A touching treasure

by P.D. Eastman

Celebrate Mother’s Day and National Book Week (May 11 – 17) and read (or re-read) this beloved classic.

First published in 1960 by P.D. Eastman (a protege of Dr. Seuss) Are You My Mother is a touching story of a bird who hatches while his mother is away and sets out on a quest to find her. The clever and humorous illustrations perfectly capture the little one’s journey to find his mom. It is a sweet, simple, heart-warming story of the bond between a little baby and his mother.

Be who you are

by David McKee

This is an adorable book about individuality and friendship.

Elmer the elephant is different. He has a patchwork hide. The herd likes Elmer for the lovable, colorful elephant who brightens-up their lives. But Elmer only sees himself as different and sets out to find a way to fit in. Soon Elmer learns that his patchwork and personality brings much color to a gray-colored world. David McKee provides a beautiful lesson on how to celebrate one’s uniqueness with humor and laughter.

Lively and contageous

By Bill Martin and John Archambault
Illustrated by Lois Ehle

This is a must have book for children learning the alphabet. Lower case letters come alive in crazy fun as they try to climb a coconut tree. Can a coconut tree hold this lovely bunch of… letters? It’s fun rooting for the brightly colored jumbled but oh so determined gang. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom… kids want to hear this classic rhyming book over and over and over.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom…

By Nancy Shaw
Illustrated by Margot Apple

There are five sheep in this jeep and they have a heap of problems getting it to go anywhere. This story, however, moves along perfectly in this adorable, brightly illustrated book of frolicking rhyme. It’s great for early readers because of its easy reading nature and matching illustrations. The story is simply captivating and you’ll find your child (and you!) memorizing the story in short order.

Nancy Shaw brings these characters to life in her darling series of sheep-themed books. Sheep on a Ship and Sheep in a Shop are fun too, but Sheep in a Jeep is a classic!

Quaint, cute, and fun!

by Charlotte Pomerantz
Illustrated by R.W. Alley

To start off this blog I asked my son to name some of his favorite books from when he was younger. This was the very first one he mentioned.

This book isn’t just for boys who love trucks. It’s an adorable story that uses rhyme and repetition to teach the importance of perseverance and extending a helping hand (or hook in this case) to someone in need. Even a tow truck needs a lift sometime and in this story it’s several that depend on our hero for help. “With his red lights turning and his blue lights winking…” he’s the little tow truck that does a big job. Children enjoy the bright illustrations and charming story so much that the question soon becomes, How many times will they enjoy this book?