Robert McCloskey Mom Classics

Make Way For Ducklings
Author and Illustrator: Robert McCloskey

Summary: Mr and Mrs Mallard have been searching for the perfect spot to build their nest and call home. They make friends with Michael the policeman and lay 8 eggs. Out of these eggs come 8 little ducklings to keep Mr. and Mrs. Mallard busy. Mr. Mallard decides to take and trip and he tells Mrs. Mallard that he will meet her in a week. As soon as the week is over Mrs. Mallard and the ducklings head out to meet Mr. Mallard. But they find crossing the busy highways and roads a little difficult, with the help of the policeman everyone is soon making way for ducklings!

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were looking for a place to live. But every time Mr. Mallard saw what looked like a nice place, Mrs. Mallard said it was no good.

Ages: 4-8
Use to teach: Mom Classic, ducks

Blueberries for Sal
Author and Illustrator: Robert McCloskey

Summary: Sal and her mother are off to Blueberry Hill to fill their tin pails with delicious berries to can for winter. Sal's only problem is that her tummy is filling up faster than her pail. She finally plops down in a big clump of berries to pop some more into her mouth. On the other side of the hill Little Bear and his mother are also filling up their tummies to grow big and fat in time for winter. Little Bear grows tired of following his mother and decides to sit in a big clump of berries and eat. After Sal and Little Bear finish their berries they set off to find their mothers but both are surprised when they meet someone who looks a little bit different than their own mothers. I remember reading this with my mom and I loved it. It is a little longer with more text but is still a fun, cute story.

Little Sal picked three berries and droped them in her litle tin pail... kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! She picked three more berries and ate them.

Ages: 4-8
Use to teach: Mom Classic, Canning/Food Preservation, Berries

The First Mom Classics

Where the Wild Things Are
Author and Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Summary: The night Max wears his wolf suit costume terrible things happen. This is the night he sails away to the wild things. There they rompas, and roar and roll terrible eyes. But despite all of the wild things Max becomes lonely and decides that he will sail back to his home. This story is a classic and one that children of all ages will love. After reading this you may have to hold your own wild rompas!

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind

Ages: 2 and up
Use to teach: Mom Classics, temper



There's a Nightmare in my Closet
Author and Illustrator: Mercer Mayer

Summary: The little boy in this story knows there is a nightmare in his closet and does all he needs to protect himself from his nightmare. But once and for all he decides to take care of his nightmare. With his army helmet and his pop gun he solves the problem of his nightmare.
This is a quick easy to read book.
Quickly I turned on the light and caught him siting at the foot of my bed. "Go away, Nightmare, or I'll shoot you," I said. I shot him anyway.

Ages: 3 and up
Use to teach: mom classics, nightmares





May I Bring a Friend
Author: Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
Illustrator: Beni Montresor

Summary: When invited to have tea with the King and Queen of course you must bring a friend. Throughout this book as the little boy is invited to the King and Queen's he always asks to bring a friend. Each time you will be surprised by the unusual guests who end up spending, tea, lunch, and breakfast with the royalty. This book will delight readers and will keep you turning the page so you will be able to find out what special guest will arrive next. Although this story is fun and has it does have a litle more text per page which may lose the interest of young readers

The King and Queen invited me to come to their house on Sunday for tea. I told the Queen and the Queen told the King I had a friend I wanted to bring. The King told the Queen, "My dear, my dear, Any friend of our friend is welcome here." So I brought my friend....

Ages: 3/4-8
Use to teach: Mom Classics, Animals, Rhyming patterns

Mom's Classics and Potato Bug Project

In honor of Mother's Day I first thought that I would find books about mothers but instead I decided that I would choose books that I remember my mom reading to me when I was younger and ones that I loved. Hopefully this will remind you of your own mom classics and ones that you haven't yet read to your little ones. I know they aren't going to be the new ones but most of the time mom classics are the best ones! Also later this week we will be having another potato bug project using Hand Hand Fingers Thumb, which of course is one of my mom classics!

Soil Stories

A few books that you might like to use for Earth day.

The Gardener

Author: Sarah Stewart

Illlustrator: David Small

Summary: Lydia Grace Finch is off to live with her uncle Jim while her dad looks for a job. She sets off with stationary, clothes, and a suitcase full of seeds. She arrives to a big city, an uncle who doesn't smile, and a building full of endless possibilities. Lydia sets to work planting seeds in the window boxes and in any containers she can find. As her seeds sproud and bloom she brightens up the whole house. But can she brighten up Uncle Jim's face. This is a delightful story told through the letters Lydia writes to her family

You should have heard Emma laugh today when I opened your letter and dirt fell out onto the sidewalk! Thank you for all the baby plants. They survived the trip in the big envelope.

Ages: 6-10

Use to teach: Earth Day, plants/flowers, seeds, writing style

The Great Paper Caper

Author and Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Summary:Something strange is happening in the forest. Branches are mysteriously dissapearing from the trees. The animals get together and decide something must be done. They set up a full scale investigation to find the tree thief. After searching for clues, police tape, and calling in witnesses, it's a simple paper airplane that leads them to the answer. This humorous story is a great way to talk about suing our recources wisely, replacing what we take, and how to make a fantastic paper airplane. A small child will stay interested but may not understand what is going on.

They took photographs, made notes and examined every leaf. But no matter how hard they investigated no clues could be found.

Ages: 4-9

Use to teach: Earth Day, Trees, Recycle, investigation, paper airplanes

Miss Rumphius

Author: Barbara Cooney

Summary: Alice Rhumbius tells her grandfather when she is young that she will visit faraway places and live by the ocean when she is old. He has her promise to add a third thing to her list; do something to make the world more beautiful. This she promises. She completes the first two and wonders how she can make the world more beautiful. She soon finds out she can do this in a simple way but one that can be enjoyed by everyone. This book has beautiful artwork but has more text and is geared to a little bit older child.

When I grow up," I tell her, "I too will go to faraway places and come home to live by the sea." "That is all very well, little Alice," says my aunt, "but there is a third thing you must do." "What is that?" I ask. "You must do something to make the world more beautiful." "All right," I say. But I do not know yet what that can be.

Ages: 6-10

Use to teach: Earch Day, Service, Plants

Scarecrow
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Lauren Stringer

Summary: The life of a scarecrow doesn't seem extraordinary but from his viewpoint the world becomes a completely different place. For just a few minutes Rylant takes us out of our shoes and hangs us up next to the scarecrow and fills us with straw so that we can appreciate the world around us and the simple things that we often don't see. This book has beautiful illustrations and gives a unique and fun perspective.

His hat is borrowed, his suit is borrowed, his hands are borrowed, even his head is borrowed. And his eyes probably came out of someone's drawer. But a scarecrow's life is all his own.

Ages 4-8

Use to teach: Earth day, recycling, scarecrows, viewpoint

Other books I didn't get time to review or wasn't able to find that you may want to try out:

How a seed growns: Helene Jordan

Supermoo: Babette Cole

A Cow, A Bee. A cookie, and me: Meredith Hooper

The Garbage Monster: Jodi Sensel

Flower Garden: Eve Bunting

Planting a Rainbow: Lois Ehlert

On Meadowview Street and Jack's Garden: Henry Cole

The empty pot: Demi

Growing Vegetable Soup: Lois Ehlert

The tiny seed: Eric Carle

Potato Bug Project

Diary of a Worm

Author: Doreen Cronin

Illustrator: Harry Bliss

Summary: Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a worm might be like. Diary of a worm is a hilarious story written from the viewpoint of a worm. Each page has a different diary entry from one little worm and all he experiences down on the ground. This book will make you laugh out loud and is a fun way to introduce worms.

My older sister thinks she's so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end

Ages: 4-8

Use to teach: worms, earth day, soil, decomposition, writing style

We had a wiggly, squiggly day for our first book project. The Diary of a Worm is a great project book and a great way to kick off Earth day next Wednesday. Here is what we did today hopefully you will find something fun for you and your family to try:

Worm diagram: Rose and I started off the day with a worm diagram. Since she is pretty small. I drew and labeled the worm and she glued on the parts. But it can be adjusted for the age of your child.

Diary of a Ladybug: We decided to start our own diary, we choose a different insect and went around searching for ladybugs to take pictures. We will have to keep working on this one since it has been a little cold and the ladybugs were scare, but we are going to make our own little Diary of a Ladybug.

Worm Hunt: This was our favorite activitiy. We headed out to the garden, anyplace with some soil, compost areas etc, will work. We dug in the earth to search for some worms to investigate with.

Worm Jar home: After finding some worms we filled up a jar with soil, old leaves, and some newspaper so we could watch the worms decompose. You can use a variety of items in the jar and you can make a much larger home for your worms.

Worm races: We drew a circle on the cement and put in our worms and waited to see which worm could make it to the outside of the circle first.

Cup of dirt: This is the best way to end your day of worms. Just crush up some oreos, make some chocolate pudding and add some gummy worms. A lot better than real worms!

All the Places to Love

All The Places to Love

Author: Patricia Maclachlan

Illustrator: Mike Wimmer

Summary: A beautiful story of a little boy, Eli, who shares all the places that he and his family love. His mama carries him through the meadows and the hay fields, and his father takes him to the plowed fields, where the "soil is sweet". He catches boats at the river with his grandmother and watches the cows in the cool dark barn with his grandpa. He jumps from rock to rock in the woods, climbs the hill to pick berries with his mom and stops to watch the turtles in the marsh. After his little sister Sylvie is born he can't wait to share with her all the places to love. This book has beautiful description and beatiful artwork. It is sure to remind you of all the places you love especially those from your childhood. Young children will enjoy the pictures but there is quite a bit of text per page.

Ages: 5 and up

Use to teach: Writing Prompt, Adjectives/description, family

Someday I might live in the city. Someday I might live by the sea. But soon I will carry Sylvie on my shoulders through the fields; I will send her messages downriver in small boats; And I will watch her at the top of the hill, Trying to touch the sky. I will show her my favorite place, the marsh, Where ducklings follow their mother like tiny tumbles of leaves. All the places to love are here, I'll tell her, no matter where you live. Where else, I will say, does an old turtle crossing the path make all the difference in the world?

Our first book project

Coming soon our first potato bug project. Come back on Saturday for Diary of a Worm and activities that you and your silly slugs can do after you read this book.

The Carrot Seed

Title: The Carrot Seed

Author: Ruth Krauss

Illustrator: Crockett Johnson

Summary: I can remember reading this story over and over again with my mother when I was a little girl and it has always been a classic for me. Although it doesn't talk about Easter it does go right along with spring. This is a simple story with simple illustrations but it is sure to entrance even the youngest reader and inspire them to go out and plant their own little carrot seed. The little boy in this story decides to plant a carrot seed. He tends this seed patiently and lovingly even as everyone else tells him it won't grown. Although they tell him to give up he continues to care for his small plant with a simple childlike faith in his seed. He isn't disapointed and grows a beautiful carrot for everyone to see

A little boy planted a carrot seed.

Ages: 2 and up

Use to teach: Seeds, Garden, Hard Work, Patience

Rechenka's Eggs

Rechenka's Eggs
Author: Patricia Polacco

Summary: Babushka is know for the beautiful eggs she paints for the Easter Festival each year. Her eggs always win first prize. One year while preparing for the festival Babushka goes outside to watch the caribou only to have an injured goose fall from the sky. Babushka takes in the goose and helps it heal. She names the goose Rechenka. After Rechenka begins to feel better she jumps onto the table overturning the basket full of painted eggs and breaks them. Babuska is sure that she will not be able to go to the Easter Festival but the next day to her surprise Rechenka has laid a beautiful painted egg. She continues to lay eggs until the Easter Festival, where Babushka takes first prize again. When Babushka comes home she finds a surprise awaiting her. This is a sweet story of friendship and kindness. Polacco's story gives a little background into Ukrainian and Russian background and has beautiful artwork. Again this book has more text so it is better for a child about 4 and up.

Babushka lived alone in a dacha, a little house in the country, but she was known far and wide for the fine eggs that she lovingly painted. Her eggs were so beautiful that she always won first prize at the Easter Festival in Moskva

Ages: 4-8
Use to teach: Easter, Kindness, Friendship

The Egg Tree

The Egg Tree

Author: Katherine Milhous

On Easter Morning Katy and Carl search high and low for Easter Eggs in Grandmother's house. Katy has no luck until she ventures into the attic. There she finds some very beautiful and special eggs that her Grandmother painted when she was a child. They take the eggs from the attic and hang them on an egg tree, which begins a new tradition. This book is a childhood favorite and has beautiful illustrations. It would be best for children about five and older due to more text per page, but it is one that will entertain your children and have them begging for their own egg tree!

Ages: 5 and older

Use to teach: Eggs, Easter Egg

The Bunny Book Hop

I thought we'd hope through a book a day until Easter. These are some of the books I enjoy but there are many books about Easter. Check out any of the sites on the sidebar and you will find lots of Easter books to try. Too many for me to get through this week, but I've managed to hippity hop through a few.



The Country Bunny and the little Gold Shoes
Author: Du Bose Heyward
Illustrator: Marjorie Hack

Summary: The country bunny has always dreamed that she will grow up to be one of the Easter bunnies. But all of the other rabbits scoff and laugh at her for having this absurd dream. After having 21 babies the other bunnies can hardly believe that she still imagines that someday she can become one of the Easter bunnies. But the country bunny continues to work hard, and to teach her little bunnies how to help and be responsible. The wise old Grandfather bunny notices the country bunnies kind heart, determination, perserverance, and common sense. He asks her to be one of the Easter bunnies and she proves to all of the other bunnies that she can do it. This book was written in 1939 and is a classic. It does contain a lot of text per page but the illustrations are beautiful and could be shown to a young child.

We hear of the Easter Bunny who comes each Easter Day before sunrise to bring eggs for boys and girls, so we think there is only one. But this is not so. There are really five Easter Bunnies, and they must be the five kindest, and swiftest, and wisest bunnies in the whole wide world, because between sunset on Easter Eve and dawn on Easter Morning they do more work than most rabbits do in a whole year.

Ages: 4-8
Use to teach: Easter, Hard Work, Determination, Responsibility, Kindness, Wisdom