Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
In Dog Loves Books, author Louise Yates gives an eloquent argument in favor of real books - no e-readers or audio books here. Dog loves books so much, he decides to open a bookstore. But when no customers come, what will dog do? Read, of course! Sweet, colorful drawings illustrate this picture book, one children... Continue Reading →
It's difficult to find an alphabet book that stands out from the shelves crowded with such books. Each time I find one, I'm thrilled. I remember the tedium of reading the same book over and over to a toddler, so to find a book we both enjoyed reading over and over was quite the treasure.... Continue Reading →
Apple by Nikki McClure will delight very young readers. Each page includes one word detailing the journey an apple takes. Each word is illustrated with McClure's beautiful paper cuts in black and red. Recommended for infants through age 5.
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 →
Author and illustrator Marty Kelley brings children and parents alike Fall Is Not Easy, a delightful picture book about a tree. The tree enjoys every season, except fall. Winter is easy because the branches are bare. Spring is easy because the leaves grow. Summer is easy because the tree just enjoys the sun. But fall!... Continue Reading →
Boys who love horses and cowboys will enjoy reading Cowboy Ned & Andy, a picture book by David Ezra Stein. Cowboy Ned is celebrating his birthday out on the range, so his horse, Andy, tries to find a cake for him. As he wanders the range, Andy encounters plenty of creatures, none of whom are... Continue Reading →
When I first came across the My First Little House Books series, I was disgusted. Is there no end to repackaging, marketing and otherwise destroying my favorite books? But curiosity overcame my disgust and I picked up a variety of them and brought them home to read and evaluate. I was pleasantly surprised at... Continue Reading →
Author Keith Baker follows his lovely LMNO peas alphabet book with the equally enthralling 1-2-3 peas. Like most counting books, 1-2-3 peas embarks on counting up to ten. Each page features large, textured numbers which contrast nicely with the tiny peas as they do what the narrator tells them to do, like "look" and "row".... Continue Reading →
In a crowded market of alphabet books, Keith Baker's LMNO peas stands out. His adventurous peas cavort through the alphabet. They participate in all sorts of fun activities, like building, climbing, dancing, farming, quilting and reading. Peas fill every page, along with colorful and textured alphabet letters, which dwarf the peas on each page. The... Continue Reading →
The title, Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit, made me think of a Moose who doesn't have any friends, who didn't fit in at preschool, or some such quandry. But the picture book by Catherine Rayner is much more simple than that. Ernest doesn't fit on the page. So he and his little friend spend... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 