Library Stack – March 21, 2016

What are you reading on this SNOW DAY?  Here’s what our Library Stack looks like….

• Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to LOVE by James Dean & Kimberly Dean (HarperCollins, recommended reading age 4-8)
• Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Peter H. Reynolds (HarperCollins, recommended reading age 4-8)
• The Elephant Who Liked to Smash Small Cars by Jean Merrill & Ronni Solbert (NYR Children’s Collection, recommended reading age 3-7)
• Goodnight, Good Dog by Mary Lyn Ray & Rebecca Malone (HMH Books for Young Readers, recommended reading age 4-7)
• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri (Dial Books, recommended reading age 3-7)
• Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr & Teagan White (Nancy Paulsen Books, recommended reading age 2+)
• Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer & Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins, recommended reading age 4-8)
• Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers (Philomel Books, recommended reading age 3-7)

We’re still working our way through this weeks stack.  But so far we have had a lot of fun reading Dragons Love Tacos.  It’s a Fun, Silly book.  And Bunny Roo, I Love You is just so SO Sweet.  **Might be a great addition to your little Bunny Roo’s Easter Basket!!! 😉 **

What are you reading this week?  Share your Library Stack with us!!!!

Library Stack – March 7, 2016

What’s your Library Stack look like this week?

Here’s what we’re reading…

1. Dr.Seuss’s ABC by Dr.Seuss (Random House, recommended reading age ALL)
2. Finding Winnie, The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick & Sophie Blackall (HarperCollins Publishers, recommended reading age 3-6)
3. Red, Yellow, Blue (and a Dash of White, Too!) by C.G. Esperanza (Sky Pony Press, recommended reading age 3-6)
4. Stuck by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books, recommended reading age 3-7)
5. Bear and Bunny by Daniel Pinkwater & Will Hillenbrand (Candlewick Press, recommended reading age 2-5)
6. My Dog, Bob by Richard Torrey (Holiday House, recommended reading age 4-6)
7. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins Publishers, recommended reading age 3-5)
8. Dogs Don’t Wear Sneakers by Laura Numeroff & Joe Mathieu (Aladdin Paperbacks, recommended reading age 4-7)
9. Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester & Lynn Munsinger (Houghton Mifflin Company, recommended reading age 4-8)
10. Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells (Penguin Group, recommended reading age 3-8)
11. Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book!) by Julie Falatko & Tim Miller (Viking, recommended reading age 4-8)
12. Find a Cow NOW! by Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens Crummel (Holiday House, recommended reading age 3-7)

 

**Not Pictured

Frozen, Arendelle Adventures Read-And-Play Storybook (Disney Press, recommended reading age 3-7)

What in your Library Bag-March is Read Aloud Month

With today the start of National Read Aloud Month in the US, I thought I would hold off posting what’s in our Library Bag until today (and honestly just got caught up spending the day outside yesterday, so didn’t get it it!!! We were the warmest place in Canada yesterday at 17 degrees Celcius!!  It was a beautiful day).

Now into our Library Bag…..

1.Guess How Much I Love You by Same McBratney & Anita Jeram (Candlewick Press, recommended reading age – ANY)

**So I’m actually embarrassed to say we have never read this book together.  But now that we have fixed that little issue.  It should be on everyone’s reading list.  Just a sweet/classic book.**

2.Where is Jumper? by Ellen Stoll Walsh (Beach Lane Books, recommended reading age 4-8)

3.The Valentine Express  by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (Marshall Cavendish, recommended reading age 3-7)

4.Be A Friend by Salina Yoon (Bloomsbury USA Children, recommended reading age 3-6)

**we have read this book numerous times.  A very nice message about friendship.

At its core, this book is a heartwarming story of self-acceptance, courage, and unbreakable friendship for anyone who has ever felt “different.”

5.Penguin and Pinecone, a friendship story by Salina Yoon (Walker & Company, recommended reading age 3-6)

6.Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins (Disney Hyperion, recommended reading age 3-5)

**We absolutely LOVE this book.  It’s cute story about mistaken identity, and the illustrations are great too!

Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he’s their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can’t seem to rid himself of his new companions. What’s a bear to do?

7.My Grandma’s a NINJA by Todd Tarpley & Danny Chatzikonstantinou (NorthSouth Books, recommended reading age 4-8)

**another favorite in the book stack this week.  This book has prompted the question in our house as to whether or not Kaelyn’s Grandma is a Ninja too??  (I told her to ask Grandma the next time they chat on the phone!)

Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he’s their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can’t seem to rid himself of his new companions. What’s a bear to do?

Now show us your Library Stack.  What are you reading this week?

 

Our Library Stack

What are you reading from the library this week.  Here is our Library Stack –

• R is for Rocket an ABC Book by Tad Hills (Scwartz & Wade Books, ages 3-7)

Watch as Rocket finds acorns, Bella balances on a ball, Owl offers a cookie and a crayon to a crow, and more.

• Island Morning by Rachna Gilmore & Brenda Jones (Acorn Press, ages 3-8)

**I absolutely LOVE this book, and if you have any connections to PEI, or have been to PEI I am sure you will love it as much as I did.  A Beautiful Book.

Island Morning is the gentle story of a girl and her grandfather’s early morning walk through the fields of Prince Edward Island.  On their journey they see pastures, farm animals, scenic vistas and a glorious sunrise.  But this walk is about more than just viewing the beautiful scenery.  It’s also about the special bond between grandfather and granddaughter, and the joys of being silent with nature.

• The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose (Puffin, ages 3-6)

**For our Followers in Nova Scotia, Nancy lives in Bedford, NS

You may think you know what squirrels do all day…but Mr.Peanuts is no ordinary squirrel.  Instead of climbing trees, he plays the piano.  Instead of scurrying through he woods, he cooks on his grill.

• This Old Van by Kim Norman & Carolyn Conahan (Sterling Children’s Books, ages 3-7)

**Last week we read, If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws by Kim Norman.  And this one is just as fun.  Love that it’s interactive, and the whole family can sing along!!

When Grandma and Grandpa get a very special invitation, off they race in their trusty hippie van.  The light-hearted verses bounce right along with them, sung to the tune of “This Old Man.”

• No Yeti Yet by Mary Ann Fraser (Peter Pauper Press, Inc, ages 4-8)

It’s a snowy, blowy, wintry day — just perfect for a  yeti hunt! or so thinks big brother.  But his younger brother is not as convinced.

• Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo (Clarion Books, ages 3-6)

A boy visits his Nana at her new home in the city.  The city s buys and loud and filled with scary things.  But a special gift from Nana makes the boy feel brave and transforms the city into something…extraordinary.

• Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (HarperCollins Publishers, ages 3-7)

**This Book is part of the Talk, Sing, Read Book List

“Caps! Caps for sale! Fifty cents a cap!” calls out the peddler as he walks carefully up and down the streets, balancing a huge pile of caps on top of his head.  But when the peddler goes out into the country he unwisely takes a nap, leaning against a tree, with the caps still balanced on his head.  While he is asleep, a band of mischievous monkeys steals every one of his caps, except for his own checked cap.  When he wakes up, his efforts to get his caps back again make this a classic story in the great folktale tradition.

• My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann (Roaring Book Press, ages 1-5)

**This Book is part of the Talk, Sing, Read Book List

When Mouse lets his best friend, Rabbit, play with his brand-new airplane, trouble isn’t far behind.  Of course, Rabbit has a solution — but when Rabbit sets out to solve a problem, even bigger problems follow.

• Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson (Balzer + Bray, ages 4-8)

Baby Bear is lost and trying to find his way home.  As he wanders through the forest, he meets other animals who offer wise advice.  As each encounter moves Baby Bear father along on his journey, he gains courage and the comforting feeling that he is loved and never alone.

• Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian & Mike Curato (Balzer + Bray, ages 4-8)

When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next.  They get married!  But their friends want to know — who will wear the dress? And who will wear the tux? The answer is:It doesn’t matter.  Because Worm loves Worm.   This irresistible picture book is a celebration of love in all its splendid forms.

• The Adventures of Beckle:The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat (Little, Brown & Company, ages 3-6)

**Another favorite book from this weeks stack.  Imagination is SO important.

This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born.  He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible jouney to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and — at long last — is given his special names:Beekle.

We’d LOVE to see your library Stack.  Happy Reading!!

What’s in your Library Bag?

What’s your library stack look like right now?  Here’s what we are reading this week…

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• Small Saul by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, recommended reading age 3-7)

When Small Saul joins the crew of The Rusty Squid, it doesn’t take long for the other pirates to notice something is very different about this tiny fellow. He was born to sing sea shanties, bake pineapple upside down cakes and redecorate, not to hold a sword and plunder. Being rough and tough just isn’t in his nature.

Small Saul learned at Pirate College that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and lots and lots of treasure. Can Small Saul show these ruffians that despite his gentle spirit, he’s worth his weight in gold? With treasure chests of laughs, Small Saul’s high-seas adventure is a light-hearted celebration of individuality, perseverance and being true to one’s self.

• The Amazing Adventures of Bumblebee Boy by David Soman & Jacky Davis (Penguin Young Readers Group, recommended reading age 3-5)

**This is probably our favorite book of the pile this week.  We have read it several times.  If you Haven’t read it.  It is by the same authors as the Ladybug Girl Books.  Kaelyn loves this book so much in fact after we read it two or three times yesterday she told me she was a “Fierce Superhero!!” and she had “Super Hero Powers!!”  Apparently  she is the only family member who has super powers, so it makes things interesting.  ha ha*8

When Sam is Bumblebee Boy, he likes to fly alone, using his imagination to battle dragons, pirates, and tigers. Sam’s little brother, Owen, would like to play with him, but Owen doesn’t have a cape or a mask, and Bumblebee Boy doesn’t need his help.  But when more aliens than Bumblebee Boy can handle land on the moon, will he be able to defeat them by himself?

Through their imaginary adventures, Sam and Owen discover just how much fun a brother can be, and learn that there are times to play alone and times to play with others.

• Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw & Margot Apple (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, recommended reading age 4-7)

**I think many children under the age of 4 will enjoy this book.  It’s not overly wordy, the pages rhyme and the illustrations are fun. **

Beep! Beep! Sheep in a jeep on a hill that’s steep.
Sheep in a Jeep is well-loved by the preschool and early-reader sets for its slapstick story of five sheep (in a jeep) and silly sound effects—especially when the jeep goes splash and thud in the mud! Nancy Shaw’s rollicking rhymes are Seuss-snappy, and Margot Apple’s appealing pencil illustrations are expressive and hilarious. Shear delight.

• Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell & Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick Press, recommended reading age 3-7)

Farmer Duck isn’t your average duck. This duck cooks and cleans, tends the fields, and cares for the other animals on the farm–all because the owner of the farm is too lazy to do these things himself. But when Farmer Duck finallly collapses from exhaustion, the farmyard animals come to the rescue with a simple but heroic plan.

A hardworking duck is rescued from life with a lazy old farmer in this classic tale of justice.

• If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Yours Paws! by Kim Norman & Liza Woodruff (Sterling Children’s Books, recommended reading age 3-7)

**We sing this book, as we leaf through the pages. Another fun book to do the actions with, just like If You’re Happy and You Know it!  Get the whole Family involved and have some fun.  It’s a COLD day here in Atlantic Canada.  This book would definitely shake off some Winter Blues.**

This humorous variation on the classic song “If You’re Happy and You Know It” introduces a group of adorable animals playing joyfully in the snow. They ice skate on a lake, catch snowflakes on their tongues, sculpt snowcritters, and make a frosty fort. But can they go with the flow when their wild adventure drifts in a surprising direction? Young readers will laugh and sing along!

• Bears in Beds by Shirley Parenteau & David Walker (Candlewick Press, recommended reading age 2-5)

It’s time for Big Brown Bear to tuck all four little bears into their beds. Then he’s ready to climb into his own bed and turn out the light. Five warm beds, holding five sleepy bears, until a sound goes whoosh in the middle of the night, and all the bears wake up in a fright. Will they ever get back into bed? Luckily, Big Brown Bear knows just what to do! A fun, rhyming read-aloud that parents will love and tired little cubs will be happy to snuggle up with.

• Bunny Dreams by Peter McCarty (Henry Holt and Co., recommended reading age 4-8)

In bunny dreams, anything can happen. A bunny might know the ABCs, or count by 1-2-3s. A bunny might find the perfect carrot. A bunny might hop, hop, hop . . . or even fly!
But every bunny needs a cozy place to rest.
This is the perfect bedtime book for bunnies everywhere.

• Bearcub and Mama by Sharon Jennings & Melanie Watt (Kids Can Press Ltd., recommended reading age 3-7)

**If you recognize this book, it might be because it was part of my 30 Days of Canadian Children’s Picture Book Program.  I finally got to borrow the book.  It wasn’t available at my Local Library so through our Inter-Library Loan Program I know have the book in hand.  If you get the opportunity to read it.  Please do.  It’s a sweet story, and might even bring a little tear to your eye (especially if you, yourself are a Mama)**

Bearcub follows his mama wherever she goes. By Mama’s side, he discovers how to catch a fish and dig for grubs. With Mama’s help, he learns to climb a tree and find honey. One day, Bearcub is exploring the high country when the sky darkens and a storm blows in. But this time, Mama is not there. Frightened and alone, Bearcub must rely on himself —- and all that his mama has taught him —- to weather the fierce winter storm.

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UPDATES –

How are you doing with the Talk, Sing, Read! Book List?  I have just updated our Pinterest Board, and we have now read 40 of the 100 books on the list. https://www.pinterest.com/ralford/talk-sing-read-book-list/If you want to check out the FULL list, it’s available on the Pinterest Board.

Now our other reading Challenge….1000 Books Before Kindergarten. #1000BooksB4K  We just hit another milestone yesterday (Valentine’s Day).  200 Books Read!!! I am very excited about our progress.  It is getting increasingly difficult to not duplicate the books (some books we read daily.  For example Winter is for Snow by Robert Neubecker and Frog on Log  by Tania Ingram & Kat Chadwick are two books that she requests EVERY night before bed.  I could add them to our reading list every night, but I have chosen not to. This is my OWN choice.  You can choose to take the challenge however is best/easiest for you and yours. )

 

Take your Child to the Library Day – February 6, 2016

Did you know that today, February 6 is – Take Your Child to the Library Day?

WHAT IS TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE LIBRARY DAY?
Take Your Child to the Library Day (TYCLD) is an international initiative that encourages families everywhere to take their children to their local library. Launched in 2011 right here in Connecticut by librarians Nadine Lipman (Waterford Public Library, retired) and Caitlin Augusta (Stratford Library) with artist Nancy Elizabeth Wallace, TYCLD raises community awareness about the importance of the library in the life of a child, and promotes library services and programs for children and families.

http://www.ctlibrarians.org/?page=Take

So if you have read any of our posts, and follow along with Kaelyn’s Book Club you know that we are HUGE Supporters of the library.  Especially our Local Library, Annapolis Valley Regional Library ( http://valleylibrary.ca/ ).

We make an effort to go to the library atleast once a week.  In that time we exchange books, play, interact with other Families/Librarians at the library, and Read stories.  It’s a great time.  Infact in the last 10 days we have made 4 trip to the library (3 different branches)!

Here’s a look at a few of our adventures –

Today we challenge you to Take Your Child to the Library.  If Not today, in the days ahead.

February is also, I LOVE to READ Month.

Take your child to the library and you will feed their imagination. A love of reading and books starts with pictures, stories and rhymes which even the youngest child can enjoy; and Take Your Child To The Library Day is a great excuse to swing by.

Whatever the age of your child, you will be given a warm welcome. Gone are the days when libraries were dreary silent places patrolled by grumpy staff. There are special areas for children with bright displays, easy to access books and comfortable seating. Nobody will expect your child to remain silent, so relax. Joining is a simple process and the staff are friendly and helpful.

Older children will enjoy using the computers, borrowing DVDs and finding interesting books on hobbies. The staff will even advise on books for homework assignments which is good news for any busy parent.

If you take your child to the library, expect to return frequently as it is a treasure trove for all ages. Priceless.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-child-to-the-library-day/

To join the Online Community (lots of resources, printables available)

• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Take-Your-Child-to-the-Library-Day-286965704682090/
• Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/tycttl/
• Official Website – http://www.ctlibrarians.org/?page=Take

Enjoy your adventures at the library, and be sure to share them with us.  We LOVE to see new library spaces and hear about other peoples adventures.

What’s in our Library Bag?

Here’s our Book Stack from last weeks visit to the library….

Love and Kisses by Sarah Wilson & Melissa Sweet (Candlewick Press, recommended reading age 0-3)

Blow a kiss and let it go, You never know how love will grow!

A sweet book for your littlest of Valentine’s

 

Miffy at the Museum by Dick Bruna (Kodansha International, recommended reading age 2+)

After seeing a new friend in Scotland having her first Baby Book Club with Miffy’s Birthday book, I had to check out Miffy for ourselves.  Easy to read, and simple illustrations makes this a great (collection of) book(s) for little people.

 

The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi (Kids Can Press, recommended reading age 3-7)

“One snowy winter’s day, Kikko sets out to bring a pie to Grandma.  When she happens upon a strange house in the woods, the most surprising guest invite her inside for a tea party.  Kikko can hardly believe her eyes….”

We LOVE this book.  To me it’s a twist on Little Red Riding Hood.

Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson & Kevin O’Malley (Marshall Cavendish Children, recommended reading age 4-8)

Marylou loved everything about Herbie — how his slime trail glistened in the dark, how he could stretch himself thin to squeeze inside the cellar window, how he always found the juiciest tomato.  But Marylou was a shy slug.  How could she get Herbie to notice her?

A very sweet, LOVE story.  We loved the cute rhyming notes that Marylou would leave Herbie and Herbie would leave for Marylou

Strawberries are red.

Blueberries are blue.

Herbie is handsome.

Love,

Marylou

 

Last Stop On Market Street by Matt De La Pena & Christian Robinson (G.P.Putnam’s Sons, recommended reading age 3-6)

On Sundays, CJ and his Nana ride the bus across town to their stop on Market Street.  But today, CJ’s not happy about it.  Today, he’s wondering out loud why they have to wait in the rain and why they don’t have a car like his other friends.  But it’s Nana who opens young CJ’s eyes wand shows him the real beauty in the world around them–the spirit of the bustling city, the music in everyday life, and the magic of their often overlooked neighbors.

This is really a MAGICAL book, and worth reading no matter what your age.  We can ALL learn a lesson from this book.

 

The Only Child by guojing (Schwartz & Wade Books, recommended reading age 5-9 )

A little girl–lost and along–follows a mysterious stag deep into the woods, and, like Alice down the rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange and wondrous world.  But home and family are very far away.  How will she get back?

We’re pretty new to the wordless picture books, although they have been around for quite awhile.  And we haven’t made it completely through all the pages of this book (   pages), but I just find it amazing the stories that you (or especially your child) can come up with when there are no words.  It’s AMAZING!!!!

 

Beautiful Birds by J. Roussen & E.Walker (Flying Eye Books, recommended reading age 5-7)

This is a brightly coloured, beautiful illustrated A B C Book about Birds.

 

The Perfect Hug by Joanna Walsh & Judi Abbot (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, recommended reading ages 4+)

There are hugs for wrigglers, and hugs for gigglers.  There are hugs that are tickly, and hugs that are prickly.  But of all the hugs big and small, which one is the most perfect hug of all?

Another great suggestion for a Valentine’s Read for your Little Ones.

 

To The Sea by Cale Atkinson (Disney Hyperion, recommended reading age 3-5)

It’s not every day you meet a new friend.

We’re totally into books about Friendship right now, especially leading up to Valentine’s Day.  This is another great one, we would strongly suggest.

 

Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotlich & Michael Slack (Christy Ottaviano Books, recommended reading age 2+)

Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Ligh, GO!

It’s time to count the race cars — from 1 to 10 — as they take off for the big race!

A fun counting book, especially for anyone who LOVES cars!

 

In! Over! and On! (The Farm) by Ethan Long (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, recommended reading age 3-5)

If your child likes lift and flap books, check this one out.  Bright, cartoon-like illustrations with fun flaps to make this book both Fun and Interactive.

 

That’s (Not) Mine by Anna Kang & Christopher Weyant (Two Lions, recommended reading age 2-7)

Two fuzzy creatures both want to sit in the same comfy chair.  The trouble is, they can’t agree who it belongs to.

Great illustrations.  This would be a great book for Family Story time, or Parent-Child Storytelling.  The way the text is written it really lends itself to being an Interactive Read.

 

What books are in your library stack?  Share them with us…

 

We’ve also updated our Talk, Sing, Read! Book List Pinterest Board.  https://www.pinterest.com/ralford/talk-sing-read-book-list/

Friday Favorites – Places to Read

Over the past week, Kaelyn and I have read in a lot of different spaces.

**We’re going to keep today’s post fairly short so we can catch up on a few other projects we have going on.**

This week we’ve read :

• at home (living room, bedroom, basement rec room, in the kitchen)
• at the library (story time and our own weekly visit/book exchange)
• at the Toy Store
• at the Book Store
• in the car (as we sat in a parking lot waiting for Dad)
• at the Coffee Shop

 

Where have you read this week?

Do you have an absolute FAVORITE place to read?

What’s in our Library Bag?

**A bit later than normal, but working on a lot of fun projects for Kaelyn’s Book Club and a few friends.  But here we go, I hope you get some suggestions for your next library trip from what we’re reading.  Happy Tuesday!

R & K

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As has been the case for the last several weeks, we just cannot get enough of the GREAT books that are available to us from our local library.  So Friday we made the trek downtown to exchange our library books.

Inside our library bag this week you will find:

• Night Cars by Teddy Jam & Edic Beddows (Groundwood, recommended reading age 0-3)

“It’s late night in the city. From his father’s shoulder, a sleepless baby watches the snow drift down from the sky onto the busy street below. What are all those noises? What are all those lights? His tired but patient father explains everything, from the bustle of taxis swishing through the slush to the grinding and slamming of the early-morning garbage trucks.”  We had a couple weeks of sleeplessness in the house, so I felt exactly what was happening in this book.

• You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses by Taeeun Yoo (Nancy Paulsen Books, recommended reading age 3-6)

I have attempted yoga (in my basement, just myself and my Wii), but this book is definitely my style and my experience level!! We both have had fun with this book practicing our poses.  It’s good for the whole family

• The Smiley Snowman by M.Christina Butler & Tina Macnaughton (Good Books, recommended reading age 2+)

Another Beautiful book.  It sparkles! This book is about Fluff Bunny, Small Fox and Little Bear and the snowman they build.  It’s a heartwarming story about friendship.

• Sheep Blast Off by Nancy Shaw & Margot Apple (Houghton Mifflin Company, recommended reading age 4-7)

My opinion is that you can never go wrong with a sheep book.  This is a fun, easy one to read with your little ones. “Sheep stumble. Sheep bumble. Engines slowly start to rumble…When a mysterious spacecraft lands in a nearby pasture, the lovable, blundering sheep get in gear for the ride of their lives!”

• LOVE is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark (Nancy Paulsen Books, recommended reading age 3-5)
• Love Waves by Rosemary Wells (Candlewick Press, recommended reading age 3-7)

LOVE this book.  “Love Waves are what we send to our loved ones until we can be together again. Invisible and strong, they can fly across town or around the world, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that neither time nor space can keep love from finding its target.” The idea and pictures are both is beautiful.  We LOVE how the waves just jump off the paper.

• Ladybug Girl and Bingo by David Soman & Jacky Davis (Dial Books for Young Readers, recommended reading age 3-5)

As you probably remember we are HUGE Ladybug girl fans.  And this book is just as much fun as the others.  It’s a friendship story of Lulu and her dog, Bingo.

• Hank has a Dream by Rebecca Dudley (Peter Pauper Press, Inc., recommended reading age 2-6)

The most beautiful pictures are in this book.  It’s worth picking up off the shelves just to look at the pictures!  The book is the story of Hank who dreams he can fly.

• Henry in Love by Peter McCarty (Balzer & Bray, recommended reading age 4-8)

Definitely the pick of the day.  I think we have read it nearly a dozen times since picking it out at the library last week.  Heading into Valentine’s Day, this is a sweet story about friendship, sharing, and young love.

• Squid and Octopus Friends for Always by Tao Nyeu (Dial Books for Young Readers, recommended reading age 3-7)

**still in our TO BE READ Pile**

“The four tales in this charming picture book show funny moments in the life of best friends Squid and Octopus. Yes, they argue sometimes, but they are always able to cheer each other up in glum times.

They are a very lucky duo. As the fortune cookie in the final story says, they will always have a true friend to count on.”

• Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry & Tom Lichtenheld (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, recommended reading age 4-7)

**still in our TO BE READ Pile**

“Stick and Stone are on their own, until a chance encounter with a boorish bully (Pine Cone), inspires Stick to stick up for stone. The new pals head off on an adventure and discover that friendship really rocks.”

• Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins & Paul O. Zelinsky (schwartz & wade books, recommended reading age 6-9)

**IN PROGRESS**  I wasn’t sure what my 2 year old would think of this book, I’ll call it an early chapter book.  But surprisingly she likes to listen for a little while, so we’re reading away when we have some quiet time.

“Here is the first book in the highly acclaimed Toys trilogy, which is followed by the companion books Toy Dance Party and Toys Come Home. These six linked stories from Emily Jenkins, and illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Paul O. Zelinsky, showcase the unforgettable adventures—and misadventures—of three extraordinary friends.”

• Toys Come Home by Emily Jenkins & Paul O.Zelinsky (schwartz & wade books, recommended reading age 6-10)

**last book in the TO BE READ Pile**

“In six linked adventures, readers will also learn how the one-eared Sheep became one-eared; watch a cranky toy meet an unfortunate end; and best of all, learn why it’s okay for someone you truly love to puke on you. Here is perhaps the most charming of three inimitably charming books destined to become classics.”

 

So as you can see we have a lot of Friendship books in our Library Stack this week.

What are you reading? Show us your stack.

Book Spine Poetry:

Hank has a Dream

You Are a LION!

 

Friday Favorites – Libraries

Happy Friday Friends.

Today it’s Library Day for us, and I decided we would talk about your favorite library.  We do talk A LOT about libraries, but I really feel that the library is a very important part of our Community, and our child’s development. A great library can do so many things.  It can INSPIRE. Help CREATE. TEACH. DEVELOP a sense of wonder and love for learning. Further IMAGINATION and so on.

Locally, our library will be relocating soon because of changes to a nearby bridge. This has prompted much discussion about what the COMMUNITY Needs and Wants in a NEW library, and a NEW library Space.  Just this week the results from a recent Community Open House were shared online. (http://www.valleylibrary.ca/sites/default/files/article-pdf/KentvilleLibraryConsultationReport16Jan20.pdf)

I was SO Excited to see that the Community also believes that a Fabulous Children’s area is a priority.

This second report, http://www.valleylibrary.ca/sites/default/files/article-pdf/KentvilleBooklet-REVISED.pdf, dates back to 2009 when the Friends of the Kentville Library and the Town started to look at the possibility of a new New Library.

So now I ask you….

What is your FAVORITE thing about your LOCAL library? 

or

Do you have a Favorite Library that you have visited? Where?

Have a great weekend.

R & K