Reading Together

The latest and the greatest books we've been reading together the past few weeks! Please feel free to share what you've been reading--- we're always looking for recommendations!

Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems

Now, I've read Elephant and Piggie for storytime before, but they have finally found their way into our home. L is obsessed. We have checked out every single one of them the past few weeks. She has each book memorized.

Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deency Murguria

A sweet story about a girl who's favorite day is Saturday because that's the day she gets to pick out whatever she wants to wear for the day ahead.

My No, No, No Day! By Rebecca Patterson

Anyone with a toddler will appreciate this story. That is all I have to say.

Day By Day by Susan Gal

A beautifully illustrated story about a moving to a new home, making new friends, and settling in day by day.

Happy by Mies van Hout

A simple story about fish and their emotions enhanced with an electric color palette.

When the Moon Forgot by Jimmy Liao

The first time I read this book I thought it was quite odd. The second time I read it it grew on me. And now every time we read it together I love it more and more.

The Belly Book by Fran Manushkin

A book about bellies!

No Bears by Meg McKinlay, illustrated by Leila Rudge

One little girl is sick and tired of reading books about bears, so she decides to write her own book with NO BEARS. A new favorite author/illustrator duo of mine (I'm currently reading their book Duck for a Day, a new children's beginning chapter book)

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket by Tatyana Feeney

Small bunny loves his blue blanket just the way it is. But when his mother wants to wash it, it takes him some time to warm up to the idea.

Mrs. Giggle Belly Is Coming For Tea by Donna Guthrie, illustrated by Katy Keck Arnsteen

A co-worker introduced this book to me to read with L and we are both head over heals for it. Such a sweet mother-daughter story.

How Do you Say It Today, Jesse Bear? By Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Bruce Degen

Ever since we read Happy Birthday Jesse Bear! and Jesse Bear What Will You Wear?, we've been really into Jesse Bear books.

You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

You Are My Sunshine and the next book The More We Get Together are a part of a simple series of favorite songs translated into a board books perfect for babies and toddlers. I really enjoy Caroline Jayne Church's illustration style.

The More We Get Together by Caroline Jayne Church

Basher 1, 2, 3 by Simon Basher

Basher books are so kooky. And so fun! We like reading this Basher 1, 2, 3 book and Basher A, B, C.

I Spy Under the Sea by Edward Gibbs

"I spy with my little eye" picture book guessing game with sea animals. Also incorporates counting down from 10 to 1.

Press Here by Herve Tullet

I can't believe I haven't mentioned this book yet! We've been reading it whenever it's available to check out.  The most cleaver, interactive picture book I've ever read. And one of my favorites to suggest to kids. I love how big their eyes get when I read them the first couple pages. It doesn't seem to ever stay on the shelf for very long.

The Game of Light by Herve Tullet

Another favorite of ours by the same author of the interactive story Press Here. This book should only be told in the dark with a flashlight. See the story play out on your ceiling.

 

***’Reading Together is a sampling of picture books I’m currently reading aloud to LBD (also known as L or Little L), my toddler daughter. Since I work in the children's room of a public library, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***

Reading Together

Been very, very busy reading a lot of great new, and a few not so new, books over the summer.

This one's a long one!

Here's what we've been reading together...

Where's Walrus by Stephen Savage

This wordless book is such a treat. Walrus escapes from the city zoo and goes off on an adventure dodging the zookeeper. L reads this book to herself daily. We read it together regularly before bedtime.

Backseat A-B-See by Maria van Lieshout

On the go with kids this summer? This alphabet book takes you on a ride in reading the street signs from A to Z.

One Two, That's My Shoe! by Alison Murray

We own Alison Murray's Apple Pie ABC. In fact, I read it for my 2nd storytime at the Lawrence Public Library. So, both being fans of her work, we had to snag her latest picture book.

Night Knight by Owen Davey

Going to bed is quite the adventure. This little knight tells the tale of his nightly, or should I say knightly, ritual.

The Monster Returns by Peter McCarty

The sequel to Peter McCarty's Jeremy Draws a Monster (read at Art Storyime). We enjoy this one more than we already enjoyed reading the first!

Maisy's Sleepover by Lucy Cousins

Perhaps you're already familiar with L's Maisy Mouse obsession. This is Lucy Cousin's latest Maisy book. If I kept track of how many times we've read this book, it's probably pushing 70 times.

Anton Can Do Magic by Ole Konnecke

A brand new book by an author/illustrator I'm not very familiar with. It's a darling book and has a Charlie Brown-esqe appeal to it.

A Leaf Can Be.. by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija

Gorgeous illustrations. A very sweet and poetic story about the cycle and importance of trees and leaves.

Batty by Sarah Dyer

It's always better to just be yourself. Batty has to learn that the hard way in this fun story about a bat who lives in a zoo.

Eggs 1, 2, 3 by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Betsy Thompson

A clever fold-out about eggs and the animals they become intertwined with a lesson on counting.

A Bear and His Boy by Sean Bryan, illustrated by Tom Murphy

I fell in love with A Girl and Her Gator when I worked in a bookstore, but this is L's preference from the same author/illustrator duo.

Sweet Dreams by Rose A. Lewis, illustrated by Jen Corace

Love, love, love everything Jen Corace illustrates. This is no exception.

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrations by Bruce Degen

This is one read to me as a wee one. It's a classic kids read over and over again today.

Larf by Ashley Spires

Big fans of Larf the sasquatch and his bunny rabbit, Eric. I see Larf in a future storytime appearance for sure.

Dog and Bear by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Two best friends, a dog and a stuffed animal bear, and their tales of friendship. Bright, simple colors and easy to follow story lines.

Who Took the Farmer's Hat? by Joan L. Nodset, illustrated by Fritz Siebel

This book was introduced to me awhile back by another children's librarian. Has been a staple bedtime story for quite some time now.

I Want to be Much More Bigger Like You by Lauren Child

Starting to get into a new obsession: Charlie and Lola. This is only one of the many Charlie and Lola books occupying our reading time of late.

Watch Your Step, Mr. Rabbit! by Richard Scarry

This is such a silly book, but L loves it and could read it to herself all the live long day. Kinda reminds me of what happens to people walking while texting on their cell phones (because I would never do such a thing..)

Hide and Seek by Il Sung Na

Another goodie. Hint: Be sure to keep an eye out for the chameleon when reading...

Night's Nice by Barbara and Ed Emberley

The retro illustrations and the calming text is very nice; very nice indeed.

Bunnies on the Go: Getting from Place to Place by Rick Walton, illustrated by Paige Miglio

Another referral from a fellow co-worker, this is a great book for summer vacationers and those fascinated with things that go.

Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner

Really enjoy Augustus' story and all character creations of Catherine Rayner including The Bear Who Shared and Ernest, the Moose Who Didn't Fit.

The Pirate-Cruncher by Jonny Duddle

Or what L refers to as PIRATE CRUNCHERS!!! This book is a really long book to read to a 2-year-old. Like most kids, she has a fascination with pirates.

 

***’Reading Together is a sampling of picture books I’m currently reading aloud to LBD (also known as L or Little L), my toddler daughter. As a children’s librarian, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***

 

Reading Together

We've had a great time reading together over the past few weeks.
Here's our list of current favorites!

Chloe by Peter McCarty

Hands down favorite over the past week. We can't get enough of Chloe. We also love making bubble wrap popping sound effects.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

We're old fans of the Pete the Cat books, so when the new Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons was released this May, we just could't stop singing his song.

What! Cried Granny by Kate Lum, illustrated by Adrian Johnson

I think this book is so funny and a really great book to read aloud. Might have to introduce it to the storytime kids in the near future.

I Love Bugs! by Emma Dodd

Emma Dodd is no stranger in our Reading Together lists. We've been loving her book all about BUGS!

It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Roger Bollen

This was a book I use to read as a girl. P.J. Funnybunny has a hard time being a bunny, but when we sets out to be someone else he finds out that maybe it's better just to be yourself.

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

L has been extremely interested in frogs and bugs lately, so I picked up one of our favorite author/illustrator's books feature animal's lives in and around the pond.

Sally’s Great Balloon Adventure by Stephen Huneck

Sally the dog has a whole series of picture books we enjoy reading. Our favorites include Sally's Great Balloon Adventure, Sally Goes to the Beach, and Sally Gets a Job.

Dinosaur Woods by George McClements

How a group of woodland animals plot to save their forest home by making a dinosaur. Includes an instructional on how to make your very own dinosaur in the back of the book.

Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewin

A hide and seek book following Tippy Toes, a very curious kitten.

Pizza at Sally’s by Monica Wellington

We also have two other Monica Wellington books in our current rotation, including Riki's Birdhouse and  Mr. Cookie Baker. She writes wonderful books for L's age group.

Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed by Eileen Christelow

As much as L has been interested in bugs and frogs, she is also been extremely fascinated with monkeys. We also enjoy reading Elieen Christenlow's "Five Little Monkey" books.

Ladybug Girl by David Somar and Jacky Davis

This book is a little on the long side for a two-year old, but L really enjoys reading it when she's in the mood to read through it. And even if we don't read Ladybug Girl the whole way through, she constantly requests it regardless. I like Ladybug Girl, because it's a book geared towards girls without being pink and princess-y.

The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner

A sweet book about friends and sharing.

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

This was our first time reading this timeless classic. How can you not fall in love with Harry? It's no wonder he's been everyone's favorite dog for over 50 years.

Just Ducks! by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino

Last but not least!!! We were quite taken by Nicola Davies' Outside Your Window and haven been having such a good time with Just Ducks! It's meant for an older audience than L, but we enjoy reading it in pieces.

***’Reading Together is a sampling of picture books I’m currently reading aloud to LBD (also known as L or Little L), my toddler daughter. As a children’s librarian, I’m always bringing home stacks and stacks of books to share together. Old and new. These are our favorites. Some of which have been read over and over and over again…. Times thirty. To the tenth power.***