Buy it: We Are in a Book!
We Are in a Book! (By Mo Willems) – Hands down, the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems are the best early reader books I’ve seen. The entire collection is so funny and clever that my daughter Ally, now 6, reads them over and over and still laughs every time. All of the Elephant and Piggie books offer sweet lessons about friendship and simple words to build early reader confidence. I also love that Elephant and Piggie’s conversations are color-coded, so readers always know who is saying what. We have several of these books, but one of our favorites is “We Are in a Book!” In this story, Elephant (Gerald) and Piggie discover that someone is watching them – a reader! Then they find out they can make the reader say funny words, until they find out (oh no!) the book ends! The story ends with them asking the reader to read their book again. A wonderful set of books for readers, ages 4-8, but Ally has found out that her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all find them pretty entertaining as well. A great collection to get your young child reading!
The book recommendations included on this website are books that my daughter Ally, now age 6, and I have read and enjoyed together. I recommend the books that stand out to me as excellent children’s books for writing, illustrations, originality, story and characters. Ally and I hope you enjoy them too!
Buy it: It’s Mine!
It’s Mine! (By Leo Lionni) – Three frogs live on an island together and argue all the time about what is theirs. One frog says that the water is his, one says the earth is his and one says that the air is hers. All day long they shout, “It’s mine!” A toad comes along and tells them to stop their bickering, but they don’t listen. Then a big storm comes up and floods the land. The only thing left is a rock, which all three frogs share together. When the storm is over they find out that the rock was in fact the toad. The frogs then realize how peaceful and happy life is when they share with each other.
The book recommendations included on this website are books that my daughter Ally, now age 5, and I have read and enjoyed together. I recommend the books that stand out to me as excellent children’s books for writing, illustrations, originality, story and characters. Ally and I hope you enjoy them too!
Buy it: The Mine-o-Saur
The Mine-O-Saur (By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen) – This book illustrates the importance of sharing in a way children can understand. In this fun rhyming book featuring dinosaur characters, the Mine-o-saur snatches all the toys and snacks for himself, calling out “Mine, mine, mine!” The Mine-o-saur’s classmates say that it’s not fair and eventually decide to play without him. Soon the Mine-o-saur has all the stuff he wanted, but he’s all alone, and across the schoolyard he can see the other dinosaurs playing together. The Mine-o-saur gathers up all his stuff and takes it over to share with the other dinosaurs. But they don’t care. Then as the Mine-o-saur is walking away they say they want to play with him if he’ll share. Now the Mine-o-saur has what he wants and exclaims that his friends are “Mine, mine, mine!”
The book recommendations included on this website are books that my daughter Ally, now age 5, and I have read and enjoyed together. I recommend the books that stand out to me as excellent children’s books for writing, illustrations, originality, story and characters. Ally and I hope you enjoy them too!
Buy it: The Quiltmaker’s Gift
The Quiltmaker’s Gift (By Jeff Brumbeau) – This is the story of a quiltmaker who makes beautiful quilts and then gives them away to the poor and homeless. Meanwhile, a greedy king has come to own almost all of the things in the world, but he still isn’t happy. When he finds out about the quiltmaker’s beautiful quilts, he wonders if one of these quilts will finally make him happy. But the quiltmaker explains that her quilts are only for the poor. The quiltmaker instructs the king to give away all of his possessions and then she will make a quilt for him. The greedy king is surprised to find himself enjoying giving his things away and finding happiness in the joy of others. When everything he had is gone, the quiltmaker brings him his quilt. But the king explains that he isn’t poor, because his heart is full and happy.
The book recommendations included on this website are books that my daughter Ally, now age 5, have read and enjoyed together. I recommend the books that stand out to me as excellent children’s books for writing, illustrations, originality, story and characters. Ally and I hope you enjoy them too!
Buy it: The Gift of Nothing
The Gift of Nothing (By Patrick McDonnell) – Mooch wants to buy a present for his best friend, Earl. But Earl already has everything. So Mooch decides to get Earl nothing! But where can he find nothing? Mooch finally wraps up an empty box and gives it to Earl. After Earl opens it, Mooch explains that there is nothing but the two of them. The two friends sit and enjoy just being together.
The book recommendations included on this website are books that my daughter Ally, now age 5, have read and enjoyed together. I recommend the books that stand out to me as excellent children’s books for writing, illustrations, originality, story and characters. Ally and I hope you enjoy them too!
Buy it: Ella’s Umbrellas
Ella’s Umbrellas (By Jennifer Lloyd) – Ella has many umbrellas of all colors and sizes. And because she loves umbrellas, people give her more as presents. Until one day, her mom looks around at all the umbrellas all over the house and tells her to give them to people who need them. So Ella grudgingly heads out to give her umbrellas away. As it starts to rain, she finds people who need her umbrellas and she feels proud for helping them. Soon she has given them all away except for her favorite umbrella. But as she heads home, she sees the mailman walking in the rain and gives him her favorite umbrella. And when she gets home her aunt has come to visit with a present for Ella – a new umbrella! A great book to teach children about the spirit of giving.
The book recommendations included on this website are books that my daughter Ally, now age 5, have read and enjoyed together. I recommend the books that stand out to me as excellent children’s books for writing, illustrations, originality, story and characters. Ally and I hope you enjoy them too!
