Recently, we were visiting family, staying with my husband's uncle and aunt. Their grandchildren are younger than my children, so we were scrounging around for books for my children to read before bed. Imagine my surprise when I heard shouts of joy. What were they excited about? They found their great-aunt & uncle's stash of... Continue Reading →
The Cabin Faced West
Author Jean Fritz grew up in China, which she credits for her obsession with American history. She's written many children's books about American history, and I've enjoyed every one I've read. (See my review of several of her books, including What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? here.) My children read The Cabin Faced West for... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
One
I recently received the best gift in the mail. It is a special edition of the books One and Zero by Kathryn Otoshi. I immediately sat down and read both books, and enjoyed them immensely. Then I left the book out for my kids to pick up. My nine-year-old did, read both books and immediately... Continue Reading →
Angus and Sadie
Angus and Sadie by Cynthia Voigt is a sweet story of Mister and Missus and their new dogs, Angus and Sadie. Mister and Missus intended to get only one dog, but at the animal shelter they each found the perfect dog. Neither can imagine giving up a dog, so they go home with two. The... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 