A teacher friend (2nd grade) and mother to my son’s best friend recommended this series (Dinosaur Cove by Rex Stone, illustrated by Mike Spoor) to me for a read aloud last summer.  I had been hesitant to start chapter books with my son, because I had started some previously and he  never seemed to be able to get through a page or two.  These were perfect;  pictures, adventures, and chapters just long enough to leave him wanting more!  Yeah, success!  I do have to admit, I did get tired of them very quickly, it always seemed to be the same story, just a different dinosaur.  There are 25 in the…

I realize this is probably more appropriate for September, and back to school.  But, given the fact that this is probably our first full week of school since January 2nd, I thought it might inspire some of you.   The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak, is a wonderful story about the excitement of going to school for the little kids, but also the pain of being separated from Mommy or Daddy.  I’m sure all of us have had very similar situations. (http://www.audreypenn.com/) My mom sent me this book about  5 years ago when my daughter first went to school.  It was a one day…

Princess Patricia Priscilla is about to turn 16 and be married off.  At her birthday party she has to choose from three very repulsive suitors – Duke Desmond of Dyspepsia, Prince Percival of Pustula, and Count Colin and Count Cuthbert, conjoined rulers of Coagulatia.  Aside from this predicament, she is BORED of being a royal!  What is a girl to do? This is a delightful, funny story about doing what you love, laughing, and finding the right one, prince or pauper.  An excellent read aloud – it will probably be funnier if you read it aloud! Lois Lowry does not disappoint! (http://www.loislowry.com)

Another Jean Ferris book that I loved.  Once Upon a Marigold. Christian escapes his parents as a child and ends up living with a troll, Edric, in the forest.  He falls in love with Princess Marigold, from afar and through p-mail (carrier pigeon mail).  But, alas, he is just a commoner and she is a princess.  And so begins their love story.  Will they end up together?  What will happen to the pigeons?  What will happen to Edric?  And then, not to be overlooked, her parents, King Swithbert, whom Marigold adores, and Queen Olympia, whom Marigold despises.  Queen Olympia will do anything to get Marigold married off to royalty, and…

Love, love, love! We have been plagued by the stomach bug, and, of course, more snow, at our home; so I’ve been lazy about my entries.  I read this book several years ago, Love Among the Walnuts by Jean Ferris.  It was recommended to me by a librarian friend in Cambridge, MA.  I found it in our library here and immediately took it home and began reading it.   It was just as good as I remembered.  Sandy, a wealthy boy, raised by his parents, who are madly in love, lives a secluded and wonderful life with just his parents and the two servants that live with them.  When he gets…

When I was teaching, I used the Mac & Tab books as one of the many tools to teach my students to read, but, I think those have gone out of print.  For my children, I have used/am using the Bob Books.  My daughter loved them.  Now, with my son, he enjoys being able to read a book on his own.  He read one to my husband.  After my son had gone to bed, my husband said he was impressed, and did I think he had memorized the book or really read it?  Well, either way, that’s still impressive for a 5 year old! Being a former teacher and a…

Eric Carle and Tomie dePaola: Author One-on-One (http://ericcarleblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/tomie-me.html) Eric Carle is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other children’s books. Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of Strega Nona: Her Story and countless other books. They recently had a conversation about their careers as picture book authors.  Tomie dePaola: When I was only four years old, I announced to my family in particular and to the world in general that I was going to become an artist, and write stories and draw pictures for books. I never swayed from that early declaration. I’ve always been curious to know, what inspired you to become a creator and…

I’m not going to even talk about the snow! My daughter LOVES lions.  She found this book at her school’s book fair, Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.  Library Lion is a great story about a lion who comes to find a home in the library, and a dear friend in the head librarian, Ms. Merriweather.  Ms. Knudsen has a way of keeping the lion a true lion, and, at the same time making him “fit in”  to a library!  She is also able to show the rules and the joys of the library.  The illustrations are timeless!  This is also a good read for early chapter…

Who knew that Kevin Henkes wrote novels?  I guess I have been knee deep in my younger children’s interests.  So, I saw this (The Birthday Room, by Kevin Henkes) in the library last week and thought I would give  it a try.  We have loved his picture books, Wemberly Worried, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Chrysanthemum, Chester’s Way and Sheila Rae, the Brave to name a few.  The Birthday Room would be classified as a Young Adult.  I imagine it would be a good read for a 5th or 6th grader.  I plan on reading it aloud to my daughter next year (3rd grade).  It deals with family, new friendships, and…

New Eric Carle Book Due in October.