Hello, friends! I'm a little late getting this written today, but hopefully I can make up for it with the tantalizing promise of a brand new children's book for your library! Keep reading...
Who's Been Here? A Tale in Tracks
by Fran Hodgkins
illustrated by Karel Hayes
We weren't sure whose library bin to put this book in- Eliana's or the boys? Well, dog? Check. Children? Check. Snow? Tracking? Check check! My boys heartily approved as I gave them the list of characters and activities in this story... and we hadn't even read it yet! So this book took up permanent residence in the boys' bin, though all of the children enjoy it.
Three children accompany their dog, Willy, out into the winter snow, and together they follow different tracks to spy the animals that left them. Each page has an illustration of the paw prints, chicken scratch, and hoof marks left behind by animals in the snow.
With few words and colorful, simple illustrations, the story invites you to look closer, to guess before you turn the page. Your children will love looking at the tracks and wondering what creature will be on the next page- and all will yell, along with the children in the book, "Willy!" at the end of the story, when he unearths a creature who doesn't want to be messed with.
This story is perfect to read before a nature walk in the snow!
Please visit my friends Anna and Beka to read their sweet reviews today as well - some wonderful old classics to discover- or revisit!
Happy Reading!
And now, how would you like to choose any* book from my past Children's Book Monday reviews to have for your own children's library? You would love to? Oh, good- I knew you would!
Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite story from your childhood, or a new favorite as a parent, babysitter, grandma- anyone! And please, don't be shy- even if you've never commented, or don't even HAVE a blog, please enter- I would love to bless you with a book! Just make sure to leave me your email address, so I can contact you directly.
*Contest closed!*
Contest closes Saturday, March 13th, 2010, at midnight. Winner to be announced on Monday the 14th!
*some of the books I've reviewed are difficult to find, or out of print entirely. I will do my best to get you the book you want the most- but we may have to use a second or third choice! Fortunately, there are over ninety reviews to choose from- still wonderful variety!
Who's Been Here? A Tale in Tracksby Fran Hodgkins
illustrated by Karel Hayes
We weren't sure whose library bin to put this book in- Eliana's or the boys? Well, dog? Check. Children? Check. Snow? Tracking? Check check! My boys heartily approved as I gave them the list of characters and activities in this story... and we hadn't even read it yet! So this book took up permanent residence in the boys' bin, though all of the children enjoy it.
Three children accompany their dog, Willy, out into the winter snow, and together they follow different tracks to spy the animals that left them. Each page has an illustration of the paw prints, chicken scratch, and hoof marks left behind by animals in the snow.
With few words and colorful, simple illustrations, the story invites you to look closer, to guess before you turn the page. Your children will love looking at the tracks and wondering what creature will be on the next page- and all will yell, along with the children in the book, "Willy!" at the end of the story, when he unearths a creature who doesn't want to be messed with.
This story is perfect to read before a nature walk in the snow!
Please visit my friends Anna and Beka to read their sweet reviews today as well - some wonderful old classics to discover- or revisit!
Happy Reading!
................................
And now, how would you like to choose any* book from my past Children's Book Monday reviews to have for your own children's library? You would love to? Oh, good- I knew you would!
*Contest closed!*
Contest closes Saturday, March 13th, 2010, at midnight. Winner to be announced on Monday the 14th!
*some of the books I've reviewed are difficult to find, or out of print entirely. I will do my best to get you the book you want the most- but we may have to use a second or third choice! Fortunately, there are over ninety reviews to choose from- still wonderful variety!
32 fellow travelers shared:
I loved Corduroy as a child, and now love reading it to my daughter!
Choosing just one favorite is impossible! I have so many wonderful memories of books from my childhood-- and many wonderful new gems. Yesterday, though, my mom gave me a book that I had read as a child and forgotten. It is called The Store-Bought Doll. This morning I read it to Maddie and saw the delight in her eyes that was once in mine!
Hi! I am a new reader, and discovered your blog through the top 100 internet cafe list. I was just thinking of starting to review children's books on my blog on our last trip to the library and saw that you do that too. How awesome!!! As a child I loved "Blueberries for Sal" and "One Morning In Maine." I'm excited to look through your list of books. I like how you have a list for each of your kids. That's a great idea!!!
A favorite from my childhood (and still one I go to when my little guy lets me choose :) ) is Four Puppies by Anne Heathers - a wonderful story of the seasons, of growing, and of courage through change!
Elise,
There is no way that I could choose one favorite book!!! When I did a previous Children's Book Monday with my girlhood favorites, I had a hard time limiting it to a dozen or so. :)
So, a new favorite as a parent has to be the Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau. I think I first heard of it here on your blog.
Have a wonderful Monday, friend!
~Anna
My Mom only read 1 book to me as a child, There Are Rocks In My Socks.I reviewed it last Tuesday on my own blog.She actually gave me the copy that she bought me when I was in grade school.
I have ventured all around your blog, and picked up some of your latest reviews from our library.A few of our favorites, so far, are: Baby Danced the Polka...I will HAVE to buy it for us, as it mentions Arkansas, and that is where we are stationed right now (Dadddy is Army).My most favorite has been That Book Woman.A very touching and wonderful story, especially for Book Lovers who LOVE to Share their LOVE of Books with others (esp. their own Children:).
Thank you!
Oh, fun to have a giveaway Elise! How are you? Isn't it wonderful Spring is on its way? Too many books to choose. Let's see, when I was 8, I absolutely loved Bread and Jam for Frances.
Oh dear, only 1! Thst's tough.
One from childhood would be A NEW COAT FOR ANNA by Harriet Ziefert
a new one(s) would be Roxaboxen and Oxcart Man.
Jessica
creativemommy6 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you, Elise... for doing these Children Book Mondays! I love your recommendations!
Let's see... my favorite book was (surprise!) Little House on the Prairie. Then... when I got a little older: Anne of Green Gables. Then, Little Women. Then, Pride & Prejudice... (Oh wait. You asked for just one?! ;))
(((love you, friend!)))
Oh, goodie! One of my childhood favorites was "Claude the Dog," and my 3-year-old can now recite it from memory. There are too many to pick, really, but that one's on the top of my mind.
Hands down, it would be "The Gingerbears' First Christmas" by Nancy P McConnell, illustrated by Ron Oatney! Only taken out around Christmastime, this book was such a treat!
The story is about a magical transformation that occurs from the gingerbread cookie dough. Lending to the magical quality this book captures, are the real-life photos that depict the gingerbears working hard to make Christmas nice for the children (i.e. painting the dollhouse, shoveling snow). Besides the gingerbears, the reader never gets to see the actual faces of anyone else, even Santa (only his hands). It truly is a beautiful book that just exudes so much warmth and homey-ness! Sadly, it is out of print; however my mom was wise enough to keep our family's copy and now my daughter will get to enjoy it! :)
renfrow1@att.net
morning! found your lovely site via Ann @ Holy Experience.
we love books at this house! the three year old has been reading the Usborne Farmyard Tales Collection, and the 10 month old has been loving up the sweet girl in Eloise Wilkin's My Goodnight Book
from my childhood, the two that jumped to mind first are the Little House series and "The Giant Jam Sandwich". In our house, my favorites are "Waddle, Waddle, Quack, Quack, Quack" and "The Jesus Storybook Bible". I can't wait to move into the more mature books, like Little House, with my own kids. Emma's about ready, but I want to wait til Chloe is too, so maybe we'll start them next year:). Here's hoping I win!
Found you through the Top 100 and have added you to my list of daily reads!!!
With that said, I had two favorites when I was growing up. The story of Ping and Hurry Up Slowpoke. I sub a great deal at our local elementary where I have been known to check out that book to read to the classes I teach. One year a young girl was SO excited when I returned to sub in her class. She had found Ping at a yardsale and had convinced her mother to buy it so she could give me a copy. So now I have TWO... my original, and one that was given from the heart!
A couple of my favorites as a mother have been Roxaboxen, Mud Pies and Other Recipes - A Cookbook for Dolls, and An Elm Tree and Three Sisters.
I like childrens' books that remind me of when I was a child.
Hello Elise ~ when our kids were little, we sat "Under the Reading Tree" and read all the Little House books. Those were extra special times. I'd pick your Under the Chinaberry Tree if my name is picked.
I loved reading the Little Bear books as a young child. My mom kept some of my old books, so I have them to read to my kiddos when they get just a tad older.
I'm not sure I can pick just one! The Secret Garden was probably my favorite as a child. As a mommy, I love the James Herriot Children's Treasury, Wind in the Willows, and Rikki Tikki Tavi by Pinkney.
Thanks for the fun contest; I absolutely love reading your reviews. I can't believe there are nearly 100 of them!
Some we love: the *original* "Curious George", "We Help Mommy" by Wilken, Beatrix Potter's books and the "Little House" original series.
Here are some gems I've loved from your blog: "Do You Know What I'll Do" by Zolotow, "Good King Wencenlas" and "Apple Tree Christmas".
I loved reading your post about Beatrix Potter's books and about your time with "Farmer Boy". They are treasures for us and it was so encouraging to read about how you enjoy them.
I have been thinking that I'd like to send you and Eliana a book from your wish list for blessing *me* so!
Mary Brooke
Oh man, the first book that came to mind was Harold and the Purple Crayon. When I was little I wanted my own magic crayon SO BAD! There are so many others but I went with the first one I thought of.
I think my favorite childrens book would have to be Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day. It is a wonderful lesson on how some days just dont go the way we plan them at all and thats ok. I love reading it to my kids and my class. rautis2@msn.com
My most recent favorite read aloud with my boys has been White Fang. I found myself so excited to read it with them day after day! Never thought I would like a story about a wolf!
My favorite as a child was Harry the Dirty Dog and I still have my copy! Poor Harry, how will the children figure out that it is him? I love that book!
I love your book reviews! You've inspired me to try some new books from the library to find some new favorites!
I have no idea what children's book is my favorite - there is far too many. The book I've been enjoying with my children this winter is The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thronton W. Burgess. We have all learned so much about birds through this story!
Gina
What a thrill to choose a book for our own library. My little angel loves to read so it is very hard to choose one book. However, The Mitten has surely captured her attention the many times we have checked it out from the library. The gift of reading - nothing like it. Thank you for helping us find quality books to read to our little future-readers. :)
Blessings to you,
Teri Selbher
selbher@gmail.com
Oh, my, but this is difficult! As a five year old, I thoroughly enjoyed Captain Kangaroo's reading of Caps for Sale. I still love that book! A few years later, I fell in love with The Secret Garden and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. I have such warm memories of these and many more.
My childhood favorite was called Faithful Elephants. It's actually really depressing, but I loved it.
My new favorites are far too numerous to name, so I'll list one that you introduced me to that I enjoy: Long Night Moon.
hmmm I loved Francis books as a child. and Nina the Ballerina since that is my name. as a parent I found one called "I love you just the way you are" that is just perfect.
Hi Elise,
I'm a longtime reader, though I hardly ever comment. My kids love Noah's Ark by Jan Brett, such a clever re-telling of an old and wonderful story. Your Monday recommendations have been great, we always check to see if our library has the book you review.
Blessings,
Michelle
Elise,
I love how so many comments begin with "do I have to pick just one", as those were my thoughts exactly as I read your challenge. Each week we come home from the library with true gems, books my kids ask me to read to them over and over again. More recently I've been reading to them from the Book of Virtues. I remember my mom reading to Alicia and I from it, as well as the Little House books. Our time spent curled up by the fireplace knitting while mom read is still a warm and fond memory for me.
Your recent blog on the Chinaberry book has me longing for more like it...any help we can find for guiding our young!
Anyway, Sorry for the lengthly comment. Much love and happy reading!
I love Pickle Chiffon Pie. So funny and imaginative. perkfamily@gmail.com
I had so many favourites, but one that always sticks out in my mind is "But No Elephants" by Jerry Smath. It makes me so happy to be able to read it to my son now - it's one of his favourites as well. :)
Post a Comment