Diary of a Spider

This is another great book we picked up today from our library. I'd never read any books in the Diary of a... series, but I'm definitely going to check out the others. This is such a creative book about the concerns of a young spider. The drawings are so funny, and you can tell the author put a lot of thought into what the world is like from the spider's point of view. In one of his diary entries, the little spider writes about Safety Day at school and how he learned what to do in case he ever hears a vacuum. The next day, he writes about having a vacuum drill at school and forgetting the routine. He is able to maintain a friendship with a fly, despite the inherent problems. The humor in this book would be best appreciated by elementary-aged children, but my preschooler still loved reading it. Hey, he loves anything with spiders. :)

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We just found this really great book when we stopped by the library tonight. My four-year-old son loves it already and so do I. Nathaniel looked through the book before I read it to him and was already mesmerized by the story, just from the pictures. It's about a young boy who loves to have adventures with his action figure "Guy." They play together on a tall, narrow staircase that becomes mountains, and forests, and cities...The pictures are done in a photo-collage style and are so fun to look at. We get to see the wonderful imagination of the little boy through the beautiful images that Nina Crews created. The shadows of trees and skyrises magically merge with the "ordinary" staircase. Jack loses Guy in a hole in the stairs, but figures out a way to save his little friend all by himself. It is really sweet. The best part was watching Nathaniel become so concerned about the little toy and so interested in the adventure.

The Empty Pot

We just read this book at the Elementary family literacy fair. It was a wonderful story about honesty. The pictures were also very beautiful. You and your kids will love it.

The 3 Little Pigs

I'm not tech savvy enough to post a picture of this book from the web but my girls love "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka. Whenever I get a stack of books to read with them I never make it through because they spot this book and just request it over and over. They especially like that I really exaggerate the huffing and puffing sneezing part. It makes them giggle and giggle. I love these slightly twisted fairy tales.

Holly Hobbie

What little girl doesn't love Holly Hobbie. My bedspread and pillow sham were all Holly Hobbie. Her artwork is tender and light. I just recenlty check the book Happiness and have loved reading it to my little girl. The author Holly Hobbie pairs her lovely artwork with quaint little poems of happiness and friendship.

I was also happy to learn about the Toot & Puddle series that Holly Hobbie began writing. The pictures are of course darling and simple. She tells of two little pigs that are best of friends. They live in Woodcock Pocket and love to take long walks in the "sparkling woods". They have fun adventures be it in there own little foresty neighborhood or abroad.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

I bought this book as a child right before my family went on a vacation. It was a long road trip and I read every poem in the book. It has always been one of my favorites. This book is a great way to introduce kids to poetry, (not that I have read any poetry books since). Anyway, the poems are usually silly poems that children enjoy. This book should be in every home.