The Nutcracker

Susan Jeffers has created yet another version of the Nutcracker. Despite the numerous versions, Ivy is drawn to this one due to the lovely visuals. She grows angry with young Fritz for breaking the nutcracker and quite terrified when she reads about the scary Mouse King. The glitter on the cover has to help peak her interests as well. :) A must read holiday version of this classic ballet.

Bobbsey Twins Series 2: The Blue Poodle Mystery

The Bobbsey Twins came out with a new series from 1980-1986. Although a bit above Ivy's reading level, she still enjoyed it. It does involve a few issues that were tough to discuss - kidnapping, home burglary, etc. I also found the plot much weaker than the original Bobbsey Twins. We began At Plimoth Rock tonight in honor of Thanksgiving. Hoping that she loves the Bobbsey Twins as much as I did!

The Story of the Pilgrims

Ivy has graduated from picture books, but not from slightly more verbose picture books. She enjoyed this rendition of the pilgrims' journey to Plymouth. Being an ex-Plimoth Plantation worker, I always enjoy a more historical look at the story - two thumbs up from me!

Vunce Upon A Time

I have been quite behind on my blog, but I would be derelict in my duty if I did not add on a Halloween book or two. Vunce Upon a Time is an adorable tale about a vegetarian vampire named Dagmar. When he runs out of vegetables, he just adores candy. When he learns about a human holiday called Halloween, he just knows he has to be a part of it. His parents try to dissuade him from going, but nothing will stop him from getting free candy. An adorable and unusual take on Halloween by J. Otto Seibold. 

Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure

An oldie but goodie. As a kid I only knew about the first one; now there is a series. Ivy just adored Jeff Brown's classic. When a bulletin board falls on young Stanley during the night, he wakes up to find himself flat!!! Although it should be a bad thing, Stanley finds it has its advantages. He can slide under doors, climb down drains, soar through the air as a kite, etc. Soon his younger brother, Arthur, wishes he too could be flat. When a local museum's paintings are being stolen, can Flat Stanley help catch a gang of sneak thieves? Find out in this exciting tale. Ivy and I are going to make our own Flat Stanley soon! Get ready for the adventures to begin...

Bats in the Band

What a night we had almost two weeks ago when Brian Lies came to the Blue Bunny in Dedham! My husband and Ivy were outside the store ready with the a guitar and ukelele to greet the esteemed author who drove up in his BATSmobile (a car decorated with scenes from the new book complete with a playable "sewer pipe organ". Atticus was happily banging the plethora of instruments strewn on a table outside of the store. Once inside all the children were enthralled by Lies's new book, Bats in the Band. I think the best part for me was learning about all plays on words and hidden musical references scattered throughout the book. However, the best part by far was when Lies pulled out a drawing that he had made in the 2nd grade. It was a typical 2nd grade drawing, without a hint of the artist that he would become. This really resonated with Ivy who often considers her own artwork to be just scribbles.

Wemberly Worried

My husband got me this book for a present. Me. Not Ivy. I am so worried because Ivy will be starting Pre-K at a new school. I think I am more scared than she is. The Pre-K is 1/2 day, and Ivy will have to be in a lot of aftercare. I am just heart-broken.


This book is about a mouse who worries about everything.

Big things.
Little things.
And things in between.

If you ever know someone who worries, this book is for them. A perfect back to school book that has helped both me and Ivy. At one point Ivy said, "Mom, stop worrying. Think aboutWemberly Worried."

Cinder Edna

Ellen Jackson has created a clever retelling of the Cinderella story. In this tale there are two neighboring damsels with wicked stepsisters and stepmothers who handle their fates in two distinctive ways. Cinderella is portrayed as a silly and vacant girl who cannot get to the ball without her stepmother's help. She wears her elegant glass slippers to the ball and meets the handsome yet pompous Prince Randolph. Cinder Edna, on the other hand, saves money earned cleaning parrot cages, buys a dress, and takes a bus to the ball in her sensible shoes. She meets the goofy and kind Prince Rupert, Randolph's brother who lives in a cottage in the back of the palace and runs a recycling plant. When a sensible shoe and an elegant slipper are left behind, only one couple will live happily ever after. This spunky tale about self-reliance and finding your own happiness is a great read.

Flare

This is a seriously cute book, and not just because I was a Classics major. Kallie George has written a lovely book called Flare about a baby Phoenix. He rises out of the ashes singing, "I am tough. I am strong. My name is Flare." Flare is an orphan, but he is lovingly raised by a cloud, the sun, and the wind. Each of these three tries to teach Phoenix it is o.k. to cry. Their attempts fail until the sun shines on an injured and sad baby bird. It is through this experience that the Phoenix is truly able to understand the power and magic of his tears. Ivy was just fascinated by this book. It appears to be a series - I will be ordering the rest today! It is also simple to read for a beginning reader.

I Feel Five

This new book by Bethanie Deeney Murguia speaks to Ivy, who often probably feels five. With the big birthday looming in October, Ivy is often wondering what it will be like to be big. On the eve of Fritz's fifth birthday, Fritz wonders how he will be different the next day. Throughout the course of the day he is disappointed that he still feels four. Each piece of his day is illustrated with dashing water colors, helping the reader to see that perhaps growing up is a gradual process. In the end it is finding friendship with a girl that helps him to feel perhaps a little bit 5. Adorably sweet.

The Most Wonderful Doll in the World

Phyllis McGinley published this book in 1950, but it was still a hit for Ivy. It is about a young girl named Dulcy, who always wanted the next best thing. She adored dolls, but was always asking for more. One day a neighbor gave her a doll named Angela with a box of clothes. Upon losing it the first night, Dulcy proceeded to misremember her doll to the dismay of all of her friends. No doll could compare to the precious Angela. What will happen to Dulcy? Will she ever find Angela? Find out in this beautifully illustrated chapter book for beginner readers.

What! Cried Granny

An Almost Bedtime Story by Kate Lum has attracted Ms. Ivy. Although she has been more into chapter books as of late, I got this because she loves books about grandparents. When I read this out loud, she made me say "Grammy" (like her Grammy) instead of "Granny" each time. I think it wasn't the actual story that attracted her, but the very last page. She was semi-interested until the last page. She then perked up and asked me to read it four (yes...four) times in a row. In this story young Patrick is having his first overnight with his Granny. As the night progresses, the two realize that Patrick is without quite a few items, including a bed. How will he ever get to sleep...or will he? WHAT?!

"E" Is For Elisa

"E" is for Elisa is about a four-year old girl under the shadow of a big brother. Although Ivy is not under the shadow of a big brother, she can certainly relate to the antics Elisa gets herself into. Elisa wants what she wants - whether it is a beach day in the winter, jumping as far as her big brother, or wearing her bathing suit in the winter. Although a bit boring from an adult perspective, Ivy was taken in - hook, line, and sinker. We ordered the other books in the series; we will report back! Another note - it is illustrated by Lillian Hoban, the illustrator for the Frances series.

The Boxcar Children

Ivy seems to have graduated from picture books at the ripe old age of 4.5. As saddened as I am by this, I am thrilled to begin the next phase. I never read the Boxcar Children when I was young, but I wish I had. Both of us just adored the first one in the series. One of the reasons why I think we both like it, is that there is no magic, only the magic the kids make when they have to survive on their own. The children, recently orphaned, only have themselves to rely on. After the death of their parents, they run away, after hearing they might have to live with their estranged grandfather who never accepted their mother. They have no money, and eventually settle in an old boxcar. Henry, the oldest, finds work doing odds and ends for a local doctor. They find an old dump and set up their new home. In the process, the children find they are not as alone as they might think. We read the whole thing in two days. We already checked the second out!

Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century

The dynamic duo, Robin Preiss Glasser and Jane O'Connor, have done it again in the latest installment of the Fancy Nancy series, Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century. When Nancy and her family are invited to her Uncle's wedding, she naturally assumes it will be a fancy affair, the wedding of the century if you will. When she arrives at a lake and discovers her uncle and new aunt are the non-traditional types, what will Nancy do? Will she still be able to add her spark and flair? Naturellement!

E.B. White

As an adult you tend to forget how powerful children's literature can be. In the last few weeks Ivy and I have read Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. Ivy loved them both, although the antics of Stuart were her favorite. It also contained a picture per page, a big help when you are four! What I love about E.B. White is that his language is beautiful and he is not afraid to use adult vocabulary. Ivy did not even blink an eye.

Favorite lines that made Ivy laugh and laugh:

"Thith thtuff thticks in my mouth, " complained the rat. 

"If 'oo 'on't 'ocate a 'ird in 'entrak 'ark, 'ake a 'ew 'ork 'ew 'aven & 'artford 'ailway 'n 'ook in 'onnecticut."

Thoughts for you:

“Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.' 'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.” 
― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

The Magic Treehouse Series

My Ivy is growing up. Although she still loves picture books, over the past few weeks she has branched into Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, Winnie the Pooh and...The Magic Treehouse Series by Mary Pope Osborne. Jack an Annie, a brother and sister adventure team, discover a magical treehouse that transports them in time through the help of books. Each book is wrought with excitement, learning, suspense, and a bit of mystery. Ivy literally jumps in her bed out of excitement, waiting for what will happen next. Although not a literary canon, these books pack a punch of learning and fun. We have already read five.

Bridget's Beret

Ivy was floored by this book. Bridget is a young girl so enthralled with art that she loves it as much as ice cream.

Her artist's beret provides the inspiration she needs until one day a gust of wind blows it away. While trying to find a replacement hat, Bridget comes to the conclusion her creativity is blocked and she will never do art again. After some crayon throwing and refreshing screaming, Bridget sulks. No one can get her out of her funk until her little sister asks her to make a poster for her lemonade stand. Bridget agrees as long as there is no drawing - just a sign. Does a beret make all the difference after all? Ivy really related to this book. She was floored that someone could love art as much as that.

Birdie's Big Girl Hair

Sujean Kim's latest, Birdie's Big Girl Hair, is a huge hit with Ivy.

Although the book has few words, it is the subject matter and gorgeous illustrations that she adores. Thelittle fashion diva, Birdie, wants to get her hair styled. She has trouble deciding her new look until she sees her mother's high school yearbook. Who better to look like than her mommy? After a trip to the stylist, Birdie runs off with her friends to the playground. What happens when her hair begins to lose its coiffed look? Find out in this lovely new picture book.

Extra Yarn

Anabelle lives in a cold and colorless town. When she comes across a box of yearn, she knits herself a sweater, adding a splash of color across the page. The box had some extra yarn, so she knit her dog a sweater. She proceeds to work her magic over the grumpy people in her town, bringing color to their worlds. Magically, every time she finishes a project, there is extra yarn. There is also more color in the town. Find out what will happen to this magical ball of yarn and the colorful Anabelle.

Extra Yarn by Marc Bennet

Melissa Guion

Ivy had the pleasure of meeting Melissa Guion at the Blue Bunny last week. She wrote and illustrated Baby Penguins Everywhere!, which we had signed for Ivy's baby brother, Atticus, since it came in a board book edition! It is a lovely book about a lonely little penguin who finds a hat. When one baby penguin after another pops out, the little penguin is overjoyed with the company. She soon realizes (much like I do...especially today on a snow day!) that a little alone time is good for the soul. Ivy, the four-year-old who asked for art lessons, was thrilled to meet an illustrator. Not only did Ivy meet her, but Melissa taught her how to draw a penguin. Ivy was so thrilled by this that she has been drawing penguins in her spare time all week at school. A wonderful book by a wonderful illustrator who takes the time to inspire others.

Melissa Guion

Ivy had the pleasure of meeting Melissa Guion at the Blue Bunny last week. She wrote and illustrated Baby Penguins Everywhere!, which we had signed for Ivy's baby brother, Atticus, since it came in a board book edition! It is a lovely book about a lonely little penguin who finds a hat. When one baby penguin after another pops out, the little penguin is overjoyed with the company. She soon realizes (much like I do...especially today on a snow day!) that a little alone time is good for the soul. Ivy, the four-year-old who asked for art lessons, was thrilled to meet an illustrator. Not only did Ivy meet her, but Melissa taught her how to draw a penguin. Ivy was so thrilled by this that she has been drawing penguins in her spare time all week at school. A wonderful book by a wonderful illustrator who takes the time to inspire others.

Frozen

Although I hate to waste a blog writing on Disney, I do have to be true to Ivy's loves. The Disney Frozen Read Along is one of Ivy's favorites. Poor Matt has to listen to it over and over again. The sound effects and voices make it come alive for Ivy on her long commutes home. Listening to this CD helped her to be less frightened when she saw Frozen, her first movie!

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King

Last year it was difficult to find an age appropriate book for Ivy on black rights. This year we have a winner, a simple tale with beautifully etched pictures by Jean Marzollo and J. Brian Pinkney. Ivy is quite interested in the life of this celebrated American hero. She seems fascinated that you needed a different school/water fountain if you were black. It has prompted a lot of conversations about race over the past week. She wants to read it every night before bed! The treatment of his assassination is age appropriate; it simply says he was shot and killed.

 While reading this book, Ivy asked about the words on his gravestone, "Free at last, free at last, God Almighty free at last!" We decided to buy her I Have A Dream, a book containing King's original speech and a recording of it. We have not yet made it through - hoping to do this during the next few weekends. Nelson's paintings are just beautiful.