Category Archives: Paired Reading

Way Back Wednesday ~ Frog and Friends – Eve Bunting

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I was recently asked for independent reading book suggestions.  This was one of our daughter’s favorites because it featured so many cute animals.

We are always on the hunt for independent reader books that feature colorful pictures.  Our daughter is delighted with our newest find ~ The Frog and Friends series.  It features Frog and his friends: Rabbit, Raccoon, Squirrel, and Possum who enjoy spending time together and highlights their adventures.  Each book is made up of three short stories and the text of each story is enhanced with the use of colorful pictures.

The Hundred Dresses – Eleanor Estes

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The Hundred Dresses tells a thought provoking tale about peer pressure.  Although written in the 1940’s it is sadly still highly relevant.  Although a short book, there is great depth to this story, and I chose to partner read it with our daughter.  It served as the catalyst for some excellent discussion about friends and friendship.  Even as an adult I found the story compelling and haunting.  It really sticks with you.

Sarah, Plain and Tall – Patricia MacLachlan

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Sarah, Plain and Tall is simply a great book.  The fact that this tale of loss and love is told from the point of view of a child intensifies the power of this story.  MacLachlan’s simple straight-forward writing style provides the perfect manner in which to meet Anna and her 19th century mid-western family as they wait and subsequently get to know Sarah.  An enjoyable read which provides lots to discuss.

The Year of Billy Miller – Kevin Henkes

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Kevin Henkes works are favorites at our home, and this book was no exception.  It was terrific.  The book shares the life of Billy Miller and takes the reader through his entire second grade year.  Lots of early chapter books use the setting of a school, but few have a main character who is a boy.  This was a nice change of pace.  I also appreciated that the situations presented in the book were completely age appropriate for a second grader.

The Jesus Bible

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Our daughter was eager to have a Bible of her own rather than using one of her Bible Story books.  The Jesus Bible was a great find.  The introduction of each book includes where Jesus can be found within the book, who wrote it, why the book was written, as well as other details that help with application.  Throughout the text there are also over three hundred devotionals.  The Jesus Bible is a geared toward children 9-12 although younger children will enjoy it as well.  Our almost seven year old delights in reading and exploring her new Bible.

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.

Top Ten Reads of 2013!

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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 #1 – The World According to Humphrey

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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!

The World According to Humphrey – Betty G. Birney

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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!