What Wyatt's Reading

It's been so long since I have done of these posts! There is no way I would be able to post everything we have read so I am going to share just some of our recent highlights from May.

No, No, Gnome! by Ashlyn Anstee: This book was so cute and Wyatt just cracked up while I was reading it to him. Like really really laughed. Lol.

Hector and Hummingbird by Nicholas John Frith: I loved this book - just the colors alone were amazing.

 Verdi by Janell Cannon: I had read Stella Luna before but never Verdi. I enjoyed this book about growing up and this book made me realize Wyatt is really listening to me when I read to him, because when I read a part about Verdi biting a fish on the nose, Wyatt turned around to show me his nose. It was cute. I love that kid. Lol.

The Umbrella by Jan Brett: One of Wyatt's grandmothers went to Costa Rica for two weeks so we checked this book out to read about the types of animals she might see. We will find out soon if she saw any of these guys! I love Jan Brett.

 If I had a Gryphon by Vikki Vansickle: LOVED this book!!! So fun and imaginative.

  

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey and Colin Jack: Much in the vein of If You Had a Gryphon, but with dinosaurs. I loved it but then I love dinosaurs. Wyatt seemed to enjoy the illustrations.

Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner: A very quiet, gentle book. Wyatt and I read it in the evening after his bath. It was the perfect time to read although before an afternoon nap would work too.

What Wyatt's Reading- February Edition

Wyatt and I have just been reading through this cold month! There are so many holidays in February that we were not able to cover them all - a goal for next year! After Groundhog Day, we moved on to President's Day, Black History Month, and of course Valentine's Day - next year we will definitely be adding Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras, if it is in February again.

Speaking of Mardi Gras, Detroit has its own Fat Tuesday tradition - Paczki Day! This is traditionally a Polish celebration and we have a large population of people of Polish descent in our area of Michigan. Naturally, a holiday as delicious as Paczki Day is enjoyed by everyone - everyone is Polish on Paczki Day! A paczki is similar to a jelly donut, and come in many flavors: custard, lemon (my favorite), raspberry, chocolate, strawberry, and prune are top choices. Yes, prune. Lol. I bought Billy and I each a paczki, and also, one for Wyatt. He only got a little taste, but his tiny taste buds were blown.away.

 

Anyway back to the books!

This is what we have finished:

 Abe Lincoln's Dream by Lane Smith: I'm not sure what I thought of this book. It was kind of weird. I did learn that Ronald Reagan's dog would drive everyone crazy by barking at the Lincoln bedroom door all day...

The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson: I loved this book, and so did Wyatt. You can sing it to the tune of Clementine, and I dare you not to. You just can't help yourself! It is designed to be sung and it is very well done. Wyatt loved it - he loves all things music.

John, Paul, George and Ben by Lane Smith: I liked this book much better than the Lincoln book. It was pretty cute, and would be a good way to introduce history to kids.

Llama Llama I love you by Anna Dewdney: Super adorable board book. Short and sweet and good for gnawing on as well. I am sure it comes in a less durable format as well for those children who have moved beyond eating their reading material.

Madam President by Lane Smith: LOVED this one! It mixes fact with fiction in a good way, through the imagination of a little girl who dreams of being President one day. 

Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler: Not technically a Valentines Day book, but this is an old favorite. This poor porcupine is just looking for love in all the wrong places - until he finally meets his prickly match! Lisa Wheeler is also a local author, and I love that too. 

A Boy and a Jaguar: I picked this one up because I loved the cover, but what was between the pages was a much more beautiful story. A little boy who stutters makes a promise that if he ever finds his voice, he will speak for those who can't speak for themselves - animals. This book is wonderful and I think it is a story for all ages to enjoy, honestly. It's a true story, as well. I teared up a little, just an FYI.

Still to Read:

We are working on these this week!

What Wyatt's Reading

This week, we got our first real snow! I have been waiting for this to happen - I love snow! I don't necessarily love taking a baby out in snowy weather, but watching snow fall while my family is snug and cozy in our house is one of my favorite things.

In honor of the snow this week, I read more winter/snow themed books to him. I will probably continue this trend this month - mainly because I like to read snowy picture books, and I still get to pick his books for him. Lol.

The Little Snowplow: We loved this book! Wyatt probably heard this book the most this week, since Billy and I both read it to him a lot. It is safe to say at least Billy and I loved it! We are definitely buying it for his library. The Little Snowplow is a take on the Little Engine That Could, and it had special meaning for us and our little preemie boy.

Dear Yeti: Another super adorable book. I loved this one as well. Written in mostly letters addressed to the yeti, readers follow the journey of these two kids in search of the yeti. This book is very short, with beautiful illustrations. 

Penguin and Little Blue: This one was cute but not my favorite. I think it made me kind of sad! Penguin and Little Blue just want to go home. 

Snowmen at Night: Always a favorite book with kids, it is a story of all the fun things that snowmen do at night. Fun story, fun illustrations.

Snow Party:  Another book about snowmen and what they get up to while we are sleeping. Just as fun, with great pictures.

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?:  I think this was Wyatt's favorite. We have Brown Bear, Brown Bear so he is already familiar with the pattern of this story. He liked to shake his head and rock to this book while I read it to him. It looks like we will be adding this book to our collection as well!

Wolf Camp - A Review

Book: Wolf Camp

Author: Katie Mcky

Illustrator: Bonnie Leick

Publisher: Tanglewood

Goodreads Summary:

In a delightful mix of intrigue and humor, a young girl named Maddie goes to a Wolf Camp and comes back with disturbing new habits--wolf-like habits. Kids will be fascinated with the idea of transformation into an animal, and parents will recognize the sense of change their children undergo at summer camp.

I apologize for the sudden rash of picture books! I am catching up on my netgalley reviews.

What did I think?

I absolutely loved this book! The illustrations were brilliant - they seemed old fashioned yet modern. And the details were fantastic- from the longing in Maddie's eyes when she wanted to eat the grasshopper to the bits of leaves and sticks in her hair when she returned home from camp (and the rest of the year). I didn't like that she scared the collie - and the picture of him being afraid was too realistic for me! Poor baby. I did like that he kept one eye open around her after that. The story itself was cute - it reminded me of my own "wild" days of childhood, roaming the outdoors and overactive imagination. I think all kids would like this book, and I can picture them getting in touch with their inner wolves after hearing it, so parents, grandparents, and teachers watch out!

The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères - Review

Goodreads Summary:

Every day, Chef Marcel and his sons recite the recipe for the famous cheese soup of the Bistrot des Sept Freres--the trendiest mouse cafe in all of Paris. But when a culinary judge is due to arrive and Chef Marcel has run out of his secret ingredient, it is Petite Michelle who saves the day. This adorable story and whimsical illustrations of Marie LeTourneau will delight children, while providing une petite lecon on the language and culture of France.

What did I think?

Well, I thought it was cute! I thought the illustrations were beautifully done, I thought the character introductions were well presented, and I loved the French pronunciation guide for the French words in the story. I am a huge Francophile, so I was so excited to read this book, which I read through netGalley. And I think illustrations of mice are super cute too. I can easily see this book being checked out over and over in our school library. Very whimsical, very endearing, reminded me somewhat of Ratatouille.