Thursday, December 23, 2010

Giraffes Can't Dance By: Giles Andreae Illustraed by: Guy-Parker Rees


Follow Gerald as he learns not only how to dance, but to love himself just the way he is.

What kids love: It is a fun story with great pictures. This book is written so well that they want to hear it over and over again and dance along with Gerald.

What parents love: An easy book to read, it feels more like I am singing a song than reading a book. This book offers colorful pictures. Most of all it teaches our children to love themselves just the way they are because we all have something special to offer no matter how different we are from others. A great book to aid in self esteem issues.

Rate: Must, Must have

Bottom Line: This book is easy to read with fun and entertaining text. It also offers colorful pictures and a very important life lesson. What is not to love about this book?!

Rattletrap Car By: Phyllis Root Illustrated by: Jill Barton

Come along for a ride with a father and his children as they head to the lake in a car that seems to fall apart at every turn along the way.

What kids love: The fun rhyming words and the fun imaginative play.

What parents love: It's a fun different kind of story that uses a lot of fun words.

Rate: Borrow from the library unless your kid loves it. My son is not a big fan of this book.

Bottom line: While there are some fun parts to this story most of it is not that entertaining and the pictures are just okay.
Sorry I have not been blogging, the holiday season has not allowed much time. I also hope to redo my blog...Keep checking in for more book reviews as I plan to spend more time blogging after the holidays! I hope everyone has a very blessed and safe holiday season!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Alligator Arrived With Apples : A Potluck Alphabet Feast By: Crescent Dragonwagon Illustrated by: Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey


Follow two pigs along with all their friends on a Thanksgiving fest that takes you from A to Z.

What kids love: The story is silly and they can help by telling you the letters.

What parents love: This is a fun book to help with letter practice around Thanksgiving time.

Rate: Leave it (The pictures and story are okay, nothing great).

Alligator Arrived With Apples : A Potluck Alphabet Feast By: Crescent Dr

Thanksgiving Day By: Gail Gibbons

A story about how Thanksgiving started and how we celebrate Thanksgiving today.

What kids love: I am sorry to say my son did not like this book at all. He found the story boring and the pictures were not exciting.

What parents love: Parents will like that this book explains how and why we celebrate Thanksgiving. The text is simple and easy to understand. This book also tells about how we celebrate Thanksgiving today; pointing out the similarities and differences.

Rate: Leave it

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the conner I will be starting to post books about Thanksgiving. So keep checking to find out what book are a must read to your little ones this Holiday season and which ones you should skip. Please feel free to make a request for me to review. As always I read all the books to my son before posting.

Halloween Sky Ride By: Elizabeth Spurr Illustrated by: Ethan Long

Ride along with a witch on her way to a Halloween party. On her way to the party this friendly witch picks up some friends. Once they arrive at the party to find there is no food left they must decide what to do next.

What Kids love: The fun rhyming text and illustrations.

What Parents Love: Every good story teaches our kids something and this book in no exception, they learn how important friendship is.

Rate: Must have for Halloween. My son had me read this over and over to him.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins By: Dianne Ochiltree, Anne-Sophie Lanquetin

Fallow a raccoon as he discovers how many pumpkins he can fit in his wagon.

What kids think: There is some fun text, but my son did not want to read this book again, which is very rare for him. The pictures are not the best and neither is the story.

What Parents think: Parents will love that this book offers up math skills.

Rate: Leave it at the store

Corduroy's Halloween By: Barbara G. Hennessy, Lisa McCue, Don Freeman

This book fallows Corduroy through all the traditions of Halloween, from picking out the perfect pumpkin to trick or treating.

What kids Love: Lifting the flaps is the biggest appeal for young kids.

What parents love: This book teaches kids about Halloween through simple text.

Rate: One of the better Halloween books I have seen. A must have for Halloween.

Red Truck By: Kersten Hamilton Illustrated by: Valeria Petrone

This red tow truck saves the day when he splashes through mud and comes to the rescue of a school bus that has gotten stuck.

What Kids Love: The pictures are bright and simple and the whole story is fun. Boys especially will love this trucked filled story. My son loves to zoom, sploosh, and vroom along with this story.

What Parents Love: It is an easy quick read that has a great theme. Don't give up and you shall prevail.

Rate: It is a good addition to your book collection. While it is not one of my favorites, my son adores it, which makes me rate this book as a must have.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Llama Llama Holiday Drama By: Anna Dewdney

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Anna's new book. I can not wait to see what she has in store for us this time.

Llama Llama Misses Mama By: Anna Dewdney

Having became a fan of Anna's we had to buy this book as well. As always she offers rhyming text and colorful pictures. This story is about little llama starting school.

What kids love: They love the rhyming and colorful pictures as always. This book teaches the young reader/listener that it is okay to have fears about school, to miss your mommy, and in the end that they will be okay.

What parents love: Anna's stories are always fun to read. This book helps to comfort our children and get all of us talking about school. My son did not want to start preschool this year and I read this book to him many times. It was a time for us to talk about what school would be like. While it didn't get him excited about school I do think it helped prepare him for school.

Rate: A Must Have For The First Day Of School

Llama Llama Mad at Mama By: Anna Dewdney


After reading llama llama red pajama we had to read this book. Anna sure delivers with this book! Once again she offers colorful pictures with rhyming text. This book is about taking your little one to the store and we all know how much fun that can be.

What kids love about it: Once again they will love all the rhyming throughout the book and the colorful pictures. They will also love how much they relate to the story! Anna has outdone her self with this book because it is truly from the child's point of view, which we sometimes overlook. I also think the kids love that this book allows them to be mad at mama.

What parents love: I love that this book makes me realize just how boring it is for our little ones to run our errands with us. It helps remind us to look at the situation from their point of view and it reminds us to make it fun for them. This story helps parents and children to talk about behaviors that are acceptable and not acceptable along with talking about how shopping can be more fun for the children. I also always love a story that lets our children know it is okay to be mad at someone you love because at the end of the day the love is always there. This book is book clear and fun!

Rate: A Must Must Have!!! (One of my son's all time favorites)

Llama, Llama Red Pajama By Dewdney Anna


A story that is about a little llama who does not want to go to bed. With colorful picture and rhyming text this book is one of our favorites! I got this book for my son when he was about 18 months.

What kids love about it: My son loved it at first because it had a llama and he was in love with llama's at the time. However, he continues to love it due to all the fun this book offers. From llama shouting and stomping to snuggling down for bed.

What parents love: It offers a lesson about how we act at bed time, but does it in a fun way. The story is easy to read and the message is clear, little llama is loved and safe. This story is easy for both parent and child to relate to.

Rate: A Must Have!