giving up after a fashion

Just letting everyone know that I am giving up after a fashion. I found that I read less to my kids when I feel like I need to be posting about it instead of it inspiring me. I am now going to just have a chart where I can fill in a square for each book. I may end up re-reading books, but that is okay. I will still try to read new ones, and my kids will benefit. So, no more posts from me until I am done.

Post to you later

books 101-107

These are books on CD that we listened to together

101- Big Bad Wolves at School by: Stephen Krensky illustrated by: Brad Sneed
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-

All wolves go to school to learn to be Big Bad Wolves. Rufus isn't any good at it. In the end his natural tendency to howl saves everyone who has been giving him a hard time. It is fun to see this side of the wolves.

102-Philadelphia Chickens by: Sandra Boynton
Writing: A Illustrations: A Music: A

If you have ever wondered what Snuggle Puppy sounds like as a song, this is for you. This book has 18 1/2 songs some of which may be books that you have read by Sandra Boynton. I wish I had this one for my very own.

103- The Napping House by: Aurey Wood illustrated by: Don Wood
Writing: A Illustrations: A

A classic. This book just keeps adding people or animals who are sleeping on the cozy bed. Kind of like the old lady who swallowed the fly. Easy for kids to catch onto.

104-If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by: Laura Numeroff illustrated by: Felicia Bond
Writing: A Illustrations: A

I'm sure you have read this before. If not, go and get it. It is a great book about what comes next. It is my favorite out of the many If You Give a.... books. I think that first is the best in this case.

105-If You Give a Pig a Pancake by: Laura Numeroff illustrated by: Felicia Bond
Writing: A Illustrations: A

Cute story with a pig wanting a pancake instead of a mouse a cookie.

106- If You Give a Moose a Muffin by: Laura Numeroff illustrated by: Felicia Bond
Writing: A Illustrations: A

Cute story with a moose instead of a pig or mouse. She really is creative with what happens in each story.

107- If You Take a Mouse to School by: Laura Numeroff illustrated by: Felicia Bond
Writing: A- Illustrations: A

Okay, this one is my least favorite. If you have a good thing, stick with it. The whole going to school didn't work as well as getting some sort of food. I think, however, that these books work better than all the shoot offs of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?

P.S. The If You Give A books came in a treasury. It had music for each of the stories and cute activities to go with it. We love the songs at our house!

books 88-100

88- A Plant Called Spot by: Nancy J. Peteraf Illustrated by: Lillian Hoban
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A

A little boy wants a pet. His family already has some pets, but they don't like him. His mother gets him a plant. To keep the other pets away from the plant, he plays with them nicely. In the end he has animal friends and his plant named Spot. This is a good one for talking about being nice to other peoples things so they are nice to yours.

89- Little Pink Pup by: Johanna Kerby
Writing: A- Photographs: A

This is a true story about a little Dachshund who takes care of a runt piglet. It is a fun read and in the end you see that the dog and pig are still friends even though the pig is HUGE compared to the dog.

90- Carlo Likes Colors by: Jessica Spanyol
Writing: B+ Illustrations: B+

A very simply drawn and written color book. On each page you try to find as many of one certain color as you can. My daughter enjoyed reading this to herself after we read it together once as all you really need to know are your colors and what the pictures are of.

91- The Peanut-Free Cafe by: Gloria Koster illustrated by: Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A-

I thought this book could be really dull, but it turned out pretty cute. In a town where everyone eats peanut products for lunch, a girl moves in who is allergic. The teachers make it cool to eat peanut free by making a peanut- free cafe. It even gets a little boy to choose something new for lunch. A good book to talk about food allergies with.

92- The Lion King Adapted by: Justine Korman Illustrated by: Don Williams and H.R. Russell
Writing: A Illustrations: A

It would be hard to shorten the movie The Lion King into a book, but they did it rather well.

93-Pet Show by: Ezra Jack Keats
Writing: A- Illustrations: A

I don't like this one as much as Snow Day by Ezra Jack Keats, but it was a good read that I could read again. Archie can't find his cat for the pet show and ends up bringing a germ while someone else gets a ribbon for HIS cat. He is happy in the end.

94-You, Me and the Big Blue Sea by: Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A

This book is really all in the illustrations. The writing at times is sticky to read. The mother thinks that they have taken a long journey on a boat with nothing exciting happening. The baby, on the other hand, sees all sorts of exciting things happening.

95-Good Day, Good Night by: Marilyn Singer illustrated by: Ponder Goembel
Writing: A Illustrations: A

This shows animals that are awake during the day on the left page and animals that are asleep during the day on the right page. A great book to talk about nocturnal animals with.

96- The Three Bears by: Byron Barton
Writing: A Illustrations: B+

A very nice and short version of The Three Bears in board book. The cut out pictures (or maybe just painted) are not spectacular. My girls wanted to hear it again and again.

97-Mermaid Dreams by: Mark Sperring illustrated by: The Pope Twins
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-

A cute book about a little girl who has ratty hair. She explains to her mother how she got fish and crabs in her hair. In the end, you find out that she really is a mermaid! A very cute and girly book.

98- Geraldine's Big Snow by: Holly Keller
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-

Geraldine knows it is supposed to snow soon. She watches and watches all day. It finally comes as she sleeps. She goes sledding the next day. This is a nice book about snow and isn't too long which makes it a good one for little kids.

99- A Small Dog's Big Life- Around the World with Owney by: Irene Kelly
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A-

This book needs to be read to children with a longer attention span than my 4 1/2 year old. The letters are long (I thought the author could have cut some out, hence the B+). The book is based on a true story about a dog from the 1890's who traveled around with the postal service all around the world. Interesting story, but for kids in elementary.

100-Reading Makes You Feel Good by: Todd Parr
Writing: A Illustrations: B+

A great book that talks about how amazing reading is. I'm just not crazy about the illustrations.

Books 80-87

80- Happy Birthday, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton
Writing: A Illustrations: A

You know I love her. I like her Pookie books. I had no idea she had a series. Very cute.

81- Night-Night, Little Pookie by: Sandra Boynton
Writing: A Illustrations: A

Read the above. The point of the book is explained by the title. Love her books!

82-Give The Dog a Bone by: Steven Kellogg
Writing: B Illustrations: A

This is a silly version of This Old Man. It was tricky to read because I wanted to sing it to the song, but that didn't always work. That is why I only gave it a B.

83-I'll See You in My Dreams by: Mavis Jukes illustrated by: Stacey Schuett
Writing: B Illustrations: A

This is another serious book. It is about an uncle who is about to die. I know these books are good to have, but they are not my favorite to read. This one was confusing too as it was difficult to tell when it was a dream and when it was real.

84- The Dog Who Saved Santa by: True Kelley
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-

Santa's dog has to take over because Santa is lazy. No one likes it so they get Santa on a self help program after which he behaves like the Santa we all know and love. Cute, but not a must have.

85- Twelve Terrible Things by: Marty Kelley
Writing: C Illustrations: A-

I really disliked this book. Kids may like it though. It is a list of twelve terrible things. I didn't like some of the things that were terrible (going to the dentist, grandma pinching cheeks and being a new kid at school). The last page is pretty silly though (stinky socks).

86- The King's Stilts by: Dr. Seuss
Writing: C+ Illustrations: A

You may wonder why we keep reading Dr. Seuss books when I dislike them so. Well, I let my kids choose some of the books and they pick him. I think because the covers are so bright. Anyway, my main complaint with this book is the length. WAY to long for a picture book. Okay story about a king who likes to walk on stilts. It makes him happy and a better ruler because he has fun. When they are taken away, the kingdom suffers. They are soon found and returned to him and the appropriate people punished.

87- Oh, the Places You'll Go! by: Dr. Seuss
Writing: A- Illustrations:A

I actually like this Dr. Seuss book quite a bit. A very good story to build you up, but not too long and it flows. Yeah for a good one!

Books 75-79

75- Danny and the Dinosaur by: Syd Hoff
Writing: A - Illustrations: A-

A classic I Can Read Book. Danny finds a dinosaur at the museum and they hang out together all day long. Fun and silly. A good read.

76-Pedro, His Perro, and the Aphabet Sombrero by: Lynn Rowe Reed
Writing: ? Illustrations: B+

I really can't put a grade for writing on this one because I have a problem that keeps me from seeing the book for what it is. I don't like feeling stupid. Reading books that have words in Spanish make me feel stupid. I don't speak Spanish. This book does have a pronunciation guide in the back which is nice, if I felt like spending the time to sound all the words out.

The story is cute though. A boy gets a sombrero and it is plain. He adds something for each letter of the alphabet to it and then it is HEAVY.

77-Let's Dig It! by:Lara Bergen Illustrated by: David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon
Writing: A Illustrations: A

I'm confused why sooooo many people helped with such a little book. It is cute though. A pay loader digs himself into a deep hole and must be saved by his friends.

78-B is for Bagpipes-A scotland Alphabet by: Eve Begley Kiehm illustrated by: Alexa Rutherford
Writing: A Illustrations: A-

I have to be honest and say that I didn't read all of the words in this book. It has two parts. A part that a little kid could sit through and then 3 or 4 more paragraphs to give more information for an adult or older child. I just read the basics. It was fun to learn a bit more about Scotland and the pictures are nice (I gave it an A- because the people look a little odd).

79- Russell the Sheep by: Rob Scotton
Writing: A Illustrations: A

It seems this author has a series of Russell books and I am now excited to look for them. They are just silly! Russell can't sleep. He counts all he can, but can't fall asleep. Finally he counts sheep (imagine that) and falls asleep just as everyone else wakes up. Did I mention it is cute?

books 69-74

69- Swim by: Eve Rice illustrated by: Marisabina Russo
Writing: B+ Illustrations: B+

A nice book, but not thrilling or anything. It is about a dad who takes his daughter swimming every weekend. That is really it. So if you have a kids who is scared of swimming, it might be good.

70- Tale of a Tadpole by: Barbara Ann Porte illustrated by: Annie Cannon
Writing: A- Illustrations: A

This book goes over how a tadpole turns into a toad. It is nice because it does it differently from other books I've read. The girl has a tadpole as a pet and is excited to see it change into a frog. She then finds out that it is really a toad.

71- Tomorrow's Alphabet by: George Shannon illustrated by: Donald Crews
Writing: A Illustrations: A

A very creative alphabet book. It takes something like wheat and says that is for the letter F (tomorrow's flour). It was a little tricky for my daughter who is just trying to learn her letters, but I think it would be great for kids who have a firm grasp on the alphabet already.

72- Inside Outside Upside Down by: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-

I guess it is okay not to have complete sentences in beginner books. This book mostly has statements anyway. Brother bear goes inside a box, which goes outside the door, and into town. In the end he gets back home and is able to tell his mother that he has been inside, outside and upside down. My daughter laughed and laughed.

73- A Box Can Be Many Things by: Dana Meachen Rau Illustrated by: Paige Billin-Frye
Writing: A Illustrations: A

For being an easy reader, this is really written well. The kids get a box and turn it into most of the things we think of using a box for. In the process the box gets shredded, but the kids still find something to make out of it.

74-Oh My Baby Bear! by: Audrey Wood
Writing: A Illustrations: A-

Not my favorite Audrey Wood book, but it is still much better than a lot of picture books. The baby bear has to start to do things by himself. His parents teach him how, and the next day he can do it all (I wish it were that easy!). He is no longer baby bear, but little bear. Luckily little bear can still be tucked into bed. Maybe I should read this to my daughter more so she can become more independent.

Books 63-68

63- Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems
Writing: A Illustrations: B

I haven't ever read any of these Pigeon books. The illustrations made me think it would be lame. Really, they are just simple. My daughter has so much fun telling the pigeon what to do. The pigeon wants to stay up and has a conversation with the reader about it. He begs to stay up and gives reasons and yawns. The reader has to tell him to go to bed. It can be confusing the first time you read it though because it seems that there are things the author wants you to say. All in all I really liked this and will check out some of the other ones.

64- A Tree is Nice by: Janice May Udry illustrated by: Marc Simont
Writing: A Illustrations: A

This is a Caldecott Medal winner from 1956. This just talks about how nice trees are and has beautiful pictures.

65- and tango makes three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell illustrated by: Henry Cole
Writing: A- Illustrations: A

I had mixed feelings about this book. It helps to know that the story is a true story and isn't trying to tell your kids that being a family with two daddies is the way to go. So these two penguins in the Central Park Zoo love each other and don't pay attention to the girl penguins. They make a nest and sit on a rock, but nothing happens. Then another set of penguins have two eggs, but will only take care of one. The male penguins get it and raise the chick. They are good daddies and can be seen today at the zoo.

66- Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Writing: A Illustrations: A

This is a Caldecott honor book. Ella wants to wear a funky outfit. Her mother, father and sister try to convince her otherwise (which I think is lame for a girl of her age, I figure you let them wear what they want). Ella decides to get dressed by herself. She looks crazy, but so do her friends who come over for tea!

67- The Ant and the Grasshopper retold and illustrated by: Amy Lowry Poole
Writing: A- Illustrations: A

This is the traditional story of the ant and the grasshopper. It is set in China. I don't think it is my all time favorite version of this book.

68- My Little People Farm- A lift-the-flap playbook by:Doris Tomaselli Illustrated by: Thompson Bros.
Writing: A Illustrations: A

For a lift-the-flap book, this is great. It goes over lots of concepts for young readers.