Book Recommendations for my Grandkids

Hurry, Hurry by Eve Bunting illustrated by Jeff Mack    Bold, colorful pictures with very little text, this book will be a favorite of preschoolers. What is the big news on the farm? The rooster, goat, ducks, pigs, cows, sheep hurry to the barn.  Ages 1- 3

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen  Brian Robeson, 13, must survive by himself in the Canadian wilderness when the small plane he is riding in crashes. Brian only has the hatchet his mother gave him to conquer his fears. Follow along with Brian and his 54 day adventure in this award winning book. Grades 5 - 9

Full House An Invitation to Fractions by Dayle Ann Dodds illustrated by Abby Carter  We love this book. Miss Bloom runs the Strawberry Inn. Miss Bloom loves all her quirky visitors, especially when she has a full house. Comedy ensues when the guests get up in the middle of the night for a snack. Fractions are presented in a fun way that readers do not realize it's math. We also loved the rhyming text and hilarious pictures. Ages 6 - 9

Baseball Saved Us written by Ken Mochizuki Illustrated by Dom Lee  This award winning book is about a Japanese American boy named Shorty. His family was in an interment camp in WWII. He was sad until his father built a baseball field. Shorty was not very good at baseball but her persevered. So many lessons can be discussed about this book. Ages 8 - 11

 Odd Dog Out By Rob Biddulph Odd Dog looks different than all the other dogs. She lives in a busy city where all dogs look alike. Odd Dog takes a journey to see where she would fit in. She discovers it's OK to be different. Ages 4 - 7

 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Little women is a perfect book to read a couple of chapters each night at bedtime. I read it to my daughter and now my granddaughters. Little women is about the March Family in the Civil War years in New England. Marmee, the mother to Meg, Jo, Beth,  and Amy, raises the girls as their father is away at the war. the book follows the girls as they grow up and face issues of the time. Ages 8 -12

 At Home with the Heelers These books are part of the TV Bluey series. The Heeler Family. Mum is Chili and Dad is Bandit. The kids are Bluey and Bandit. They have many adventures inside and outside the house. Young ones will love pointing to the pictures and giggling at the mischief.  Ages 1- 3

 We are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang illustrated by Christopher Weyant A delightful book with simple test and illustrations. Two friends are playing when a third joins them. One feels left out. A perfect book to talk abut feelings. Ages 2 - 4

Hattie and Hudson by Chris Van Dusen Hattie gets in her canoe every morning to paddle, sing and enjoy the beautiful day. A huge long-necked creature comes up from below. Other people screamed and were scared away. Not Hattie. Other people wanted to drive the creature away. Not Hattie. Hattie befriended Hudson and they played and splashed and frolicked in the lake. A good book to inspire compassion and prejudging. Ages 2- 6  

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty illustrated by David Roberts  Ada and her friends Iggy and Rosie are curious. When some of Ada's science experiments get out of control, her parents send her to the Thinking Chair. This book will inspire young ones to ask questions and look for the answers. Highly recommended. 3 - 7 years

Solomon Crocodile by Catherine Rayner  Uh, oh, here comes trouble. "Go away!' says frog, dragonfly, and the stork. Then Solomon sees Hippo. Hippo also does not want play. Then along comes Double Trouble. Who could that be?  Ages 2 - 6 years

My Bedtime Monster by Annelies Schwarz illustrated by Kveta Pacovska   Rikki wants a pet so bad that she imagines that she has one. Rikki wants her pet to be soft and cuddly, quick and strong. This pet also has to be able to swim and fly. When Rikki goes to bed at night, she dreams about this pet and the adventures they have.  3 - 5 years

 Where's the Tiger by Ingela P. Arhenius Delightful series of board books for babies. Large, bright pictures ready to point to! Felt lift-the-flap makes it interactive for the little ones. Ages 0 - 3

 Just a Day at the Pond by Mercer Mayer I remember reading the Little Critter series of books with my children when they were young and now I am reading them to my grandkids. Little Critter has many adventures. In this one, he is visiting his grandparents farm. he loves the pong but is scared fo the water since he does not know how to swim. Find out how the bees helped Little Critter learn to swim. Ages 4 - 8

Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper Vanilla cupcake is feeling plain compared to his fancy friends: Happy Face, Rainbow Sprinkles, Polka Dot, Pink Princess, and Fancy Flowers.  Vanilla was plain white cake with plain white frosting. No over ever chose her to eat. She ended up sitting on the platter all alone. Along came Candle. He, too was, feeling ordinary next to his friends Balloon, Number, Letter, Stripy, and Twisty Candle. Candle had a great idea to jazz Cupcake up. They tried pickles, spaghetti, an egg, peas and even smelly cheese. This story will get many giggles.  Ages 4 - 7 

 Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman illustrated by K. G. Campbell Cub followed his nose through the woods and discovered a Tea Party. The hostess said there were specific rules for a Tea Party and proceeded to enforce the rules. You must be clean: she gave Cub a bath. You must dress fancy: she dressed him up. Bear did not like the rules but he wanted the cookies. Cub rebelled. A story of friendship and compromise. Ages 4- 6

 I See You See by Richard Jackson illustrated by Patrice Barton This book is one of our new favorites. The illustrations are amazing. Maisie and Jonah are walking their dog in their neighborhood. They point out what they see : cats in a tree, a garden the mailman, clothes on a line, a pond, and the clouds. Jonah is in a wheelchair but that is not the focal point of the book. Ages 4- 7

 Bunnies in a Boat by Philip Ardagh illustrated by Ben Mantle The Bunnies of Sunny Town are back! They ae getting in everyone's way at the beach and on the water. Tiger, Hippo, and Sheep are aggravated with the Bunnies. There is so much to look at the point to in the busy pictures. We giggled our way through the antics of the Bunnies! Ages 3 - 7

 Hush Up and Hibernate by Sandra Markle illustrated by Howard McWilliam baby Bear won't go to sleep! He finds many excuses. Mama Bear is getting irritable. "Go to sleep till spring" she says. You can guess what Baby Bear is going to say. "Is it spring yet?" This book got many giggles. Age 3 - 6

Love, Triangle by Marcie Collen illustrated by Bob Shea  Circle and Square are friends. Along comes Triangle. This is a story of friendship and accepting each other for our strengths and looking for the good in all.  Preschoolers will love this picture book.

Growing an Artist  The Story of a Landscaper and his Son by John Parra This is a heartwarming story of Juanito going to work with his papi. His dad is a landscape contractor. Juanito take his sketchbook and draws the flowers, plants and birds. He also mows, weeds and trims the lawns. Juanito realizes what hard work his papi does every day and the rewarding feeling of a job well done and pride in his work. Ages 4- 8