Flashback Tuesday: Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London illus by Frank Remkiewicz

I realized it has been a  week since I last posted.   Hurricane Irene got in the way..... lucky for me I had  no real damage and only a little bit of food got spoiled.   The storm has brought cooler days which tells me summer is waning.   The kids in my neighborhood and my nephews are busy shopping for school supplies and getting new clothes.   Here is another old favorite to read for Back to School!


Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz was always a favorite to read during this time of year.    He was one of my nephews favorite characters.  I liked to read this book because it really captures a child's anxiety of the unknown.  I remember exactly the same feelings when the first day of school rolled around.   This is a perfect book to alleviate any worries a child might have as a new school year approaches.   A must have perennial story to be read!

Flashback Tuesday: A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech illustrated by Harry Blis

Here on the East coast school doesn't start for another few weeks but in other parts of the country it has already started.   I thought I would suggest one of my favorite books about school....

A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech and illustrated by Harry Bliss is a fun book that really illustrates how being over enthusiastic about something is not always a good thing.   I love how the principle isn't really a bad guy nor is he intentionally being mean....he just loves his school.   He loves it so much he wants it to open everyday even on Sundays and holidays.  It takes a little girl, who also loves school, to help him realize that he is going over board with his ideas.   Like I said this is a great read especially at the beginning of the school year when kids don't want to summer vacation to end.   It is a good and funny way to show them that it could worse and they could be going every day.   I also love Harry Bliss' illustrations.....the characters are so expressive.   A must have back to school title!

Reference Sunday: Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh!

According to sources today is Winnie the Pooh's 90th birthday.  So in his honor I thought I would suggest some great Pooh books that speak of his wisdom----because if you can't trust a 90 year old who can you trust???






Positively Pooh: Timeless Wisdom from Pooh
by A.A. Milne published by Dutton.   Really cute book with quotes like:

" Good Friends are Always Pleased to See You!"  so true!







Pooh's Little Instruction Book by A.A. Milne published by Dutton.  I always thought Pooh was perfect for this format!








The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff is more of an adult book----well it is an adult book.  But that doesn't mean I can't recommend it for today.   I always thought it was a wonderful way to help explain Taoism....not that I understand it but I got out it through this book is that we should all be more like Winnie the Pooh---living in the moment.  

Flashback Tuesday: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by Annie Kubler

In the last couple of days I have met the most beautiful babies.   They were so sweet and cute.   This one little baby looked so familiar to me...although I didn't know him.   Then it hit me, he reminded me of the the little baby on the cover of today's book.   I used to love to sing this song to my nephews and my niece.   

Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by Annie Kubler is a perfect first book for children.  Children like the repetitive nature of the song.  It was always a great way teach babies the parts of their body.  This is a must have book for a new baby.....I loved to hear how babies laugh when we sang this....

oh and the baby I saw yesterday....had overalls just like this too!

Reference Sunday: Every Day On Earth by Steve and Matthew Murrie illustrated by tom Bloom

What a a nasty rainy day.   This is the kind of day that makes me just want to curl up and read a book.  It is also a good day to play games and snack and basically goof off....

 I am not much of a games player but I love trivia which is why today's book is a great book to pick up and peruse...

Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts that Happen Every 24 Hours by Steve Murrie his son Matthew and illustrated by Tom Bloom is the perfect book for a rainy day or any day.   I like how the book is set up and easy to read.   Even though it is meant for children I can see many adults being pulled into it's fascinating pages.   I love books on facts and love to learn new things....I  know lots of kids who are the same way.   My nephews Alex and Michael are just two that I know personally.   This is the kind of book I would have loved to have growing up...(it can also very addicting. )  I have already learned so much....I finally know exactly what makes a cell phone a "smart phone", how the early Americans made pumpkin pie (a recipe I would love to try ---) and that more people feel that macaroni & cheese is the best comfort food....

This is a perfect book to makes learning fun!  

Flashback Tuesday: Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer

Today a special teen edition of Flashback Tuesday!

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer  was my introduction to this wonderful author.   This is the story of a teenage girl who ends up driving her elderly employer across country to stop a disastrous business merger.  I remember picking the book and thinking it was quite implausible.  I changed my mind as soon as I started reading it.   The characters and story drew me in immediately. This is a quirky story that manages to tug at the heartstrings without being too sappy.   I would recommend this title to a any teenager. It will give them a great perspective on life.   A great summer read.  

Reference Sunday: Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five by Valorie Fisher; illustrated by Valorie Fisher - Hardcover - Random House

Growing up my Mother was a bit old fashioned.  She never felt the need to sit with her kids and go over the alphabet because she felt that we would learn it in school.   That being said she was always reading and singing to us which helped prepare us for school anyway.

 Nowadays kids need to at least have a basis on which to grow. Working in the bookstore and as a book buyer I saw many books on teaching preschoolers the basics....their ABC'S, their numbers....shapes etc.   It was always a rare book that took these simple concepts and made them into something special.   Today's book is that kind of book....

Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five by Valorie Fisher; illustrated by Valorie Fisher - Hardcover - Random House is the perfect little book for preschoolers.   First off I was drawn to the title....always very important.   It reminded me of the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten and similar titles.   I love the graphics and the quirkiness of the photographs.   This is a perfect new parent book or baby gift.   A wonderful little book that will be read again and again!

Fuddles by Frans Vischer

I realized going through some of the topics I have covered on this blog that I might be a little prejudiced against "cats".   I don't mean to be....it is just I am more of a dog lover and whenever I see  a dog book I melt.   That being said I know that there are many cat fanciers out in the world so I need to give them equal time.   It was funny to come across today's book because it has a very similar story line to a book I loved last week:  Weiner Wolf.




Fuddles written and illustrated by Frans Vischer is the story of a spoiled cat who escapes his indoor paradise only to find the outside world is not that much fun.   This is a fun book that I know so many cat lovers can appreciate.   The illustrations are wonderfully visual ----- making this a fun read.   A "purrrfect" book to read aloud....I can practically hear the giggles now

Flashback Tuesday: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming

A few nights ago I was flipping channels on the TV when I stopped to watch one of my favorite movies of childhood.   Watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang brought back so many memories.   I remembered also that it was a favorite of my brother Michael's.   We used to pretend that we had a car like that.   I also remember finding the book on our bookshelves. ( It wasn't until I was much older that I realized that the author of this magical book also created "James Bond"--- I guess he always liked gadgets!)  


Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming~ This classic novel is nothing at all like the movie.  At first this was disconcerting to me but then I realized that I could like both because both were enjoyable.   This is the kind of book I always liked.   It had adventure and intrigue with bits of humor spliced in.   I would imagine myself as Jemima and my brother as Jeremy.   I would love for this classic book to be rediscovered by children today.....it makes a perfect summer reading title.  I think it would also be a great book to read with your child....a wonderful read aloud at bedtime. "Truly Scrumptious".....