Our Bag of Books {The Full Moon at the Napping House, Have You Seen My Dragon, and Harry the Dirty Dog}

Every week, we come home from the library with a bag full of books.  Some books are new, some books are old, and some are books that we have checked out repeatedly.  Every week, a few stick out for various reasons.  I share them in hopes that you'll find some new ones to enjoy with your family.  :)

The Full Moon at the Napping House

Written by Audrey Wood

Illustrated by Don Wood

Published September 1, 2015

Knowing the love my kids have for any book written and illustrated by Audrey and Don Wood, I was excited to see that they had come out with a sequel to The Napping House.  With a full moon, no one is ready for bed and poor, sleepless granny is left with a restless household.  As we read this version together, I can feel my kids energy start out high at the beginning of the story, and then relax as the napping house is able to finally calm down thanks to a chirping cricket.  I loved how it had the same feel as The Napping House, but had its own twist that captured the bedtime process for so many families.  And who can resist Don Wood's delightful illustrations?

My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars (I could definitely see myself buying a copy,)

Perfect for: Babies, Toddlers, Preschool, Early Elementary

Have You Seen My DRAGON?

Written and Illustrated by Steve Light

Published April 8, 2014

I'm always on the lookout for a good counting picture book, and this one fits the bill.  A little boy has lost his dragon in New York City, and sets out to find him.  On each page layout, he visits a place where the dragon might have gone to in the city.  Each place he visits is intricately illustrated in black and white, and has colored items that the reader counts, such as boats, buses, dogs, balloons, and taxis.  It starts out with 1 item and ends with 20 items on the final page.  We all loved looking at the illustrations.  Overall, it was an original counting book that gave my toddler some good practice.

My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars 

Perfect For: Toddlers, Preschool

Harry the Dirty Dog

Written by Gene Zion

Illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

Originally Published 1956

Harry the Dirty Dog is a classic, and for good reason!  Harry hates baths and after hearing the bath water running, he grabbed his scrub brush, buried it in the back yard, and ran away.  When he comes back home, he is absolutely filthy and unrecognizable.  His family isn't going to let him in the house since they don't know it is him!  He retrieves the brush he previously buried and they decide to give the dog a bath only to discover it was Harry the whole time!  I love how this book has been around for fifty years, but still delights children.

My Rating: 5 stars
Perfect for: Toddlers, Preschool, Early Elementary

Happy Reading!

Emily

The Baby Beebee Bird

The Baby Beebee Bird

Written by Diane Redfield Massie

Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Every now and then, I come across certain books that take me back to my childhood, complete with all of the memories of reading it with my mom.  We would climb up on her bed and she would read a big stack of books to us as we all crowded around her.  I came across The Baby Beebee Bird in the library, and even though it was a reprint edition with new illustrations from Steven Kellogg, it brought back some fond memories.  

The story was originally published in 1963, and tells the tale of a little baby bird and its arrival at the zoo.  All of the animals are tired at the end of the day, and ready to go to bed, but the Beebee bird has just woken up and is ready to sing!  Much to the dismay of the rest of the zoo, the baby bird sings all night long.  "Beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi...." is the song that the little bird sings with all of its heart.

After a sleepless night, lion comes up with a plan that just might work to get the baby bird back on a sleeping schedule that works for everyone.  The plot reminds me of parents bringing home newborns from the hospital, and the dilemma that they encounter when the baby is wide awake during the night, and sleepy during the day.  

I love that it has become a favorite around our house, and I hope my little ones ones will remember it with as much fondness as I have.  

Happy Reading!

Emily

Dr. Seuss Week: Books for the Tiniest Tots

Dr. Seuss books are full of so much rhythm and cadence that they are fun to read to even the tiniest of babies.  Here are the ones that are well-known around our house:

Mr. Brown Can Moo!  Can You?

By Dr. Seuss
Originally Published in 1979
Perfect for 0-5 years old

 

Kids love this one.  Mr. Brown has great skills when it comes to imitating sounds, and children love trying to make the sounds that he makes.  From bees buzzing to hands knocking on a door, the book provides a large variety of sounds to try.  The original version has a greater number of sounds.  We own the board book and have really enjoyed it, but the original has some really fun pages not included in the board book.

There's a Wocket in My Pocket

By Dr. Seuss

Originally Published in 1976

Perfect for 2-5 years old

This one is full of imaginative creatures and fun wordplay, both of which are so important in the beginning years.  Some of the made-up creatures are enjoyable to be around, but others are far less than charming.  

What Was I Scared Of?

By Dr. Seuss

  Originally Published in 1961

Perfect for 2-5 years old

 

A Seuss creature has never been afraid of much until he meets a pair of green pants with nobody inside them.  The thought of pants that ride a bike and move around without anybody wearing them just doesn't sit well with the creature [or anyone, for that matter!].  He can't seem to kick the fear until he runs into the pants and sees that the pants are scared of him, as well.  This one is a bedtime favorite at our house.  

 What are your favorites?

Happy reading!

Emily

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Pouch!

POUCH!

by David Ezra Stein

(Nancy Poulsen Books, 2012, Fiction)

Perfect for 1-2 year olds

Opening: "When he was a brand-new kangaroo, Joey lived in the pouch.  Until one day...he peeked out and saw the world, and his mama smiling down at him"

Brief Synopsis:  Joey is a young kangaroo who decides he wants to get down and hop.  He takes a couple of hops and meets a bee.  Joey is so frightened that he yells, "POUCH!" and hops back to his pouch.  He soon wants to hop again and hops three times before he meets rabbit.  He again yells "POUCH" and hops back into his mother's pouch, only to want to hop again.  The story continues in the same fashion until he meets another joey kangaroo.  "POUCH!" they both yell, but laugh together at the thought that they were afraid of each other.  They've each found a new friend. 

Why I Like It:  I love the simplicity of the book.  There are few words, but the illustrations carry the story.  The repetitive nature and the theme of the story are perfect for the littlest of readers.  The crayon and watercolor illustrations are very soft and give a youthful feel to the book.  Absolutely adorable in text and picture. 

Resources:  Check out the making of the book here.

Board Book Roundup

Board books have a special place in my heart because they are the books that start it all.  They are among the first books that I read to my little sweethearts, the first books that they hold (and try to eat!), and the first books that they fall in love with.  I've compiled a list of a few of our favorites.  I have them memorized, I have a spot reserved for them in the diaper bag, and I've had to replace a few because they have been loved to pieces.

I do have one slight issue with board books.  I refuse to check them out from the library due to their hands-on nature.  Kind of grosses me out.  That being said, I am always looking for recommendations before I buy a new one, so please share your favorites in the comment section!

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

Written by Audrey Wood and Illustrated by Don Wood

 

  In this story, the reader playfully interacts with the mouse to warn him of the hungry bear and the bear's love for freshly picked strawberries.  The little mouse will win your heart over as he tries to keep his strawberry hidden from the big hungry bear.  He tries locking it up, burying it, and disguising it, but the only thing that will keep the bear from finding the strawberry is to cut it up and share it. 

From Head to Toe

 by Eric Carle

 I have many favorites written by Eric Carle, but this one may take the cake.  Children are asked to do movements that mimic animals.  The movements start with the head and go all the way to their toes.  Fun and interactive.

The Very Busy Spider

by Eric Carle

 The busy spider starts spinning her web bright and early in the morning.  Throughout the day, she is invited by other barn animals to participate in activities with them.  She always replies that she is very busy and keeps on spinning her web.  Towards the end, Rooster asks the spider if she would like to help her catch the pesty fly, and at that moment the spider catches the fly in her web.  My little ones love to feel the spider web, which is raised on the pages and continues to develop as the spider works on it throughout the book.  This is also one of my favorite books to dramatize and add voices to as I read aloud.

*As a side note, I loved this book so much that I ordered some to give as baby shower gifts.  When they arrived, they were miniature sized and I had to return them.  Check the dimensions before you buy!

Barnyard Dance

by Sandra Boynton

 

Full of rhythm and cadence, one can't help but read this in the form of a hoedown song.  I dare you to try not to.  The barnyard animals swing and twirl and bow, and my little ones can't resist it.

The Belly Button Book

by Sandra Boynton

 

This was the very first board book that I bought.  I bought it when I was in a children's literature class in college.  My professor had book orders available, and I couldn't resist buying it after seeing a highlighted page from this book in the book order.  I am so glad that I bought it because the rest of it is just as cute.  Thanks to this book, our family doesn't refer to our belly buttons as belly buttons.  They are, and forever will be, referred to as "bee bos".

Dear Zoo

by Rod Campbell

 

 Dear Zoo is a lift-the-flap book that has provided us hours of quiet time during church.  The premise of the story is that a child writes to the zoo to send him a pet, and the zoo sends him an animal.  Each of the zoo animals has a quality that would make them unqualified for a home pet.  The child sends each animal back and the zoo sends him a new one in return, until they finally send a pet that is perfect.  Each animal is sent in a crate.  The child can pull on the flap to see what animal is inside the crate.

Goodnight Gorilla

by Peggy Rathman

 

One can't help but adore the naughty little gorilla who unlocks all of the cages at the zoo as the zookeeper is saying goodnight to the animals.  All of the animals follow the zookeeper back to his house.  The poor zookeeper's wife wakes up to find a bedroom full of animals, and sets out to return them.  She is ALMOST successful.  Peggy Rathmann does a fabulous job with the illustrations.  My little ones love looking for the balloon and the moon, which are included in the illustrations on almost every page.

Bear Wants More

by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

 

 Bear just came out of hibernation and is starving!  Thank goodness he has sweet friends who help him find food and throw him a party.  Unfortunately, he eats too much and creates the problem of getting stuck in his front door.  My kids adore Bear.

Alright, I want to hear your favorites!  Do share!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Plant a Kiss

Plant a Kiss

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
(Harper, 2012, Fiction)
Perfect for 4-8 years old

Opening: "It goes like this.  Little Miss planted a kiss.  Planted a kiss?  Planted a kiss."

Brief Synopsis:  Little Miss plants a kiss.  She nurtures it with all of her heart, and after much waiting and anticipation, sees a sprout.  It grows into something beautiful, and when asked what she is going to do with it, she replies that she is going to share it.  Little Miss takes a large bowl and fills it with what grew from her kiss.  She then proceeds to share it with everyone.  After she has shared all of the contents of the bowl, she returns to where she planted the kiss only to find that there is an endless supply to share.

Why I Like It: Amy Rosenthal and Peter Reynold work together perfectly to tell this sweet story of a little girl who performs an act of love that multiplies and is shared with all around her.  It is a cute take on the phrase "plant a kiss" and shows how a child might interpret it. 

Resources:  Peter Reynolds has created a printable seed packet to put together and fill with seeds to plant and eventually share with someone.  Head here.

20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street

20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street

Written by Mark Lee and Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
(Candlewick, 2013, Fiction)
Suitable for ages: 3-7

Opening:  "One ice-cream truck selling everything sweet breaks down and blocks the middle of our street."

Brief Synopsis:  An ice cream truck breaks down and causes a pile-up of twenty trucks, ranging from a crane truck to a delivery truck to a mail truck.  None of them are going to go anywhere until the ice cream truck is taken care of.  While onlookers try to think of a way to fix the problem, a little boy on a bike speaks up and offers the solution that works and breaks up the traffic jam.

Why I Like This Book:  This book is written in perfect rhyme that flows incredibly well.  It is a counting book that presents 20 trucks in detailed and bright illustrations.  At the end of the story, the crane picks up the broken-down ice cream truck and places it on the grass by the side of the road where serves ice cream to the neighborhood.  This book is fun to read, provides great counting practice, and is beautifully illustrated, making it one that is read over and over again.

It is necessary to eat some ice cream after reading a book about an ice cream truck, so we made homemade ice cream in a bag.

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

(Recipe Source: www.food.com)

Find the original recipe here.

1/2 cup half-and-half 

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 sandwich Ziploc bag

1 gallon freezer Ziploc bag

3 cups crushed ice

1/3 cup rock salt

Put half-and-half (or cream or milk in a pinch), sugar, and vanilla in the smaller Ziploc bag and mix well.   Seal tightly.  Put ice and rock salt in the larger bag, making sure the salt is evenly distributed.  Add the small bag of ingredients to the large bag and surround it with ice.  Seal the large bag and wrap with a dish towel (the bag will get very cold and hard to hold!).  Shake the bag for 10-15 minutes.  Pull out the small bag, and enjoy!

*Please note that this recipe is pretty basic and you can experiment with different flavors.  The best part about this recipe is the magic of making ice cream.  Kids love it!

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

by Peter Brown

 

Mr. Tiger lives in a town of proper animals who never smile and always dress and act as proper can be.  Until Mr. Tiger decides to go wild.  Mr. Tiger is sick of living a proper life, and against the approval of his friends, takes drastic measures to live a much happier life.  He is asked to head into the wilderness after he takes off his stiff suit and is without clothes.  Mr. Tiger loves the freedom of the wilderness, but misses his friends.  When he comes back to town, he finds a little bit more color and life than he did when he left.

For an activity packet full of activities, head here.  You'll find a mask, stick puppets (along with scenery), and a matching game.  All activities are perfect for having children retell the story in their own words or act it out.

Tap the Magic Tree

Tap the Magic Tree

by Christie Matheson

 

All you have to do to start the magic of this story is tap the picture of the tree on the first page.  When you turn the page, a leaf has appeared.  Tap four more times and you'll find four more leaves on the next page.  Each page comes with new interactive actions to keep the magic happening.  The author cleverly shows the seasonal progression of a tree by making it an interactive experience.  From budding leaves to blooms to falling apples and leaves, the magic tree is always changing.

Fun, scientific, and magical all at once.

For an activity guide, go here.

Puff the Magic Dragon

Puff the Magic Dragon

Written by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton

Illustrated by Eric Puybaret

When I taught school, I had a fellow teacher that invited my class in to her classroom to sing songs while she accompanied them on the piano.  Puff the Magic Dragon was one that everyone looked forward to singing.  I heard the song many times, and I thought I knew and understood the story behind it pretty well.  But, as soon as I checked this book out from the library and read it with my little ones, it came alive.  Since then, I have read/sung this book to my children many times.

The illustrations in this book are very soft and almost dreamlike, which fit the lyrics so well.  My favorite part of the illustrations is that they bring a happy ending to the very sad song.  Dragons, pirates, noble kings, and boats make up the very best of imagination and bedtime adventures.  A perfect way to get ready for bedtime.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

This book makes me smile.  Seriously.  It is full of fun rhythm and adorable artwork.  The author has clearly put children to bed during her lifetime and understands some of the antics that can occur.

The beginning of the book presents different scenarios about how dinosaurs could be naughty at bedtime, but finishes by saying that dinosaurs don't do those things and shows the good things that little dinosaurs do when getting ready for bed.  Mark Teague does an amazing job of portraying the naughtiest of dinosaurs, along with the sweetest of dinosaurs in his artwork.  The book includes ten different dinosaurs with their names hidden within the illustrations.