What We Found At The Library, #5

Lauren & Mama's Favorite: Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle & Matt Phelan (Illustrator)

I have to say that if I had a 'Best of the Best' list, this book would be right at the top, especially under a subheading of 'Most Gorgeous Illustrations.' The illustrator drew the entire story in pastels and pencil, making everything soft and inviting. The bear, bees, squirrels, blueberries -- each page is full of simply sweet drawings on thick, textured, creamy paper. I was so pleased when Lauren begged to read this book over and over. In fact, she threw her first ever Please-Don't-Make-Me-Go-To-Bed-Yet-Let's-Just-Keep-Reading tantrum over THIS book. It was adorable in a Oh-My-Goodness-She's-Too-Young-For-Tantrums-But-At-Least-It's-Already-Bedtime sort of way. I'd suggest this book to anyone searching for Christmas gifts or additions to their home library. It's written as being suitable for 3-7 year olds, but since Lauren was very taken in by the rhyming and quick pace, I think it's perfect for little ones too. One of my favorite tongue-twirling lines was "A very hairy bear doesn’t care if the squirrels scold. He eats all the acorns he can hold." Our whole family fell in love with this bear with "shaggy, raggy, brownbear hair," and I just couldn't wait to share it with you. I HOPE you can find it -- soon!

Mia's Favorite: Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming & G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Mr. McGreely has always wanted a garden, so one spring he finally plants one full of crisp, delicious veggies. But every night, when "the sun went down, and the moon came up", three mischievous bunnies tippy-toed into the garden to MUNCHA MUNCHA MUNCHA on the tender sprouts and blossoms. As the story progresses, Mr. McGreely builds bigger and taller barriers each day, hoping to thwart the bunnies. Somehow though, it just never seems to work and the book ends with a frustrated -- but eventually generous -- Mr. McGreely. Mia had this book almost memorized by the time we were done with it, and after reading it several times a day, why wouldn’t she?! I kept catching her quietly 'reading' it to herself, which was endlessly sweet. The book is full of wonderfully fun sound effects that your kids will giggle at and love repeating -- Mia certainly did. She’s declared this to be one of her very favorite books, right alongside Daisy Comes Home. Both are thoroughly enjoyable.

So my library loving friends, check these out and let me know if you stumble upon any other wonderful books to share! Come to think of it, would any of you be interested in playing along and posting your own library findings -- for kids or adults, fiction or otherwise -- to be included in a Mr. Linky List?

Think about it...we could have our own high-falutin' carnival...