Who Are You , Baby Kangaroo? – Stella Blackstone and Clare Beaton

Who Are You, Baby Kangaroo? was rediscovered by our four year old this weekend.  As she was trying to figure out what book she wanted me to read to her, she came across this favorite from her toddler days.  She was delighted to realize that this book was now within her grasp as an independent reading book. 

Learning about animals is one of our preschoolers favorite pastimes.  In this book, a little puppy wants to know what a baby kangaroo is called, but the kangaroo will not share the answer.  Ultimately, the puppy goes on a journey to discover the name of baby kangaroo (a joey) and meets a multitude of animal friends and their babies along the way. 

This book is filled with repetition and rhyme and almost has a musical quality when read aloud.  The pictures are bright, colorful, and unique and really make the text come to life. 

Giveaway Opportunity ~ The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge is a great devotional book, and now you have a chance to win a copy of your very own!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. For your main entry, Leave a comment ~ That’s it!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

You can earn one extra entry for each of the following (leave a separate comment for each):
2. Subscribe to Once Upon a Storyville via email or in a reader
3. Grab my button for your site and/or Add me to your BlogRoll

Giveaway ends at midnight (central time) on Sunday, January 28th, 2012! Valid for US residents/addresses who are 18 years of age or older.. I’ll announce (and contact by email) the winner on this post and the winner will have 2 days to get back to me for delivery details.

(Tyndale House Publishers is providing the giveaway for the winner. A complimentary product award certificate from Tyndale House Publishers was received to facilitate this post. This post is an entry to a contest, where a prize will be awarded.)

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge – Tony Dungy

I started The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge on January 1st.  This daily devotional is organized into seven themes: Core, Family, Friends, Potential, Mission, Influence, and Faith which are repeated each week.  It is set up so one can begin on any date of the year.  Each entry includes a scripture coupled with how to operationalize it in your life – that day as well as beyond.  Dungy often uses personal stories from his football career as well as from his family.  His  conversational tone makes this devotional easy to read.  I particularly like the “uncommon key” section that each entry ends with which includes a challenge to action based on the scripture explored that day.

This devotional is an outstanding resource, and I have been challenged and encouraged through my study.

 

 

Coach Dungy’s Website
Tyndale House Publishers
Coach Dungy Video about the Challenge

 

 

 

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Tyndale House Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

 

I Took My Frog to the Library – Eric A. Kimmel

Since our daughter loves going to the library and is crazy about frogs, this book just had to be checked out on our last visit.  I Took My Frog to the Library is a very cute story about a little girl who endeavors to take all of her animal friends to the library.  Each animals encounters a different difficulty which makes clear that although Bridget is always welcome at the library, her animals would be better off staying at home.  This book would be a prefect read aloud to use to introduce young children to the library.

One additional note, the book was originally published in 1990 and includes the use of a  card catalog which would present the opportunity to explain how things have change in regard to they way we look up books in the library.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue – Kate DiCamillo

Finding high interest books that bridge between beginner readers and chapter books has been a challenge as I have looked for books for our daughter.  The Mercy Watson series was love at first sight for her.  The books include bright, colorful illustrations and approximately half the text of a regular chapter book on each two page spread which is just about perfect at this point.  Additionally, the books are organized into chapters which she knows “grown up books” are so it adds to her interest.

Mercy Watson is a pig who is treated more like an adored child by her owners the Watsons.  They refer to her as a “porcine wonder” and supply her with large amounts of her beloved buttered toast.  One night when Mercy feels afraid she leaves her room to join the Watsons in their bed.  Soon the bed starts to fall through the floor under the weight of the Watsons and Mercy.  Mercy quickly escapes the bed and undertakes an adventure of her own culminating in her return to the family home with the fire department to assist with the rescue of the Watsons.

Silly as can be…these books are a huge hit at our home!

Jungle Party – Brian Wildsmith

Python is hungry for a snack, but all of the other animals are keenly aware that it is always best to stay away from Python.  In an attempt to lure them over for  meal, Python invites them all to a party and promises that he will be good.  The party includes a party trick contest which ultimately does not turn out the way Python plans.

Jungle Party would be a great read aloud book as well as a terrific tool for discussion.  The pictures in this book make the story come to life.

Two Little Chicks – Valeri Gorbachev

This is such a sweet little book!  Two Little Chicks tells the tale of two little chicks who go to the playground and quickly become overwhelmed by all the activity.  As they approach each piece of equipment another animal asks if they want to play to which they reply that they can’t.  Finally, they take a chance sliding down the slide by riding on beaver’s tail and they discover they can do it, and it is fun.

This is a great story of encouragement for little ones who may be a bit more cautious which is beautifully illustrated.

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monster – Jane Yolen

Who doesn’t love a Jane Yolen book?!  She has written so many wonderful children’s books, and this is another winner.  Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters takes the reader into the world of young monsters whose lives look striking similar to the lives of young children.  From going to school and playing outside to dinner and bath time followed by bed time which they may or may not quite be ready for…

This book presents the lovable side of monsters with awesome illustrations that truly delight.