Top Ten Reads of 2013!

It was another great year of finding wonderful new books!  Here are Once Upon a Storyville’s top ten finds for 2013:

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Way Back Wednesday #3 – The Day the Crayons Quit

Looking for a picture book that is smart and funny…Here is a winner!

The Day the Crayons Quit is laugh out loud funny for children and adults.  We LOVE this book!  The book consists of letters from each of Duncan’s crayons explaining why each one of them feels a strike is necessary.  Coupled with each letter is a picture which depicts how Duncan uses that particular color and provides support for the crayon’s argument.  This books is clever and engaging.  It has become a beloved favorite at our house.

Shall I Knit You a Hat? – Kate Klise

Shall I Knit You a Hat? is a sweet tale of friendship and highlights the power of giving to others.  With stormy weather on the way, Mother Rabbit knits an extra special hat for her Little Rabbit to ensure that he stays warm and cozy.  Little Rabbit decides that all of his friends would benefit from specially designed hats which would be the perfect Christmas gifts.  With Mother Rabbit’s knitting skills and Little Rabbit’s designs, each hat is made specifically to keep each animal toasty warm.  The animals are not quite sure about them at first, but soon they realize they are indeed perfect for each one of them.

Way Back Wednesday #2 – The Museum

Nothing beats a great picture book, and this one is one of my all time favorites!

I don’t think I can adequately express how much I love this book!!!  The Museum is a terrific story that is masterfully illustrated.  In the book a little girl goes on a visit to a museum and makes all sorts of wonderful discoveries.  She quickly finds that different feelings are evoked by every piece of art she encounters.  Ultimately, there is a blank canvas that catches her eye and she knows that it is now her turn to create.

Way Back Wednesday #1 – The World According to Humphrey

One of the most beloved book finds for our daughter this year has been the Humphrey series.  You know you have found something special when even the grown ups in the family don’t want to miss out on what happens next in the story…

The World According to Humphrey is the first book in a series which has quickly become a favorite at our home.  Humphrey is a hamster who is a class pet and serves as the narrator of the story.  He shares the happenings of the classroom as well as his weekend adventures when he gets to go home with students from the class.  Humphrey’s positive impact when he visits the homes of students provides some interesting twists and hearing the details from Humphrey’s point of view is very enjoyable.  This is an awesome chapter book series!

Peace on Earth: A Christmas Collection – Mary Engelbreit

Peace on Earth: A Christmas Collection is a wonderful Christmas book filled with illustrated versions of well known carols, stories, and poems.  As a fan of Mary Engelbreit’s artwork for many years, I was excited to receive this review copy in the mail, and it not only met but exceeded my expectations.  Peace of Earth: A Christmas Collection would make a terrific holiday gift.  It truly captures the magic of the season!

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishing, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.