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.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all spend the cold winter days sleeping in a cozy bed.  We are off to go sledding, but hopefully will come home and snuggle up with some hot chocolate.  Bear Snores On is an absolute favorite in this house.  When our children were little they could recite the whole book.  We love the picture of Bear holding Mole and laughing as they party in his lair.  Once you read one Bear book, you are destined to go get the others.  Stay warm!

My husband found this book several years ago; When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins.  I was pregnant with our son at the time.  I loved to read it, smiling at the sibling relationship between Charlie and Isabel Jane, excited about what was to come in our life (me, having several siblings; my husband, none).  My favorite part was when they were watching TV and snuggling under the blanket.  The rhyming words and the story quickly became one of our daughter’s favorite.  One night, we were driving to DisneyWorld in the morning, we lost power about 3am.  We were all up, so we decided to just get going.  As…

We are expecting another 6 inches here in the Northeast tonight.  So, probably another snow day!  What to do with the kids? Go to you local library today and pick up some books.  Any Jan Brett book  is perfect for reading on a snowy day, especially The Mitten. It is a delightful story about wild animals seeking comfort and warmth inside a mitten.  The illustrations are wonderful, as always, from Jan Brett.  After reading, you can work on making your own “mitten” or fort, and trying to fit as many kids, and/or stuffed animals inside.  You can also go to www.janbrett.com and get some coloring pages. The Snowy Day by…

I have started this blog to go along with www.thehappyreaders.com I have had a difficult time (but not impossibe) finding books that are appropriate for my daughter (age 8) to read and to read to her because the subject matter is not at her level.  I am now beginning the search for my son (age 5). I welcome your thoughts and comments.