Claire Freedman's A Magical Christmas is not the most exciting of books, but the pictures are filled with adorable mice AND have sparkles.  Who doesn't love sparkles?  We only read this a few times, but it would make for a beautiful gift!

Llama Llama

Last night Ivy and I were at Tatnucks, and Ivy had me read every Llama, Llama book by Anna Dewdney in the store.  She just adores them.  The llama behaves in a toddler typical fashion, something she relates to easily.  One of her favorites is Llama, Llama Misses Mama.  She makes her daddy read it when I am away.

As the days get closer to Halloween, Ivy's literary tastes turn towards witches, bats, and pumpkins.  One book that is not as scary as it looks is Mouse's First Halloween by Lauren Thompson.  A little mouse finds the sights and sounds of Halloween scary at first, but is soon comforted when he sees what each sight/sound is. 

Ivy has been waking up at night scared of the dark.  This new favorite of hers is about a baby owl alone in the woods - I'm Not Scared by Jonathan Allen.   The little owl keeps jumping when his friends approach.  However, he insists that he is not scared; it is owlie, his stuffed baby owl, who is scared.  It is very cute.  So cute I am ordering the next in this series about an owl - I'm Not Cute. 

I was shocked when Ivy not only allowed me to finish Ella The Elegant Elephant  by Carmella and Steven D'amico, but wanted to read it again!  It is slightly longer than her usual books, but is filled with adorable elephants cavorting in Little Village.  It is about a young elephant named Ella trying to find her place in a new school and a new town. 

Even though this is a bit of a "baby" book, Ivy loves Usbourne's Baby's Very First Series.  On every trip to the library she pulls any book from this series off the shelves.  She loves them because she can "read" them to me.  There is only one word per page with a picture.  An excellent choice for any baby/toddler.  Below is one of her favorites.                        

Ivy's piggy party is getting close.  She will be two in a little over a week.  She is interested in party books.  She has been enjoying Nancy Tafuri's The Barn Party.  It combines parties and farm animals.  What more could a young girl ask for?

Another Victoria Kann book has surfaced as a favorite.  Ivy is quite interested in the plight of young Pinkalicious.  All of her friends now like black.  What is she to do?  Fortunately, she finds a new friend  who appreciates the power of pink.  Check out Purplicious by Victoria Kann. 

How could I forget Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi?  Ivy loves Taro Gomi's books so much she can say his name.  However, pooping sends her into paroxysms of mirth.  This has been a favorite for a few months.  Her only unanswered question is "What does whale poop look like?"  Taro never does tell you. 

We took out When Coco Was A Kitten by Deborah Nyland from the library for the 2nd time.  Ivy liked it the first time and loved it the second.  I think I read it seven times in a row last weekend.  It has bright, bold pictures.  

Although this was not a favorite of Ivy's at first, it now is!! For all of you Austen fans... A BabyLit board book....Little Miss Austen Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Adams.  It is really cute and a great counting book!  I am anxiously awaiting Little Miss Miss Bronte Jane Eyre.

As fall approaches, Ivy's book tastes turn from beach reads to sleeping animals!  Her latest obsession is How Do You Sleep? by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud.  She has memorized most of the last words due to the melodic rhymes. 

Ivy's POW: Pick of the Week

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Ivy has been asking for "Silly Sally" by Audrey Wood and yelling, "Buy that!" In an attempt to discourage greed, mommy ordered it from the library.  We have read it four times tonight! 

Ivy's POW: Pick of the Week

There is something about Lucy Cousins's drawings that attracts toddlers.  I have done some research on this.  Ivy is no different.  She adores it.  One of her best friends, Blayke, came over yesterday.  "Maisy Big, Maisy Small" was one of the first books she picked up!  This is a bit long, but Ivy has almost memorized all of the opposites! 

Ivy's POW: Pick of the Week

Ivy, age 21 months, has been vacationing in Maine and LOVES anything related to the beach.

The bookworm recommends:  Ladybug Girl at the Beach by David Soman and Jacky Davis