Saturday, January 30, 2010

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.