What We're Reading

I've really been trying to read more of a variety of books to Sophie. She seems open to anything now and, though she has her favorites that we own, I want to branch out with her. She enjoys going to the library and often asks if that's where we're going any time we get in the car. :)

In reverse order this time (bottom to top):

Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems
After reading the third book out of order and loving it, we had to go back and borrow the first two as well. In Knuffle Bunny, baby Trixie (who is probably a young toddler really) is frantically trying to explain to her dad that her beloved Knuffle Bunny was left behind at the laundromat. Dad has no idea what she is saying and is embarrassed by the scene Trixie is making all the way home. Once home, mom immediately asks "Where is Knuffle Bunny?" and Trixie gleefully says her first word(s): "Knuffle Bunny"!!!
In Knuffle Bunny Too, there is a mix up at school and Trixie and her schoolmate accidentally go home with the wrong Knuffle Bunny. They both realize the mistake at 2:30 in the morning and I love the drama of the exchange... Because it couldn't wait till a normal hour. ;)

We've kind of had a duck theme going on this week. :)
Silly Tilly by Eileen Spinelli
Silly Tilly has always been the clown on the farm, often to the chagrin of the other animals. But when they scold Tilly and she stops being silly, the farm becomes a lot more boring until the animals realize they want to laugh again.
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Will and I really liked this one. The story line is exactly what the title implies. Duck gets a bright idea and, after their shock wears off, the other animals jump at the opportunity to follow suit. Great illustrations.
Katy Duck is a Caterpillar by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
The school play is coming and Katy Duck is so excited. But when she's stuck with the part of a boring old caterpillar (while all her friends are cast as flowers), Katy has to make the most of it. Can you guess what she morphs into? :)
Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
Almost no words - the illustrations tell the story. At first I was disappointed, but then I appreciated that Will and I could tell it in our own words.

In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck
What a wonderfully soothing book that beautifully sets the scene for bedtime. Little Alice is very particular about her surroundings at bedtime and mother very cleverly plays on all the senses to prepare her for sleep. I love this book. Definitely a fave and possible purchase.

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ella Sarah doesn't want to dress like her mother and father and sister think she should. She has her own sense of style... that she share with friends. :) Will and Sophie both loved this book. Sophie liked to say "No!" at the parts when Ella Sarah does.


The Aunts Go Marching by Maurie J. Manning

Clever title award - just like the song but with a pun. Haha!

A Little Bit of Love by Cynthia Platt

MUST OWN! My fave of the week. I adore stories of adult family members (mom/grandma) teaching a young child how to make something from scratch, i.e. Thunder Cake and Saturday and Teacakes. As with others, there's a message that goes along with it. Mama mouse takes small mouse on a journey to gather ingredients to prepare "something new and sweet to nibble". She tells small mouse that it's going to be made with "a little bit of love" because each ingredient required hard work and patience to prepare and those things translate to love. She says something like "whenever you make something for your little one, you make it with love". In a world of fast food, I LOVE books that slow down and teach the importance of feeding with love. Yay, slow food!

Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles

Edward tries to mimic many of the zoo animals in an effort to be the favorite of visitors. :)

He realizes though that being himself isn't such a bad thing. So he returns to his exhibit and meets a surprising, new, lady friend!

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems

Yay! Another pigeon book! We love these... and this one did not disappoint.

Lottie's New Beach Towel and Lottie's New Friend by Petra Mathers

Just okay... not really worth a description.

Snack Time for Cow by Michael Dahl and I Love You As Much by Laura Krauss Melmed

Will picked these out for Sophie and they were excellent choices. She especially loved Snack Time for Cow and "reading" along with me. It was a very simple book and I love that the snacks Mama Cow offered were very healthy choices! :)

In I Love You As Much, there are a series of animal mommies and babies and the mother says to each baby: "I love you as much as (fill in the blank - something relative to their environment)." At the end, a human mother and her baby are lying down and the words say: "Now sleep, child of mine, while the stars shine above. I love you as much as a mother can love." Isn't that sweet? Love that line. I've started saying it to both kids. :)