For the Little Truck Lovers

There are two books that I am currently reading to Wy-Wy about 500 times per day. Surprisingly, I'm not too terribly sick of them either, because they are super fun, with great rhythm and rhyme. Both of these are highly recommended for little truck lovers.

And once you've read them a few million times, start leaving words out at the ends of the lines. Let your little one try to fill in the rhymes.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by new author, Sherri Duskey Rinker, and experienced illustrator, Tom Lichtenheld


Crane, Cement Mixer, and Dump Truck have worked and played all day at the construction site. Now they're tired, and getting ready to sleep in the soft dirt.

As they go to sleep, your little one will want to follow suit because of the contrast between the fun play and the soft sounds of night.

Wy is obsessed with dump trucks, so I'll share with you his favorite pages.

Dump Truck loves to work and haul.
He carries loads both big... and small,
He moves the dirt from place to place,
Then dumps it with a happy face.

One final load spills on the heap (crrrunch!);
Now Dump Truck's tired
And wants to sleep.

He lowers his bed, locks his gate,
Rests his wheels; it's getting late.
He dims his lights, then shuts his doors,
And soon his engine slows to snores.

Shh...goodnight, Dump Truck, goodnight.

Cute, huh? I knew it would be love at first sight for Wy...What I didn't know, is that I would love it, too.

 Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry

We've had this book for a few months, and I think any member of the family could quote parts of it.

Little Blue Truck is happy-go-lucky and kind to everyone. The farm animals all say hello when he passes.

But when a big, dump truck comes along, speeding through town, feeling very self-important, the animals don't pay much attention.

Zooming around a corner, the Dump gets stuck in the mud. He calls for help, but the animals ignore him.

Along comes cheery Blue to save the day, but the job is too big for him alone. When Little Blue calls for help, all the animals come running.

There was one part of the rhyme that took me a couple tries to get, but the rest is flawless in its rhythm.

Little Blue Truck has definitely become a favorite around here (and not just with Wy-Wy.)

Hot off the Press!!!

I received some new picture books for review, and I'm excited to tell you about three that are super fun. There's a picture book, a board book, and a book that falls somewhere in between.  :)

Press Here by Herve Tullet

I love when a picture book interacts with young readers in a unique, creative way. This book definitely does that.

Young readers follow simple instructions on each page. Their actions result in changes in the dots. For example, it says to tap five times on the yellow dot, and then when you turn the page, five dots are there. When you shake the book to one side, all the dots fall that direction. When you blow the book, the dark background creeps away.

Press Here would be great for preschoolers and new readers who can manage words like 'finally' and 'straight'.

The pages of the book are sturdy, somewhere in between a board book and a normal picture book.

Along with a whole lot of fun, this book is great for young children learning to follow directions.

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

Jane Goodall is well-known for her work with animals, particularly chimpanzees...but what was she like as a child? In Me...Jane, you'll find simple text, enchanting artwork, and a small girl who loves her stuffed chimp, Jubilee.

Jane always loved nature. As she explored and studied books about nature, she had Jubilee to keep her company. He even came along when Jane hid in Grandma Nutt's chicken coop to find out where eggs came from.

This book is full of the wonder of childhood. The story doesn't give much information about Jane herself, but it shows her ever-growing love for the world around her and shows how she lived her dreams.

The end of the book has a biography about Jane Goodall and a note from her to the readers.

This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I enjoyed it much more than I expected I would.

Rocket Town by Bob Logan

What Rocket Town may lack in story, it makes up in uniquely eye-catching artwork. After all, most board-book chewers...I mean readers...can't sit through a whole lot of words anyway.

Little lovers of rockets and things that go will enjoy this fun little book about rockets, big and small, especially the countdown to blast off at the end!

Happy Reading.

xoxo,
Emily

Favorite Board Books

Are you thinking about stocking stuffers yet? Here are some perfect ones for your littlest listeners! Today we're talking board books. Our current favorites are...

Baby Baby Baby! by Marilyn Janovitz

What do babies love more than...well, babies? This rhyming book is full of fun. Listen to the rhythm. It sounds like a song.

"Bitsy bouncy baby
On a bumpity lap
Mommy's little baby likes to
Clap Clap Clap!
Teeny tiny feet
Tippy toes prance
Daddy's little baby likes to
Dance Dance Dance!"

My little Y is really enjoying this story. He asks for it over and over, saying, "Baby Baby Baby boooook". It's pretty darn cute!

Another big plus for this book, is that it shows a traditional family, which is unfortunately becoming more and more unusual. It shows baby playing with mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and the puppy and kitty.

Yay for family!

Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson

This is an endearing story about a duck who is afraid to leave his nest. The pictures are adorable, and the story even throws in some counting. You can't beat this cute story.

Here's a glimpse into the book: "Come, little duckling!" Mama called once more. "Paddle on the water with me."
"No, Mama, no!" cried Little Quack. "I'm scared! I'm just too scared!"
"You can do it," Mama said.
Little Quack looked at the water. He sniffed the water. He touched the water with his foot. Could he do it? Did he dare?"
Find out in the story.  :)

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

I hope you've seen this book by now. It is one of my personal all-time favorite stories for children.

Bear's friends are having fun in his cave while he sleeps and sleeps all winter. Will he miss all the excitement?

Here's a taste of the rhyme...

"In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.

Cuddled in a heap,
with his eyes shut tight,
he sleeps through the day,
he sleeps through the night.

The cold winds howl
and the night sounds growl.
But the bear snores on."

Bubs and I can read this whole story with our eyes shut.  :)

What are your favorites?