Books 6-8

6- Ready, Set, Skip! by: Jane O'Connor illustrated by: Ann James
Writting: A Illustrations: A-

This is the same author that wrote Fancy Nancy. This book really would help someone who is having a hard time skipping. It is also in rhyme so it is fun to read.

My daughter says: "Oh, it's pretty!"

7- Mommy Mine by: Tim Warnes illustrated by: Jane Chapman
Writting: A Illustrations: A

Same illustrator as for "Bear Sleeps (or snores?) On". I like her art work. Of course her bear picture is the best. This is one of the more enjoyable mommy books. It has a lot of different kind of animals and it rhymes, so it is easy to read.

My daughter says: "Pretty cool!" (These thoughts are soooo deep today!)

8- Tangerines and Tea My Grandparents and Me by: Ona Gritz illustrated by: Yumi Heo
Writting: B- Illustrations: B

This is an alphabet book, but not a traditional one. That is okay with me, but it was hard to pick out which letter you were on to be looking for. Maybe it would be better with older kids so you could ask them which words on that page started with that letter. Not really one I want to read again and again.

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5- Elliot's Park: Haunted Hike By: Patrick Carman Illustrated by: Jim Madsen
Writting: A- Illustrations: A

This is an easy reader chapter book, but my daughter picked it out so I read it to her. It has a cute story where the squirrel scouts learn to not be afraid or play tricks on one another.

Books 4-6

4- The Pudgy Book of Mother Goose- Illustrated by: Richard Walz
Illustrations: A-

This is a board book, but I'm going to count them since my youngest is 2. My 4 year old "read" this to me. It has all the classic ones and then one that isn't as well known (Wee Willie Winkie).

My daughter says: "It's fun because that's the easiest book. I can read it!"

5- Dora's Eggs- Written by:Julie Sykes Illustrated by: Jane Chapman
Writting: B+ Illustrations: A-

This is part of a Books are Fun series. I think they just use in house authors, which doesn't make it bad, but it isn't hugely creative. Dora goes around the barnyard trying to get other animal mothers to look at her eggs. They are all too busy and she decides her eggs aren't very nice. When her chicks hatch she finds they are as nice as she had hoped. This is a fun way to look at farm animals and their babies in a less traditional format.

My daughter says: "It's pretty fun. I like it when the chicks pop out."

6- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?- Written by: Bill Martin Jr. Illustrated by: Eric Carle.
Writting: A Illustrations: A (he was after all the first of his kind)

I feel silly writing about this book. It is wonderful for kids because of the repitition. It also helps them with colors. My daughter also "read" this to me. I think Eric Carle is one of the best at cut outs because he paints his own paper so it is unique. I do not care for the additional books in this series. I think they should have stopped with just one of a good thing.

My daughter says: "I think it's pretty fun. I like when it says "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?"

Books 1-3

1- Fancy Nancy- Written by Jane O'Connor, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Grade- Writting: A Illustrations: A

I'm sure a lot of people have read this book, especially if you have girls. Nancy loves to be fancy, but her family doesn't. She gives them lessons on being fancy and they have a fun night out. This book is a keeper because I can read it over and over again and I don't mind it. It makes me smile each time.

My daughter says: "I like the Christmas lights on her mirror." (I (Maren) think every kid should have Christmas lights in their rooms sometimes)

2- Me Too Iguana- Written by Jacquelyn Reinach, Illustrated by Richard Hefter
Grade- Writting: B Illustrations: C

This is a Sweet Pickles book which means it is written to be didactic. In this one, Iguana wants to look like everyone else and ends up looking ridiculous. In the end she learns to like being herself. The writting isn't anything to be excited about, but it gets the job done. The pictures are they same, they get the job done.

My daughter says: "I like when everyone pretended to be an Iguana."

3- Friday My Radio Flyer Flew- By Zachary Pullen
Grade- Writting A Illustrations: A

A little boy finds his dad's red wagon and makes it fly with his imagination. This has very few words and nice pictures.

My daughter says: "I like when they both fly."

Rating and posting

I will rate the book using a grading system A+ to F. I will rate the writting and the illustrations. I will also tell a little about the book, any of my thoughts on it and then a thought from my daughter(s) on it.

Let the challenge begin!

I have decided in my quest to be better about reading to my kids and my quest to write childrens books, that I should read 1,000 different picture books to my oldest daughter within the year (meaning by August 23, 2011). This only comes to 3 books a day on most days (because of course I will miss some). On this blog I will post what books we have read and any thoughts on them. For anyone who reads this besides myself, I hope you enjoy and find some new books to read with your children!