How Do You Wokka Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle illus Randy Cecil

I found this wonderfully fun book while perusing the bookstore recently.  

How Do You Wokka Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle and illustrated by Randy Cecil is an exuberant book that is meant to be read aloud  & with a crowd.   See how it automatically makes me want to rhyme.   This is a great book to read during Poetry Month because it shows how poetry is more than just simple verses to recite.   This is the kind of poetry that needs to be performed. The illustrations  are so much fun and perfectly match the text.   This is not a bedtime story but a great wake up story to start your day.   It is books like these that make me wish I could do a story time if only to see the kids reactions.   A great and fun book!

The Best Pet Ever by Victoria Roberts Illus by Deborah Allwright

The Best Pet Ever by Victoria Roberts and illustrated by Deborah Allwright immediatly caught my eye in the bookstore.   This is probably one of the cutest books I have seen in a long time.   I love the simplicity of the story telling which makes it a great read aloud.   I also adore the illustrations because they have a "retro" feel about them.   This wonderful book about a little girl who wants a pet so much she makes everything around her a pet such as a glove or a balloon until she gets a real one in the end.  It reminds me of my friends little boy who names his crayons as if they are people.   The illustrations remind me of books of my childhood only richer and more vibrant.   This is a great book for any child who has an imagination and any parent who wants to foster that imagination ~ or instill it!

Tuesday Flashback: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children Selected by Jack Prelutsky

Back when I was a children's book buyer, April was a big month for me as Poetry books fell under one of my subjects to buy.   I loved poetry books for kids because they were the kinds of poems I liked to read.   My greatest memories of growing up was having my sister Ann read poetry to me.   I always seemed to understand them best when she read them.  Since both my sister and my wrote poetry it was always a big part of my life.  

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children -- Selected by Jack Prelutsky and Illustrated by Arnold Lobel is a classic compilation of five hundred poems.   It includes poems by Emily Dickinson, Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, Robert Louis Stevenson to Shel Silverstein~just to name a few.   The illustrations are from Caldecott winner Arnold Lobel.   This is a must have for all children ~ and some adults.....

Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham

 Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham is one of those books that makes me always want to know more.   It is the wonderful story of a little girl during 1930's Alabama and her families struggles.   It is a historically rich book that has a wonderful voice in the main character little Ludelphia Bennett.   While this is probably not a book that children would pick up on their own it is still a great book to get into a child's hands.   I see it mostly for use in the classroom to bring history alive.  There are so many ways a teacher can use this book --from the quilt making aspect or the history of the Red Cross being just a few threads of stories that can be found.   I also liked the idea of a child who has a disability (being blind in one eye) but not having that stop doing what she needs to do for her family.   A very special story.....

Happy Easter!!!

Easter Bunny Fun!

As I write this my neighbors across the street are having their annual Easter Egg Hunt.  They have a really big yard and all their friends come and to help celebrate.   I wish you could hear the squeals of the kids as they roam the grass looking for eggs.   I am also happy it is a beautiful day~

In the spirit of the egg hunt here are two great books to read after the eggs are all found!

The Easter Egg by Jan Brett ~ her art is perfect for Easter eggs, this is a wonderful new book.

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Dubose Heyward & illus by Marjorie Flack~ my favorite Easter Bunny Story!









Have a Hoppy good time!

Ollie's Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea

I was visiting a small bookstore recently when I noticed this book on their Easter display.   I couldn't believe how cute it was.   I also thought of my nephew's little boy Oliver who this would be perfect for.   Although we have been told under no uncertain terms are we ever to call him "Ollie" ----I couldn't help but think of him with this book.   There are a whole series of books with this character and they are too sweet for words....just like Oliver.   This is a perfect book to help celebrate the Easter holiday because it is a fun little book that fits perfectly into Easter baskets without breaking the bank.