by Carolyn | Baby, Book Lists, For fun, Imagination, Parenting, Picture Books, Preschool, Read Alouds, Toddler
I like my bedtime books to be quiet and sedate. But if you like to add some laughs to your nighttime routine, you won’t want to miss these hilariously fun bedtime books. Your kids will giggle, cuddle, and (hopefully) yawn by the end. I hope you find some new...
by Carolyn | Animal books, Education, For fun, Imagination, Nature, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Read Alouds
They All Saw a Cat by debut author/illustrator Brendan Wenzel is easily one of my favorite picture books published this year. In fact, this picture book caught the attention of my older kids just as much (maybe more so) than my younger ones. It’s brand new, but...
by Carolyn | Biography, Book Lists, Cultural Diversity, Education, Nonfiction, Older Elementary, Picture Books, Read Alouds
There is a bit of a renaissance going on in children’s literature, and that’s particularly true of non-fiction picture books. The trend is engagingly written, beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture books designed to entice your child into learning...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Animal books, Audiobooks, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations
I just finished reading an advance copy of Ember Falls by S.D. Smith, and it is magnificent! Ember Falls, the sequel to The Green Ember, is full of twists and turns, intrigue, and action. Heather and Picket have grown into confident, mature characters, but all their...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Parenting, Picture Books, Read Alouds
The school year is just around the corner. Perhaps your kids have already started! Let’s celebrate with some picture books about school! These are some of the best picture books out there about school (including one about homeschooling)! Whether your kid is...
by Carolyn | Audiobooks, Boys, Chapter Books, For fun, Middle-grade, Older Elementary, Read Alouds
Sometimes, you just need something that will make you laugh. In this crazy world, there are so many things we can stress about. And there are certainly times for serious subjects but don’t miss out on the healing power of sharing funny stories, like Sideways...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Character Training, Fantasy, For fun, Imagination, Juvenile Fiction, Middle School, Middle-grade, Mystery, Older Elementary, Read Alouds, Recommendations, Scary Stories
I have three words for you: Mysterious Benedict Society. If I made a list of my top ten read-alouds, this would be on it. We listened to the audio book recently, and although we’d read the book to my older kids before, it was fun to see my six-year-old...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Parenting, Read Alouds, Reading, Recommendations, Resources
I was recently challenged by my librarian to participate in the adult summer reading contest. And that got me thinking. What books can I recommend to parents who want to instill a love of reading in their children? After all, summer is a great time to do a little...
by Carolyn | Adventure, Animal books, Audiobooks, Chapter Books, Character Training, Fantasy, Imagination, Read Alouds
I think after the Wingfeather Saga (and for my son, The Hobbit), my kids would rate The Green Ember by S.D. Smith as one of their favorite read-alouds. The story is a great combination of action, mystery, and character development. In The Green Ember, rabbit...
by Carolyn | Book Lists, Education, Picture Books, Poetry, Read Alouds
Spring has sprung! Here in Texas, spring means bluebonnets. But since spring looks a little different in different places, picture books about spring can be a great way to introduce the concept to kids. Here are a few of my favorite picture books about spring…...
