National Pet Day aka Pet Book List {book list}

It's National Pet Day, and I'm so excited to share some fun "pet" books.  These books are hilarious, funny, and make awesome read alouds.  Some have won awards.  Some are great for beginning readers, and some are entertaining and better than I thought they'd be.  Definitely give them a check-out. 

Pet Books

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

This novel with illustrations is hilarious, but I know about an alien cat warlord that becomes a pet sounds awfully weird.  However, it's hilarious and fun and definitely worth a check-out.  I found myself laughing and enjoying it far more than I thought I would.  It'd make a great classroom read aloud, or nightly read.  The reading level is a little higher, but I think the interest is lower.  Therefore, a class read aloud in 2nd or 3rd would be awesome.    

Best for 3rd-5th grade.  

Flubby by J.E. Morris

Flubby is a pet cat.  He is your typical, lay around the house cat.  Tho, the endings of Flubby books have a surprise. The text is simple and short and perfect for the beginning reader, the pictures are fantastic, and the book series is all around fun!

Best for Preschool through 1st grade. 

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo

This picture book won a Caldecott Honor b/c the pictures are fantastic.  However, the text and story is super fun as well.  These pets are not your normal pets, and the ending will make you smile.  

Best for Preschool through 4th grade. 

Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller

I love Arnie; this book has been a favorite of mine for years.  Arnie is a doughnut, but he is also a pet.  This picture book is a must read, but it is a longer read.

Best for 3rd through 6th grade. 

Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin

Charlotte, like many children, just wants a pet to take care of.  However, her parents give her an unusual pet that becomes even more unusual.  Charlotte is fun, and finds the good in all things.  This would be a great picture book for a teacher to read aloud and complete a Venn Diagram to compare Charlotte's pet to the student's pet.  

Best for 1st through 3rd grade. 

This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

This interactive picture book is less about her pet dog and more about what happens to her dog, but it is funny.  Definitely a fun read for a classroom or with your child. 

Best for preschool through 1st grade. 

Too Many Moose by Lisa Bakos

If one moose is a good pet then many moose would be even better, right?! This picture book will answer that question in a fun way. 

Best for Kindergarten through 4th grade. 

Molly Mischief: My Perfect Pet by Adam Hargreaves

Molly is definitely silly, and it's quite obvious when she is trying to find the perfect pet.  

Best for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. 

Fairy Tale Pets  by Tracey Corderoy

What happens when a kid wants to earn a little extra money by pet-sitting?  It becomes quite the adventure for Bob when he pet-sits for fairy tale characters. 

Best for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. 

Hopefully today you give your pet some extra love and then enjoy snuggling in with some of these fun books. 

Happy reading!

Some of the books were given to me for my honest review.  All books, thoughts, and opinions are my own.  

2018's Twenty-five Best Christmas Books {picture books, book list}

Do you love 🎔 reading holiday books?  We are a Christmas family, so we like to pull out all our books (from our shelves and from the library) and read them starting the day after Thanksgiving.  

The hardest, but most fun part for me is narrowing the books (I usually start with approximately 50 books) down to 25 that we then read each during the month of December leading up to Christmas.  

I know some awesome people that wrap each of the books, and then unwrap one book each night.  I'm not nearly that cute.  First, my wrapping skills are sub-par.  Second, life is busy.  Third, I like having the books out for the kids to read and re-read all month long.  

Without further ado... 

My Favorite, aka 

The 25 Best Christmas Books for 2018

December 1st-

  Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht

Such a sweet and fun story about tradition, some say the most important tradition, of picking out the family Christmas tree. 

December 2nd- 

The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky

Such a tender story about the smallest little tree in the lot that has high hopes he'll be someone's Christmas tree.  

December 3rd- 

The Queen and the First Christmas Tree by Nancy Churnin

I absolutely adore this historical picture book that shares the origin of the Christmas tree. 

 Please read this fabulous book!

December 4th- 

 If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff

Definitely a fun Christmas book in the classic If you... Numeroff formats.  Plus, I felt it was fitting b/c going to the movies at Christmas is definitely a thing.

December 5th-

 Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story by Edward Hemingway

At first you think this is just another Gingerbread Man story, but this original story is just fun.  Plus, there are a couple recipes in the back which are fun to make.  

December 6th- 

  Cookiesaurus Christmas by Amy Fellner Dominy

Cookies at this time of year is a big deal, and a Santa Dinosaur cookie that just wants to be appreciated makes for a fun story.  It's a fun book especially if you've read, Cookiesaurus Rex.

December 7th- 

The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas by Laura Murray

If you are going to read a Christmas Gingerbread stories this one is my favorite.  It has great rhythm, fun, and a bit silly.

 December 8th- 

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Everyone, and I mean every man and creature wins with this cute story.  

December 9th- 

Merry Christmas, Little Elliot by Mike Curato

It's another sweet Little Elliot book that reminds us friendship is a gift we can give and receive.

December 10th- 

The Polar Bear Wish by Lori Evert

The pictures and illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is adorably sweet.  🎔

December 11th- 

I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison

A Christmas version of I Got the Rhythm.  It's such a fun sweet story of family.

December 12th- 

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel

It's hard not to love this Bad Kitty, but it's impossible when you see how sweet this adorable feline is.  

December 13th- 

Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin

Farmer Brown and his animals have quite an adventure at Christmas time waiting for Santa.  I love the rhythm and the onomatopoeia's in this fun read aloud. 

December 14th- 

Tacky's Christmas by Helen Lester

Tacky is one of my favorite penguins!  He's definitely a little quirky, but "he's a nice penguin to have around." b/c he always seems to save the day.  

December 15th- 

Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Grumpy Mother Bruce, we all love him for his grumpy outer shell and soft lovable inside.  This Santa Bruce version is just as fun of a read.  

December 16th- 

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

Even though this book is 13 years old, it is still a favorite Holiday read.  The rhythm and rhyming makes for a great read aloud, and the adorable snowmen are hard not to love. 

December 17th- 

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker

It's not as good as Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, but my construction loving kid can't get enough of this book. 

December 18th- 

The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

It's all about finding the perfect gift.  Tho, it's tough for the Pout-Pout Fish

December 19th- 

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

The story follows the beautiful Christmas song, and the pictures in this book are absolutely stunning. 

December 20th- 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

This classic story had to make the list.  It's a long story, but I love it enough I even quoted it on my Christmas cards. #nerd 

December 21st- 

The Little Drummer Boy by Bernadette Watts

This sweet story combines the song with the story of the nativity. 

December 22nd- 

Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist

With beautiful pictures and the story of the nativity told with the classic rhythm of Twas the Night Before Christmas.  This book is definitely a book to read a little closer to the big day.  

December 23rd- 

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell

It's a long story, but worth the time to read this beautiful and sweet story.  

December 24th- 

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Of course this classic book makes the list; I love the story and the illustrations. 

December 25th- 

The Night Before Christmas: A Brick Story by Clement C. Moore 

For Lego loving families, this classic story that is illustrated with Legos is a winner.  It's a fun and unique take with the pictures.  If your family loves Legos give this version of the classic a read.  

Happy reading!  Reading Holiday books to your kids is one way to get your kid to love reading.  Holiday books are fun, and when reading is fun your child will want to do it again and again even when it is tough. 

Any of your favorite Christmas books that did not make this list??? 

Not Your Typical Princess Books {Kid Lit Book List}

Every little girl wants to be a princess, or so it seems at least.  I have nothing against being a princess, but I just hope that my girls will want to be smart, courageous, witty, humorous, strong-willed, persistent, kind, ambitious, and more.  I want it all for my girls.  

When thinking about Christmas or gifts in general and all of the princess items one can buy I felt some fantastic Not Your Typical Princess Books were needing mentioning.

These princess books are all great reads you and your little princess will enjoy.  Go check some of them out. 

Not Your Typical Princess Books

Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

This early reader aka beginning chapter book series is a fun action filled book about a princess AND a superhero b/c sometimes you have to be both and should feel you CAN be both .  My kids loved reading this book with me!

Best for Kindergarten through 3^rd grade.

Pirate Princess by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Princess doesn’t just have to be a boring princess that rides horses and spends her time in the castle.  Princesses can be pirates too. 

Best for Preschool through 2nd grade.

The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

Not even princesses get everything they ask for, and sometimes you are like this princess who has to make do with what she was given.  A definite fun read. 

Best for Toddler through 2nd grade.

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

This book is almost a fairytale remix of the Prince and the Pauper, but this princess soon learns being a princess is not all it is cracked up to be.

Best for Toddler through 2nd grade.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

This smart and courageous princess quickly learns that sometimes you have to do things yourself, and you are actually pretty awesome at it.  I love this fabulous princess book that has been around for a bit.

Best for Toddler through 3rd grade.  

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer

I have a daughter named Olivia so we are big fans of Falconer’s Olivia books.  However, this one is a favorite b/c Olivia isn’t keen on being like everyone else.  In a world where everyone wants to be a princess Olivia strives to be different.  I hope my Olivia will feel the same way.  Plus, the ending of this story just makes me laugh.

Best for Toddler through 3rd grade.

Do you have a favorite Not Your Typical Princess book book? 

Happy Strong, Smart, Creative, Princess Book reading!

Books for Kindergartners Learning to Read Using Sight Words/High Frequency Words

My eldest is in preschool this year.  However, before the school year even started I began to think that in a year she would be in kindergarten, and that kind of freaked me out.  I started worrying about the other kids that would be in the classroom, how they would treat her, what they would say, and a myriad of other things.  Basically, I began stressing and worrying even though Kindergarten is a year away.  I'm ridiculous!   Though seriously, I'm worried.  Ahhhh! 

I may be ridiculous when it comes my kids and school, but at least I have normal friends.  I have loads of friends with kids in school already, and all of my friends know about my book addiction.  Many of my friends use my addiction, aka education and passion, to their advantage and ask me all sorts of questions.  I love it!  I get asked often for a good book for a child for a project, or books their kids might like and read, or most recently a book list using kindergarten sight words.

Speaking of Sight Words this webpage is great; it has Sight Words broken down by age/level.  Check it out if you are wanting to do a little homeschool action. 

I realize that I may take for granted knowing what books are great for my kids at their current age and level.  I guess it goes with the teacher and librarian in me; it's easy for me to know what is a good book for them.  However,  we all have different strengths and education interests..

Since not everyone constantly thinks about books or baking like I do I figured I'd give you my 10 Best Books for Kindergartners Learning to Read aka the 10 Books with Sight Words/High Frequency Words so you would have a reasonable, useful, and handy list to help your child.  My favorite part of this book list is almost all of these books should be found at your local library.

Happy and fun reading for you and your kid!

  Books for Kindergartners Learning to Read:

Books Full of Sight Words/High Frequency Words

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

This concept book of colors and animals has great repetition which is perfect for early readers.  This book is great for babies, toddlers, and kindergartners.

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

Rhyming words and repetition is what beginning readers need, and this book has it all!

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

There are a lot of sight words in this classic Seuss book.

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Another classic Seuss book with a high number of sight words.

Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman

Fun one with a lot of sight words that kids of all ages love.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

This classic is perfect for babies and up.  There is repetition in text, simple pictures, and a fun story all kids will enjoy over and over again.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

Beginning readers, teachers, and parents love Dr. Seuss books b/c of the simple fun stories using tons of sight words.

Yes by Jez Alborough

There may only be 5 words in this book.  Your kindergartner/preschooler will be reading it by himself/herself in no time which will definitely be boosting their self confidence.  Hug and Tall are other good options by the same author with the same simple sight words.

Who Says That, Cat the Cat? By Mo Willems

This series for beginning  readers has many sight words, and it’s a series of books your kids will love.  Mo Willems is a fantastic author, and now your kid can enjoy reading his books even earlier. 

I Want to Be Somebody New! by Robert Lopshire

This book may be a little harder to find, but it has a TON of kindergarten sight words.

Learning to read is one of the greatest things for anyone.  These 10 books will help your kindergartner learn his or her sight words, and you both will love to read these fun books together. 

Happy handy Book List for Learning to Read Using Sight Words and High Frequency Words using/referencing!  

The 5 Best DAD Books aka Books About Dad

Thinking of Father's Day gifts can be hard sometimes.  Though, sometimes thinking of gifts in general can be hard.  This year, we opted for the affordable but still loving presents.  

I gave a gift of service by painting the garage so my husband wouldn't have to do it.  My kids painted the awesome picture I shared with y'all yesterday, and we all made cards by hand.  There will also be breakfast in bed and a dinner of Lettuce Wraps (my husbands absolute favorite thing ever). 

Reading a new book, or new to us books, aka books checked-out from the library, with Dad is happening as well this weekend.  I'm positive my kids and my husband are both excited about that.   

Now, my kiddos can't have the only Dad out there that loves to read to them.  I'm pretty sure every Dad is a fan of his kids sitting together, mostly calm, to read a story.  Especially after a long day.   

Since there are lots of Dads out there that like to read with his kids, I'm giving you a booklist of the 5 Best DAD Books out there.

These books are all picture books that the very young to the upper elementary will/can enjoy.  They are funny and humorous and portray Dad's for all of their awesomeness. 

Happy Father's Day!  

The 5 Best Books About DAD

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

Even Dad’s go to the laundromat, and this Caldecott book proves that.  I love the mix of photos and drawn pictures in this cute story for all ages.  I’m a big fan of Willems; he is a great author and illustrator.

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

Simple informative text with Carle’s colorful almost magical pictures makes for a great story about the Dad Seahorse taking care of the babies.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

A fun story, and Caldecott Honor book (so the pictures are awesome) about a little chicken that likes to interrupt his Papa reading him a bedtime story.  Kids of all ages will enjoy this humorous read and Dads will enjoy it as well.

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

This classic rhyming picture book is perfect for the young to read along with their own “Pop.”

Mighty Dads by Joan Holub

This is a fun picture book for the boys that love construction vehicles to give to their Dads who love to read to them and teach them things.   

Dad's are great, and they should be celebrated in books and in many other ways.  

Happy Dad Book reading!

And...

What are you doing for Father's Day?

Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure gets 4 Stars

Are you looking for a fun book to read to or with your son or daughter who is just learning to read?  Do you have a boy who is a bit of a reluctant reader?  Do you have a child who is wanting to start reading chapter books?  Are you a first grade teacher looking for a good read aloud to get the kids excited about a book?  Do you love the picture books Click Clack Moo, or Diary of a Worm and want to read more great books by the same author? 

If you said yes to any of the above questions you should check out The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by Doreen Cronin.  It is the first book in this new early reader/beginning chapter book series about funny chicks that is a great read for boys and girls alike.  

You could easily read this book to Kindergartners and up, preschoolers will enjoy it if you have a child who loves to read and has impressive aka above age level comprehension.

Boys and girls first grade and up will enjoy reading this funny, humorous, action/adventure book independently as well . 

I gave The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure 4 out of 5 stars.  It's a fun early reader with a little bit of mystery to it as the reader tries to use the clues to figure out what Tail the squirrel is afraid of.  It makes a great read aloud to teach lessons on context clues and inference.  

The little chicks are fun, though there are too many of them to understand and grasp their characteristics.  Plus, all of the chickens have two names which is especially confusing for an early reader even if they have read the other books they are in.  

All in all this book is a fun early reader series both boys and girls will enjoy and parents will appreciate it is appropriate content for a young reader who is 6 years old or older.  

It is a good book; it just isn't the best early reader/beginning chapter book out there.  

Amazon had the following book review: 

"Those cheeky chicks are back—this time in a series all their own. Fresh on the heels of their adventures in The Trouble with Chickens (2011) and The Legend of Diamond Lil (2012, both HarperCollins), Dirt, Sugar, Sweetie, and Poppy must now contend with a cowardly squirrel named Tail and a "big and scary" something that has landed in the backyard. Using deductive reasoning and some strangely creative camouflage, the chickens hatch a plan to investigate the mysterious object. The curmudgeonly ex-police dog, J.J. Tully, lends his deadpan observations to the humorous text, while Cornell's black-and-white illustrations bring Cronin's oddball characters to life with a goofy charm. Kids who enjoyed the first two books in the "J.J. Tully Mysteries" series will be delighted that the four intrepid chicks take center stage in this laugh-out-loud new chapter book series."

Have you read this book? Has your child read this book? 

Happy Silly Chickens Early Reader/Beginning Chapter Book reading.