I love sharing book recommendations and seeing all these blog posts with lists of books for different themes. Since Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, I thought I’d share our list of 10 Valentine Books for preschoolers. Here is what we’ve been reading and some new books we will read this week.
1. Love From the Crayons
by Drew Daywalt
Rosebud loves the book, “The Day the Crayons Quit”, so she’d probably love this one too. I haven’t seen this one before, but this will be one of our must reads for Valentine’s Day.
Description
Ring in Valentine’s Day–and love–with the New York Times Best-Selling Crayons! This charming new title featuring everyone’s favorite coloring crew is the perfect gift for that special someone on Valentine’s Day–or any day of the year.
Love is yellow and orange. Because love is sunny and warm.
Love is purple. Because it’s okay to love outside the lines.
This special gift book, featuring all the The Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit, explores the bright colors and subtle shades of love. This is a must-have for fans of The Crayons, and the perfect gift for that special someone.
2. Happy Valentine’s Day Mouse
by Laura Numeroff
Rosebud loves the “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” series, so I had to buy her this book last year. It’s a bit shorter than her other books, but it’s a simple introduction to Valentine’s Day.
Description
This board book with sturdy pages is perfect for preschoolers, who will enjoy the simple introduction to the fun of Valentine’s Day.
“This title follows Mouse as he makes valentines for all of his friends,” said School Library Journal. “Each valentine is made to represent what he loves most about each of his friends, such as Pig ‘because she’s a good dancer’ and Bunny ‘because she’s the best at hide-and-seek.'”
Budding artists and crafters will love this book, perfect for pairing with Valentine’s Day activities. A surprise at the end adds to the read-aloud fun!
3. Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
Who doesn’t love “The Very Hungry Caterpillar?” It’s a Valentine’s twist on the classic book.
Description
with #1 New York Times Best-Selling Title!
“You are the cherry on my cake; you make the sun shine brighter; you make my heart flutter.” Using a range of images from the World of Eric Carle, and featuring the Very Hungry Caterpillar, this special gift book gives all the reasons why someone special makes the world a better and brighter place. Perfect for that someone special any day of the year!
4. The Biggest Valentine Ever
by Steven Kroll
A great story with an important message about what we can do when we work together.
Description
When Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines, Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together and give it to their teacher as a surprise. But things don’t go as planned. First Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then Desmond puts on too many hearts. Soon the friends are arguing and they rip the card in half. “I’m going to make my own valentine!” they both say and go home in a huff.
But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever!
Kids can use the colorful foil stickers to make their own valentines!
5. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose
by Lucille Colandro
Rosebud loves these books and now there seems to be one for every occasion.
Description
Our favorite lady is back and hungry for Valentine’s Day treats!
That lovely old lady has returned just in time for Valentine’s Day. Now she’s swallowing items to make a very special gift for her valentine!
With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this wacky version of the classic song will appeal to young readers as they follow the Old Lady on a wild Valentine’s Day adventure.
6. I Love You to the Moon and Back
by Amelia Hepworth
I’ve never read this before now, but it fits in with our theme of Valentines and love. It’s perfect for toddlers and younger preschoolers.
Description
The sun rises, and a bear and cub begin their day together. They splash in the water, climb mountains, and watch the shimmering sky. They show their love by touching noses, playing chase, and of course, hugging. A sweet, gentle rhyme, perfect for sharing with a special little one!
7. Love, Splat (Splat the Cat)
by Rob Scotton
We found this one on Youtube the other day and it was a cute story.
Description
It’s Valentine’s Day and Splat has a special valentine for a certain someone in his class. Her name is Kitten, and Splat likes her even more than fish sticks and ice cream. But Kitten doesn’t seem to like him at all. And then there’s Splat’s rival, Spike, who also likes Kitten. Will Splat’s heartfelt valentine win Kitten’s paw in the end?
8. Roses Are Pink Your Feet Really Stink
by Diane DeGroat
Of course, Rosebud wanted to read this because of the title, but it’s one of those books with a good message.
Description
Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines…and signs the wrong name on both!
When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert’s prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there’s always time for a change of heart on Valentine’s Day.
The Valentine Bears
by Eve Bunting
Here’s a sweet classic book about two bears who celebrate Valentine’s Day together for the first time.
Description
Mr. and Mrs. Bear have never celebrated St. Valentine’s Day because they hibernate during the winter.
10. This is Not a Valentine
by Carter Higgens
This book is about showing people you love them every day, not just on a holiday. The message might be above preschoolers heads, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
Description
This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about? Maybe this book is sort of a valentine after all. A testament to handmade, wacky, bashful, honest love—sure to win over the hearts of all readers—this offering from debut picture book author Carter Higgins and children’s book veteran Lucy Ruth Cummins is the perfect gift to celebrate every relationship, from parent to child, sibling to sibling, partner to partner, crush to crush.
That wraps up our list of 10 Valentine’s books for preschoolers. There are so many books out there, so maybe you have found one you haven’t seen before from this list. What are you reading with your children this Valentine’s Day? Tell me in the comments. Happy reading!
There are so many fun Halloween books for kids. It was hard to narrow it down. I was going to stop at ten, but then I found a couple more cute books that I had never heard of and just had to include them as well. Here is our list of the top 12 Halloween books for preschoolers.
Big Pumpkin
By Erica Silverman
I first recommended this book in my list of fun Halloween books for toddlers. This is one of my favorite Halloween books for kids. It has a great message and it’s a fun story. My preschoolers loved this book. Especially the audio version. Rosebud is also obsessed with it and wants to read it year round.
Description
A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book.
The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can’t get it off the vine.
It’s so big the ghost can’t move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there’ll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day.
How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You’ll be surprised!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
By Linda Williams
I was introduced to this book last year by my pre-k class. They asked for this almost every day, so I came home and showed it to Rosebud. It was a big hit with her as well and she even wants to read this when it’s not Halloween.
Description
Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.
And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.
A classic and fun Halloween story that neither you nor the kids in your life will be able to resist, whether curled up at home or in a classroom or library setting.
Little Boo
By Stephen Wunderli
I have never read this book, but it looks like a fun story. We will be reading this one too.
Description
The leaves fall, the wind blows, and one little pumpkin seed tries and tries to be scary. But he doesn’t scare anyone . . . not the snowflakes in winter, not the bees in spring, not even the watering can!
The wind tells him to be patient―he’ll be scary soon enough. But waiting is hard. Will the little seed ever be really, truly scary?
This simple story is more than a fun Halloween read―it is a heartwarming tale perfect for any child who can’t wait to grow up.
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
By Joe Troiano
I love this book because of the messages of tolerance and that differences can be positive. Rosebud loves this book as well.
Description
One day in the pumpkin patch the strangest little pumpkin hatched . . . Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day!
This perennial best-selling children’s book delivers a special message of tolerance and kindness that is just right for fall . . . and any time of year!
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat!
By Lucille Colandro
This is a popular series of books. Rosebud has loved all of them that I’ve read to her so far and she’s even laughed out loud at some of them. They have these books for every occasion. I’d highly recommend them.
Description
This spooky twist on the wildly popular “There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly” is perfect for fun Halloween reading!What won’t this old lady swallow? This time around, a bat, an owl, a cat, a ghost, a goblin, some bones, and a wizard are all on the menu! This Halloween-themed twist on the classic “little old lady” books will delight and entertain all brave readers who dare to read it!
Snowmen at Halloween
By Caralyn M. Buehner
I have never heard of this book before, but have heard of Snowmen at Night which my preschool classes enjoy. We will definitely read this before Halloween! Rosebud loves snowmen books.
Description
The snowmen are getting their Halloween costumes ready for the latest picture book in this New York Times bestselling series.
Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do when we’re not watching?
After an early snowfall, a few kids build some snowmen before going trick-or-treating. And when the kids go off to bed, the snowmen have their own Halloween festival! There’s candy and apple-bobbing and costume contests and all sorts of autumn activities. When the kids wake up the next morning, the snowmen are gone… but they’ve left a very special message behind.
The Littlest Pumpkin
By R.A. Herman
Description
When Bartlett’s Farm Stand closes for the season, the Littlest Pumpkin, who longs to make someone happy for Halloween, is devastated to be the only pumpkin left, but when a group of mice come along, they make the Littlest Pumpkin the happiest pumpkin in the world!
The Ugly Pumpkin
By Dave Horowitz
Description
In time for Thanksgiving, a wacky twist on The Ugly Duckling.
The Ugly Pumpkin has waited all through October for someone to take him home, but no one wants him. He doesn’t look like other pumpkins. So the lonely Ugly Pumpkin leaves the patch in search of a place where he’ll fit in. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, he discovers the truth about who he is–but it’s not what he expected!
Room on the Broom
By Julia Donaldson
Rosebud loves this book and the movie they’ve made as well. It’s a great book about friendship and including others.
Description
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
Too Many Pumpkins
By Linda White
I haven’t read this one yet with Rosebud, but it was always a hit with my preschool classes.
Description
What can you do with too many pumpkins?
Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.
A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can’t stomach.
Filled with colorful illustrations from a season of gardening, this is a perfect book for young gardeners and pumpkin lovers. Its wonderful lesson about helping others can be appreciated in the classroom or at home.
Ghosts in the House
By Kazuno Kohara
I haven’t read this one yet, but it looks like a cute story.
Description
JUST THE RIGHT MIX OF SWEET AND SCARY for the youngest trick-or treaters
At the edge of town lives a clever girl with a spooky problem: Her house is haunted! Luckily, she happens to be a witch and knows a little something about taking care of ghosts. She catches them, puts them in the washing machine, airs them out to dry, and gives them new lives as sofa covers, table cloths, and, of course, bed sheets to cozy up under. Fresh and charming illustrations in dynamic orange, black and white bring this resourceful heroine and these spooky ghosts to life.
The Vanishing Pumpkin
By Tony Johnston
Description
A classic Halloween story about a pumpkin gone missing is certain to delight readers of all ages!
When a 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man want to make pumpkin pie on Halloween, they can’t find their pumpkin. “Our pumpkin’s been snitched,” cries the woman. And off they go to find it.
How to Make Friends With a Ghost
By Rebecca Green
Description
What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you’ll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you.
A whimsical story about ghost care, Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a perfect combination of offbeat humor, quirky and sweet illustrations, and the timeless theme of friendship.
Ten Timid Ghosts
By Jennifer O’Connell
I’m glad I found all these ghost books because Rosebud wants to be a ghost for Halloween. These will be perfect.
Description
This bestselling counting book for beginning readers is filled with ghosts, a witch
and spooky fun!
It’s Halloween, and ten timid ghosts in a haunted house have a problem: a mean witch has moved in and is planning to scare them out, one by one! Young trick-or-treaters learn to count down from ten to one as each ghost flees from the witch’s silly costumes and homemade props. When the homeless ghosts gather in the woods, their fear turns to determination and they plot to get their house back. Will the ghosts frighten the witch away in time for Halloween night?
What are your favorite Halloween books? Tell me in the comments. Happy reading!
Now that September is here, it’s getting closer to Halloween. I thought it might be fun to share a list of haunting books for Halloween. Most of these are nonfiction stories of paranormal experiences. These kinds of stories fascinate me, but these books are definitely not for everyone. I just wanted to mention that they are books for adults. I’ll do a halloween books for preschoolers post very soon and click here if you are looking for Halloween books for toddlers. I have read a few of the books on the list. Some of them are entertaining while others are scary and possibly disturbing in parts, but isn’t that the whole point? If you are interested in the paranormal, these books are for you.
Haunted: The Incredible True Story of a Canadian Family’s Experience Living in a Haunted House
by Dorah L. Williams
The thing I liked most about this book was that even though it was about paranormal experiences, I did not find it that scary or negative. There was nothing evil about it. The home owners found a way to coexist with the ghosts and figure out why they they were there. This doesn’t happen in a lot of the paranormal stories I’ve read.
Description
It was an irrational decision. Despite having just moved into a beautiful new house, the Williams family gave in to an odd, overwhelming desire to purchase and move into a Victorian home they had come upon by chance. They were curious, of course, as to why the house had, in the past, such a high vacancy rate – no one ever seemed to live in it for a long period of time. But that curiosity didn’t last long, because shortly after moving in, strange things began to happen. It became abundantly clear that the home’s past owners all had a reason for leaving: fear. The Williams’ new home was haunted. At first, the family tried telling themselves there were logical explanations for the strange things they all were witnessing. But before long they came to accept the fact that they were sharing their home with ghosts. Haunted is the Williams family’s story from the point of view of the mother, Dorah. Through her chilling reminiscences, we witness the all-too-real goings-on in the house. And we join the family as they seek a way to bring an end to the paranormal events that were occurring with ever more frequency and intensity, and learn why the events began in the first place.
Paranormal Intruder: The True Story of A Family Living in Fear
by Caroline Michell
Description
An innocent family finds itself completely helpless against the sudden onset of paranormal activity in their quiet rural home. A knife embedded in a kitchen cupboard, crockery smashed by invisible hands, and blood-chilling growls emit from thin air. Caroline and her husband Neil search for answers as they try to protect their family from the unseen entity that seems determined to rip them apart. The biggest question looms over them like a dark cloud … who is going to help us?
There are emergency services for many things, but not of this nature. It might be easier to believe temporary insanity, if not for the vast amount of witnesses. Police, fire services, mediums, priests and investigators all become embroiled in the mystery. The family struggles to cope, and Caroline grows concerned for her husband’s failing health as he withdraws from the world. However, the entity has only just begun. Paranormal Intruder is the true story of one family’s brave fight against an invisible entity. Described as one of the best-documented cases of paranormal activity, this book will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
The Uninvited: The True Story of the Union Screaming House
by Steven A. LaChance
If you’ve ever seen the show, A Haunting, this story was featured in one of the episodes. The events in the book were a little different than shown on tv. I’m not sure about the stuff about actual demons, but it was an interesting read.
Description
What kind of evil lives at the Union Screaming House?
In this true and terrifying firsthand account, Steven LaChance reveals how he and his three children were driven from their Union, Missouri, home by demonic attackers.
LaChance chronicles how the house’s relentless supernatural predators infest those around them. He consults paranormal investigators, psychics, and priests, but the demonic attacks—screams, growls, putrid odors, invisible shoves, bites, and other physical violations—only grow worse. The entities clearly demonstrate their wrath and power: killing family pets, sexually assaulting individuals, even causing two people to be institutionalized.
The demons’ next target is the current homeowner, Helen. When the entities take possession and urge Helen toward murder and madness, LaChance must engage in a hair-raising battle for her soul.
Graves End: A True Story
by Elaine Mercado
Description
You leave us alone; we’ll leave you alone.
When Elaine Mercado and her first husband bought their home in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1982, they had no idea that they and their two young daughters were embarking on a thirteen-year nightmare.
Within a few days of moving in, Elaine and her older daughter began to experience the sensation of being watched. Then came scratching noises and weird smells, followed by voices whispering, maniacal laughter, shadowy figures scurrying along baseboards, and small balls of light bouncing along the ceilings. From the beginning of the haunting, “suffocating dreams” were experienced by everyone except the younger daughter. These eventually accelerated to physical aggression directed at Elaine and both the girls.
This book is the true story of how one family tried to cope with living in a haunted house. It also describes how, with the help of parapsychologist Dr. Hans Holzer and medium Marisa Anderson, the family discovered the tragic and heartbreaking secrets buried in the house at Grave’s End.
The Sallie House Haunting: A True Story
by Debra Lyn Pickman
This was another story featured on A Haunting. I haven’t read this book yet, so don’t know how it compares to the episode.
Description
This is the firsthand account of what Tony and Debra Pickman and their newborn son Taylor experienced in the now notorious Sallie House, from the day they moved in to the turn-of-the-century haunted house until they finally fled in terror. The story of the Sallie House and the fire-starting ghost girl who haunted it has sparked endless rumors and theories of murder, cover-ups, racism, and abuse. But the Pickmans know the real story because they lived it—and barely made it out alive.
Now, for the first time, Tony and Debra reveal untold stories from their ordeal. They describe Sallie’s seemingly protective fascination with their baby, and tell what it was like to live with menacing entities that scratched, bit, and terrorized their family. Along with historical research, the Pickmans share personal photographs and journal entries from their time spent living in the nightmare house that still haunts them today.
The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren
by Gerald Brittle
I was on the fence about reading this book because like I said, I’m not sure about demons. It sounds so out of this world to me and that’s what a lot of this book was about, but I gave it a chance. While I thought the book was good as it showed the hoghlights of the carreers of Ed and Lorraine Warren, there were parts that were disturbing. Some of it was just crazy stuff that you don’t know how it could even happen. These are their most extraordinary cases. With books like these, you just have to read and then decide for yourself what you believe.
Description
Ed and Lorraine Warren are considered America’s foremost experts on demonology and exorcism. With thousands of investigations to their credit, they reveal what actually breaks the peace in haunted houses and how it can happen to you. Don’t miss the Warrens in the blockbuster films, “The Conjuring,” “The Nun,” and “Annabelle Comes Home” in theaters now. In The Demonologist, the Warrens discuss many of their most famous cases including the ones that are the basis for the films “Annabelle” and “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist.” If you think ghosts are only responsible for hauntings, think again. Used as a text in seminaries and classrooms, this is one book you can’t put down. Now includes exclusive photographic documentation of phenomena in progress. Other titles by Ed & Lorraine Warren include Graveyard, Ghost Hunters, The Haunted, In a Dark Place, Werewolf, and Satan’s Harvest.
Haunted Healthcare: Medical Professionals and Patients Share their Encounters with the Paranormal
by Richard Estep
This book looks interesting and is free on Kindle Unlimited, so I want to check it out. This is a collection of short stories based on the paranormal experiences of medical professionals.
Description
Many of those who have chosen the medical profession are no stranger to the paranormal. Ghosts walk the hallways of hospitals both old and new, haunting the wards and operating rooms.
Join Richard Estep, paramedic, paranormal investigator, and cast members of TV’s “Haunted Case Files” and “Haunted Hospitals,” as he talks to EMTs, nurses, medical professionals, and patients alike, documenting their most intense and chilling encounters with ghosts and spirits.
Dare YOU walk the hallways of some of the world’s most haunted medical facilities? Welcome to the world of Haunted Healthcare…
Supposedly Haunted: A True Life Experiences of a Paranormal Investigator
by E. E. Bensen
This is another book I found on Kindle Unlimited. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m including it because it’s from the perspective of an investigator.
Description
A paranormal investigator details his search for proof of an afterlife through the exploration of supposedly haunted locations. He discusses what brought him into the paranormal research field, describes real life supernatural events witnessed firsthand during his numerous investigations, and also provides an opinion of what all of it might be. Experiencing paranormal phenomena has a way of changing one’s perspective. Locations include Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Preston Castle, The Washoe Club, The Stanley Hotel, Old Tooele Hospital (Asylum 49), Farrar Elementary School, and more!
Spookiest Objects: Discover the World’s Most Haunted Objects
by Terrence Zepke
So far, all the books have been about haunted houses or other locations, but according to some, objects can be haunted too. This looks like an interesting read.
Description
Did you know that objects can be haunted the same way a place can be haunted?
If you don’t believe that’s possible, these stories will likely change your mind.
*The Royal Chairs of Belcourt violently eject those who try to sit in them.
*Annabelle is one scary doll! The true (and terrifying) story about what happened to the owner and the resulting investigation led by a team of renowned paranormal experts was documented in a movie released by a Hollywood studio.
*Anna’s Wedding Dress often swings wildly inside a sealed display case. Investigations have been conducted but no rational explanation has ever been discovered.
*The world’s biggest diamond was donated to a museum. Find out why the owner felt he had no choice but to give this stone to a museum rather than sell it for a huge sum of money.
*The characters in the painting, The Hands Resist Him have been captured on film crawling out of the painting late at night!
…and much more!
Learn why all the objects discussed in this book have been destroyed, hidden, or locked up so that no one can ever come into contact with them ever again.
Ghost Crimes: Based on Actual Paranormal Cases
by Allen Gare
Here is another paranormal read that looks interesting that you can find for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Description
As heard on “Coast to Coast with George Noory”.
Paranormal activity isn’t limited to missing household items, strange knocking on the walls and glimpses of transparent images out of the corner of our eyes. Sometimes, the activity is aggressive, harmful and even fatal. Thanks to paranormal investigators, psychics and mediums and people willing to openly share their experiences, our awareness of other-worldly beings has expanded. Over the years, law enforcement personnel have experienced their share of paranormal encounters but weren’t always willing to face potential ridicule at their admission. Today, the occurrence of the unnatural is so prevalent that official police cases have a designated code to define a crime’s paranormal element.
Ghost Crimes chronicles of the crime investigations of Detective Burke. Residing in central Florida, Burke is driven by his sworn duty to protect the innocent, especially children. A possession case in June of 1996 finds him face-to-face with the paranormal world. He struggles to make sense of the unbelievable event and many more to come.
A Haunted Love Story: The Ghosts of the Allen House
by Mark Spencer
I’ll wrap this list up with another story that was featured on A Haunting. It’s amazing what you can find in an old house.
Description
When Mark Spencer and his family moved into the beautiful old Allen House in Monticello, Arkansas, they were aware of its notorious reputation for being haunted. According to local lore, the troubled spirit of society belle Ladell Allen, who had mysteriously committed suicide in the master bedroom in 1948, still roamed the grand historic mansion. Yet, Mark remained skeptical—until he and his family began encountering faceless phantoms, a doppelganger spirit, and other paranormal phenomena. Ensuing ghost investigations offered convincing evidence that six spirits, including Ladell, inhabited their home. But the most shocking event occurred the day Mark followed a strange urge to explore the attic and found, crammed under a floorboard, secret love letters that touchingly depict Ladell Allen’s forbidden, heart-searing romance—and shed light on her tragic end.
Do you have any favorite scary stories? Either fiction or nonfiction. Let me know in the comments. Happy reading!
Rosebud loves music. She loves to sing and make up random songs as she plays. She sings along with the radio in the car and she loves to turn anything into a drum. Lately, her favorite drums are pots and pans. It makes total sense that some of her favorite books are musical as well. Here is a list of 10 sing along books for preschoolers to add to your collection.
Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs
by Eric Litwin
These books are great. I heard this one being read to the pre-k class at work and that night, I read it with Rosebud. It’s one of her favorites now. It’s also appropriate right now because we’re working on sharing with friends. It’s fun, but teaches an important lesson as well.
Book Description
Groovy Joe was living the dream.
He had a spoon and tub of doggy ice cream.
And he started to sing:
Love my doggy ice cream! Love my doggy ice cream!
Eric Litwin, author of the bestselling and beloved Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, and bestselling artist Tom Lichtenheld, illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, have created a captivating new canine character who will groove his way into readers’ hearts and have them grooving and giggling all the while. In his debut adventure, Groovy Joe faces three roaring dinosaurs hungry for his doggy ice cream! Oh no! But Joe knows just what to do and soon enough he has them all sharing while moving and singing along.
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons
by Eric Litwin
I couldn’t write this list without including a Pete the Cat book. These are very popular right now and one of Rosebud’s favorites is Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. This book is musical, has math concepts and teaches kids to go with the flow. What more could you want? Book Description
An award-winning and bestselling Pete the Cat hardcover picture book!
Count down with Pete in this rocking story that makes counting fun! Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons.
But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? The winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award.
We All Go Traveling By
by Sheena Roberts
This is an older book that one of the volunteers picked out for us from the library. I had never heard of it before, but Rosebud really enjoyed it. She’d ask for it almost every night until I had to return it. She loved singing along, dancing and making up different motions for the different vehicles. Book Description
This rhythmic I-spy journey to school through various landscapes is the perfect introduction to colors, modes of transport, and of course, music! The jaunty text, Siobhan Bell s colorful hand-stitched illustrations and the accompanying Music CD by popular singer Fred Penner are sure to get children singing along happily. The I-Spy theme encourages reader/listener interaction, while the cumulative, repetitive text helps build sequencing skills. We All Go Traveling By is ideal for read-aloud and music and movement activities.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
by Michael Rosin
This classic book is a fun one. I remember this from when I was little. A pre-k class I had several years ago loved to listen to a song they’ve made from this book. It was such a fun music and movement activity for them. Now I play it for Rosebud and she loves it as well. Book Description
THE AWARD-WINNING CLASSIC IN POP-UP
We’re going on a bear hunt.
We’re going to catch a big one.
Will you come too?
For years readers have been swishy swashing and splash sploshing through this award-winning favorite. Now fans of the original classic can join in all the fun of the bear hunt with this incredible collectible edition featuring pop-ups, flaps to lift, tabs to pull, and sound effects!
Marsupial Sue
by John Lithgow
I had never seen this one before either until the volunteer found it at the library. This was Rosebud’s favorite out of the last bunch we checked out. It introduces the animals from Australia, but what I really liked about it was the message that it’s okay to be yourself. Book Description
If you’re a Kangaroo
through and through,
Just do what Kangaroos do.
Young Sue really doesn’t like being a kangaroo, so she goes off to find something better. First she tries climbing the trees like a koala, but that doesn’t work. Then she wades into the sea like a platypus, but that’s no good either. Finally, Sue joins up with some bouncy, jouncy wallabies…and discovers that being a kangaroo isn’t so bad, after all.
Using a jaunty waltz rhythm, actor, comedian, and best-selling author John Lithgow reassures children that they can be happy with who they are.
There Was An Old Lady Who swallowed a Fly
by Lucille Colandro
I remember this classic book from my childhood, but now there are lots of twists on it. Rosebud loves, “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose” and “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves.” There is one of these books for every occasion. We read them a lot in our pre-k class as well and the kids love them. Book Description
It’s the Old Lady as you’ve never seen her before! Now she’s swallowing animals from the classic story…to create a home full of lovable pets!
With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this is the original song young readers know and love with a wacky twist. The perfect story to read all year long!
I See A Song
by Eric Carle
This is an unusual picture book where each picture is supposed to represent a song. Rosebud loves the video of this book. I used to think she’d get bored, but she loves looking at the pictures and hearing the music. This book would be great for inspiring kids to use their imaginations to create art based on music. Book Description
Designed to stimulate a youngster’s artistic sensibilities, this collection of shapes and colors by the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar features a musician and his violin. Reprint.
I Got the Rhythm
by Connie Schofield-Morrison
This book is meant to get kids moving. I had never seen this book, but it came in Rosebud’s book subscription box last month. Amazon’s Prime Book Box is a great way to get new books for your child. Rosebud’s comes every three months, but you can have books delivered to your door monthly if you wish. Book Description
On a simple trip to the park, the joy of music overtakes a mother and daughter. The little girl hears a rhythm coming from the world around her- from butterflies, to street performers, to ice cream sellers everything is musical! She sniffs, snaps, and shakes her way into the heart of the beat, finally busting out in an impromptu dance, which all the kids join in on! Award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison and Connie Schofield-Morrison, capture the beat of the street, to create a rollicking read that will get any kid in the mood to boogie.
Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo
by John Lithgow
While I was doing research for this post, I came across this book.Not only is this book musical, but it looks humorous. When there are animals doing silly things, it’s always a big hit with kids. Book Description
This lively and lyrical jaunt from actor and author John Lithgow comes with a CD of his celebrated song!
Oh, children! Remember! Whatever you may do,
Never play music right next to the zoo.
They’ll burst from their cages, each beast and each bird,
Desperate to play all the music they’ve heard.
A concert gets out of hand when the animals at the neighboring zoo storm the stage and play the instruments themselves in this hilarious picture book based on one of John Lithgow’s best-loved tunes. This package includes a CD of John and an orchestra performing the song.
Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes
by Eric Litwin
I couldn’t help but include another Pete The Cat book. “I Love My White Shoes” has been a long time favorite for Rosebud. Before that, it was “Rocking My School Shoes.” The theme for the two books are the same except one is in regards to going to school. Book Description
Pete The Cat loves his white sneakers so much that he sings about them wherever he goes. So when he steps in a huge pile of strawberries, readers might expect him to cry and raise a fuss. But, no, this cool cat keeps right on walking and singing his song, which he changes slightly to match his now-red shoes. Readers will love singing along as Pete steps in colorful mess after mess and never once loses his cool.
Do your kids love musical books? If so which ones? As always, you can scroll down and let me know in the comments. Happy reading!
Rosebud has been talking a lot about the bugs we’ve been seeing outside lately. She’s decided that a lot of them are scary which is why I put together the rice and bugs sensory bin. Honestly, I can’t stand bugs. there’s just something about them being creepy and crawly, but I didn’t want Rosebud to be scared every time she saw some sort of insect, so we’ve been reading some bug books as well. There are a lot of books out there about bugs. Some of them teach life lessons while others are educational in a different way, teaching us about how bugs are beneficial to our environment. While not all the bugs in these books are scientifically classified as insects, they are still apart of the bug category in my book. Whether your child is afraid of bugs or curious about them, you’ll find something interesting on this list of 12 bug books for preschoolers.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle
I had to include this one because it is a classic and Rosebud loves still loves this book!
Description
In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf.” So begins Eric Carle’s modern classic,The Very Hungry Caterpillar. More than 12 million copies of this book have been sold in its original, full-sized edition, and the beloved tale of science and gluttony has been translated into 20 languages. This five-by-four-inch miniature edition is truly tiny, with tiny type, but it is a nice size for small hands to hold and flip through the pictures. Despite its diminished state, the book is complete in every detail, following the ravenous caterpillar’s path as he eats his way through one apple (and the pages of the book itself) on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, three plums on Wednesday, and so on, through cherry pie and sausage–until he is really fat and has a stomachache. And no doubt you know what happens next! Kids love butterfly metamorphosis stories, and this popular favorite teaches counting and days of the week too.
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs
By Catherine D. Hughes
While doing some research for this post, I found this informative book. I haven’t read this one yet with Rosebud, but I’m including it because it’s nonfiction and is perfect for our little scientists. Not only does it talk about our typical backyard bugs, but it also shows bugs from around the world.
Description
The experts at National Geographic present a delightful reference that introduces young children to bugs of all kinds: big and small, jumping and crawling, colorful and creepy. This charming book explores backyard favorites, such as ladybugs and lightning bugs, and introduces kids to more exotic species that inhabit rain forests and deserts around the world. Colorful photos are paired with profiles of each insect, along with facts about the creatures’ sizes, diets, homes, and more. This book will quickly become a favorite at story time, bedtime, and any other time!
The Very Impatient Caterpillar
By Ross Burach
A book perfect for any kid that struggles with being patient.
Description
Hey! What are you guys doing?
We’re going to metamorphosize.
Meta-WHAT-now?
Transform into butterflies.
Right. Right. I knew that…
WAIT?! You’re telling me I can become a BUTTERFLY?
Yes.
With wings?
Yes.
Wait for ME!!
Ross Burach’s hilarious, tongue-in-cheek exploration of metamorphosis will make you flutter with glee, while also providing real facts about how caterpillars transform into butterflies.
The Very Busy Spider
By Eric Carle
This is another classic by Eric Carle that Rosebud loves. I love that the illustrations are tactile as well.
Description
Early one morning a little spider spins her web on a fence post. One by one, the animals of the nearby farm try to distract her, yet the busy little spider keeps diligently at her work. When she is done, she is able to show everyone that not only is her creation quite beautiful, it is also quite useful!
This multi-sensory book allows children to feel the pictures as well as see them. And with its rhythmic text, The Very Busy Spider becomes an experience to touch, to see, and to hear.
How the Ladybug got her Spots
By Caren D Green
I had never seen this book before doing research for this post. This looks like a cute story with a message that all kids should hear. We are all different and that is a good thing.
Description
Once, in the leafy, green plants lived a small red and black bug that did not feel as special as all of her garden friends, and so she set out to find something to set her apart. Follow her through this charmingly illustrated, adorable tale that teaches how even the tiniest among us can be special.
Backyard Books: Are You a Dragonfly?
By Judy Allen
Here’s another nonfiction book. This one is about dragonflies.
Description
The most colorful wings on the pond belong to the nimble dragonfly, but this delicate flying insect didn’t begin life in the air. In Backyard Books: Are You a Dragonfly? by Judy Allen with illustrations by Tudor Humphries, the secrets of metamorphosis are unfurled through the story of a familiar backyard creature.
Ten Magic Butterflies
By Danica McKellar
This is a cool book that Rosebud and I read recently. It has magic, counting and the message that is a good thing to be yourself.
Description
Fairies, butterflies, and magic help to make this math-focused picture book from Danica McKellar, the New York Times best selling author of Goodnight, Numbers and star of The Wonder Years, positively enchanting!
Join ten flower friends for a night of excitement that mixes a little math with a lot of magic. As each flower turns into a butterfly, children will discover different ways to group numbers to create ten, an essential building block of math, all while watching each flower’s dream come true. (And keep an eye out for the adorable caterpillar who wishes he could fly, too!)
Alpha Bugs: A Pop-up Alphabet (David Carter’s Bugs)
By David A. Carter
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll have seen a post or two about interactive books. I couldn’t finish this post without including some. Here’s a pop-up book that includes bugs and the alphabet, so it’s perfect for a bug theme.
Description
From boogie-woogie Bubble Bugs
to upside-down Umbrella Bugs,
this fun-filled pop, pull, and peek book
makes learning the alphabet
exactly eight egg bugs excellent.
Review
Publishers Weekly “Where will they strike next? A jar of olives, a waffle iron, a rock — each conceals a daffy insect… They are wittily transformed into members of an odd but comical alphabet species… Amusing alliteration and a zany sense of humor deliver fun with every letter.
Bee & Me
By Elle J. McGuinness
This book not only has a story, but it has a short fact list about bees as well. The coolest thing about this book is the motion. Each page has something that moves. While some of the information in this book is over Rosebud’s head, she loves the colorful illustrations and the way the bee moves.
Description
The New York Times bestselling Bee & Me, in a new mini-Animotion format.
Just like the New York Times bestselling Bee and Me, the mini abridged Bee and Me is filled with all of the action of AniMotion windows, and the same great story and pictures that have won the hearts of legions of kids and parents all across the country. The heart of the book is a sweet tale teaching kids the important roll bees play in nature. This new smaller format is ideal for younger children and smaller hands.
“A beautiful, heart-warming book that helps children (and adults
Understand how essential bees are to the planet.
Bee & Me
By Alison Jay
You read that right. I’ve included two Bee & Me books. This one is a picture book and it is totally different from the first one. Not only does it show friendship, but it also shows the importance of saving bees.
Description
A beautiful wordless picture book brings a personal note to the plight of the honeybee and offers a message of hope.
A little girl befriends a bee that takes her on a journey of discovery, revealing an action that every child can take to aid in conservation. In a wordless story told through enchanting illustrations, Bee & Me tells a tale of friendship and offers an introduction to the ecology of the natural world. Alison Jay’s original artwork brings the story gently to life, pointing out the sadness of a world without bees. An afterword makes clear to readers the important role these endangered insects play.
The Very Greedy Bee
By Steve Smallman
A book that teaches us not to be greedy.
Description
A greedy bee learns a lesson when he “slurps and burps” too much nectar, falls asleep in a meadow, and needs help from other insects to find his way home after dark.
The Very Quiet Cricket
By Eric Carle
I’m wrapping up this post with another classic by Eric Carle. This book also has an interactive feature, the chirping cricket at the end. Even without the chirping cricket, it’s a great story.
Description
One day a tiny cricket is born and meets a big cricket who chirps his welcome. The tiny cricket tries to respond, but there is no sound. The quiet cricket then makes his way into the world, meeting one insect after another, each of whom greets the little cricket with a cheery hello–the hum of a bee, the whirr of a dragonfly, the whisper of a praying mantis. The cricket rubs his wings together each time, but nothing happens, not a sound. Until the day he meets another cricket, a female, and something different happens . . .
As children turn the page on this wonderful moment, they are greeted with a surprise–an actual chirp!
Are there any cool bug books that should be on this list? Tell me in the comments!
I’ll leave you with some more bug related items to explore.
One of the things I mentioned that you should pack in my list of baby beach essentials, is a book for yourself. If you get the time, sitting on the beach enjoying a book is relaxing. If you love reading and the beach, you definitely should do this at least once this summer for self care. I’ve been looking around for fun summer reads, so I have not read all of these yet. I’ve read a couple, but the rest have either been sitting in my Kindle library or I just found them while researching for this post. If you haven’t found your perfect summer read yet, here is this year’s list of books for your beach bag. Book descriptions are from Amazon.com.
All The Summer Girls
By Meg Donohue
Set among the sunsets and dunes, All the Summer Girls is the story of how three former best friends, their lives rapidly unraveling, are reunited at the beach town of their past–where the ambience of summer encourages them to explore new experiences they would never otherwise attempt.
When dark secrets threaten to surface, Kate, Vanessa, and Dani begin to realize just how much their lives–and friendships–have been shaped by the choices they made one fateful summer night years ago. In the hope of finally moving forward, the women turn to one another for forgiveness–but how can they forgive each other when they can’t forgive themselves?
Lighthouse Beach
By Shelley Noble
What was supposed to be an idyllic wedding leads to an unexpected journey of self-discovery…When Lillo Gray pulls up to Kennebunkport’s most exclusive hotel wearing a borrowed dress and driving a borrowed VW van, she knows she’s made a big mistake. She’s not even sure why Jessica Parker invited her to her posh wedding. They haven’t seen each other since they were unhappy fourteen-year-old girls at fat camp. And now they’re from two completely different worlds. There’s no way Lillo fits in the rarefied circles Jessica travels in.
Jess isn’t sure she’s ready to go through with this wedding, but she’s been too busy making everyone else happy to think about what she wants. But when she and her two closest friends, Allie and Diana, along with Lillo, discover her fiancé with his pants down in the hotel parking lot, she’s humiliated…and slightly relieved. In a rush to escape her crumbling life, Jess, Allie, and Diana pile into Lillo’s beat-up old van and head up the coast to Lighthouse Island. Once there, she hopes to figure out the next chapter in her life.
Nursing broken hearts and broken dreams, four lost women embark on a journey to find their way back into happiness with new love, friendship, and the healing power of Lighthouse Beach.
I’ll Never Tell
By Catherine McKenzie
Deeply buried secrets make for a disturbing family reunion in bestselling author Catherine McKenzie’s tantalizing novel of psychological suspense.
What happened to Amanda Holmes?
Twenty years ago, she was found bludgeoned in a rowboat at the MacAllister family’s Camp Macaw. No one was ever charged with the crime.
Now, after their parents’ sudden deaths, the MacAllister siblings return to camp to read the will and decide what to do with the prime real estate the camp occupies. Ryan needs to sell. Margaux hasn’t made up her mind. Mary believes in leaving well enough alone. Kate and Liddie – the twins – have opposing views. And Sean Booth, the groundskeeper, just hopes he still has a home when all is said and done.
But it’s more complicated than a simple vote. The will stipulates that until they unravel the mystery of what happened to Amanda, they can’t settle the estate. Any one of them could have done it, and each one is holding a piece of the puzzle. Will they work together to finally discover the truth, or will their secrets finally tear the family apart?
Firefly Beach
By Meira Penterman
When Beth LaMonte rents a cottage on the coast of Maine, she wishes only to withdraw and paint. A mysterious ball of light disturbs her peace and leads her to a secret beach where she finds the diary of a girl who disappeared in 1975. Now Beth is on a mission, not only to bury her own past, but to put to rest the spirit of Firefly Beach.
What You Did
By Claire McGowan
A vicious assault. A devastating accusation. Who should she trust, her husband or her best friend?
It was supposed to be the perfect reunion: six university friends together again after twenty years. Host Ali finally has the life she always wanted, a career she can be proud of and a wonderful family with her college boyfriend, now husband. But that night her best friend makes an accusation so shocking that nothing will ever be the same again.
When Karen staggers in from the garden, bleeding and traumatised, she claims that she has been assaulted—by Ali’s husband, Mike. Ali must make a split-second decision: who should she believe? Her horrified husband, or her best friend? With Mike offering a very different version of events, Ali knows one of them is lying—but which? And why?
When the ensuing chaos forces her to re-examine the golden era the group shared at university, Ali realises there are darker memories too. Memories that have lain dormant for decades. Memories someone would kill to protect.
The Summer I turned Pretty
By Jenny Han
This bittersweet novel by Jenny Han recounts the summer of Belly’s 16th birthday. When she and her family arrive at the beach house that June, her longtime summer pal, Jeremiah, appears standoffish and awkward in her presence. And his older brother Conrad – her secret crush – seems distant and cold. But her blossoming beauty isn’t the only reason for their change in behavior. For as Belly enjoys the sun and surf, she’ll ultimately learn the painful secret that dampens the spirit of her childhood friends.
Chicken Soup for the Beach Lover’s Soul
By Jack Canfield
There are many places we can go to enjoy time with friends, to have an action-packed vacation, or to enjoy a little solitude, but none of them have the same ability to soothe our souls as the beach. Perhaps it’s the magic portrayed by children building sand castles or the gentle sounds of lapping waves on the shore.
Vintage
By Susan Gloss
At Hourglass Vintage in Madison, Wisconsin, every item in the boutique has a story to tell . . . and so do the women who are drawn there.
Violet Turner has always dreamed of owning a shop like Hourglass Vintage. When she is faced with the possibility of losing it, she realizes that, as much as she wants to, she cannot save it alone.
Eighteen-year-old April Morgan is nearly five months along in an unplanned pregnancy when her hasty engagement is broken. When she returns the perfect 1950s wedding dress, she discovers unexpected possibilities and friends who won’t let her give up on her dreams.
Betrayed by her husband, Amithi Singh begins selling off her old clothes, remnants of her past life. After decades of housekeeping and parenting a daughter who rejects her traditional ways, she fears she has nothing more ahead for her.
An engaging story that beautifully captures the essence of women’s friendship and love, Vintage is a charming tale of possibility, of finding renewal and hope when we least expect it.
Firefly Lane
By Kristin Hannah
In the summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all: beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface, they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn; Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become ‘TullyandKate’ — inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the mainstay of their lives. For 30 years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship: jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all, until a single act of betrayal tears them apart…and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
I Liked My Life
By Abby Fabiaschi
Maddy is a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother, host of excellent parties, giver of thoughtful gifts, and bestower of a searingly perceptive piece of advice or two. She is the cornerstone of her family, a true matriarch…until she commits suicide, leaving her husband, Brady, and teenage daughter, Eve, heartbroken and reeling, wondering what happened. How could the exuberant, exacting woman they loved disappear so abruptly, seemingly without reason, from their lives? How they can possibly continue without her? As they sift through details of her last days, trying to understand the woman they thought they knew, Brady and Eve are forced to come to terms with unsettling truths.
Maddy, however, isn’t ready to leave her family forever. Watching from beyond, she tries to find the perfect replacement for herself. Along comes Rory: pretty, caring, and spontaneous, with just the right bit of edge…but who also harbors a tragedy of her own. Will the mystery of Maddy ever come to rest? And can her family make peace with their history and begin to heall?
I tried to put a little something for everyone on this list, but I’m sure there are so many more great summer reads. What are your favorite books to take to the beach? Have you read any great books this summer? Tell me in the comments!
As I’ve mentioned before, I love interactive books. While there seems to be less and less of them being made, I search for them anyway. When I was a kid, interactive elements such as scratch and sniff, 3d popups and even sound helped me get into a story. We all have different ways of learning, but I think we are much more likely to remember something when we experience something using all our senses. Since I can’t read the printed words or see the pictures very well, interactive elements help me bring books to life for Rosebud. We read plenty of regular books with only words and pictures, but when we can interact with our books in another way, it’s a special treat. Here are the best interactive books I’ve found for the summer. The book descriptions are from Amazon.com.
Llama Llama Sand and Sun: A Touch & Feel Bookby Anna Dewdney
While I was doing some research for this post, I was excited to come across this book. Rosebud loves her Mama Llama books and almost knows them by heart. We don’t have a summer time Llama Llama book, so we will be checking this one out. It might be a little young for her at this point, but she loves books with touch and feel elements, but it would be perfect for a toddler which is why it’s on my list! Book Description
Read along with Llama Llama as he splashes in the waves and plays in the sand in this brand-new touch-and-feel board book!
Seymour Sea Turtle Snaps Up Lunch
by Matt Mitter
This is an older book, but Rosebud has fun with this one. This is the story of Seymour the Sea Turtle who is tired of eating sponge everyday. He tries other foods only to realize that sponge is his favorite. I think we all do this. We try new things only to realize we really prefer the familiar.
Book Description
Tired of always eating sponges, Seymour Sea Turtle tries other dishes including coral and shellfish until he realizes how much he likes to eat sponge.
The Ocean (Touch and Explore)
by Nathalie Choux
This is another gem that I found. I had never heard of this author before, but she has a whole touch and explore series. This one is all about the ocean and it has a lot of great reviews. This series of books is definitely worth checking out.
Book Description
Touch And Explore™ is Twirl’s multi-sensory series for children who want to do more than just listen! Already bestsellers in their original French editions, these well-crafted interactive titles encourage hands-on engagement, learning, and knowledge retention.
What’s rough, scaly, smooth, or bumpy? What crawls or dives? In this splashy treat for visual learners and pre-readers kids can discover the facts, feel, and functions of over two dozen marine animals.
They’ll touch shiny scales and bumpy barnacles, turn a flap to find a clownfish hiding among the anemone, touch a shark’s sandpapery skin, and discover who can squirt ink and change color!
This sea-feast for eyes and hands will encourage kids to immerse themselves in a fascinating beyond-the-bathtub habitat. It’s a trip to an underwater world that’s just a touch away!
On My Beach
by Sara Gillingham
Most of the books on this list are touch and feel, but this one is a little different. It has a finger puppet in the middle. This looks like a cute story and the author has a series of these books. Rosebud does not have this book, but I’ve seen these in the toddler room I worked in several years ago and the kids loved them!
Book Description
Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little crab’s beach so cozy. Is it the soft sand? Is it the salty seaweed? No, it’s his loving family! Bright pictures, a sweet reassuring message, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun!
By The Seashore: A Natural Trails Book (A Touch and Feel Adventure)
by Maurice Pledger
This is another older book. Rosebud loves this one. She knows all the fish and loves to find and count the jewels. This book has it all. It’s touch and feel and has flaps to lift.
Book Description
Combining wonderful illustrations with lift-a-flaps and touch-and-feel components, this unique book introduces children to the different textures that they might find on the seashore.
Where Is Baby’s Beach Ball? A Lift the Flap Book
by Karen Katz
This is a cute story. Baby is looking for the beach ball and every page has a flap to lift. Rosebud loved these books as a toddler. She still looks at them occasionally, but last year, all her Karen Katz books were in heavy rotation.
Book Description
It’s summertime, and Baby is looking for the beach ball–but where can it be? Little ones can lift the large, sturdy flaps in this board book to reveal pretty seashells, crawly crabs, and more! Babies will love this interactive adventure!
Fruit (Pop and Sniff)
by Piggy Toes Publishing
I was looking for a scratch and sniff book with a summer theme. Unfortunately, I didn’t find one, but then I remembered this scratch and sniff fruits book. Summer is the perfect time for fresh fruits! Rosebud loves this even though she says the fruit smells are gross. She goes back to the orange over and over though. This is one of the better scratch and sniff books I’ve had. The scratch and sniff element is built right into the page. It’s not a sticker that can be pealed off. I bought this book almost ten years ago to use with my preschool class and the smells are still strong and pretty realistic as well. There’s no story, but the focus is mainly on the giant pop up fruits and the scents on each page. It’s great for toddlers, but it can be ripped easily as the pop ups are delicate. Now that Rosebud is a little older, she is starting to be much more careful with her books.
Book Description
Pop & Sniff books are interactive pop-up books for young children and their parents. Featuring brightly colored photographs, large, sturdy pop-ups, and simple interactive elements, these books encourage learning and foster creativity in the youngest of readers.
What are your kids favorite summer themed books? Let me know in the comments. Happy reading!
Every season, I like to switch up the books that are out for Rosebud. A couple weeks ago, I brought out the books we have for spring. She still loves some of the board books that she enjoyed last year which is why I’m including them in this list. She knows many of her books by heart and likes to pretend to read them to me. She also is starting to get into longer stories as well. This list is a mix of books for toddlers and preschoolers because you never know what will capture their attention. There are so many books out there and this is just a sampling of what you can find for spring themed books.
You’re My Little Bunny by Claire Freedman
This is perfect for bedtime. Follow the adventures of a busy bunny. The book ends with the bunny snuggling up to mother bunny. It’s a perfect way to end the day.
When Spring Comes by Keven Henkes
In this book, children can learn the differences between winter and spring. The snow melts, the birds sing and the plants grow. When spring comes, the world transforms.
The Rainy Day by Anna Milbourne
A group of children take a walk and see the effect that rain has on plants, animals and soil. It’s a great way to introduce the concepts of how clouds are made and how weather changes.
Danny Duck Takes a Dive by Debbie Rivers-Moore
Danny duck is scared to go in the water until he jumps in and decides that he likes it. It’s a great book about getting over fears and trying something new with the help of your friends. It’s touch and feel as well.
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
This is a great book about the life cycle of plant. It’s in simple language that kids will understand and it’s by Eric Carle. Any of his books about bugs are great for spring. Rosebud loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider.
It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marelyn Sadler
This book is about a bunny who is unhappy being a bunny. He tries being other animals, but discovers that it is better to be himself after all. This is a great read for teaching about self acceptance and being happy with who you are.
Bluebird’s Nest by Dorothea Deprisco
Follow Bluebird as she builds her nest with the help of other birds and by spring, her nest is complete. This book is touch and feel. As she builds her nest, you can feel it getting larger. It also has a pop-up in the end.
Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
Mouse and Mama go out to play and discover that spring is here. He finds a butterfly, a bird and more. This book comes in a paper back or a shortened board book version for toddlers.
The Ugly Caterpillar by Carl Sommer
Speckles the Spider and Crumbs the Cricket think Katie the Caterpillar is too ugly to be their friend. Annie the Ant doesn’t agree and her and katie become best friends. This story teaches children about kindness, friendship and beauty in all things.
Let It Rain by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
This is a cute rhyming book that takes you through spring up until the start of summer. This book has everything related to spring. Birds, bees, rainbows and even newborn kittens. The rhymes and short text on each page makes it a great read with toddlers.
Planting A Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
In this book, children learn about planting and the colors of different types of flowers. This is a wonderful introduction to the variety of flowers that are out there.
A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman
Find out what happens when a little boy wants to play with a rainbow.
There are so many great books out there. I’m sure there are many I have never read that would be a fantastic addition to our book shelf. What are your favorite spring books? Let me know in the comments.
At the beginning of this year, I made a list of books I plan to read in 2019. Take Control of Your Life by Mel Robbins was one of them. It’s still early in the year, but I’m glad I’ve finished it already. There were a lot of helpful tips for managing fear, changing your mindset and paying attention to what’s really going on in our bodies.
When we respond to fear, it’s our bodies that get triggered first. Your stomach may tighten, your face may get hot, some people break out in hives etc. The response is different for everyone, but it’s that discomfort that makes us not want to face our fears and return to normal as soon as possible. This is great in a situation where your safety is at risk and your gut is telling you to get away, but it’s not so helpful when you need to make changes in your life. Even positive change is scary because it takes us out of our comfort zone. There were several coaching sessions in the book, but I will focus on the first coaching session because it resonated with me as it’s where I am in life right now. I will summarize the five takeaways from the session and explain how they work.
Figuring out your Pattern
The workbook opens up with some questions. What is your biggest fear and what is your response to it? One of my biggest fears is being stuck in the same place in life and never figuring out my purpose. I can’t imagine being stuck at my dead end job for another five or ten years. I don’t even want to imagine it for another six months. I have no passion left for it. It sucks the energy right out of me. Part of my fear is that I’ll never find something that I love doing. I’d settle for tolerable at this point. This is why the first coaching session in the book, Take Control of Your Life, really resonated with me. The coaching session was with Dan, a man whose biggest fear is never figuring out what he wants to do in life. He’s currently a teacher, but wants to retire from that and wonders what else is out there for him, but what stops him from exploring other options is his pattern of thinking and rethinking. I am also an over thinker.
When I was exploring the possibility of becoming a transcriptionist, I was thinking of everything and it became overwhelming. I had so many questions floating around and instead of working on one thing at a time, I’d either jump all over the place or never get anything done. I’d worry about which software I was going to use. How I’d track the money I was making, how much money I’d make, what I’d need for my business, how to do an invoice, what would I do for a style guide? I needed to write a business plan and didn’t know which part to work on first. Basically, I had jumped way ahead of myself. Most of this was before even trying to work for a transcription company and in the end, I figured out that I didn’t want to make it my life’s work. I hated the different style guides, the low pay, the inaccessibility of so many things and how it would take me a long time to get back up to a good speed. I’d need to be transcribing constantly to get fast again and the fact was I didn’t have the time or energy to devote to it. It’s been a similar process with my interest in coaching and the possibility of running a childcare business from my home. I’m still interested in these things, but I often try to think about the big picture and analyze every detail. For example, I was listening to a podcast about how to set up a life coaching website, but I haven’t even taken the certification course yet.
In the book, Mel Robbins talks about wanting to own a small town coffee shop for years. Eventually, she got a job working in a small coffee shop on weekends, but she quickly learned that she hated working there. What she loved about the coffee shop was the sense of community and her ability to afford a daily coffee if she wanted. She also enjoyed taking the time to sit down with a cup of coffee and chat with those around her. What I loved about transcription was the flexible schedule, the ability to work from home and the idea that I’d be making content accessible to people. I was more excited about my work environment and the prospect of helping people than actually transcribing documents. These are all things I can find in other jobs that would be a better fit. Sometimes, we end up hating the thing that we think is our passion, but every time we explore a new possibility, we learn something new about ourselves.
Slow Down
If we keep ourselves too busy, we don’t have to think about what scares us. If I’m busy, I don’t have to apply for jobs. I don’t have to think about what I want to do next. I don’t have to financially plan for how I’m going to get there. If I’m busy, I keep things the same. They are comfortable because they are familiar, but they are uncomfortable at the same time because I feel the tension in my body. If we slow down, we can figure out what we really want to do. You can slow down by taking a walk in nature, meditating, spending time with those who support you, write in your journal, take a hot bath etc. Whatever reenergizes you.
State It To Create It
In the coaching session, Dan says, “don’t laugh” before he states his dream out loud. His passion is wine and he’s interested in taking a class or opening a wine bar. I didn’t think it was laughable. It’s his dream. Mel discussed how we under state our dreams or never state them out loud at all for the fear of being judged. What if we never achieve our dreams, what then? We’ve already stated what we want and now others might hold us accountable. We also fear that people may think our dreams are stupid or crazy.
What if you don’t know what your dream is? Follow what you enjoy. What are you interested in? What have you always wanted to do? Well, I’m in that boat. I don’t know exactly what my dream is. I’m interested in coaching, so my first step would be to figure out one thing I can do to explore it. Maybe it’s taking a class. Maybe it’s talking to a coach. Maybe it’s watching youtube videos. Once you start, it leads to something else.
Brick By Brick
Don’t think too big. Break your goals down into achievable steps that you can work on each day. When you have a box of legos, you construct your building brick by brick. That is how to pursue your dreams. If your dream is starting a blog, sit down with a blank document and write. Then when you have a few entries written, then worry about the next steps of setting up the website, promoting on social media etc. My interest is coaching, so I signed up for a couple of free webinars. It’s not a huge step, but it’s exploration and it’s one action I can take so I’m not just spinning my wheels.
Passion is not a Person, Place or Thing.
I needed to hear this. It’s not the job, a big house or the new relationship that brings passion into your life. It’s what you have within. You grow in to your passion by following your Curiosity. If you are wondering about your passion, try answering these questions. What are you curious about? What would you do for free? Whose life are you envious of and why? Follow the energy inside of you. That’s where passion lives.
1. What is your biggest fear and what is your response? The first piece is to figure out your patterns.
2. Some of us use being busy to cover up our fears. Slow down. Take the time to listen to your inner voice in order to figure out your next steps.
3. State your dreams out loud in order to create them.
4. Achieve your goals brick by brick. Instead of thinking big, think small. Break actions down into small achievable tasks. If the task seems to overwhelming, break it down further.
5. Remember that passion is inside of you. Follow the things you are curious about. Follow the things that energize you and that will lead you in the right direction.
If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to listen to Take Control of Your Life and download the companion workbook. The questions are thought provoking, the tips are super useful and Mel and her coaching clients explain and demonstrate these concepts in a way that I can’t. Each person has a way of sharing their own personal stories. It’s conversational and relatable, so definitely check it out if you are interested in working on your mindset and breaking through fears. Have you read the book yet? What did you think? Tell me in the comments.
Recently, I posted about the memorable books I read in 2018. I got a lot of great feedback from that post and one of my readers left me a comment wondering what I would like to read in 2019. Her comment got me thinking that a to be read list would make a great post. So, here it is. There is plenty of self help with some novels and nonfiction thrown in.
1. Take Control of Your Life
This is the latest release from Mel Robins that will be out in February. I’m a fan of her previous books. She has a direct style and practical advice. Some of the things covered in this book are fears of rejection, being alone and the dreaded, but all too common fear of change. Why not read it? Who doesn’t want to bust through fear and take control of their lives?
2. The Desire Map Experience
It’s not about the goals, to do lists or new years resolutions, but how you want to feel in every part of your life. I think this book will have a lot of useful exercises.
3. The Five Love Languages of Children
I read The Five Love Languages for Singles a couple years ago because I was curious as to what my love language was. It turns out, my love language is receiving gifts. I find the concept interesting and it makes a lot of sense. People have different ways of expressing love and of course, people have different things that are meaningful to them. I saw that Gary Chapman wrote a version for children and now I want to read it. I want to find out what Rosebud’s love language is. Maybe she’s still too young for me to know, but maybe not.
4. The Woman in the Window
A novel written by A. J. Finn, about a woman who lives alone who spies on her neighbors. She believes she has seen a crime, but has she? The book is a best seller and I want to read it to find out why.
5. The Perfect Roommate
Last year, I read a couple of books by Minka Kent and this is the third one I found on Audible. It doesn’t have as many good reviews as her other books, but I figured, why not give it a try? A girl knows some dark secrets about her roommate.
6. Writing creative nonfiction
The title makes it obvious what this book is about. It’s more of a course than a book, but I’m interested in ways of making my writing better. Even though it’s not my day job, why not improve my craft? These lectures include writing samples and exercises that help you with all stages of the writing process.
7. The Best Friend
This one is by Shalini Boland. A woman has a new best friend who seems to have it all, but as she learns more, she finds out her best friend has dark secrets.
8. The Introvert’s Way
A book that helps us introverts to embrace our quiet nature and honor what is unique about us. This book has been on my wish list for a while and I’m hoping to read it this year. It sounds like it will be a refreshing perspective on those of us who are quiet.
9. The Boy who Loved Too Much
A boy has Williams Syndrome. I’m not familiar with it at all, but it causes him to be trusting and overly friendly to everyone he meets. He doesn’t have the natural skepticism that we usually have with strangers. This book is about him and his mother’s challenges in parenting him. Like all parents, she has to choose when to be protective and when to let go, but his condition adds an extra layer.
10. Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul
It seems as though there is a chicken soup book for everything and of course, they have one for travelers. I don’t get to travel these days, but I like learning about other places, so reading about it will have to do for now.
In reality, I have a wish list a mile long, but I’ve picked these ten to start with. I’m sure I’ll read more than ten books this year and will end up reading plenty that aren’t on this list. What have you read so far this year? What books are you planning to read? Tell me in the comments. Happy reading.
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That wraps up our list of 10 Valentine’s books for preschoolers. There are so many books out there, so maybe you have found one you haven’t seen before from this list. What are you reading with your children this Valentine’s Day? Tell me in the comments. Happy reading!
