Category Archives: Favorites

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa – Erika Silverman

Posted on by
Reply

I am always thrilled to find engaging beginning chapter books for our daughter.  Much like the Mercy Watson series, Cowgirl Kate books include great colorful pictures and text which is a bit larger than the norm within a chapter book format.  Additionally, I love that Cowgirl Kate handles situations with confidence as well as a healthy does of spunk.

The Cowgirl Kate series is a cute one.  Cowgirl Kate always tries to do her best.  Her horse Cocoa on the other hand is more interested in eating most of the time and is never very interested in going to bed which makes for some funny situations.

Bread and Jam for Frances – Russell Hoban

Posted on by
Reply

Do you remember reading Bread and Jam for Frances when you were a child?  I do!  This is a great one for developing readers and includes a lesson about the importance of eating a variety of foods in a gentle, loving manner.

The pictures are darling, and the story is delightful.  Frances books have endured the test of time well.  I think our daughter may love them more than I did when I was her age.

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart – Kevin Henkes

Posted on by
Reply

Lily’s Chocolate Heart is a favorite at our home, and our daughter is always excited when I pull out our Valentine’s Day books and this gem appears.  Lilly has one more chocolate heart left at bedtime on Valentine’s Day.  She searches and searches for just the right place for her last chocolate heart but finds that none of them are quiet right until she decides to place it safely in her tummy.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue – Kate DiCamillo

Posted on by
Reply

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!

Little Beaver and the Echo – Amy MacDonald

Posted on by
Reply

My daughter and I recently visited our favorite book store – a local, independent retailer that has wonderful books and  a terrific staff that knows children’s literature.  We walked away with a new favorite that shares a lovely store and includes breathtakingly beautiful illustrations.  Little Beaver and the Echo is a really a winner!

Beaver is lonely and cries out across the pond.  His cries echos back to him, and he decides to travel across the pond to the poor creature who is crying in an effort to make a  friend.  On his journey he is befriended by a myriad of forest animals, and he ultimately learns the story of the echo.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough ~ simply outstanding!

God Gave Us Christmas – Lisa Tawn Bergen

Posted on by
Reply

God Gave Us Christmas begins with Little Cub asking his Mama about who “invented” Christmas.  The Little Cub wonders if it might be Santa.  Mama Bear explains that God invented Christmas and ultimately takes a journey with Little Cub in order to let him see that God is everywhere and how He gave us Christmas.

I really appreciate how this book directly addresses why we celebrate Christmas but also includes an explanation about Santa:

“Did God give us Santa?”

“Santa Claus reminds us about many good things like generosity and care.  But it is God and Jesus that we celebrate most come Christmas.”

God Gave Us Christmas is a sweet and wonderful Christmas book which includes beautiful illustrations.

A Magical Christmas – Claire Freedman

Posted on by
Reply

A Magical Christmas is a lovely story written in rhyme.  Little Mouse wants to know what exactly is the magic of Christmas.  In order to find the answer he goes and asks each member of his family, but each family member has a different answer.  Finally on Christmas Day Mommy Mouse shares with Little Mouse that all the answers were correct because…”The magic is love, Little Mouse.”

The illustrations in this book are particularly noteworthy.  They are simply beautiful.  Each page includes sections that are gently enhanced with glitter which truly bring the illustration to life.

A Merry Little Christmas – Mary Engelbreit

Posted on by
Reply

A Merry Little Christmas highlights Gregory Mouse’s preparations for Christmas with his family and friends.   An added treat regarding this book is the fact that it is an ABC book.  The reader learns about everything from angels to the zillion ways Christmas brings cheer and every holiday delight in between.  As one might expect from Mary Engelbreit,  the joy of season in captured beautifully in the lovely illustrations.  A lovely Christmas book which is a family favorite at our home!

Winter in the Warmest Season – Lauren Stringer

Posted on by
Reply

Winter is the Warmest Season does a terrific job of highlighting all of the special cozy elements of winter from jackets filled with feathers and warm sweaters to hot chocolate and beds piled high with blankets and quilts.  The use of a child narrator enhances the description of the comparison between summer and winter and why winter really is the warmest season.  Additionally, the pictures in this book are beautiful and truly enhance the story.  This is a delightful tale that would make a great read aloud.

The Elf on the Shelf – Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell

Posted on by
Reply

The Elf on the Shelf  shares a family tradition that was created to answer the question of how Santa knew if the children of the home belonged on the “nice list” or the “naughty list”.   The answer is that a little scout elf comes to your home to watch and listen and then report to Santa each night.  When the elf returns he finds a new spot to observe and ultimately leaves with Santa on Christmas Eve to return again the following year during the holiday season.  Finding our elf (Edward) is the number one priority each morning for our daughter.  It is a delight to watch her excitement.

If you have little ones in your home this is a must have!