Books We Are Reading

One of J's favorite activities is reading books and I absolutely love cuddling him on my lap and reading. I found a few book blog hops that I like linking up to. Not only is it a great way to record the wonderful books we've read, but I've found so many new good book ideas by visiting each week. Click on the buttons at the bottom to see what others have been reading!







Annie and Snowball and the Cozy Nest by Cynthia Rylant
We love reading stories about nature and wildlife and this one is special in that a momma robin comes to make a nest and raise her babies right on Annie's porch where she frequently hangs out with her big dog Snowball. I like the details of how they check the next day after day and share the changes taking place and how she shares this with her cousin Henry who also comes to watch.



Dear Dragon Goes to the Firehouse by Margaret Hillert
J continues to like books about fire men. In this book, a boy and his classroom get to visit a fire station. This book adds a little dragon that goes with the boy and J had fun pointing out what the dragon was doing. To me it was a little odd that the dragon was there, as they don't focus very much on the dragon, but I see that it's a whole book series (like Dragon Goes to the Market). But J liked that added detail of the dragon being there throughout the story.



The Frog in the Pond and other Animal Stories, The Children's Press
By far, I think this was J's favorite book this week. We seem to do really well with books that have multiple stories in them, especially stories that include animals. This one includes the title story plus Get Out of My Chair, Old Mo and One Smart Fish. The Frog story is so cute. The boy loves the frogs that come to the pond outside his house and decides to keep one for a pet. Well, the little frog gets so sad he stops croaking and won't eat anything. The boy realizes he probably misses his friends in the pond so he sets him free! Before the book told us the frog missed his friends, J said "I bet the frog misses his mommy and daddy!" J also liked the One Smart Fish about a girl Very cute.


The Gingerbread Man by Jim Ayelsworth
J really loves all things gingerbread, and this was no exception. Even though essentially this is the same story we've read in a couple other books, he still loves it and will request it. The ending in this one is a bit different, as the fox just ends up being too quick for the gingerbread and gobbles him up. There is not an ending in this book where the fox takes him for a ride through the water and ends up eventually eating him as he gets him to step closer and closer to his mouth. I found this author on one of the book blog posts last week and we have a few books of his coming like The Mitten.



How Do You Sleep by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud
I notice I am really drawn to "going to sleep" type books lately. Gee, could it be that my son is struggling lately with going to sleep? He has always been such a great sleeper yet now he really fights the idea of taking a nap or going to bed. He'll go, but not without some huge protests. So books like these are great finds for us, as it does help settle him in with the idea of going to sleep. This book is all about how different animals go to sleep, like the bear who hibernates or the bird who sleeps in his nest and the end shares how little ones go to sleep.



Kate's Surprise by Ann E. Burg
I've made a couple selections lately based on the diversity of the kids shown in the story. This book, along with a Scholastic Video of The Snowy Day by Ezra Keats. It wasn't until recently that it dawned on me so many of our books are all pictures of Caucasians. J really liked this book. It's a sweet little story about a boy who is sick and can't go outside and play in the snow and watches with longing as his sister is playing and sledding in the snow. The best part is when Kate makes a "surprise" for her brother Pete; a snowman ice cream sundae! J especially liked that part. I just loved the illustrations too. I found out this is also part of the "Rookie Reader" book series. "These leveled books actively engage young readers, encourage language development, build fluency, and promote independent reading" I'm already finding more of them and putting them on hold for us at the library.



Snow Wonder by Charles Ghigna
This is a cute book about all the "wonders" of winter and being able to enjoy the outdoors and the snow. The little girl and boy watch the snow fall, go outside to enjoy it by sledding, ice skating and coming inside to enjoy a good book and hot chocolate with Grandma and Grandpa. It's a book that celebrates family and the winter season.



Tuck Me In by Dean Hacohen
OK, I found this book to be just adorable. It is such a simple story, yet so cute. On each page there is a baby animal with the animal being asked, "Who wants to be tucked in?" The animal on the page says, "I do!" so you take the little flap (which is a little blanket to tuck in the animal) and place it on the baby. The next words are "Goodnight baby _____(zebra, pig, elephant, etc.)!" My son also had fun reading this one to himself. Very sweet and another good "going to bed" book for us.



When I Grow Up by Caleb Burroughs
This is a fun Dora book where it has a little bit of story, but a lot of pictures. J liked that it was Dora in a fire helmet and that intrigued him. Throughout the book they look at various careers Dora and friends could have when they grow up. What I really like is that they have a seek and find activity on each page. They'll have several pictures on the side that the kids are asked to find within in the bigger picture. J loved doing this and asked for this book often.

Click the links below to see what others are reading!