Books to Celebrate Easter

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of Easter books.  Below is a list of Easter books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading!

Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes

Happy Easter, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney

Duck & Goose: Here Comes the Easter Bunny! by Tad Hills

Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure by Kimberly and James Dean

The Easter Egg by Jan Brett

The Easter Bunny’s Assistant by Jan Thomas

Marley and the Great Easter Egg Hunt by John Grogan

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick! by Lucille Colandro

Easter by Gail Gibbons

Crafts for Easter by Kathy Ross

How to Draw Easter Symbols by Christine Webster

Max’s Easter Surprise by Rosemary Wells

Easter Bugs by David Carter

Easter Parade: A Pop Up Book by Andrea Green

Somebunny Loves You by Rachel Hale

Spot’s First Easter by Eric Hill

Ollie’s Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea

Hoppy Clubhouse Easter by Marcy Kelman

Where’s Baby’s Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz

Biscuit’s Pet & Play Easter by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Happy Easter, Biscuit! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

A Very Busy Bunny by Barbie Heit

Happy Easter, Baby! by Sara Miller

Team Umizoomi: Follow That Egg! by Brain L. Perkins

Spongebob: Show Me the Bunny! by Steven Banks

Minnie: Easter Bonnet Parade by Bill Scollon

Mickey’s Easter Hunt by Sheila Sweeny Higginson

Disney Princess: A Royal Easter by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

Disney Princess: A Princess Easter by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

Doc McStuffins: Bunny in a Basket by Sheila Sweeny Higginson

Strawberry Shortcake: Easter Surprise by Amy Ackelsberg

Dora’s Easter Basket by Sarah Willson

Dora: Eggs for Everyone! by Laura Driscoll

Hello Kitty: Happy Easter by Rebecca Gomez

Barbie: An Egg-cellent Easter by Rebecca Frazer

Backyardigans: The Mystery of the Jeweled Eggs by Lara Bergen

Mater and the Easter Buggy by Kiki Thorpe

Cars: The Easter Buggy by Frank Berrios

Toy Story: The Bunny Surprise by Apple Jordan

It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown by Charles Schulz

The Easter Beagle Returns by Charles Schulz

Lego City: Follow That Easter Egg! by Trey King

Fancy Nancy’s Elegant Easter by Jane O’Connor

Pinkalicious: Eggstraordinary Easter by Victoria Kann

The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing

Clifford’s Happy Easter by Norman Bridwell

Peppa’s Easter Egg Hunt by Ladybird Books

Corduroy’s Easter Party by Don Freeman

Corduroy’s Easter by Don Freeman

Here Comes T Rex Cottontail by Lois Grambling

Happy Easter, Little Critter by Mercer Mayer

The Dumb Bunny’s Easter by Due Denim

Pooh’s Easter Egg Hunt by Isabel Gaines

Bunny’s Easter Egg by Anne Mortimer

It’s Easter, Pooh! by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

The Easter Bear? by Ann Braybrooks

Minnie & Moo: Attack of the Easter Bunnies by Denys Cazet

Galaxy Zack: A Galactic Easter! by Ray O’Ryan

Bunny Double, We’re in Trouble by Dan Gutman

Junie B. Jones: Dumb Bunny by Barbara Park

Calendar Mysteries: April Adventure by Ron Roy

My #nf10for10 - My Favorite Nonfiction Picture Books from 2015

I joined the 10 for 10 picture book fun last August, so I’m back to give the 10 for 10 nonfiction books a try.  Many thanks to the wonderful hosts: Cathy Mere (Reflect and Refine), Mandy Robeck (Enjoy and Embrace Learning), and Julie Balen (Write at the Edge).  I’m excited to be joining the nonfiction fun!

I feel many exceptional children books where created last year.  I’d like to highlight my 10 favorite nonfiction picture books from 2015.

1.Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul

This literary nonfiction book depicts all the phases of the water cycle through poetic prose.  From rain to fog and mist to snow, the story is accompanied with beautiful water color illustrations.  This is wonderful book to teach cause and effect, prediction, and repetition.  

2.One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul

This literary nonfiction biography tells the true story of Isatou Ceesay.  Her home in Gambia became littered with plastic bags, so she began creating woven purses out of them.  Her innovative way of recycling cleaned up community, created jobs for local women, created revenue for families in need, and transformed her home.  This inspirational tale can be used to teach character traits, cause and effect, and main idea.

3.I (Don’t) Like Snakes by Nicola Davies

This literary nonfiction book is about a girl who dislikes snakes.  However, her family loves them and has them as pets.  One by one, the girl says something she hates about snakes while her family describes why snakes look and act they way that do.  Eventually the girl begins to dislike snakes less and less, and in the end loves them!  Each page is filled with realistic illustrations to accompany the family dialog and snake facts.  This book would be great to teach opinion, perspective, and point of view.  

4.A Rock Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas

This literary nonfiction book highlights the beauty of rocks.  They can glow in the dark, grind food, spark fire, and provide shelters both big and small.  The lyrical rhyming text is illustrated with glowing illustrations.  The definitions in the back of the book provide more insight into the rocks on each page, providing fun facts to build knowledge.  

5.Glow: Animals with Their Own Nigh-Lights by W.H. Beck

This nonfiction book highlights (pun intended) stunning creatures that use bioluminescence to glow in the dark.  Used to hunt, hide, make friends, or escape an enemy, the glow of these creatures are fascinating.  Shown in a black background, each animal’s photograph is detailed and stunning. Some images are scary while others are captivating. The text is simple and poetic, with sidebar facts that provide more details. 

6.Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree by Kate Messner

This literary nonfiction book tells the story of one Almendro tree in the rainforest.  It is the source of blooms, birds, insects, and animals.  Messner’s text is poetic in nature with further sidebar information providing more detailed facts.  As the numbers of creatures increase, the reader understands the impact one tree has on multiple lives.  

7.Growing Up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers Made It from the Dominican Republic All the Way to the Major Leagues by Matt Tavares

This literary nonfiction biography tells the story of Pedro Martinez’s rise to greatness.  When Pedro was young, he played ball with his older brother Ramon in the Dominican Republic.  When his brother is drafted, Pedro hopes to follow in his footsteps.  As Pedro joins the major leagues as well, the love of these two brothers remains strong as their careers intertwine.  With beautiful illustrations, this true story can be used to teach character trails and theme.

8.Trapped: A Whale’s Rescue by Robert Burleigh

This literary nonfiction book tells the story of a humpback whale trapped in fishermen netting and the rescue to save her.  The touching tale is told through simple, but beautiful prose.  The illustrations are gorgeous paintings with realistic details.  This story is a wonderful way to teach children the important connection between people and animals.

9.Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson & Sean Qualls

This literary nonfiction biography is about Emmanuel, a young boy with a deformed leg in Ghana.  He never lets his disability hold him back; he hops two miles to school, learns to play soccer, and learns to ride a bike.  Eventually, he rides his bike 400 miles across Ghana to become a national hero and speed the message that a disability is not inability.  Told through lyrical words and bold illustrations, this story can be use to teach theme, main idea, and character traits.

10.Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle

This nonfiction poetry is about a young girl in Cuba who broke the traditional taboo against female drummers.  She showed that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream.  Told through poetry, this true story is accompanied with vivid and colorful illustrations.  This book can teach children about theme and character traits.  

Books to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of St. Patrick’s Day books.  Below is a list of books for you to create your own St. Patrick’s Day themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Hooray for St. Patrick’s Day by Jan Holub

A Berry Lucky St. Patrick’s Day by Mickie Matheis

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Hello Kitty by Sanrio Company

Saint Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons

The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola

St. Patrick’s Day Alphabet by Beverly Vidrine

St. Patrick’s Day Countdown by Salina Yoon

That’s What Leprechaun’s Do by Eve Bunting

Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting

Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting

Let’s Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by Peter Roop

St. Patrick’s Day by Molly Aloain

What is St. Patrick’s Day? by Elaine Landau

St. Patrick’s Day by Carmen Bredeson

Shannon and the World’s Tallest Leprechaun by Sean Callahan

The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever by Teddy Slater

St. Patrick’s Day by Jennifer Gillis

The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh by Janet Nolan

St. Patrick’s Day: Day of Irish Parade by June Preszler

O’Sullivan Stew by Hudson Talbot

Fun St. Patrick’s Day Crafts by Carol Gnojewski

Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day by Kathy Ross

The Last Snake in Ireland by Sheila MacGill-Calahan

Leprechauns Don’t Play Basketball by Debbie Dadey

March Mischief by Ron Roy

Georgia’s Greatness by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 2001

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 2000 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 2001, Bark, George by Jules Feiffer.

Bark, George is about a young pup learning to speak like a dog.  When his mother asks him to bark, he returns with a meow.  Then he quacks, oinks, and moos.  Georg is taken to the doctor. Surprisingly, the vet reaches into him and pulls out a cat, duck, pig, and cow!  Once they leave the doctor’s office, George’s mother asks him to bark.  Instead of barking, George says, “hello.” The simple text and cartoonish drawings of Bark, George interest young readers.  Making for a good read aloud, children enjoy the unexpected humor of this story.  Still a popular book, this title is checked out often in my libraries today.  An understandable winner for a Buckeye Book Award.

Ashley, your upcoming 2001 book is The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey. Fifteen years laster, this series is still going strong.  A fitting win for a Buckeye Book Award.

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

Books to Celebrate Valentine's Day

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of Valentine’s Day books.  Below is a list of Valentine’s Day books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love Monster by Rachel Bright

A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger

Foxy in Love by Emma Dodd

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

Where Is Love, Biscuit? by Alyssa Capucilli

Lily’s Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes

Clifford’s First Valentine’s Day by Norman Bridwell

Clifford’s Valentines by Norman Bridwell

Love Bugs by David Carter

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney

Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Love by Kimberly and James Dean

Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day is Cool by James Dean

Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart by Jane O’Connor

The Night Before Valentine’s Day by Natasha Wing

Valentine’s Mice! by Bethany Roberts

Splat the Cat: Funny Valentine by Rob Scotton

Love, Splat by Rob Scotton

Olivia and the perfect Valentine by Natalie Shaw

Lego City: Wrecking Valentine’s Day! by Trey King

The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

Pinkalicious: Pink Hearts by Victoria Kann

Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George by N. Di Angelo

Ollie’s Valentine by Oliver Dunrea

Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger! by Becky Friedman

Happy Valentine’s Day, Charlie Brown! by Charles Schultz

A Charlie Brown Valentine by Justin Fontes

Arthur’s Valentine by Marc Brown

Max’s Valentine by Rosemary Wells

Be My Valentine by Rosemary Wells

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose! Lucille Colandro

The Backyardigan’s: A Royal Valentine by Wendy Wax

My Little Pony: Hearts and Hooves Day by Jennifer Fox

Where’s Baby’s Valentine? by Karen Katz

Barbie: Secret Hearts by Rebecca Frazer

Be My Sparkly Valentine by Bill Scollon

Minnie’s Valentine by Sheila Higginson

Doc McStuffins: My Huggy Valentine by Sheila Higginson

Valentine’s Day is Here!  by Matt Mitter

Roses are Red, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane DeGroat

The Valentine Express by Nancy Wallace

Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine by Herman Parish

The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll

Valentine’s Day by Jason Cooper

Valentine’s Day Is _ by Gail Gibbons

What is Valentine’s Day by Elaine Landau

Crafts for Valentine’s Day by Kathy Ross

Holiday Ha-Ha’s Valentine’s Day Jokes and Riddles by Craig Yoe

Cam Jansen and the Valentine Baby Mystery by David Adler

I Spy: Little Hearts by Jean Marzollo

I Spy: I Love You by Jean Marcelo

Scooby Doo: Valentine’s Day Dog Napping by Gail Herman

Geronimo Stilton: Valentine’s Day Disaster by Geronimo Stilton

Babymouse: Heartbreaker by Jennifer Holms

Rainbow Magic: Juliet the Valentine Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Dork Diaries: Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker by Rachel Russell

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Valentine’s Day Secret by Carolyn Keene

Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime by Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones: Loves Handsom Warren by Barbara Park

Attack of the 50 Foot Cupid by Jim Benson

Heart to Heart with Mallory by Laurie Friedman

Captain Awesome Gets Crushed by Stan Kirby

Katie Woo: No Valentine’s for Katie by Fran Manushkin

Calendar Mysteries: February Friend by Ron Roy

Candy Apple: Totally Crushed by Eliza Willard

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 1999

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 1998 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 1999, Verdi by Janel Cannon.

The story begins by introducing Verdi, a just-hatched yellow python, who after seeing how crotchety and lazy his elders are decides not to become like them.  Verdi is a spry snake that flings himself about the trees, a little too adventurous for his own good.  While fretting over the color change in his scales and slithering about, Verdi gets himself into a heap of trouble and is rescued by the adults.  As he recovers from an injury, he learns some interesting things about his peers and discovers that getting older isn't such a bad thing after all, so long as you remain young at heart.  Cannon's layout and illustrations are similar to those in her popular Stellaluna, with stunningly realistic and vibrant pictures in acrylic and pencil that feature bright greens and yellows.  I love the message of this story about growth and choices, and ultimately discovering that age is merely a number.

Ashley, your upcoming 1999 is a Wayside School book by Louis Sachar.  At least it’s not another scary book!

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.

My One Little Word 2016

After watching others choose their “one little word” over the years, I’m finally ready to join in the fun!  So, my one word for 2015 is POSITIVE.

At work, I plan to take a positive approach to uncomfortable changes.  As I push myself to master new skills and accomplish new projects, I’ll endorse a positive attitude and embrace a sunny outlook.

At home, I plan to create positive experiences with my family.  I want to reconnect with my daughter and husband, and savor every joyous minute.

For myself, I’d like to adopt a positive lifestyle.  I will take time for myself, exercise, eat right, and get plenty of sleep.  My own personal happiness and well-being will no longer be neglected.

I’m excited for a new vision and a new approach - positive changes for a positive new year.

Books to Celebrate Winter

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of holiday books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate the season.  I recently put together a browsing box full of winter books.  She loves snow and all the cold weather activities that winter brings.  Below is a list of winter books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading!

Before Morning by Joyce Sidman
Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant
Pablo in the Snow by Teri Sloat
Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Splat the Cat: Blow, Snow, Blow by Rob Scotton

Clifford’s First Snow Day by Norman Bridwell

Olaf’s 1-2-3 by Winnie Ho

Welcome Winter by Jill Ackerman

Frosty the Snowman by Steve Nelson

Big Bear Little Bear by David Bedford

Bedtime for Bears! by David Bedford

Where Snowflakes Fall by Claire Freedman

Hello Kitty: Hello Winter! by Sanrio

Snowmen at Work by Caralyn Buehner

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner

Minions Snow Day by Brandon T. Snider

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

The Very Bouncy Bear by Jack Tickle

Snow Family by Daniel Kirk

How Do You Know It’s Winter? by Allan Fowler

Baby Loves Winter! by Karen Katz

Biscuit’s Snowy Day by Alyssa Capucilli

Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London

Pooh Welcomes Winter by Kathleen Zoehfeld

Palace Pets: Petite’s Winter Wonderland by Amy Koster

Curious George: Snowy Day by Rotem Moscovich

Peanuts: Snow Day! by Charles Schulz

Clifford’s Puppy Days: The Smallest Snowman by Sarah Fisch

Daniel Plays in the Snow by Becky Friedman

Strawberry Shortcake: The Snow Dance by Amy Ackelsberg

Splat the Cat and the Snowy Day Surprise by Rob Scotton

Little Bea and the Snowy Day by Daniel Roode

Snow Dog Marley by John Grogan

Snowflakes Are Falling by Melvin and Gilda Berger

Snow by Marion Bauer

The Snowy Day by Ezra Keats

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro

Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan

The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

Winter by Aaron Carr

What Happens in Winter? by Sara Latta

It’s Snowing! by Julie Richards

It’s Winter! by Linda Glaser

The Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg 

Poppleton in Winter by Cynthia Rylant

Skippyjon Jones: Snow What by Judith Schachner

Disaster Strikes: Blizzard Night by Marlane Kennedy

Captain Awesome Saves the Winter Wonderland by Stan Kirby

Ready Freddy: Ready, Set, Snow! by Abby Klein

Katie Kazoo: It’s Snow Joke by Nancy Krulic

Rainbow Fairies: Gabriella the Snow Kingdom Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Rainbow Fairies: Crystal the Snow Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Magic Tree House: Winter of the Ice Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

Breyer Stablemates: Snowflake by Suzanne Weyn

It’s Snowing! by Gail Gibbons

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin

Animal Camouflage in the Snow by Martha Rusted

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

Snow is My Favorite and My Best by Lauren Child

Snow Day! by Lester Laminack

Snow Trouble by Malinda Crow

The Biggest Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler

In the Snow by Sharon Denslow

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Snow Day by Lynn Plourde

Snow by Cynthia Rylant

Pip and Squeak by Ian Schoenherr

Trucktown: Snow Trucking! by Jon Scieszka

Rescue Princesses: The Snow Jewel by Paula Harrison

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

Whatever After: Cold as Ice by Sarah Mlynoski

Books to Celebrate New Year's

I did a previous blog encouraging themed browsing boxes at home.  I love playing librarian to my daughter and creating a collection of books for her learn about, enjoy, and celebrate current holidays.  I recently put together a small box of New Year’s books complete with fun party favors.  Below is a list of New Year’s books for you to create your own themed browsing box at home.  Happy reading!

Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller

The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing

Happy New Year! by Amy Ackelsberg

Happy New Year, Pooh! by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld

New Year’s Day by Davod F. Marx

New Year’s Day by Lynn Peppas

New Year’s Day by Kathryn A. Imler

New Year’s Day by Mari C. Schuh

Happy New Year, everywhere!  by Arlene Erlbach

Happy New Year, Mallory!  by Laurie Friedman

Amelia’s Must-Keep Resolutions for the Best Year Ever! by Marissa Moss

The Challenge Continues . . . Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge 1997

And the reading challenge continues!  As stated in a previous post, my librarian friend Ashley Lambacher of the Book Talker and I are hosting the Buckeye Book Award Reading Challenge.  Our goal is to read all the past winners from the children’s book category in chronological order from 1982 to the present.  I will read the K-2 picture book winners and Ashley will read the 4-8/3-5 chapter book winners.  Because 1998 was skipped, today I continue my challenge by reading the winner of the K-2 Buckeye Book Award in 1997, Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey.

Dogzilla is a hilarious story featuring a giant Corgi.  The enormous dog emerges from a volcano at the smell of barbecue in the city of Mousopolis  - populated by mice, obviously.  Dogzilla wants the barbecue and accidentally destroying Mousopolis in her wake.  The leader of the desperate mice, the Big Cheese, hits on a plan to chase Dogzilla away by threatening her with a bath!  Pilkey's humorous narrative is full of puns and goofy jokes to make both kids and adults laugh out loud.  The unique  illustration are a combination of bright paintings superimposed with photographs of Pilkey’s pet mice, cat, and dog.  Fans of Dogzilla will also enjoy Pilkey’s Kat Kong and Dog Breath.

Ashley, your upcoming 1997 The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine.  Yikes – another scary tale!  

Would you like to join Ashley and I as we read through Ohio’s award winning books?  We welcome any and all who are interested in participating in this fun reading challenge.  For more information, click here.