This Is Gabriel Making Sense of School by Hartley Steiner

This isn't a book for Jamie, exactly.  This is a super simple overview of sensory processing disorder.  I was referred by a friend to Beach Brights Blog where I entered to win this book.  The blog author was so passionate about this book that she ended up sending it to everyone who commented, including myself.  I can see where the enthusiasm lies.  The breakdown explaining the child's responses to the world around him are simple and so understandable.  The book is based on the authors own child.  She has her own blog at Hartley's Life With 3 Boys. 

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

I think I have a new favorite children's book! There is just something so cute about this book. The story is about a clever little mouse who creates this imaginary creature to scare other animals who want to eat him. His plan works like a charm until he runs into the imaginary creature who turns out to be very real and wants to eat him. The clever little mouse manages to trick the Gruffalo, too. You've got to read it to see how! This is a book I have read over and over again and still love. I think you and your child will, too.

I'm a Big Brother by Ronne Randall

I read this book to Jamie tonight. I wasn't expecting to get emotional, but I did. I cried and my voice cracked. At times I couldn't get the words to come out. Thinking about my precious miracle boy being a big brother is just so emotional for me.

This book is about a little boy who becomes a big brother. He is anxious for the baby to become big enough to play, but it takes so long for baby to grow! This really made me think of Jamie because he says he won't like his sister until she's big. He wants her big enough to play, too.

Jamie's First Library Book

Jamie's so excited to bring home his very first library book. It's no surprise to me that he chose a book about Halloween. He just loves pumpkins!



I haven't done a "Book of the Day" in quite awhile. I guess in honor of Jamie's very first time checking out a book, we should make the book of the day Halloween by Gail Gibbons.

"This book presents the many traditions associated with the Halloween holiday, including making jack-o'-lanterns, wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, and telling scary stories."

Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka

Jamie brought this book home from school today. It's such a simple message on becoming friends. With just a few easy words (which is great for a beginning reader), the bonds of friendship begin. Jamie really likes it.

This is a scholastic book. It has received the the Coldecott Honor award.

There's a "mommy bonus" with this book. It's short, simple, and to the point. If you only have a minute during your day to spend reading to your child, this one just takes a minute. I'm a strong believer that you should find the time to read your child at least one book a day. This one makes that simple when you have a lot on your plate.

Red Red Red by Valeri Gorbachev

Red Red Red, what Red thing does Turtle want to see? The town follows as they find all kinds of things that are red, but what is it that Turtle is trying to find?

Jamie really likes all the animals in this story. It's lots of fun to find all the things that are red.

Curious George Visits the Library by Margaret & H.A. Rey

I think we had better start a Curious George library at this house. Curious George definitely holds a top spot on the bookshelf and on Jamie's reading list. This is one of the books that Jamie's teacher brought him on her home visit.

When George visits the library, his curiosity gets him into to trouble, as usual. Taking too many books he heads out on a runaway book cart and crashes, leaving a huge mess to clean up. George always ends up on top, though. With the help of some children, George gets all the books put away. This time toting only his favorite books, George is issued a library card and he gets to take his books home to read.

Max's Bath by Rosemary Wells

We are huge Max & Ruby fans in this house. There's just something special about our vocabulary challenged little bunny friend. Somehow things always turn out Max's way. These books are excellent for budding readers. There's something about this one in particular that fascinates Jamie. Perhaps it's just because he can identify with a dirty little Max. Ruby just can't seem to get him clean. In the end, she ends up dirty herself. What could be funnier to a four year old?

God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren

We bought this book before Jamie was even born. We read it to my growing belly several times. On the first day that my husband and I got to spend time with our precious newborn, in the nursing area of the NICU, we brought the book. The plan was for Matthew to read it while I nursed Jamie.

"Good night sweet child," Mama said as she tucked Little Cub in.

But Little Cub wasn't quite ready to go to sleep. "Mama, where did I come from?" she asked.

"From God," her mother answered. "Your papa and I were alone, and we wanted a baby."

That was as far as Matthew got. We both started crying. Not gentle weeping, but full on heaving sobs. We couldn't read the book for months. My eyes fill with tears even now reading those words. We did want a baby so bad.

Jamie didn't have the patience for this book for several years. It is pretty long. Now he enjoys it. He looks at me quizzically on the occasions that my eyes fill with tears. "Mommy is just so happy that God gave us you."

Curious George Feeds the Animals by Margret & H.A. Rey

This is probably Jamie's current favorite. He loves the zoo (or anything having to do with animals). He loves Curious George, too. Matthew's lovey when he was little was a Curious George doll. The new Curious George cartoons are a lot more captivating than their original counterparts. Jamie really enjoys them, so having a Curious George book is even better.

This book is about how curious George gets in trouble for feeding the animals at the zoo. As always, George redeems himself by saving the day, catching an escaped bird and mending the wire to his cage.

Jamie will read this book over and over again. What he can't read, he makes up for in memorization. He could probably tell you this story in his sleep.

Amazon didn't have this book pictured, but clicking on the picture will still take you to where you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

The Invisible Moose by Dennis Haseley

This is a lovely story that Jamie got from the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This book is a story of courage, love, and seeing the true beauty inside.

Here's a nice site with learning activities related to this book.

http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/uploads/documents/bfb_ras_the_invisible_moose_-_d.pdf

If you have not signed your baby up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and you live in an area where it is available, you should do it immediately. Kids get a book a month until they turn 5 years old for free. Everyone is eligible. This is not an income based program. To sign up your child go to http://www.dollysimaginationlibrary.com/splash_usa.php.

Homework

Jamie has his first "homework" assignment. He has to gather up items around the house to create a snow person. The project is based on the book Snowballs, by Lois Ehlert, that they read at school this week. It sounds like lots of fun.

Jamie told me when I pulled out his communication folder that his snowman was in there. There was no snowman, but a little paper lunch bag to collect the items to make a snowman with!

The teacher also sent a note telling me some of the things he did today. He got to ride trikes outside today. When I asked him he said, "I just played." I asked him what he ate for lunch, he said, "I don't. I just played." Little turkey.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

Jamie got this book from school last Friday and he's really enjoyed it. It's a very simple book. Jamie enjoys pointing out the colors and the vegetables. I read it to him and then he goes through the book and tells me the story again. He's beginning to recognize the names of the vegetables. This book makes me really want to plant a small garden this spring so he can grow his very own vegetable soup.

Book of the Day

I'm starting a new segment of my blog called Book of the Day. I'm going to let Jamie pick out which book is his favorite for the day and share his favorites here so one day he can remember all the precious books he loved. I remember many of my favorite books all the way back to before I started Kindergarten. My all time favorite was Johnny Appleseed. I'm ashamed to admit that though this was my favorite book as a child and still inspires me to put apples on my Christmas tree, I have not purchased this book for Jamie.

I also vividly remember the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, by Betty MacDonald, which I do have quite a collection of. The librarian at my elementary school read many of them to us and I must have check out each one at least a dozen times.

Reading has meant so much to me throughout my life. Reading has taught me, entertained me, and inspired me. I hope reading brings as much joy to my sons life as it has my own.

* I got the pictures of the books from Amazon.com and linked them to their description and purchase pages.

And what an appropriate day to find this fabulous freebie... a free scholastic book! Go to http://www.scholastic.com/littlescholastic/freebook/index.htm

to get yours!