Flashback Tuesday: Running the Road to ABC by Denize Lauture illustrated by Reynold Ruffins

I can't believe July is over.   It always makes me a bit sad to see the back to school commercials starting and the store shelves filled with school supplies.   I was recently reminded of today's book by a friend.  

Running the Road of ABC by Denize Lauture and illustrated by Reynold Ruffins was always a perennial favorite for me to put on my Back to School displays.  I love the lyrical words that describes children racing to get to school. I could always sense the enthusiasm of the characters.  The illustrations--which I love-- really match the words....so much so that it received a Coretta Scott King honor in 1997.     I also like the multicultural aspect of the book.   It makes a great read aloud that teaches children about children in other parts of the world.  In this case it shows a child's life in Haiti...a country that is still reeling from the devastating earthquake of 2010.   A must have book~

My Friend Fred by Hiawyn Oram illustrated by Rosie Reeve

I think I have mentioned that I dog sit every year for a week.   When Little Bear goes home I always miss him so much.   It makes me really yearn to get a dog of my own.

My Friend Fred by Hiawyn Oram and sweetly illustrated by Rosie Reeve  caught my eye just after I took Little Bear home.   I could so relate to wanting a dog to have all to myself.   I would have loved to read this aloud to a group of children...there are cute little side commentaries that are fun to read.   The expressions that "Fred" has are priceless....such a fun story.   This is a must have new book for all the little dog lover's of the world....

Reference Sunday: Let's Go to the Farmer's Market from Chronicle Books

Wow I hadn't realized it has been so long since I last posted.   It has been a busy few weeks....I went away on a wonderful vacation down the Jersey Shore then puppy sat for a week.   Of course I had to get back to work which after a great vacation is always hard to do.   The next few weeks are also going to be busy but I am hoping to get back into some sort of blogging routine....there are so many great new books to talk about.


Normally I don't like to write about toys or kits but I couldn't pass up today's title.   I have mentioned before that I have a side business selling homemade Veggie burgers with my sister in law.   It has been a seasonal business because we usually only sell them at her local farmer's market.   This year we haven't participated yet because I got a full time job and the place we had been making the burgers has limited  availability.   That being said I am still very much a supporter of farmer's market in general.   I love buying fresh locally grown vegetables in the summer.  It always makes me feel healthier.  One of my favorite things to see while selling at the farmer's market were all the families that wandered the area.   I loved how the children would be eating "pickles on a stick"...or carrying baskets of fruit.

Let's Go the to the Farmer's Market by Chronicle Books is a cute little kit and while there isn't an actual book there is a booklet that talks about what a Farmer's Market is all about.  It also has activity cards and a shopping list.  The best part is the tote bag just the right size for little hands to help carry their produce.  It a great way to introduce healthy living to the youngest among us.


Oh and because I must recommend some sort of book Chronicle Books also publishes a great cookbook and activity book called:

At the Farmer's Market with Kids by Leslie Jonah & Ethel Brennan with Photographs by Sheri Giblin is also a wonderful way to talk about the value of the eating healthy and shopping at Farmer's Markets with children.   It teaches children (and grownups) how to pick the freshest fruits and vegetables.  The book also has recipes and other activities geared to specific age groups.   A great companion piece to today's highlighted title.  

So I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer and that today's selections inspire some to try their local Farmer's Market....Happy Summer!