm for books with all of their grandchildren whenever they visited.  My children had an extra bonus because one of their grandmothers was a children librarian and was one of the best storytellers around.  It was always such a treat for our kids to be able to sit down and have that very special one-on-one time with their granma or grandpa.  So the message here is…whether you’re a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, or guardian, make those moments special and I guarantee that they will be filed away forever in those wonderful memory file cabinets.  Here are a few books you can read to the younger guys.  Don’t forget, however, that the older grandkids love to be read to just as much as the little ones.  Pull them away from the TV and video games for awhile!  I promise that it will be worth it.

                                      The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson

          This wonderful cumulative good night book sort of reminds us of Goodnight Moon.  The story is comforting and perfect for a nighttime story to help the little ones fall asleep.  The illustrations done in pen and ink with touches of yellow are intriguing.  Great read aloud.  Ages 1-4

                                           

                                The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola

How does Tomie dePaola write so many wonderful books for children that have basic themes but are so wonderful?  He talks about writing books related to his own experiences growing up so that’s what makes them so easy to identify with.  He shows how important it is to let kids have a chance to be creative—even if it’s not part of the regular curriculum, plan, or day.  Let them go!  Ages 3-6

                                                    

                                                The Baby Sister by Tomie dePaola

         It looks like Tomie dePaola had to cope with adjusting to a new baby sister AND a grumpy grandmother to boot!  What a fun story to show how they all learn to adjust together and Grandma even softens a bit, of course.  Notice how no one talks about those sleepless nights with all the night feedings and wake-up  time, however.  Fun read for a little one getting a new sibling.  Ages 2-7

                                                       

                                                  Pinduli by Janell Cannon

            The author/illustrator of this book wrote the beautiful book, Stellaluna.  It is a perfect book to help children gain some confidence—especially for those who might be introverts or frightened of other children.  The illustrations are really fun and kids will love how even the king of beasts gets frightened.  Lots of great information in the back about animals.  Good read.  Ages 3-8

                                      Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? By Shel Silverstein

          Fabulous!  Where does Shel Silverstein get his ideas?? I laughed right out loud with this one.  Of course, his illustrations just make it a winner but the story is so imaginative.  Could this be the best imaginary pet ever??  A must read for all of us!  Ages 1-5

Books for The Very Young

Start Reading to them Early

Infants, babies toddlers.  They are all ready to be read to.  They love the bright colors, graphics and certainly love listening to your voice as you read aloud to them.  This is how young children learn language and ultimately helps them learn how to read. Another great plus–it helps soothe them and provides you, as a parent, guardian, babysitter or grandparent, some much needed quiet time together.  Be sure to look at the cover, tell them about the story and point to special objects, colors, numbers and pictures in the story.  As they learn to talk, they’ll enjoy filling in the words too–especially where rhyming is involved.  Always—have fun, have fun, have fun together!  Here are some picture books I’ve enjoyed that are especially good for those very young guys.

                                         

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

It’s easy to see how this is a Caldecott Medalist.  I must have said, “Awwww” out loud at least 20 times while “reading” this book.  While it is a wordless picture book, it is by no means one that doesn’t have a powerful and endearing story about loss, comfort, and friendship.  Adults and children alike will love this one!  Ages 1-3

                                                                      

                                Mice Squeak, We Speak by Tomie dePaola

This book is written for the younger kiddos.  It’s a good read-aloud.  Not my favorite of Tomie dePaola’s books but a change from his usual format and a fun book to read with the younger guys.  Read it over and over aloud and let the young guys fill in what each animal says.  Ages 1-3

                         

                          

                The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle

You just can never go wrong with an Eric Carle book and this is no exception.  He won the Caldecott award for this book.  The illustrations are bright and fun—great read aloud with the young ones.  They will love guessing what animal comes next and turning the pages.  Ages 1-3

Mrs. Moon – Lullabies for Bedtime  by Clare Beaton

Looking for a nice bedtime book to help quiet down the little ones?  Pick a few of these poems as lullabies to read aloud.  The rhyming will always help them fall asleep.  If not, just enjoy the beautiful appliqué art with the pictures.  Who wouldn’t want those quilts?  Ages 1-4

                            

                     Tumble Me Tumbily by Karen Baicker

Very young children will love the rhyming and rhythm of this book.  The fun illustrations are a real boost too.  Be sure to read this aloud together.  Let the little ones help complete the rhymes as you read it over and over—until you can’t read it one more time!  Have fun.  Ages 1-3