The Girl in the Castle inside the Museum

This book is written by Kate Bernheimer and illustrated by Nicolette Ceccoli. The storyline was ok, but what really wows you are the illustrations. Nicolette Ceccoli is an Italian painter and artist and very unique in what she draws. The story is about a beautiful young girl that lives in a magical castle inside a museum. The story and pictures take the reader into a fantasy world. You'll find funny little wind up toys made of dice and spinning tops. Beds posts are made of windmills and buttons. The colors are very soft and calming, however, there is a bit of a strange flavor to the book. After I read the book, it was like I'd just woken up from a dream that was neither good or bad. Just weird. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Little Quack

We have been reading Little Quack since Ben was a baby. My kids still like it. It is the story of five little ducklings who need to get up the courage to learn to swim. It is a counting story as well as a sweet story about trying new things. One by one each duckling heads out on the pond. Little Quack is the last, but with the encouragement of everyone else finally splashes out on to the pond.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

My daughter loves the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? She has not tired of it since I first started reading it. I love it because it helped teach her her colors and animals from a very early age. Books have played a huge role in her development. It is fun to watch her now "read" them to her baby sister.

ABC

ABC, A Child's First Alphabet Book, by Alison Jay has been a favorite of ours. It is a board book so it is easy for little ones to turn the pages and can it can withstand the wear and tear. The Author/Illustrator Alison Jay sends you through a fun treasure hunt as she takes you through the alphabet, leaving the reader clues as to what will pop up next. The images that represent the letters of the alphatbet are well know, but what is unique is her style of art. She gives her illustrations a vintage look with a crackled effect and warm gradiant hues. She has written and illustrated many books and we're excited to check them out.

Bear Feels Sick

Bear Feels Sick, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman is a delightful book about friendship. I ran into the book at Borders Book Store yesterday. The illustrations are darling and the story is equally sweet.

Bear's little critter friends want to play, but they can see that bear is a bit "under the weather". His friends jump into action to start Bear on his road to recovery.

A great book for teaching children compassion and care for the ones we love.

No David by David Shannon

David Shannon is by far one of my favorite children's authors. The two that we own are No, David and How I Became a Pirate. These books have such fun artwork and children can relate to them because they are about things that kids do. I can't really say that they are the favorite books of my kids, but I love them. Whenever I say that I want to read one of my favorite books my kids know just which books to go for. I have read about five of his books and I adore them all. To see more about David Shannon and the books he has written click here.

"I Can Fly" By: Ruth Krauss, Illus: Mary Blair

I Can Fly is a Little Golden Book Classic. I'm sure all of us can recall our most favorite Golden Book when we were little. They are light weight, simple to read and have fabulous illustrations. I bought this little book as a set of Golden Books from Costco for Christmas last year. Maille has loved them. I escpecially love this story because of it's simply rhyms such as, "A bird can fly. So can I." Or "Pick, pick, pick. I'm a little chick." Our favorite thing about the book is it's pictures. They are full of brite yellows, pinks, reds, greens, and blues. The illustrations are quaintly detailed. I love it so much because it takes me back to my childhood and the pajamas I used to wear are the same as the little girl's in the book. The animals she imitates are animals I played with and imagined as a child. But most of all, the reader can fly away into his or her own imagination and become anything and do anything they want to.