If you have a toddler - or a preschooler, or even an early elementary student - fascinated with dinosaurs, you'll want to pick up the How Do Dinosaurs....? books by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Yolen has written each of the books in a similar format, several questions about bad behavior followed by a "No,"... Continue Reading →
Shel Silverstein
I have never been a person who adores poetry. In fact, I spent most of my childhood avoiding it - except for one author. Shel Silverstein. Now that I'm older, perhaps wiser, I have read more poetry to my children than I have read in my entire life. Poetry is beginning to grow on me.... Continue Reading →
Sarah, Plain and Tall
In Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan, Anna tells the story of her family. Her mother died shortly after her little brother, Caleb, was born and Anna can't help feeling sad and somewhat resentful towards him. But her father's surprising announcement quickly diverts her attention. He has placed an ad in the newspaper for... Continue Reading →
The Runaway Bunny
"Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away." So begins The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, a book you and your child will enjoy over and over and over again. The little bunny tells his mother of his wishes, and his mother promises to run after him. He imagines all the... Continue Reading →
Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-Pooh is a beloved character, but I'm afraid most children these days only know the Disney-fied Pooh Bear. If that's the only Pooh your children know, please, please please! pick up A.A. Milne's original books and read them with your children. Milne first published the original books in 1928, and the fact they are still... Continue Reading →
The Children’s Book of Virtues
The Children's Book of Virtues, edited by William J. Bennett, is a book meant to be shared with children. It's meant for cuddling on the couch together, sharing a poem or a story together and discussing what it means. Michael Hague illustrated the book with beautiful pictures and borders which will fascinate children. It's a... Continue Reading →
Angus and the Ducks
Before Curious George, there was Angus. Angus's curiosity got him into lots of trouble, just like Curious George. The main difference between them, besides the fact George was a monkey and Angus was a dog, is that George has so many books, films, and TV shows. Angus has just three books. But those three books... Continue Reading →
The Velvet Room
One book I picked up over and over again over the course of my childhood was The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It's not as well-known as Anne of Green Gables, but I loved it nearly as much. The Velvet Room tells the story of Robin, the middle child of five. She and her... Continue Reading →
Science Activities
I'll admit, I am not a science mom. I wish I were, because my boys are science whizzes and love it. I, however, struggle to understand their junior-high-level science experiments. (Honestly, I've given up.) However, my children have all - even my non-sciency girls - really enjoyed The Usborne Book of Science Activities, all three... Continue Reading →
Calico Bush
I imagine Calico Bush by Rachel Field is not at the top of many people's reading lists. But it should be! This is the second time I've read through Calico Bush, but it will certainly not be my last. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this story. Marguerite is an orphaned French girl who... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 