The Gardner by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small is a unique picture book. The entire story consists of letters written by Lydia Grace Finch during the Great Depression, accompanied by beautiful pictures which really help tell the story. The first couple of letters are to her Uncle Jim, to whom her family is... Continue Reading →
The Sword in the Tree
Set in the days of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla tells the story of Shan, the son of Lord Weldon. Shan dreams of becoming a great knight like his beloved father, but then his nefarious uncle appears at the castle gate. Lord... Continue Reading →
Word After Word After Word
Do you know an elementary school student interested in writing? Encourage them to pick up Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlan. She's the author of the Sarah, Plain & Tall series, and a number of other books my children and I love. Word After Word After Word is the book that came out... Continue Reading →
I Stink!
Alphabet and counting books fill the shelves of libraries. Some of them are cute and some are beautiful. Then there is I Stink! I Stink! by Kate and Jim McMullan is the perfect alphabet book for boys, and girls who love gross things. I Stink! follows the journey of a garbage truck through the dark... Continue Reading →
Patricia Polacco
I discovered Patricia Polacco when writing a book review on books about the Civil War. Polacco wrote a deeply moving picture book about a friendship between two boys in the Civil War, one from Michigan and one a runaway slave, called Pink and Say. (Pink and Say is not for younger children - I'd wait... Continue Reading →
Madeline and the Cats of Rome
I've already written about how much my girls and I love the Madeline books, but I think the newest Madeline book deserves some attention of its own. You're thinking, "Newest Madeline book? I thought the author, Ludwig Bemelmans, died a long time ago." Yes, he did. Yes, there were only a few Madeline books. But... Continue Reading →
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
I admit it. I love kids books that make me laugh. And Mo Willems writes and illustrates some of the funniest books for the preschool crowd. In Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, the reader 'interacts' with the Pigeon, who uses every one of his wiles to convince you to allow him to drive... Continue Reading →
What are YOU so Grumpy About?
A few years ago, when my youngest was in kindergarten, author and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld visited my son's school and talked to the students. Since then, he has always looked for and enjoyed Lichtenheld's books. One of his favorite books is What are YOU so Grumpy About?. This book is definitely a book to read... Continue Reading →
I Pledge Allegiance
If the children in your life are anything like mine, they ask a lot of questions. So many questions, that our first year of homeschooling consisted of me writing down my children's questions, going to the library to check out books which would answer those questions, and reading them to my children. I wish I... Continue Reading →
Robert Munsch
On a recent library trip, I discovered a book I had forgotten - The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. I checked it out and brought it home to read it to my girls. The first time I heard the book, a friend read it to a group of us after a dinner at her... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 