Our Favorites

My twins LOVE to read. We go through multiple books a day, and they have some standards that we turn to frequently when nothing else seems to fit the mood.

Little Blue Truck

There are several things about this story that we love. Author Alice Schertle has chosen rhymes that easy for mom and dad to read, and easy for young ones to remember. My two know exactly which words belong on which page. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the characters lend themselves to voice changes from the reader. When the dump truck comes along, we all read in tone that I assume a dump truck would have were he able to talk. There is also a little lesson for young and old alike: help can come from the most unlikely sources. More than anything else, this book is just plain fun.


Knuffle Bunny


When I was a little girl, I had a stuffed animal that I prized above any other toy. I slept with it through college, and when I got married, it sat on my shelf in my closet, waiting for another little set of arms to wrap it up. For that reason, this book is a favorite of mine. I can understand Trixie's horror when she discovers Knuffle Bunny is gone, and I also know the desperation of the parents who are trying to find her. My own two like the story line, but they love the illustrations the most. The mix of real photographs and drawings, coupled with the frustrated looks of all the characters, are sure to bring a smile to everyone's face. Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems, is a Caldecott Honor book.

A Visitor for Bear

In A Visitor for Bear, author Bonny Becker tells the sweet story of Bear and Mouse, two creatures seemingly at odds with each other. One of the reasons this book is a favorite is because of Bear. My kids have their "grouchy" moments, and Bear is definitely having his fair share in this story. In addition, this is another great book for changing your voice to suit the character. We laugh and giggle at Bear's deep grumble and Mouse's squeaky sound. The illustrations are another plus. Overall, I think the lure of this book is that even preschoolers can relate to the loneliness that Bear feels, and they also understand the effort Mouse puts forth to gain attention. This book is a Wanda Gag Read Aloud Honor Book.