Childrens Days Books

I just read this book to my class today. They loved it!! A little boy is going to a Memorial Day parade and finds out that there will be a surprise there. We go through the parade and he thinks that each parade event is the surprise, the thrown candy, the firetrucks, the band etc. only to find out that seeing his grandfather (a war veteran) in the parade. The mother gives a great explanation of the holiday. The book shows veterans in wheel chairs and uniforms. Great illustrations. This is also a great multicultural read.

It's tough to teach young kids about the reason we celebrate Memorial Day. The subject is one they may have trouble grasping amid barbeque parties and parades. This book sums it up perfectly and makes a wonderful lesson for young children. The various fun things Marco gets to experience lead up to the real surprise when he finds his abuelo among the honored veterans in the parade. Children will be able to identify with Marco as he watches the parade, and the excitement building to the surprise will keep them interested throughout the story.

This is a wonderful, sweet book. It is the story of a little boy who goes to a Memorial Day Parade with his mom. She tells him that there is a "big surprise." As each event in the parade unfolds, from the marching bands to the free candy, he asks if that was the surprise. Each time, his mother tells him that the surprise is even more special. At the end of the parade, people stand and begin to clap. The little boys wonders why, then spys his beloved grandfather, a veteran, being pushed in his wheelchair at the front of the group. The sense of expectation builds with each page and the illustrations are very bright and cheerful. My children loved this book. What a wonderful way to introduce children to the Memorial Day holiday and the people who are at its heart!

What a sweet book! We received this book as a gift. From the first time I read it to my daughter, I was enchanted. The illustrations are beautiful. The story is simple, yet highly entertaining. My 21 month old daughter has completely fallen in love. She can be heard going through the house going "Whoosh . . .YIKES!" (from the book). I HIGHLY recommend this book for your little ones. Can't wait to get another Mole Sister book!

I have just read this wonderful little gem of a book to my 3 kids and they absolutely adore it! I have recommended it to my whole family, friends and anyone that asks me about it. It is absolutely fantastic. The colours, the story it is the perfect book for any young children.

'The Mole SIsters' has the look of a board book, but the head and heart of a (very small) picture book: There are engaging characters, a compelling, dynamic, and the twists and turns of problem-solving. It's got a little more, well, substance to it than similar works, yet it maintains a light touch throughout.

The mole sisters' plan for a beautiful day outdoors clashes with the reality of an increasingly heavy rainfall. "IT won't last," they say, but it does. Quick like a ...a mole...they scurry down into their hole, relieved that they've out of the storm. However, their smiles turn to concern when their roof begins to leak. Ever hopeful, they repeat the consoling words,"It won;t last," but once again, it actually worsens. Their ingenious solution works with the rain, turning their watery floor into a swimming pool!

Even in its simplicity, the book suggests some sophisticated ideas: That unyielding optimism won't control everything, that one can work with nature, and that acceptance coupled with adaptation is a powerful tool. They have a swimmingly good time, and, at the conclusion, their wishes eventually come true: The wet weather DOESN'T last; the storm is over. The book's centered illustrations have lots of white space on each page, and the soft colored pencil feels a little like the Beatrix Potter books ("Peter Rabbit," and all the rest). One can go to this small gem in any climate, but it might be especially appreciated when it's rainy and wet outside.

Monster Run is a delightful little treasure. Most children are afraid of the dark at one time or another, and Monster Run is about a little girl whose night was full of monsters. The minute the lights are out there are wigglies and squirmies and scaries coming out of the closet and out from under the bed, and Nicole is frightened. (The illustrations are colorful, and not at all scary.) Nicole's beloved grandpa saves her from her fears by banishing the monsters forever, but you have to read the book to find out his magic formula.

I began reading Monster Run to my youngest granddaugther when she was three, and two years later it's still her favorite book. She always asks for "The Monster Book".

If your child or grandchild or even just a child you know, is afraid of the dark get this book. Donate a copy to the library or child care center.
Some little one will be grateful.

"Plan your own monster run. Check every corner and dark place, make lots of noise, and then really chase them out of the child's room, down the hall and out the door. Don't forget to slam it closed." ~MyLinda Butterworth

Nicole is frightened of the dark and has a great imagination. She is terribly afraid of all the monsters crawling out from under her bed. Her mother buys a nightlight, but after the lights are turned out, Nicole notices that some of the clothes on the floor look scary. Are they clothes or monsters?

MyLinda Butterworth is a professional storyteller and loves to visit schools, libraries, festivals and bookstores. She is also the author of "Frogazoom." I love her writing style and here is an example:

"Carefully she peeked out from under her covers to see if they had gone, but there were even more of them. They were opening doors and slinking out from under her bed. Even her toys were dancing."

One night Nicole's grandma and grandfather arrive for a visit. Nicole goes to bed but later cries about monsters being in her bedroom. Her grandfather tells her they can get rid of the monsters and then proceeds to yell: "Any monsters under the bed, you better get out!" Soon Nicole joins in and helps to chase the monsters out the door. Soon Nicole is happily asleep in a room full of love.

I remember still being afraid of the dark in my 20s, so I can completely understand the fear of the dark especially after watching a scary movie. Now I see night as even more beautiful than the day and actually enjoy walking around my house with the lights off because it is so peaceful as the moonlight filters through the windows.

Most children do experience a fear of the dark or a fear of monsters in a closet. Let us not even talk about monsters under the bed or why I now have a bed that is flat on the floor. For my entire life, since I can remember I used to walk near a bed and imagine someone reaching out and grabbing my ankle. This must have resulted from some childhood incident and may have involved my naughty younger brother.

Matthew Mercer's art fills the pages with beautiful creative interpretations of monsters and little Nicole. The picture of her in the room filled with monsters is not overly frightening and may even make children giggle. He worked at Disney as a caricature artist and almost made me feel sorry for the poor little monsters that had to leave the house.

A Delightful and Comforting story that will help children fall asleep faster, especially if you chase the monsters out too.

~The Rebecca Review

Nicole is afraid of the dark, but her father knows just how to get rid of night monsters and leave her feeling safe and loved. In The Monster Run, author MyLinda Butterworth draws upon her experience as the mother of two children to write a superbly crafted children's book about being scared of the dark in the middle of the night. This engaging and reassuring story for young readers is perfectly illustrated by Matthew Mercer. The Monster Run is a welcome addition to family and community library collections for children -- especially children needing a little help at coping with night time anxieties.

We have many of the Mouse books and my two year old enjoys them all. This book is really sweet and shows the love between siblings. I highly recommend all of these books by Lauren Thompson.

I bought this for my daughter a few months ago and she loves it....she especially loves the way it finishes "...because...I love you!" My daughter just turned one and even though she probably doesn't understand all of what I'm reading, she loves the cadence, the pictures, the sense of progression and that wonderful ending....which she now says along with me!

My daughters love all the Lauren Thompson "Mouse" books. We just got this one for Valentines Day and my two year old has slept with it ever since! These books inspire your child to think "what could it be?" The illustrations are simple and sweet. Must haves for any preschooler!

This is a great first book for introducing Thanksgiving. I have used it many years in my preschool classroom. It has simple text and bold pictures that show both historical and modern day images of the Thanksgiving celebration that young kids can easily understand. After a few reads, my preschool kids would read the book themselves, remembering the words as they looked at the pictures.

This beautiful board book by Tomie DePaola is one in a series that captures a wide range of holidays for young children. I am a big fan of the author and love the sensitivity of his art work and his writing. A great way to bring the idea of Thanksgiving to the little ones without being pompous or overly long...Highly recommended!

I wanted a simple book to teach my 2 year old the Thanksgiving story. This is perfect. Attractive illustrations, simple narration. Perfect for a toddler.

Written and illustrated by Hyun-Joo Bae, New Clothes for New Year's Day is a picturebook cherishing traditional Korean culture. Told through the eyes of a young Korean girl who looks forward to her wearing her special New Year's Day clothes, New Clothes for New Year's Day follows her as she puts on the colorful articles to give luck and celebrate the coming of the new year. A lovely and enjoyable picturebook, and also useful for demonstrating to a child how to put on a Korean-style New Year's Day outfit. "A New Year, a new day, a new morning. / New clothes. / We start the year with new things. / New things, for the year-older me. // Time to go... oh! // New snow for New Year's Day!"

I remember at one of those wannabe-author conferences recently, moderators read from a picture book manuscript about a Japanese girl putting on her kimono. None of the panelists--drawn from the publishing industry, wouldn't you know it--went for it. I liked it. Why did it have to have conflict, drama, a character arc? It was a book about playing dress up, who needs more than that?

So I was thrilled to read this Korean version of the same idea: a young girl putting on her new clothes so she can join her family in marking the start of the lunar calendar. That's all she does is get dressed, but I can vouch as the Mommy of an 18-month-old clothes horse that little girls eat this stuff up.

She starts out in her white under-robe, over which she layers the fancy, homemade clothes that will help her start the year fresh. She dons a silk skirt in blazing red, embroidered with the Chinese character for "luck," a rainbow-striped jacket that fastens at her chest, colorful hair ribbons, a good-luck sachet to pin to her jacket, and much else. Even the details on her socks and the embroidery on her shoes are noted with loving detail.

Along the way, we learn much about Korean customs.

The illustrations look like pen and ink, with vivid crimsons and jade greens against a pale yellow background embellished with mazes or stylized flowers. Each page has that signature Eastern blend of simplicity of composition and the harmony of all its elements.

Try to pry this from your daughter's hands, I dare you.

"New Clothes for New Year's Day," by Hyun-Joo Bae, is told from the perspective of a small Korean girl. It begins,

"Today is New Year's Day.

It's a new year,
it's a new day, and
it's a new morning.
It's the first day for the beginning of everything.

The new sun hasn't shown up, and there are new clouds in the sky. (I hope we have new snow too.)

But the very best new things of all the new things are..."

Then our narrator begins to dress in her beautiful new clothes for the occasion*: "A crimson silk skirt. A rainbow-striped jacket. Delicate socks embroidered with flowers. A hair ribbon of read and gold." And, there's more: "flowered shoes, a gift from Father," a "warm, furry vest with the gold decorations," and a "special winter hat."

The young girl dresses with care, tying each bow with perfectly, straightening her socks, and checking her progress in the mirror. It's a simple, yet beautiful and optimistic tale, completed by Hyun-Joo Bae's stunning illustrations. And the illustrations are truly something special--colorful, simply composed, and embellished with flowers, gorgeous rooms, and, finally, snow.

Hyun-Joo Bae has included two pages of informational text at the end of "New Clothes for New Year's Day" explaining each item of clothing, its significance, and the role of New Year's Day in Korean culture. "New Clothes for New Year's Day" is highly recommended for children ages four to nine and is an excellent choice for a read aloud on New Year's celebrations. It will also be enjoyed by that dress-up obsessed child in your life.
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* Don't worry. Our hero begins her day dressed in a white robe designed to be worn underneath her costume.

This is a simply gorgeous pop-up rendition of the familiar work. It is an instant classic in my house. My children (and I) are mesmerized by every single page.

Amazing. Fun. Inspiring. Curious. Dazzling. Great for the child in us all!

I don't much like Christmas any more. It mostly makes me crabby and wrinkled, like an old person, just at a time when I would most want to feel ebullient and charitible. Happily, there are moments each year when I feel young again and possessed of a wide-eyed sense of wonder. Reading Robert Sabudas pop-ups is one of them. This year, we are blessed with a new addition to Mr. Sabuda's Christmas series, The Night Before Christmas. I make this suggestion to all ye of Christmas weariness. First, buy The Night Before Christmas. Second, wait until you are alone to read it (you can share with children later--that's fun, too). Third, open the book to the the "reindeer" page, hold on to your socks, and prepare to be utterly charmed. It'll make a believer of you. Don't be surprised if you find yourself leaving milk and cookies out for the big guy this year! And, perhaps, believing in Angels bearing glad tidings.

Right from the start this book is one of those that just feels good in the hand. A thin aesthetically pleasing little volume it has a red satin ribbon to mark your place and a brightly colored huge red heart invites you inside from the front cover. The text is a love poem by the great Carl Sandburg that has never before been published. The pictures are by Anita Lobel and they are filled with glad, warm-hearted images and colors.
A young man goes to "where the aurora borealises grow" and brings home a beautiful speciman for his true love's birthday. The enchanting swirls of color actually do quite well at depicting the essence of the aurora borealis and its mysterious, magical light show. I know, because the northern lights were swirling in the skies over my home just a few nights ago and Lobel captured the feeling just perfectly.
We follow the young man's struggle to find and bring the aurora borealis to his love and we believe that his feelings are so strong that he really can do anything for his love that he sets his heart on doing. He offers to bring her more aurora borealises or even a rainbow if she would like. This poetical man is letting her know that he will always work hard for her and struggle through life with her which is something a young woman may hope for, but this clever man has found a beautiful and romantic way to say it. His sensitivity to her need for beauty and abundance is the endearing point of the colorful promises he makes in this story.
I treasure this book and I think it makes a wonderful gift for anyone you love, especially yourself.

I'm an avid reader of all sorts of novels. I've read 'em with thousands of pages, but none of them have ever moved me as much as this little book did. Both the poem and the illustration have a magical, enchanting quality to them. Buy it for yourself or as a gift. It's well worth the money.

This book is so amazing that when i picked it up in the store and started reading it, i began to cry right there in the shop. i've never experienced that sort of thing in before. i bouth the book right there on the spot with money i had ear-marked for something else. It is just a really simple, really beautiful poem about love with wonderful illustrations. It makes a beautiful present for a child or even a sweetheart.

On The Day His Daddy Left is a very moving picture book about the sensitive subject of divorce by Eric and Kathleen Adams. A young boy must come to terms with the day his father leaves the house. He must become used to seeing his father only at certain times of the week, and a question wracks him - "Is it my fault?" A heart-touching, powerful, and highly recommended story about adjusting to traumatic change, On The Day His Daddy Left is realistically illustrated by the artwork of Layne Johnson and an important addition to school library, community library, and family counseling collections.

I wish a book like this had been available when I experienced divorce as a child. The text pulls the reader in as they wonder what the question written on Danny's piece of paper could be? Near the conclusion of the book we discover Danny is wondering "Is it my fault?", a question that torments many children during a divorce. The art is masterfully done with compelling facial expressions, making this a must have for libraries and counselors.

What a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, and counselors! I have not seen a better book for younger children on the pain and confusion of divorce. The text is clear and compelling, and easy to understand without being "written down" to its audience. The question "Whose fault is it?" is one that many children struggle with, and the authors treat the issue in a way that is caring and reassuring, yet very realistic. Beautifully illustrated, it speaks to children who are experiencing divorce as well as those who want to understand what their friends or relatives are feeling. Family therapists should also really appreciate this book. Great job!

Engagingly written by Susan Bartlett for preschool and kindergarten children ages 3 to 6, "Opening Day" is a 32-page picturebook which is beautifully illustrated in full color oil paintings by Luanne Wrenn. It's the story of a young boy named Sam whose best friend Eric loves to hunt. Eric and his Dad have invited Sam to hunt with them on the opening day of deer season. But Sam's mother is a vegetarian while his own father just wants to buy meat for the family table at their local grocery store. Sam is faced with the possibility of losing out on his friendship with Eric or possibly disappointing his family. A compellingly and skillfully presented story about friendship, "Opening Day" is enhanced with age appropriate information about deer habits and habitat, as well as tracking and hunting. A truly elegant story, "Opening Day" is as entertaining as it is thoughtful and a very strongly recommended addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picturebook collections.

I'm a tofu eater, not a hunter, so I was curious about this children's book. What I found was a really marvelous book that clearly presents two different perspectives--those of the hunter and non-hunter--in an unbiased way. Actually what remained with me most was the sense of nature and the animals encountered in the snowy woods.

For a child interested in hunting or in the question of hunting this is an excellent book.

For me though one of the strongest points in OPENING DAY is the concept that people with different views can nevertheless be good friends.

As the father of a 9 year old who insists on being read to, and enjoys illustrated books above others, I liked this book and so did my son, Zach. I also fit into the almost-vegetarian category of the main character Sam's parents, and the truth is, i find hunters and hunting a bit scary, so i was really happy to share a book with Zach that made being in the woods and friendship the focus of a hunting book. Also, it helped me reflect on what my prejudice might be, like thinking there is something wrong about hunting. But in the end , my favorite part was the message that we all make mistakes, like Sam does, and that is ok, we can just keep trying.

I thought the ilustrations were a bit clumsy at first, but now i have read it a couple of times, i am noting how well they work with the text, and i am starting to like them alot.