What We Found At The Library

Lauren's Favorite:  Orange Pear Apple Bear, By Emily Gravett

I imagine that because it was smaller in stature than our other library books that day, Lauren's first choice of book to explore was Orange Pear Apple Bear; she hasn't put it down since.  She loves this sweet, simple book with it's sweet, simple illustrations.  The words and pictures are engaging enough for Lauren to basically read all by herself.  She pointed to each picture as she turned the pages and enthusiastically described them to whoever would listen while backing her little self up into the nearest lap and beginning a narration. This is a wonderful book for distractable toddlers - and it comes with two thumbs up from my sweet Lauren Jade.  High praise, indeed.

Mia's Favorite:  How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? By Jane Yolen & Mark Teague (Illustrator)

We've been running through the whole series of Dinosaur books lately, and Mia enjoyed this one very much.  She's had quite a time with learning how to eat respectfully, so I think the hilarity of these ill-mannered dinosaurs really struck a note with her personal experience.  In particular, she seems to notice the expressions on the parents' faces.  She asks for detailed descriptions of what they must be feeling, and I make sure to pepper their reactions with words that grab Mia's attention: flabbergasted, irritated, furious, disappointed, then pleased, proud, happy, encouraging.  My favorite part of this book is the ending, when all the dinosaurs are shown eating patiently and kindly - earning proud looks from their parents.  Not that I can sympathize with those parents, or anything...

This Heavenly Mama's Favorite:  I Took The Moon For A Walk, By Carolyn Curtis & Alison Jay (Illustrator)

I'm a sucker for children's books with lulling rhythms, rhyming cadences, and lovely artwork.  All three qualifications came together in this quiet story about a boy enjoying the full moon.  One of my favorite passages evokes the calm and mysterious night: 'We tiptoed through grass where the nightcrawlers creep, When the rust-bellied robins have all gone to sleep, And the Moon called the dew so the grass seemed to weep, When I took the Moon for a walk.'  One of our most-used times for stories is right before bedtime (universally so, I think), and I always appreciate it when a book is geared towards calming and lulling the action of the day.  This book accomplishes that task beautifully.  Plus, there's not a ton of words on each page, so both Mia and Lauren can enjoy it: Mia for the story and words, Lauren for the rhythm and illustrations.  The story clips along at a nice pace while still seeming calm and quiet - perfect for bedtime.