Happy Arbor Day!

                                        


Today is Arbor Day~I remember this used to be such a big thing when I was a kid.   Now I only realized it because I was looking for something to write about.   It is still celebrated and there is a great website devoted to it ( http://www.arborday.org/)  but I don't think it gets the press it deserves.  I always liked the idea of planting a tree to commemorate an event or person, it is very uplifting.   I discovered two new books that I think would be perfect for today and would be a nice way to remember what this day stands for.

We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrew illus by Bob Staake (2010 from Golden books).   This book shows people from different parts of the world planting trees.  It talks about the benefits trees provide us in a beautiful poetic way.   It is not preachy or boring~but very sweet.   I love the illustrations....it is said that it is a modern style by I feel like they are almost retro with an art deco sensibility.   I just love them.  

Arbor Day Square by Kathryn O. Galbraith illus by Cyd Moore  is the perfect book for today ( 2010 from Peachtree Publishers).  Usually books like that are specific to a theme can seem institutional and not something for everyday story time with your kids.   This is an exception. This sweet story about a girl and her father is simple and pointed but a joy to read.  The illustrations really evoke a time and place much more simpler than today.  

Green Start Book Towers: Little Learning Books:

I love these Green Start Books from Innovative Kids. They are the perfect size for little hands and they are made with 98% recycled material plus the price is good. Since they aren't too expensive they make a perfect new baby gift for any new baby. I especially love these book towers. Toddlers love to stack things---this tower of books with 10 little board books will not only be fun for them to "read" but fun to stack!

Little Learning Books are 10 board books that deal with concepts such as colors, shapes, opposites etc.

Little Animal Books is the same concept and packaging only it has 10 books with mini stories about animals like koalas, monkeys, elephants, giraffes and more.

These are the perfect carry along for the Toddler in your life!

Bag in the Wind by Ted Kooser Illus Barry Root

I came across this beautiful book that has been recently published and was immediately drawn to its illustrations. I also loved the title.

Bag in the Wind by Ted Kooser (former poet laureate) & illus by Barry Root is the story of a plastic bag that flies away from a landfill and the places it lands.

Barry Root's soft illustrations perfectly match the beautiful words of Ted Kooser. They illustrations enhance the words and make this a very visual book. For example the line that says: A perfectly good bag, the color of the skin of a yellow onion, with two holes with handles ~ is such a wonderfully descriptive line, simple but vivid.

Haven't we all seen plastic or paper bags floating through the air. I know I have always wondered where it is going and where it has been. Now I know.

This is a great book that talks about reusing and recycling with out being too heavy handed. It is a soft sell that makes us think. I think it is perfect for young children as well as older to help them understand how everything in the world eventually connects together.