The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson will appeal to young children who enjoy repetition. Reminiscent of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, The Apple Pie That Papa Baked repeats the actions of Papa, the apples, the tree and even the world as the girl considers everything that went into... Continue Reading →
Nuts to You!
Children who love watching squirrels will enjoy reading Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert. Illustrated with her signature paper art creations, this story follows the antics of the squirrel outside her window. The squirrel begs for treats, messes up the window box, and even sneaks into her house! How will she get the squirrel out... Continue Reading →
No Fighting, No Biting!
Early chapter book shelves are full of books about the most popular movies, TV shows and cartoon characters, so when I find a good reader which both my children and I can enjoy I rejoice! No Fighting, No Biting! by Else Holmelund Minarik is a classic. I loved the illustrations by Maurice Sendak (Where the... Continue Reading →
Grandfather’s Journey
Author Allen Say takes readers on a very personal journey in Grandfather's Journey. Say recounts his grandfather's journey from Japan to America, the wonders he saw and the adventures he had wandering America's vast and differing land. Say's grandfather ended up moving to California. But as he grew older, he missed his homeland more and... Continue Reading →
Dodsworth in New York
Dodsworth wants an adventure. He's determined to see the world - or at least New York, Paris and London. But before he leaves on his adventure, he stops for breakfast at Hodges' Cafe, where Hodges' duck harasses him. After breakfast, Dodsworth leaves on his adventure. Once he's on the train to New York, he opens... Continue Reading →
Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem
I cannot say I have ever heard an adult tell their child, "If you don't clean your room, we will buy you a blue whale!" But it doesn't really matter. Billy Twitters heard that, and although he didn't believe it, his parents DID buy him a blue whale. Which is ridiculous. Which is what makes... Continue Reading →
Ruby Holler
The 'trouble twins' have been nothing but trouble since the day they were born. That's what their guardians, Mr. & Mrs. Trepid, have been telling Dallas and Florida since they arrived on the doorstep of the Boxton Creek Home. But then, Tiller and Sairy cross paths with them, and decide to take them home to... Continue Reading →
Words Set Me Free
Words are powerful, but the gift of reading can be taken for granted in a country with a high literacy rate. It wasn't always that way. Children who grew up in the South, as slaves, did not have the opportunity to learn to read. In Words Set Me Free by Lesa Cline-Ransome, the author tells... Continue Reading →
Chloe and the Lion
My girls grabbed Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett before I had a chance to read it. Every time I picked it up, they both told me, "Oh Mom, you'll love that book! It's really funny!" And it is! Barnett, and his illustrator Adam Rex, get quite involved in the story Barnett is writing.... Continue Reading →
14 Cows for America
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, people around the world mourned with America and the terrorist attack which claimed so many lives. However, one tribe in Kenya did more than mourn. When one of their own returned home for a visit from America, the tribe decided to give 14 of their cows to America.... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 