What We're Reading

I like this book because it's about patterns.  It has a shark in it!  Sharks are scary.  I like the yellow and black fish the best.  My friends should read this book too.  - reviewed by Ben age 4

There are bees in here.  The book shows where the bees live and other animals too.  See all of the pages?  I know that bees sting and make honey.  Bears eat honey.  I can write honey. - reviewed by Dmi age 4

I like it when my Daddy is the Troll.  He reads this book to me at home.  We all like this book.  I like it when the Big Billy Goat Gruff kicks the Troll to the middle of next week!  - book review by Mariel age 5.

The baby forest animals have never seen snow and they are so excited to see it.  The animals all imagine what snow could possibly look like and are thrilled and surprised when the real thing comes.  The illustrations in this wonderful book are lively and delightful.

This is a delightful story about a lively raven who is envious of the fun the children are having in the snow.  His two raven friends do nothing but complain about the cold and the lack of delicous berries to eat but the playful raven watches the children.  This is a joyous celebration of the fun that winter can bring as well as a delight to the eyes.  The illustrations are colorful and full of life.

This book explores the stories that Chinese characters tell.  A mother and child take a walk in the newly fallen snow and using a stick, write Chinese characters for the trees, the forest, for snow and for many of the lovely things they discover on their walk.  This is a good book for those learning Chinese characters or for those curious about a different way to write.

Froggy is so excited about his first day of school that he forgets to put on his pants!  Our preschoolers think Froggy's dilemma of being in school in his underwear is really funny.  It turns out that Froggy is just having a bad dream and the first day of school goes just fine.  This is a great story to help children laugh a little at fears we all share when starting something new.

This beautifully illustrated book is a simple introduction to the names of various leaves and the wonderful colors they turn during the fall.  Reading this book is a great way to begin a walk outside to find fallen leaves.

Little Nutbrown Hare loves Big Nutbrown Hare but Big Nutbrown Hare loves Little Nutbrown Hare even more!  This books explores just how much love there can be between a child and parent as each tries to top the other's declaration of love.  Finally Little Nutbrown Hare comes up with the biggest love - "I love you as far a the moon!"  But as he falls asleep, Big Nutbrown Hare murmmers softly,"I love you as far as the moon and back."  This is a very comforting story, especially during times of transition and change. 

This is a celebration of that wonderful stuff - mud!  The descriptive language for experiences with squishy, gooey, lovely mud is a perfect introduction to a walk outside with boots on a rainy day  or a fun time making mud pies in a sandbox.  Great for language learners!