My children often see me with a book in my hands, which I hope adds to their growing understanding of the joy that reading can bring to a person, but it's also true that they see me looking at my little laptop screen for a time each day as well. My older son has a few online activities that he enjoys, but my 2 and 3 year olds haven't gone far beyond watching a few funny YouYube videos here and there with me. With our complimentary membership to My Story Time Friends, though, they now have a fun, age-appropriate, reading-centered site to explore with me. When you join, you receive a kit that includes one hardcover book, featuring the characters of bears who live in Storytown, a cuddly plush animal, and membership to the website and Book of ...
Category Archives: ages 3 – 6
Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea
I've talked about our love of sea animals around these parts just once or twice. I don't meant to sound like a broken record or anything but, well, we all have our preferences. That, and when we find a book we really, really love we want to share it with the world, correct? It just so happens that most of the picture books we love around here involve ocean life. That is my defense. Take it for what it's worth. True confessions: I had no idea who or what Rainbow Fish was until just recently. I had pretty much ignored the little sparkly creature until my son started going gaga over marine life. Then I sat up and took notice. I'm probably the only one alive who hadn't read a Rainbow Fish book, but in case you haven't, you ...
S is for Shamrock
Hello, Sleeping Bear Press fans! You didn't think they would forget about St. Patrick's Day in their offerings did you? Well, they haven't and I'm delighted to tell you about two picture books that hit the spot when it comes to Ireland, luck and leprechauns! The first is S Is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet which is also a part of Sleeping Bear Press' Discover the World series. From A is for Ancient Ireland all the way through to the discovery that the letter 'Z' is not a part of Irish alphabet, you'll love discovering more about the Emerald Isle. I learned new things, like what the Claddagh ring represented. I was delighted by the explanation of fairy rings and I received refresher courses ...
Cybils Picture Book Finalists
When I daydream about the 'perfect house' that I'd love to have someday, the requisite beautiful wood floors are there, along with the shiny new appliances and the great big tree-filled yard for the kids, of course. But, the best image is the large play room with an entire reading area filled with shelves of picture books. Sure, my kids will grow up, but I will never outgrow the joy of picture books! In my role as a round two judge for this year's Cybils awards in the Fiction Picture Books category, I spent a lot of time with the seven finalists. I blogged about them, I read them to my children, I read them on my own, I studied their illustrations, I even dreamed about them. (Yup, that's true!) I happily shared my thoughts about the winner, All The World by ...
SeaWorld Library
Around these parts, we live and breathe sea animals. So when I discovered the SeaWorld Library (our dream vacation someday!) from Ideals Books, well, I was all about exploring them! There are eight books in this magnificent little series and my three year old has devoured the three that we've read. Mostly, we're in to whales and octopuses so we checked out the first book in this SeaWorld series first, Baby Whale which features a killer whale. Each book consists of around twelve full page spreads. The sentences on each spread are simple and not too complex, providing scientific information about the animal in a storybook fashion. There is about a paragraph of information per spread and a combination of full-colored illustrations and photographs of the ...
This Little Prayer of Mine
I love listening to the prayers of children—how innocent and precious they are! As a parent, I hope to teach my children that their prayers are important and that taking time to talk with God is an essential part of life. Of course, children learn by example, and I try to model a life of prayer, but I also appreciate good books that can help my children to understand the importance of a faithful walk with God. In his new book, This Little Prayer of Mine, Anthony DeStefano uses engaging rhymes to teach children that their prayers are important to God. He also discusses good times to pray: when we are fearful, when we are sad, when we need to make a decision, when we want to ...
Pirate Potty and Princess Potty
If you happen to be the caregiver of a child who will soon be making that gigantic leap for toddlerhood, also known as potty training, listen up. Scholastic has published two new whimsical and fun-filled books to accompany your child's experience. Written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Amy Cartwright, Pirate Potty and Princess Potty will make your children laugh and get them excited to plop their bottoms down on the potty! The publisher's description says it best: Both books provide a helpful, step-by-step story that introduces girls & boys to the concept of toilet training. Pirate Potty is a pirate-themed, toilet-training book that is fit for the little swashbuckler in your life! Includes a pirate’s hat and reward stickers! Princess Potty follows the same theme…a toilet-training book that is fit for the Royal Highness in your ...
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Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor -
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