EIEIO: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm with a Little Help From a Hen by Judy Sierra illustrated by Matthew Myers

Spring is in the air....well it will be eventually...it is still quite cold but the good news is the snow has begun to melt.  With that in mind I thought today's book should help us get in the mood for warmer weather and being out doors.

EIEIO: How Old MacDonald Got His Farm with a Little Help from a Hen by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Matthew Myers.  I love how Ms Sierra takes child staple and mixes it up a bit.  How did Old MacDonald start his farm?  All we have known is the song we sing with children but she takes it to another level.  This is a fun way to take something old to teach us something new.  I love the environmental aspect of the story.  It would be a great book for Earth Day next month but more importantly it teaches children about how the earth works as well as being a great introduction to gardening and all it entails.  Just as important as the message  is that it is a fun read aloud with cheerful illustrations that will be read again and again.  A must have new book for spring...even if I am a bit early....

These Seas Count! by Alison Formento illustrated by Sarah Snow

Yesterday at the annual BookNJ event I finally got a chance to meet Alison Formento an award winning author of popular nature picture books.  I have seen her books for awhile and heard such wonderful things about her.  She does phenomenal school and store visits that always enthrall the children she talks to.   I realized that even though she had been on my list of authors to suggest I never wrote about her.

These Seas Count by Alison Formento and illustrated by Sarah Snow is a wonderful picture book for children to help them learn how important the ocean and beaches are to our world.  It is the perfect book to read to children before they start their summer vacation--especially if they are going to the beach.  I love how Ms Formento doesn't talk down to the reader and tells her story simply and sweetly.  I also love Ms Snow's beautiful collage paintings which perfectly match the gentle text.  These are perfect a nature loving child's bookshelf and they make great gifts for a teacher's classroom.

Other books in the series are just as wonderful:

This Tree Counts

These Bees Count


In this environmentally conscience age these are must have books to own....

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool; illustrated by Alison Jay - Hardcover - Random House

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool; illustrated by Alison Jay - Hardcover - Random House is a wonderful new book that teaches children  to not be greedy.   I love this story of a a little boy who weaves beautiful clothes out of clouds but never uses too many clouds until he is asked to do more.  This is a wonderful story of how excess can be destruct.  Michael Catchpool weaves (pun intended) a magical new fable that teaches without being preachy. As for the illustrations  I have  said this before but I am a huge fan of Alison Jay.   I just love her illustrations and these do not disappoint.   I really love her color palette and the way she complements the text.   This is a must have new classic ----for everyone.

Reference Sunday: Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story by Thomas F Yezerski

I am a proud New Jersyan!  I know that sometimes we are stereotyped and given a bad rap ~ but we are not all like what is seen on TV.   I usually try not to write about local stories but sometimes a local story can be good for the global environment.   

Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story by Thomas F Yezerski is the kind of local or regional book that has a universal appeal.    Through the years I have seen personally how the wetlands in the Meadowlands has been built up.   I was always amazed how  swamp land could be used to build on.   As a child I was afraid  if people walked in it they would sink and never be seen again.   As I grew older I felt bad that this was how the world perceived my state and thought that New Jersey was just one big swamp.  New Jersey has beautiful parts to it too, I can attest to that.   Finding this book has given me hope that someday this portion of my state will someday reclaim the beauty that it once was.   I appreciate  Mr Yezerski's efforts in explaining the history of this area from it's beginnings to now.   I not only love the historical detail but the beautiful illustrations as well.   It makes me proud that someone realizes that this place, a place most people write off,  is still important and alive.   This book is not just for New Jersyans but for anyone who loves the environment and wants to do something to preserve it.   While this is a picture book for children ages 5-8 years old I truly believe older children and adults can learn something valuable in reading it.   A must have title I truly recommend.   

There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin illust by Amy Ziner

Back on Nov 24th I wrote about star and constellation books because a friend had asked for some gift suggestions.  Today I got an email from her saying the book she picked was a great hit.   She chose:

There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin and illustrated by Amy Ziner.  My friend gave this book to her friend's daughter for Christmas. I suggested this book because of it is a great read aloud, the iilustrations are beautiful as well as its environmental aspect.  

Here is what my friend Lindsay wrote to me: "Wanted to tell you how much Wendy (the Mom of the recipient of "There Once Was A Sky Full of Stars") LOVED the book.

She sat right down (on the bare floor, no less), and began reading it aloud, enjoying the rhythm and the rhymes.

Amelia, the recipient, happened to be in a post-ice cream-party full-on state of frenzy at that moment...so I don't think she much noticed, but I know Wendy and I'm sure Amelia will be learning lots about the stars and enjoying the book right along with her."

This kind of statement makes me feel like I did a good thing by starting this blog.   It makes me feel good that I can help someone spread a little joy.   As for Amelia, she will eventually love the book because she has a mother who is so enthusiastic.....it doesn't bother me that she wasn't noticing it at the time...she is after all only 4 years old.   

Reference Sunday: Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future by Charles HRH The Prince of Wales

Today is  Prince Charles birthday.    I was just reading about his new adult book called Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World.  In it he talks about how we must work with nature to help our planet.    I admire his passion and commitment to changing the way we view our world.

Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future by HRH The Prince of Wales takes all the information of his adult book and makes it accessible to children.   It was very smart of him to do a children's version as they should also be taught to save our world.   It is a beautifully produced book with wonderful photographs.  It is a good book to help start conversations about the environment and why we should care about what is happening to our planet.

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino

Today would have been Jacques Cousteau's 100th Birthday.   It is appropriate that we celebrate a man who did so much for the world's oceans.   All the turmoil in the gulf reminds us that there have always been people who so cared about our waters that they did anything to educate and preserve them.


The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau 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.  

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

A few weeks ago I discussed a new book called Otis. I was very much reminded of one of my favorite books The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Imagine my surprise when I came across this sweet little book called The Curious Garden by Peter Brown. It reminded me of The Little House just as much as Otis did.

This tender story of a little boy who finds a garden amidst the dreary city is lovely to behold. The words are lyrical and the illustrations inspiring. The colors grow as the garden grows. The wordless spreads speak volumes. This is a beautiful book to read to children to show them how one little act can change the world. It does this in a non preachy manner that is so refreshing. A real heartwarming book that should not be missed.