So for a second time while on my morning walk I spied a fox in the middle of the street. It is quite disconcerting to see a wild animal like that in the midst of suburbia. We looked at each other for quite a bit of time then he ran behind some houses. I spoke to a man walking his dog and he explained that there is a family of five foxes that have been around for a number of years. He also mentioned a coyote...which makes me more nervous than the fox. I really hadn't any idea what I was going to write about today...I have been needing to go to the bookstore to do research when I remembered a sweet book from a few years ago. The cover really captures the essence of what I saw today.
Fox
by Kate Banks and illustrated by Georg Hallensleben is a sweet story with wonderfully soothing illustrations. It is the story of a baby fox and how he is nurtured as he grows older. It is about how the Mama fox is always there for him but then knows the right time to send him out on his own. A perfect parenting story...This is a beautiful book to read again and again without growing tired of it. Oh and the cute fox on the cover doesn't hurt.
by Aliki is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare. Aliki is a wonderful author and illustrator who really brings her works to life. This is perfect for the classroom or for any inquisitive child you might know. It might inspire them to put on their own plays. 
, which is a wonderful picture book which is a shame because he has written and illustrated countless other classics. 
by Eric Carle is my favorite of his "Very" series because it is the first book my niece Celia "read". When she was only about two years old she this was the book she constantly picked up to for anyone to read to her. She heard it so much that she was able to "read" it herself. Now I put "read" in parenthesis because what she really had done was memorize it and just recited it back to anyone who would listen. The funny part is she imitated her mother's intonations perfectly. Whenever I would read this book at story time I always read it like "Celia".....
by Rebecca Caudill and illustrated by Elliot Gilbert was first published in the early 1960's. I discovered at a Scholastic Book Fair at my school (many years later) where it immediately became one of my favorite childhood books. I think I also liked it because it was dedicated to "Ann Elizabeth" which is my sister's name. This is the story of a little girl who gets invited to a birthday party and is told she should bring her favorite doll. She decides to take her oldest and raggiest doll and is rewarded for the love she shows for it. It ties into Toy Story because whenever the the little girl is not in the room the dolls talk to each other. It is probably one of the sweetest books I have ever read but it is not overly sappy. I think of this book whenever I see an umbrella in a drink because it reminds me of an image in the book where all the dolls are placed around a table with tiny drinks and umbrellas.
by Dubose & Dorothy Heyward based on the music from George & Ira Gershwin with paintings by Mike Wimmer is a really beautiful book that illustrates a classic song. This is a perfect lullaby book and is a wonderful way to end a beautiful summers day. My Mother always sang this song to me, if only we had a book that we could use as as read along. A great book to add to a child's collection of bedtime books.
....for some reason he took a dislike to it. It was very difficult finding songs that boys would like and the only one I remember ever being able to get through to him was Take Me Out to the Ballgame....which I sang over and over again. So for Daniel I am recommending a great picture book version of this song.
by Jack Norworth and illustrated by Alec Gilman is wonderful storybook about baseball. Besides having all the words and history of this iconic song it has a wonderful setting. It takes place at Ebbets Field during the 5th game of the 1947 World Series game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the NY Yankees. I am part of a family of Yankees fans but my grandfather was a Dodger fan so I always root for them too! This is the perfect book for the little baseball fan in your life....
by Ruth Stiles Gannett is the classic story of adventure and fantasy that has enthralled children for over 50 years. I always recommended it to reluctant readers when I worked in the stores because it was an easy and fun read. It also makes a great read aloud....the kind of book to read to your child every night...another book for dads to read too! Don't forget about its sequels either....these books will never go out of style which is a wonderful thing. Enjoy!
by Rosanne Parry and illustrated by David Leonard is a really sweet board book that illustrates completely a joyous ritual of childhood. It is the perfect book for a father to read to his child. The rhyming is so easy to read and the illustrations are a perfect match. This is the kind of book to be read again and again.
by Sarah Hines Stephens & Bethany Mann from Candlewick Publishers is just the book to have at the ready. It is geared toward the older child ages 9-12 but I think younger kids can use it too...especially if they have older siblings. This really great book is filled with activities like cooking, crafts, magic tricks and so much more. I really think it can keep kids occupied for hours. I also think it is great for a gaggle of children as there is something for everyone. My one nephew likes to cook and another nephew likes to explore while a third nephew is really into pranks....so like I said something for every child. A great fun book that should keep your children occupied....at least for a couple of days.
by Dan Yaccarino is a wonderful picture book that details this incredible man's life. It is a great way to teach children about why it is important to be environmentally conscience. I love Dan Yaccarino he is such a versatile artist and this is a great book to showcase is works. Even though this is a picture book it is a fantastic book for all ages to enjoy and learn from.
by Blue Balliett is a great book for older kids that mixes art with mystery and problem solving. When I was a kid I would have loved this book. I loved it as an adult and I remember when I read it and the previous book, 
, that I wished it had been around when I was young. This is a great way to introduce history and art to children without being preachy. It is a fun book that makes the reader use their brain. The characters are wonderful and relatable ~ a really great read! For all who are inquisitive and imaginative at once.....
by Lincoln Peirce original format is a comic strip, all about a boy in sixth grade and his adventures. Sometimes the world can be a cynical place because some reviews and write ups about this book complain because they say it is just a comic strip bundled up to appeal to the 
fan. I think it is brilliant. Why not take something that is already known and bring it to a new audience. There may be kids who don't read the comics in the paper anymore or it is not available where they live....this is a great way to expand. I also like it because they didn't just take the strips and through them together....there is a basic storyline and plot. I for one was happy to see it because I know a few kids who once they finished next "Diary...." they had nothing else to read. This really cute book gives them options.
by Sheri Amsel~ part of the "Everything" series of books that teaches children how to get involved in saving the environment. Ages 9-12 but younger children can also benefit with supervision.
by Michael Driscoll includes experiments and activities to help in saving the planet. Ages 9-12.
by Dr Seuss ~ The classic story that helps explain to the youngest among us how we should not destroy the world around us. All Ages
by Lauren Child for ages 4-8 from the Clarice Bean series of books, a great storybook to read with characters kids can relate to. Perfect for today's