August 4th, 2010
By Miriam Cohen
Will I Have a Friend?
Jim’s anxieties on his first day of school are happily forgotten when he makes a new friend.
Rating: *****
This is a great book for any child who’s worried about the first day of school and making new friends.
Posted in Age 3 reading list, friendship, school | No Comments »
July 31st, 2010
By Edward Ardizzone
Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain
Tim has the sort of adventures that every child needs, unshakably rooted in the real world, but unhampered by interference from anxious adults. His stirring but comforting maritime experiences are those a child might dream of – full of storms, shipwrecks and fascinating knots. He deals doggedly with dangers, never stints on chores below deck and always gets home after the voyage.
Rating: ****
You can tell when stories are dated, especially with this one. A little boys goes off on his own to be a sea captain after his parents laugh at him. When he finally returns the parents ship him off again. I think somewhere along the way this book lost its relevance.
Posted in Age 4 reading list, adventure | No Comments »
July 30th, 2010
By Ludwig Bemelmans
Madeline
Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl’s trip to the hospital is as appealing today as it was in 1940. The combination of spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes “Madeline” a perennial favorite with children of all ages
Rating: ****
This story captures its younger listeners more than its older readers. It has a wonderful singsong rhyme that places you right into the school.
Posted in Age 3 reading list, classics | No Comments »
July 29th, 2010
By Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Moon
A little rabbit bids goodnight to each familiar thing in his room, in this classic story told with gently lulling words and soothing illustrations.
Rating: *****
A good first book for any child. The illustrations are just as important as the words showing time pass as everything falls asleep.
Posted in Age 2 reading list, bedtime | No Comments »
July 28th, 2010
By Margery Williams Bianco
The Velveteen Rabbit
Nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it. Like the Skin Horse, Margery Williams understood how toys–and people–become real through the wisdom and experience of love.
Rating: *****
This is a wonderful book encapturing the story of how much a child can love a stuffed animal.
Posted in Age 4 reading list, love | No Comments »
July 27th, 2010
By Marcia Brown
Stone Soup
Three soldiers came marching down the road towards a French village. The peasants seeing them coming, suddenly became very busy, for soldiers are often hungry. So all the food was hidden under mattresses or in barns. There followed a battle of wits, with the soldiers equal to the occasion.
Rating: *****
A nice and very cleaver lesson on the benefits of sharing.
Posted in Age 4 reading list, sharing | No Comments »
July 18th, 2010
By Rachel Vail
Sometimes I’m Bombaloo
When little Katie loses her temper, she becomes Bombaloo. Being Bombaloo is scary, but a little time-out and a lot of love can help calm Bombaloo down and help Katie feel like Katie again.
Rating: *****
It’s good for kids to know that it’s okay to be angry and that that is a normal feeling. This book does a great job showing this. After we read this my son pretended to be Bombaloo for several days.
Posted in Age 3 reading list, anger | No Comments »
July 17th, 2010
By Ian Whybrow
Sammy and the Dinosaurs
Sammy discovers a box of dusty toy dinosaurs in the attic. He cleans them and takes them everywhere, including the library where he looks up all of their names, which he whispers to them. And the dinosaurs whisper their thanks.
Rating: *****
My son became instantly interested in dinosaurs after reading this book. It’s also captures the special bond between children and their toys.
Posted in Age 3 reading list, dinosaurs | No Comments »
July 16th, 2010
By Stephanie Bodeen
Elizabeti’s Doll
As she watches her mother care for her new baby brother, Elizabeti decides that she needs a doll to look after. Since she doesn’t have a traditional doll, she picks up a nice, smooth stone, names it Eva, and takes good care of it.
Rating: *****
This is a wonderful book that can teach your child not only about imagination but also materialism.
Posted in Age 3 reading list, consumerism, imagination | No Comments »
July 8th, 2010
By Mo Willems
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you’ve never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide.
Rating: *****
This is a really fun book that lets your child say NOOOO.
Posted in Age 3 reading list, responsibilities | No Comments »