Books, Books, Everywhere! Part II: Discover the Bugs

Tomorrow is Wednesday and the carpet man cometh -- I am still clearing out the top floor in anticipation of the event. If you told me 20 years ago that I would be Christmas-Eve-excited about getting my carpets cleaned I would have laughed out loud!

The books downstairs are no longer in piles -- my 7 year old (God bless her) hunted through them last night and now they are spread out all over the dining room -- a virtual carpet of books. Scattered within the books, though, I notice the Bug magazines.

When my girls were babies, my mom bought them a subscription to Babybug, a fantastic publication that features short poems, songs and illustrations on tough card-stock paper --custom made for babies and toddlers.

As they moved out of the baby years, they began to receive Ladybug, the next step up in this series of magazines. Ladybug appeals to the slightly older child (and emergent reader), with whimsical illustrations, a continuing series in every issue, crafts and poems.

Now the girls read Spider, the Carus publishing magazine made for 6-9 year olds -- perfect for my kiddos.

Through the years in our house, these magazines have been collected and dragged everywhere from the doctor's office to the beach -- and have been invaluable on long road trips.

When the girls were too young to read the words, these magazines were a great excuse for me to sit down with them for some quiet time. Now they are more inclined to read them on their own, curled up on the sofa or before lights out at bedtime. The best thing about these magazines is that they will grow with your girls -- with first-rate titles all the way through the high school years.

I consider these publications top-knotch -- with consistently quality material -- kind of kiddie literary magazines. And these three titles are just the tip of the iceberg -- check out the Cricket website to preview issues of many others -- including Click and Ask. And don't let the price of a yearly subcription throw you off -- you'll find that any Cricket magazine is worth every penny.

Give these great magazines a try -- and enjoy reading them with your girls!

Amelia Bedelia Will Tickle Your Funny Bone, Literally

As a kid, I loved to follow the misadventures of Amelia Bedelia, the hapless maid who takes every instruction she is given literally. Today's emergent and early readers can still enjoy the comic mishaps of this silly character in the series of books by the late Peggy Parish.

Early readers will build confidence as they work their way through these books, which are recommended for grades 1-3. Who wouldn't love discovering all the ways that Amelia can twist the words of her employers? Drawing the drapes, dusting the furniture, trimming the tree -- Amelia translates each request in her own special, hilarious way.

As a writer, I love these books because they introduce young readers to the complexities of language -- and in their own way, get these readers to "think outside of the box". Hmm.. wonder how Amelia would "think outside of the box."

As a read aloud, these books also work, and even my 9 year old will occasionally pick up one of her sister's Amelia Bedelia books, just for a good laugh. Give these classic early readers a try -- your girls won't be disappointed.

I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend, it was a rainy one in Houston -- perfect reading weather!

Classic Picture Book: Brave Irene

Every two weeks my girls and I go to the library and check out an enormous pile of books (though I do encourage the girls to store them in one place it can get awfully difficult to keep track of them all!). I am often surprised by the amount of picture books that they bring home and dismiss relatively quickly -- I keep a close eye on these things and take note of the books that they want to read again and again.

One of the books that they can't get enough of is the picture book classic Brave Irene, by William Steig. Perhaps best known today as the author of the original Shrek!, Steig hits the nail on the head with this sweet picture book -- and in my capacity as a "girl book" reviewer, I see tremendous value in this story. Why do my girls like this picture book so much? I think they can see themselves in the main character, Irene.

Irene is a good daughter, who must deliver a dress that her sick mother has made for the duchess. On the way to the duchess' house, Irene encounters a fierce snowstorm. The storm becomes a character in the story that battles against Irene's equally fierce determination. But just when the storm seems ready to declare victory, Irene's ingenuity shines through and she finds her way past the trouble.

Steig's illustrations bring Irene to life, and I love the writing especially as Irene shouts at her nemesis, the wind. But my favorite part is the end, when we see so clearly the love between Irene and her mother.

This book makes a great gift from one generation to the next -- my own mother sent my oldest daughter a copy several Christmases ago. It's a wonderful story of adventure, hope and determination -- a wonderful message to send to any girl.

Picture Book Pick: You're Gonna Love Knuffle Bunny!

I really do try to stick to recommending books that will specifically appeal to girls -- but there will be occasional books in this blog that EVERYONE should love, no matter what!

One of these books is Knuffle Bunny, by a perennial favorite of mine, Mo Willems.

Who can resist the cherubic face of sweet little Trixie as she ventures out with her father to the laundromat toting her best friend in the world -- Knuffle Bunny.

Trixie's hilarious baby talk will have kiddos rolling in the aisles -- as well as her sheer panic when she realize that her beloved Knuffle Bunny is missing!

Parents will giggle at the frustration of Trixie's worn-out Dad as he tries to figure out what is wrong with the kid.

When they head home and Mom points out the obvious ("Where's Knuffle Bunny?") the trio head back to the laundromat and a hilarious search ensues.

The simple, adorable illustrations are wonderful, with real photographs ingeniously incorporated into the scenes. Your kids will love poring over them and then they'll cheer when the search is over and Trixie finally utters her first real words ....

Can you guess what they are?

Kids who still have a favorite snuggly toy will relate to this book, as will adults who know that if that toy ever gets lost -- it's going to be a bad, bad day.

You will enjoy reading this book -- regardless of age or gender -- better yet, let your kiddos act it out for you -- I bet they'll put on quite a show!

Activity Books: I Absolutely Must Recommend This Book Now

I think that Lauren Child is a genius. From her creative website, to her fabulous characters to her hilarious dialogue, this artist and creator of the adorable Lola (also a cartoon on the Disney Channel) can count me as one of her biggest fans.

This week's activity book pick is based on Child's Charlie and Lola series. Even the title, I Absolutely Must Do Coloring Now or Painting or Drawing (Charlie and Lola), leaves you with no doubt as to how much fun you'll have when you open this book.

Coloring books have always bored my children, but the appeal of this particular book is that the pages are only half-illustrated. Prompts are given to finish the illustrations. For example, "Lola has invited a martian over for tea and he's drinking her pink milk through one of his mouths." Lola is already on the page, with a spot open between her and her brother Charlie. That's where your child can draw the multi-mouthed martian drinking pink milk.

This book is perfect for young children, offering more complete illustrations than Doodles (see previous post) by Tamo Gori but still allowing a lot of room for imagination.

I adore Child's simple, funny illustrations, which contain bits of actual photographs and other materials mixed in. And no matter how old you are -- every girl will enjoy Lola, who has a mind of her own and a soaring imagination. Who else can play hopscotch with the solar system and ask you to color in "ever so sparkly, really very spotty, completely stripy planets"?

Your girls will love this activity book ... it's my favorite and my best activity book ever!

Happy coloring or painting or drawing,

Christina

Chapter Book Pick: Your Hooligans Will Love Roxie!

Full of adventure and suspense, Roxie and the Hooligans, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, is one of our family favorites.

It seems to me that this book is a tribute to every kind of girl -- girls who are self-conscious (Roxie has ears that stick out), girls who are teased (she is pestered by a group of bullies -- the Hooligans), girls who long for adventure (Roxie's uncle is a famous explorer), girls who are independent, and girls who are heroes.

Easy enough for an early independent reader (3rd grade), the story begins with a playground battle that ends with Roxie and the Hooligans trapped in a dumpster and stranded on a deserted island via a garbage barge. Roxie must use the knowledge she's acquired from Lord Thistlebottom's Book of Pitfalls and How to Survive Them, a favorite book which Roxie has all but memorized.

Perhaps the most important tip in the book, is Don't Panic, a concept that is put to the test when the desert island ends up being inhabited not only by Roxie and the Hooligans, but by two bumbling thieves as well.

Although this is a book that can be enjoyed independently, we've had so much fun reading it aloud! I highly recommend sitting down with the kiddos and giving it a try -- the most fun is when the kids begin to recognize the cues and step in with the "Don't Panic" warning that is prevalent throughout the book.

This sweet story of courage, triumph and friendship is filled with humor and captivating illustrations by Alexandra Boiger. Enjoy this book by prolific author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, it's great family time reading -- and let me know what you think when you are done!

Enjoy your Tuesday,

Christina

Activity Books: Banish the B-word!

Sometimes the most creative children (there's a pretty creative one sitting next to me at this very moment) are the first to utter those words that every adult loathes: "Mommy, I'm bored!"

In many cases, my daughter is able to come up with an activity on her own -- for example, "I'm going to build a cow!" -- which she did, last weekend -- don't ask.

But sometimes, when the weather doesn't cooperate, or she can't think of anything to do, or I can't think of anything for her to do -- and I can't take one more minute of Webkinz or Nintendo or Spongebob -- we rememember Doodles: A Really Giant Coloring and Doodling Book.

This thick activity book, by Taro Gomi [of Everyone Poops (My Body Science Series)fame] is a wonderful find whether your child is an enthusiastic artist, or just likes to dabble in drawing. My daughter, who is only moderately interested in drawing, will always willingly pick up this book.

Consisting mostly of partially drawn doodles (for example two elephants face each other under the title "Make them the saddest possible colors" or two sketched restaurants with the assignment "Decorate two restaurants -- one nicer than the other"), a child will not want for doodling ideas -- EVER!

This art book gets the creative juices flowing -- which is what everyone wants for the children they love. Doodles is well worth the investment for a guaranteed return of hours of fun and creativity. It makes a great gift as well!

Perfect for early readers through 6th graders -- but even doodling grownups may want to join in the fun!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Christina

Mo Willems: For New Readers and Wannabe Actresses

My Easy Reader pick of the day was found by my 7 year old in our local library. She's a huge fan of the wonderful author/illustrator Mo Willems (of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! fame), so I wasn't surprised when she selected two books from his Elephant and Piggie series.

In Today I Will Fly!, Piggie is determined to take off into the wild blue yonder, but his elephant friend Gerald is a big party pooper who thinks Piggie is off his rocker.

Of course, Piggie is extremely determined and does indeed find a way to take off. The hilarious dialogue between the two friends is classic Willems, and is continued in My Friend is Sad (Elephant and Piggie) another book from the same series.

In this book, Piggie tries to help Gerald cheer up, but, despite Piggie's memorable attempts, Gerald is still sad. At the end of the book, kids are reminded how much nicer it is to share fun with a friend.

Aside from the sweet, funny text, this book offers a kind of "script" that kids will love to act out. The back and forth between Piggie and Elephant makes for great reading practice for early readers and you'll find that even older kids (like my 9 year old) are more than willing to get in on the action.

I think Mo's books are brilliant in this way -- for picky or reluctant readers they are a great way to have some fun and practice reading aloud at the same time.

You'll never laugh so hard as when the kiddos in your life imitate an elephant who is imitating a robot! Now that is entertainment.

Enjoy this series -- it gets two thumbs up from my own little early reader -- and two more from me!