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.