Book Recommendations 10/10/17

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Now that I’ve written 2 posts about why reading is important and how to fit reading into your family life, . M and I go to our local public library every Tuesday for story time, return some books, and pick out some new ones. Even though M is only 3 months old, I love taking him to story time because it is a great way for me to meet other moms, but I also love exposing him to other people reading, singing, and dancing. He is quite the people watcher. My goal is to share three to five books that we really liked for the week.

Black Cat, White Cat By Silvia Borando -If you’re looking for a book with high contrast for the baby that will help to nurture their vision development, but also has a story, this is the book for you. Borando illustrated this book about two cats in only black and white. The black cat has never seen the night. The white cat has never seen the day. One day they decide to go out and happen to meet.

1.  Troll and the Oliver by Adam Stower -I am in love with this story. Every day when Oliver goes out, Troll tires to eat him. But catching an Oliver is quite tricky. The end is not quite what you would expect, which is what makes the story so cute. Both my husband and I laughed out loud when we read it the first time. I’ve actually renewed it twice because I like it so much, really I should just buy it.
2.  No Pirates Allowed Said Library Lou By Rhonda Gowler Greene -This book is perfect for older children, I would say recommended for 5+. My husband is obsessed with rhyming books so he is a huge fan of this one. Plus we both like the story. It is about Pirate Pete who comes into the library looking for treasure. Library Lou ends up teaching him how to read. By the end, he finds a treasure, but not the kind you expect. Both my husband and I love illustrations by Brian Ajhar. The pictures in this book are wonderfully done.
3.  Goodnight, Grizzle Grump! By Aaron Blecha -This book was one of my most favorites from the week. Grizzle Grump is looking for someplace to hibernate, he tries a forest, a stream, a swamp…But they are all too noisy. I love the repetition everytime he finds a new place, “he scratches and sniffs, teeters and totters, wiggles and wobbles, flips and flops, and finally snoozes and snores.” When M gets older it would be a great way to get some last little wiggles out before going to sleep.
4.  You Are Not Small By Anna Kang – This is an early reading book, so it is pretty short. But really cute and a great way to teach big, small and perspective. Some bears are big and some bears are small. But some bears are bigger and others are smaller. The illustrations by Christopher Weyant The New Yorker cartoonist are really nice and tell a story that size depends on who you’re standing next to.
   • This book is a winner of the Geisel Award. The Geisel Award is named after Dr. Seuss, Theodor Geisel, and it recognizes the “author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished book for beginning readers published in English in the US during the preceding year.” The award was established in 2004 and inaugurated in 2006 for 2005 publications.
     • Some of the book criteria for being nominated are:
       • The book must encourage and support the beginning reader.
       • The text must be directed at readers from pre-K through Grade 2.
       • The illustrations must function as keys or clues to the text.
       • Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry are all eligible.
       • New words should be added slowly enough to make learning them a positive experience.
       • Words should be repeated to ensure knowledge retention.
       • Sentences must be simple and straightforward.
       • There must be a minimum of 24 pages but may not be longer than 96 pages.
     • Previous Winners:
       • We Are Growing! By Laurie Keller and Mo Willems
       • Don’t Throw It to Mo! By David A. Adler
       • The Watermelon Seed By Greg Pizzoli
       • Up, Tall and High By Ethan Long
       • Tales for Very Picky Eaters By Josh Schneider
       • Bink and Gollie By Alison McGhee and Kate DiCamillo
       • Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! By Geoffrey Hayes
       • Are You Ready to Play Outside? By Mo Willems
       • There is a Bird on Your Head! By Mo Willems
       • Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways By Laura McGee Kvasnosky
       • Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas By Cynthia Rylant

Stay tuned to see the books we love most for next week. Have you read any of these books? What are your favorites?

To find out more about why reading to baby is so important or 6 tips to make reading a part of your family schedule please visit my previous blog posts.