Cars and Trucks and Things that Go

Ooohhhh, just the mere mention of Richard Scarry sends me into a calm reverie!  His pictures are spellbinding and could mesmerize a child into silence.

I encourage young mothers to pick up a copy of Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.  Trust me, you'll thank me whenever you're in the doctor's office, the DMV,  the pharmacy line, etc. Seriously, it's about the only thing left that can actually compete with Angry Birds!  So put it to the test, check it out at your local bookseller, and drop back by to let us know just how much it's saved your peace-of-mind.

And while you're at it, take a look at Richard Scarry's The Best Mother Goose Ever.  It remains our kids' favorite nursery rhyme collection (and believe me, they've seen them all! this is the one they keep coming back to again and again).  

The Art of Children's Picture Books

Dear Reading Friends,

Today we are in for a treat! I'm linking to another blogger, Jil over at The Art of Children's Picture Books,

who has chosen to feature one of my all-time favorite illustrators/authors.  Enjoy her lovely post on Eloise Wilkin's Poems to Read to the Very Young.  

It's one of our favorite books too.  I can always be sure to get a load of laundry folded or dinner started by just pulling out this book . . . the illustrations are mesmerizing . . . and Jil shared seven of those illustrations with us (below is my favorite for this autumnal season), so be sure to check it out by clicking on the link above or clicking on any of the images on this post.

A is for Autumn

Welcome autumn with Robert Maass' A is for Autumn (c.2011), a photographic alphabet salute to one of the year's most delightful seasons.  This title is great for preschoolers and great for early readers.  And the photographs make it an overall "feel good" kind of book, perfect for the change of season.

Fanny by Holly Hobbie

We've fallen in love with Fanny around here!  First off, start by checking out Fanny written and illustrated by the Holly Hobbie (c. 2008).  Fanny is the charming child-heroine of a story about a girl whose mother will not let her have the latest "Connie" doll that all her friends have.  How does Fanny handle that disappointment?  You must read the book to discover the clever, creative story that follows.

Then after you read and re-read Fanny five million times, check out Fanny & Annabelle (c. 2009).  This time Fanny finds herself in an ethical dilemma.  Once again, you must read the book to discover the clever, creative story that follows.

I can't rave enough about these books!  But all that I will say is that I'll be purchasing both of them (I know, that's saying a lot!).  However, my girls already think the books are theirs since we check them out of our library so frequently.  It's time to let others share the joy!

And for my boy reading friends, try out the Toot & Puddle series also by Holly Hobbie.  The kids around here LOVE them!  Their parents really enjoy them too! ;)

Nature's Notes

Remember when I raved over The Secret Life of Backyard Bugs? Well, this is Judy Burris' and Wayne Richards' latest book: Nature's Notes: Bite-sized Learning and Projects for All Ages 
(c. 2012).  And I've had a tough time trying to review it for the past 2-3 weeks because the kids won't let it out of their sight!

The title Nature's Notes best explains this 6.25"x8.25" (perfectly kid-sized) spiral-bound book.  Each chapter is filled with nature trivia and coinciding projects, such as:

• how to best photo nature
• how to make hummingbird food
• how to distinguish poison ivy
• how take care of a caterpillar until it turns into a butterfly

Think of it as a kid's hand-held, printed version of Pinterest.  There's even lined pages and sketch pages provided in the back for kids to record their own observations.  I also like the folder-like, pocket-flap in the front to hold additional papers, leaves, pressed flowers, etc.

But I especially like how the like-minded authors of Nature's Notes

• encourage kids to find beauty throughout creation by observing and experiencing the natural world around them and 
• spur kids' innate curiosity through hands-on activities and age-appropriate direction.

So check Nature's Notes out for yourself.  Just make sure you have time to look over it before the kids get ahold of it!

Can my young readers spot the hidden animals (there are three)?

***These book images are all used curtesy of the authors' blog: http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/ ***

September

My dear reading friends, I apologize for the long hiatus.  We (the Mister, the kids, and I) are back with many books to share with you as we all settle back into the school year.  

My young readers, especially, I have been scouting out books for my early readers and my more advanced readers.  And I hope to have a few more posts from young reading friends.  I'd love to hear your recommendations and comments as we continue to read together!  ~ Emily

Find "September" in A Child's Calendar, a collection of twelve of John Updike's poems that describes a child's journey through the seasons from January through December  (c. 1965).  Caldecott award winning artist Trina Schart Hyman illustrated the collection (c. 1999).

August

Find "August" in A Child's Calendar, a collection of twelve of John Updike's poems that describes a child's journey through the seasons from January through December  (c. 1965).  Caldecott award winning artist Trina Schart Hyman illustrated the collection (c. 1999).

Magic Tree House #16: Hour of the Olympics

The Magic Tree House books Dinosaurs Before Dark debuted 20 years ago yesterday, on July 28.  Since then author Mary Pope Osborne and illustrator Sal Murdocca have taken her readers on forty-seven more adventures with Jack and Annie. The forty-eighth adventure A Perfect Time for Pandas just hit bookseller's shelves on July 24, 2012.

If your kids haven't gotten into The Magic Tree House craze yet, we suggest you check out a few books, which are easily available at local libraries, used book stores, consignment stores, and local bookstores.  There's something for everyone in this series, whether you like science, history, culture, art, fantasy, etc.  You name it, if your child doesn't find a book in this series that he/she likes, then he/she isn't trying!  Mary Pope Osborne's adventures are perfect for budding readers!  I guarantee you, your child won't want to put down these page turners!

And for this Olympic season, try: Magic Tree House #16: Hour of the Olympics

And also check it's nonfiction companion book: Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #10: Ancient Greece and the Olympics

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau

Wow!  That's all I can say . . . WOW!  This book is spellbinding.  

First of all, it taught me about the man behind that ocean camera, Jacques Cousteau.  I remember watching him in my childhood, but, of course, I didn't know his bio.  

Author/illustrator Dan Yaccarino (c. 2009) captures the wonder that lead Cousteau into ocean exploration and transports his readers into the fanciful water-dimmed world of Oceanic life.


Oh . . . and the kids loved it too!!!

Advice on HOW to become interested in Reading

Hi reading friends!  We are in for a treat today!  I have a guest post today that I'm quite excited to share with you because it is written by a young reader addressed to all the readers of ReadMeAStory.  So without further ado and with tremendous thanks to my guest:

MY READING LIFE

Hi, I am an American living in England. I am going to tell you about reading through my life.  For a while I had no books that interested me, besides some of Mo Willems picture books. It wasn’t very long ago when I started reading a lot.

When I was younger, I read my first chapter book: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. But it wasn’t long before I grew out of those.

Then, for my birthday I received a package from my best friend who lives in the USA. I opened the package. It was some Horrid Henry chapter books by Francesca Simon. I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed.

I started to read a little bit of the chapter… then some more… then the next chapter… then the next…then the next… then before I knew it, I had finished the book! It was a very good and funny book. I had a few more Horrid Henry books left to read…

Now I have bought 2 more Horrid Henry books, and even got one signed by the author when I saw her talking about her new book. I’ve now seen the movie, checked out most of the series from the library, and have read all of the ones I own about 100000000000000 times.

Now that I like to read, I have read lots of other series. Now, my favorite books are the Stardust series by Linda Chapman and still the Horrid Henry books.

I read chapter books in order, which encourages me to read the next one. I like to imagine myself in scenes or being the character.

I would say if you don’t like reading, don’t give up and keep reading books to find the right one. If you are lucky, it will be in a series so there will be many to read.