New, to me, Books!

I've been going through the book, How To Get Your Child To Love Reading, by Esme Raji Codell, and looking up all the books she recommends at our local library.  Some of them have just been average books, nice to read, but not real stand-outs.  However, quite a few of them have been excellent and quickly added to my favorites list.  I am really enjoying this little project of mine and by the time I finish going through her book, I should have been able to add many more to my favorites list.  Let me share four of my new discoveries with you!






"Officer Buckle and Gloria," is about a policeman who goes into schools and gives a safety talk. However, until Gloria joins the act the children are completely bored.  This funny tale of a lovable dog will have your kids laughing and enjoying Gloria's antics!

"Pantaloon," by Kathryn Jackson, is the story of a dog who desperately wants to work in a bakery for the sole purpose of being around all the treats.  The baker sees through his scheme and throws him out.  You and your child will enjoy reading how Pantaloon makes his wish come true! 

"The Pink Party," by Maryann MacDonald, is the sweet story of two little friends who love all things pink.  They  love it so much that they get in to a competition to see who can have the most pink! Your little girls will enjoy the beautiful sparkly illustrations and the story of true friendship.

"A House is A House For Me," by Mary Ann Hoberman, is a book written in rhyme about all the many different kinds of houses there are in the world.  It is an easy read because of it's rhyming cadence and it's bright, colorful, busy illustrations.  It's a must read for young kids!  

I hope you enjoy each of these books with your little ones.  They all make great read-alouds!! The book, "How To Get Your Child To Love Reading," is a must read for every parent. If you are not familiar with children's books, it will definitely familiarize you with many great choices!  Happy Reading!

The Value Tales

Well, it happened again!!! I found a great, super, awesome deal on some rare children's books at my favorite local thrift store!!  With internet access, books aren't really rare anymore, they just cost more once you find them!

When I was in 3rd & 4th grade choir, our choir teacher read to us, The Value Tales, the last few minutes of practice.  I, along with most of the other students, loved these books.  Each book takes a true historical character and tells his/her life story while teaching a value.  For example, Abraham Lincoln's story is The Value of Respect.  Captain Cook's story is The Value of Boldness.  Benjamin Franklin's story is The Value of Saving.  Sacagawea is the value of Adventure. Each historical character has his/her own fictional character that goes along through the story with them.  Kind of like a Jiminy Cricket type character! They are very well written and kids of all ages would love them.   From what I can tell, there are 43 different Value Tale stories.

If you go on Amazon, you can find them used.  Great investment for your children.  In my local area, I have found several of them at thrift stores.  I always buy them even if I already have it because I know someone does not have it and it's too good to just pass by!   Today, I found four brand new ones, that I do not own, and only paid $.75 for all four together!! Whooo!!! Hooo!!!

I'm including a link to the books on Amazon so you can either purchase them for yourself from this link or elsewhere, or you can see what the books look like and keep your eye out for them when you are in your local thrift stores or antique stores.

Happy Reading!


http://www.amazon.com/Value-Saving-Benjamin-Franklin-Valuetales/dp/0916392171/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328730850&sr=8-11

Good Friends and Good Books!

A Good Book IS a Good Friend, but how much sweeter it is when a good friend shares with you a good book!  I was reunited with a classmate from K5- College years who, through facebook, introduced me to a new book and then kindly brought hers to my house so I could borrow it!  How sweet it was to be reunited with my good friend, face to face, and to be introduced to such a great book!  How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esme Raji Codell was the book she shared.

What an AMAZING book!!  It isn't one of those books that some would find mundane! You know, the kind where it gives you all the statistics of why your child is going to fail if he/she does not read causing you to go into panic mode! Although most of those statistics are true and do have validity to them, they can be overwhelming.  Rather, this book takes helping your child to love to read and makes it not only fun for the child, but also fun for the parent!  If the parent is excited about it, then the child will be as well.  I read the first chapter of this book and then went straight to my computer and bought my own copy off of Amazon.com for $10. (Including shipping!)

Codell not only teaches you how to interest your child, at any age level, how to love reading, but she suggests books along the way.  The book is categorized in many different ways: age, reading level, subject, interests, etc.  If you want a book on pizza, she has one! If you want a book about dogs, she has many!  If you want a book that teaches A,B,C's, she has lots!  Along the way, as you read her lists of different types of books, she teaches you how to use these books to encourage your child to learn to read.

It TRULY is an AMAZING book! Takes all the guess work out of what books are good for which age, reading level, etc.  She has it all in this incredible encyclopedia of children's books!  If you want to invest in your child's future, spend the $10 and get your own copy.  I'm including a link to her book on Amazon.  Check it out for yourself! If you buy it new from a dealer (not Amazon) or used, you can get a good price.  You won't be sorry you did!

How grateful I am for good friends, good books, and the times the two go hand in hand!  Happy Reading!


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565123085/planetesme/002-6627230-1835253