Tag: reading to preschoolers

Read All About It: March

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Books for Toddlers, family, family fun, Home, Uncategorized

March has been a very bitter month for us, when it comes to weather.

This means that we spent a lot of time indoors curled up with a good book and we went back to the library this month due to the height of flu season.

Here were our choices for the March bookbag.

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“If You Give a Moose a Muffin” by Laura Numeroff 

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Just like the famous “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” this story talks about what happens when you give a moose a muffin. As you can image the fun that ensues as the book escaltes from a simple muffin to a sweater and to a puppet show.

“What Pet Should I Get” by Dr. Seuss

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Recently this new Dr. Seuss book was discovered years after the author’s death. Just like all of his other books it spent a lot of time on the bestsellers list. What I really like about the book is that there is section in the back from the publisher about the importance of going to shelters to pick out your new pet instead of going to a pet store like the book states. (Please excuse the blurry photo. We were too excited.)

“Easter Surprise” by Catherine Stock

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This book is a sweet story that gets kids in the mood for Easter. The story is about two siblings who goes on a trip to a lake house during Easter. The beautiful watercolors enhance the story and give it a really sweet feeling. This is just one of many Stock’s holiday books.

“Oh No, Little Dragon” by Jim Averbeck

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This is a sweet story about a little dragon who loses his spark and is afraid that his Mommy won’t love him anymore and he tries so hard to get his spark back by making himself warm. It is only when he learns that his mommy will always love him no matter what that brings the spark back. Sweet story with cute and fun illustrations.

“Elephants Cannot Dance” by Mo Williams 

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If you couldn’t already tell by the picture this was our favorite book. Lily has always been a fan of the Elephant and Piggy books and she really liked this one. It tells the story of Elephant who has no confidence about dancing. However, he learns to accept himself as he is and celebrate his own unique qualities.

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For me, I haven’t done much reading this month. Between work, the blog and deciding to make Lily’s Easter dress I have had a full plate.

But, I have enjoyed reading these two books that came with my subscription to Calm Box that was a Valentine’s Day gift from the hubby.

Each book is full of either inspiration or tips on how to lead a less stressful life.

The beautiful illustrations and quick relaxation tips make for a nice read right before bed to help you remember what is important in life.

What has been on your book list this month? Leave your comments below.

 

Seuss-tastic Time

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Books for Toddlers, family, family fun, Home, preschoolers, Toddler, Uncategorized

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A couple of evenings ago we had the opportunity to attend a special Dr. Seuss evening that was sponsored by our school district’s early reading program.

The event was really planned out well and Lily had the chance to hear three different Dr. Seuss books.

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After the books the kids had an opportunity to play some different Seuss themed games while the parents listened to a talk about how to incorporate reading into everyday life.

They even had a gift bag give away that included a copy of the book “Raising a Rock Star Reader.”

I never win anything, but I won the raffle. I was excited.

Then after a reading of “Cat in the Hat” we took a few photos and played some games before we received a wonderful giftbag full of several books including “Fox in Socks” and a couple other books as well as erasers, a pencil, pencil sharpener, stickers and bookmarks.

We had such a wonderful evening and we were so thankful for the district for putting on this wonderful event.

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How did you celebrate Dr. Seuss day? Leave your comments below.

 

 

Read, White and Blue

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Books for Toddlers, family, family fun, Home, preschoolers, Toddler, Uncategorized
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Photo courtesy of Batton Rouge Moms

This week the country celebrates “Read Across America” in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

It serves as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the tradition of reading not just by yourself, but reading to your children as well.

So, in honor of the celebration I wanted to share both Lily’s top three books and my top three books. (Lily decided on the number three because she is just three years old.)

Lily’s top three books of all times

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“Interrupting Chicken” by David Ezra Stein

This book always elicits giggles in our house.

The story is about a little chicken that is enjoying story time right before bed when she keeps on interrupting her father as he tries, and fails, again and again to read stories when the little chicken keeps on interrupting.

Can Papa finish one story before he is interrupted? Found out in the book.

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“The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A. Milne

Every child that has grown up has visited his or her friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Eeyore and the whole gang’s tale of Heffalumps, Busy Backsons and becoming completely surrounded by water are one of our favorite stories to hear time and time again.

I am sure everyone has either wanted to play Pooh Sticks with Winnie-the-Pooh or gone bouncing with Tigger at least once in their childhood.

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“Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown

This is one of Lily’s favorites from way back when she was little.

The story is about a bunny that cuts through this field on his way to and from school where he plucks a few carrots from the garden to eat.

Everything seems to be going fun until he starts to think the carrots are following him.

The book is more cute then creepy and reminds me of a cheesy monster movie.

It is also a Caldacot award winning book, so you know it must be good.

Tara’s top book picks

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Photo courtesy of Pinterest

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

This is my all time favorite book. I love the regency time period and Lizzy Bennet is one of my all time favorite literary heroes. She bucks the system when she won’t marry the creeptastic Mr. Collins (can you blame her?) and is holding out for love.

Mr. Darcy is also such a dreamy character (even though he is a jerk throughout half of the book) that has Austen fan girls swooning for days.

The story really talks about the dangers of pride and of course the prejudice that people pass each day.

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“She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb

When I first read this novel many years ago, I had to keep on checking the front cover to double check the gender of the author.

Lamb did a wonderful job being the voice of a girl that grows into a woman and has to face many challenges during this transition.

Dolores Price spends her time feeding her soul with junk food until she turns into a young adult where she goes through a rebirth that helps to transition her life.

Really great story that deals with difficult themes.

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“Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden

What stood out to me the most was how well Golden did at transporting the reader to another place and time. Somewhere that most readers would never have experienced and make it seem like a place they know so well.

The story follows a group of girls as they train to become geishas before and during World War II.

Becoming and being a geisha was an art form that was much more than “entertaining” a gentleman, and Golden really goes into depth on explaining this.

The film version of the novel was a really good adaptation that stayed pretty faithful to the book.

What are your favorite books to read with your little one or on your own? Leave your comments below.