Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Favorites



Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry-- Mr. Willowby sets up his perfect tree only to find that it doesn't quite fit in his living room. As he snips off the top it is passed on to another who will enjoy it, then snipped again and passed on again.  Eventually Mistletoe Mouse ends up with his very own perfect Christmas tree. A fun book with charming illustrations and fun rhyming text.







Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini, Illustrated by Henry Cole -- Mr. Moose is a great Christmas enthusiast getting everything ready and check, check, checking off his list.  But, when Christmas arrives he realizes he has forgotten one very important thing!  A fun read aloud with lot lots of repetition and a cute ending.

McDuff's New Friend by Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers -- McDuff is ready for Christmas and waiting for Santa.  When he hears bumps in the night he wakes Lucy and Fred--but nothing is there. Soon a discovery is made and Christmas is saved by McDuff.  A sweet book, that I love for the 1940's inspired illustrations.  Check out the other non Christmas books in the McDuff series.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson -- When the horrible bullying Hurdman children are asked to join the Christmas pageant everyone expects the worst. Instead hilarity and humility follow proving it to truly be the best Christmas Pageant ever. A wonderful hilarious early chapter book to read aloud that everyone will enjoy.  I still remember when my classroom teacher read this to us in third grade.  It has always been one of my favorites!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Amy Krouse Rosenthal

We recently re-read "It's Not Fair" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and it reminded me how much I love her books.  I then realized that I had only read about half the books she has published and am now on a quest to read the other half.  Her books are quirky, cute and children love them.  Many have been on the New York Times bestseller list.  She has a cute website where you can check out for more information.

It's Not Fair -- One of my favorites to read to my kids when they are having a rough day with each other. Children wonder: "Why'd I get the smaller half? Why don't you yell at her? Why does my team always lose? Why can't we have a pet giraffe?"  The light-hearted illustrations make the book a humorous read.

Little Pea -- a little pea is forced to eat candy for dinner, which he hates, all so he can get spinach for dessert.  A fun book picky eaters everywhere will celebrate.
Little Hoot -- after a busy day playing with his friends a small owl is forced to stay awake by his parents because that's what owls do.
Little Oink -- a little pig tries to stay neat and clean in a world of messy pigs.
One of Those Days -- A list of all those difficult days that we all have: a Not Big Enough Day, a Gutter Ball Day, a Nobody's Listening Day. Presented in a humorous way, a great book for a child having a bad day.


Yes Day! -- A wonderful idea, one day when parents say "Yes" to everything.
Duck, Rabbit! -- a clever illustration that seems to switch between a duck and a rabbit provides for a humorous discussion between two narrators.












Other titles by Amy Krouse Rosenthal:
Bedtime for Mommy
Cookies: Bite Size Life Lessons
The Wonder Book
One Smart Cookie: Bite-Sized Life Lessons for the School Years and Beyond
Sugar Cookie: Sweet Little Lessons on Love
Spoon
This Plus That: Life's Little Equations
Al Pha's Bet
The OK Book
The Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life