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.