We discovered the Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne when my oldest was in kindergarten. I have to admit, I was unsure how I would like them when we first checked them out of the library. But after reading the first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, aloud to my children, I decided I had... Continue Reading →
That’s Not My…
My toddlers and preschoolers loved any one of the Usborne books that started with That's Not My... . We still have That's Not My Train and That's Not My Bunny, even though my kids have outgrown them. They are fun books to have when my friend's toddlers and preschoolers visit. These sturdy books have wonderful... Continue Reading →
The Jesus Storybook Bible
I firmly believe that every child should know the Bible. The stories in the Bible form the foundation of much of Western thought and literature - plus there are just some great stories in the Bible. Recently, a friend recommended The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. My children are a little old for this... Continue Reading →
The God King
As my children grow older, I admit I am more and more frequently reading ahead in our school books. It's hard to resist - the books are so great! My new favorite author is Joanne Williamson. She writes historical fiction that's just superb. The God King is one of those books. The main character is... Continue Reading →
Walk the World’s Rim
My younger two children and I just finished reading Walk the World's Rim by Betty Baker this morning. This is my second time through the book, their first. We really enjoy this book, which is a fictional account of a real-life event. A Spanish expedition sailed from Cuba to explore Florida in 1527. Of the... Continue Reading →
Twenty and Ten
The subject of Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop has scared many a parent from reading this book aloud to their children. Quite honestly, some children may be too sensitive to listen to or read this book until they are older. You know your child best, do what's best for him or her. Twenty... Continue Reading →
Andrew Clements
I have tried to find a book by Andrew Clements I do not like, and I have had no success. Every book of his my children and I read we enjoy immensely. The first one we read was The School Story - a book about a girl, Natalie, who writes a book, and her and... Continue Reading →
Things People Do
I have read this book to my children over and over and over - and we enjoyed it every time. Now my children are enjoying reading it themselves, even though they are elementary school age, and a bit past the information in it. Things People Do is an oversize hardcover book from Usborne Publishing Company. ... Continue Reading →
Virginia Lee Burton
There are some authors that no matter what book you pick up, you will be sure to enjoy it. Virginia Lee Burton is one of those authors. Virginia Lee Burton (1909 - 1968) wrote and illustrated several classic picture books - including The Little House, Katy and the Big Snow, Maybelle the Cable Car, Mike... Continue Reading →
A Child’s Book of Art
A Child's Book of Art is an over-sized, hardback book for children. In it, Lucy Micklethwait has selected words and works of art which describe those words. For example, one two-page spread is titled "The Seasons." To illustrate spring, Micklethwait chose Spring by Claude Monet. For summer, she chose Wheatfield with Reaper by Vincent van... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 