The Three Questions

End of December...good time for a four-year-old to ponder the meaning of life, right? Jon J. Muth has taken Tolstoy's work and created a work for children with his beautiful watercolors. A young boy, Nikolai, attempts to answer his three big questions - What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? Not satisfied by his friends' answers, he seeks the counsel of a wizened old turtle. He finds his answer in an unexpected way!

Christmas on Exeter Street

This is an unusual book as well as Ivy's favorite this holiday season. It is Christmas Eve in the big house on Exeter Street. A mother and her two children are expecting a few guests, but the house ends up bursting full by the end of the night. Each guest sleeps and a more and more unusual place - shelves, a baby in the sink, bathtubs, etc. Even the guests are unusual - "two fat men and their wives", a homeless woman and her baby, and kids with parents vacationing in Timbuktu. The book just gets more and more unusual. However, the message is a holiday message - open your heart and your home; Saint Nick will find you wherever you roam!

Merry Christmas!

By: Dianne Hendry
Illustrator: John Lawrence

I'll Be Home For Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas stories. Toot is not home from Ireland, and Christmas is fast approaching. Puddle has done all the preparations, save signing Toot's name on the Christmas cards. Toot promises to be home for Christmas, but when a big snow storm hits Boston, Toot struggles to get back to his friend. When he feels like hope is lost, he sits in the snow and takes out his lucky nut from his Aunt. Soon a mysterious visitor in a red suit and sleigh appears to help him out.

In this heartwarming story about friendship, Holly Hobbie dazzles us once again with the warmth and spirit of her drawings. A must read. There was a wonderful movie made as well.

Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller

Sophie's Squash is probably my favorite fall book of 2013. It is fresh, original, and right up Ivy's alley. Young Sophie falls in love with a squash at the local farmer's market. She takes Bernice with her everywhere - on errands, to school, to visit other squash, and even to bed. Despite her mother's warnings that Bernice will rot, Sophie continues to bring Bernice with her. When others start to complain, Bernice is forced to listen to the advice of a squash farmer. Bernice is covered with the snow while she is restoring herself in dirt. Will she survive the winter? Find out in this heartwarming tale of a girl and her squash.

P.S. Ivy is getting a squash this weekend.

'Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving by Dave Pilkey

"Twas the day before Thanksgiving
and all through the trees
the fall leaves were spinning
aloft in the breeze...

Dave Pilkey has spun an adorable tale about young children out on a field trip to a farm. Upon arriving the turkeys and children form an immediate bond. The beauty of the day is marred when the farmer is seen sharpening his knife. The children are horrified to learn what will happen to the turkeys. Hilarity ensues as the children hatch a plan to save their poultry pals.

Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano

Let's start off the holiday season with some turkey! Poor Turkey is worried. He had just survived Thanksgiving when he overheard that turkey was on the menu for Christmas. Hilarity ensues as Turkey tries to gain an audience with Santa Claus so he can grant his wish to live through Christmas. The elves, however, will not let Turkey into Santa's home. Turkey tries numerous disguises, including a candy cane, tree, and a present. When he finally meets with Santa, Santa has the perfect plan and disguise for turkey.

PIZZA BE WITH YOU and happy holidays,
      Love, Turkey

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Working full time and having two young children has slowed down my blogging! Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and Ivy has begun her holiday reading. We discovered Eve Bunting's A Turkey for Thanksgiving. Mr. and Mrs. Moose are having a grand Thanksgiving dinner, but they do not have a turkey. Mr. Moose asks all of his friends if they have seen a turkey. Spoiler Alert: When the turkey is finally found, the reader discovers that they want the turkey at the table - not on it. Ivy loved the pictures and found the ending amusing. A must read!