What to Look For

Well in the past few months my book bug blogging has been quite poor and nonexistent but this time I am really ready to get going again!:) So look for more library loves, some fun math books, and book projects to come in the coming weeks. Hopefully we'll have some fun books that you'll want to check out!

Pop-ups

Although I have meant to talk about some great pop-up books to get for your kids, I forgot about it and was reminded because my mom gave us some pop-ups for Christmas. Some of the best authors to look for when you want to get a great pop up book are Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart. Both of these authors do fantastic work! Their books are amazing to look at and although they often cost a little bit more money they are a great investment and it's fun to just have one or two. They are books that are definitely for older kids or books that must be read with parents and then put away. But they are something you will love to look at and I'm sure your kids will think they are pretty neat too. Here are a few examples:

Library Loves

We wanted to share a few of the books that we have found at the Library and have really enjoyed a few of these were suggested to us and some we just found on our own. So next time you head to the Library here are a few ideas to pick up:

While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat

Author: Amy Reichert

Illustrator: Alexander Boiger

Summary: The reason why I originally checked out this book was because the little girl was a red head named Rosie, but after reading it both Rose and I thought it was worth another check out. When her mama gets on the phone, she tells Rosie that she is only going to have a quick little chat and that Rosie needs to get ready for bed. But we all know what moms and a quick little chat means and for Rosie a lot more happens that just getting ready for bed.

Ages: 2 to 8

Use to Teach:

Book Projects: Make a homeade telephone with cans and a string

Gone With the Wand

Author: Margie Palatini

Illustrator: Brian Ajhar

Summary: Bernice Sparklestein one of the best fairy godmothers has seemed to have lost her touch. With a wand that doesn't work like it used to and no idea what to do next. Bernice's fairy friend Edith decides to help Bernice find something else that a fairy like her can handle. This fun and silly story make us giggle and laugh as we tried to figure out what Bernice would do next. This one was one of our favorites and I thought it was fun to read the whole way through.

"If yours truly, Edith Molarnari, tooth fairy second class, hadn't seen it with my own two peepers, I wouldn't have believed it myself --- Bernice Sparklestein, once the best fairy godmother in the biz, having a bad wand day. A very bad wand day."

Ages: 3 to 9

Use to teach: Fairy Tales

Book Projects: Make Fairy Wands, Create your own fairy story

Princess Bess Gets Undressed

Author: Margery Cuyler

Illustrator: Heather Maione

Summary: Princess Bess has many beautiful dresses, full of lace and ribbons, and everyday she spends her time changing outfits for all of her different activities but her favorite outfit is one that may surprise and make you smile when you find out what it is. This is Rose's all time favorite book and she could read it over and over again.

Princess Bess has loads of clothes made with satin, snaps, and bows.
And she changes them all day, for her lessons and ballet.

Ages: 2-8

Use to Teach: Getting Dressed, Time, Schedules

Book Projects: Play Dress-up, Make up your own princess outfit, Make Paper Dolls with different outfits

Once Upon a Banana

Author: Jennifer Armstrong

Illustrator: David Small

Summary: This story is all about one silly monkey and how much trouble one banana can cause in one town. This is a picture book so there are no words but I found that Rose loves to look at all the pictures and giggle and point out all of the different things in each pictures. It is a definitely a fun book to check out!

Ages: 2 and up
Use to Teach: Writing Stories, Cause and Effect, Prediction, Description, Sequence

Book Project Ideas: Eat Bananas, Learn about Monkeys, Write your own picture story that follows a sequence and share it with someone in your family.

Now I know that most of these are girly books but hopefully I'll have a few more manly books in the next Library Loves.

Cowboy Classics

So I wasn't quite up and running when I thought I was.... but now this book bug is really ready to go and so for the next two weeks we are going to have some cowboys classics along with a cowboy potato bug project, so we hope your up to it partner!

Little Britches and the Rattlers

Author: Eric A Kimmel

Illustrator: Vincent Nguyen

Summary: Little Britches in on her way to the rodeo to win the calf roping contest. She set out on her pony dressed in her finest cowboy gear. Little did she know that she would meet a bunch of rattlers with a appetite for little girls or their brand new rodeo outfit.

"It's gonna be a fine day," Little Britches said to herself. "I can feel it down to my boots." Little Britches took a shortcut through the dry gulch. She hadn't gone far when a rattlesnake lifted his head. "Little Britches-ch-ch-es, I'm gonna s-s-swaller you up!" The rattler hissed.

Ages: 3-9

Use to teach: Cowboys

Deputy Harvey and the Ant Cow Caper

Author and Illustrator: Brad Sneed

Summary: Someone is stealing cows from the towns herd in Ant Hill and it's causing quite a stir. It's been said that a gang of lady bugs are the culprits. Deputy Harvey is off to find out just who the cow thief and what he finds is quite surprising. This book is a fun cowboy book involving ladybugs, ants, and aphids, you kids will have a lot of fun with it.

Way out west at the foot of an old cottonwood, there is a sleepy little town by the name of Ant Hill. Nothing much ever happens there, and that is just fine with most folks, especially Deputy Harvey. But this morning was different. The deputy had just come from the Milking Barn and there was extra git in his giddyup as he hurried down dusty Main Street.

Ages: 4-9

Use to teach: Insects, Cowboys

Cindy Ellen, A Wild Western Cinderella

Author: Susan Lowell

Illustrator: Jane Manning

Summary: Cindy Ellen is one beautiful cowgirl who is forced to do all the ranch chores for her ornery stepmother and step sisters. And although she mends fences all day and tends the cows she is still as nice as ever. When the big cattle king invites all the neighbors for a square dance Cindy Ellen wishes she could go as well, and with the help of her fairy godmother she might just pull it off. This is a cute spin off of cinderella that is creative and fun.

Then one day the biggest cattle king for miles around invited all his neighbors to a two-day celebration, first a wild and woolly rodeo, and then a square dance-a real western fandango!

Ages: 5-9

Use to teach: Cowboys, Writing, Setting

Up and buzzin!

Due to the arrival of a new book bug we have been slow getting books and activities posted but we are ready to get buzzin again! Look for a new potato bug project, summer activities and patriotic books coming soon!

Hush Little Dragon

Hush Little Dragon

Author: Boni Ashburn

Illustrator: Kelly Murphy

Summary: Hush little Dragon takes the lullaby, Hush Little Baby and turns it upside down. Instead of a mother singing to her baby this momma dragon soothes her baby with her own little lullaby full of all sorts of yummy snacks, Including knights, princesses and magicians. This book is sure to keep your little dragon delighted and giggling.

Hush, little dragon, don't make a sound. Mama's gonna bring you a princess she found. If that princess runs from you, Mama's gonna bring you a knight or two. And if those knights should try to flee, Mama's gonna get a bit fiery. When you want more goodies to munch, Mama's gonna bring you a king for lunch."

Ages: 2-8

Summer Read-a-thon

Another fun summer idea is to have your own read-a-thon at home. You could invite some friends if you wanted or just have a day by yourself. Because the weather is so nice, set up a tent outside, make a fort, use a treehouse or just lay a blanket on the grass and grab your favorite books. Make sure to include your favorite reading snacks and you're set. To make it more exciting you could stop and play games to go along with the books you are reading, have silent and read a loud sections, create book projects, or after reading a book if there is a movie about it watch that for fun.