Pancake Dreams: Written by Ingmarie Ahvander, Pictures by Mati Lepp

Mmmm....I was having pancake dreams yesterday morning and was treated to a yummy stack at a fabulous breakfast joint in Sacramento by my hubby! Alas, there's nothing like the memories I have of my grandma's pancakes. Isn't there just something about breakfast...or any meal for that matter...at grandma's house? Well, read Pancake Dreams to remind you of how special a grandma's cooking can be and just how imaginative we can be to get it again. I know if I could, I'd personally find a way to bring my own grandma down from Heaven to make me some pancakes again. Check out Pancake Dreams to find a lovely story about food, family, and imagination!

Nighty Night, Sleepy Sleeps: By Brian Anderson

This is an adorably funny, wonderfully illustrated little story. As you read along you'll see the main character and his cute little dog try to dodge going to sleep in every way they can think of until at last it's time for nighty night and sleepy sleeps. Children will love this book and the vivid use of color in the illustrations. I'm sure they'll also enjoy following along to see what ideas these two come up with to get out of going to bed. And I'm sure parents out there will be able to relate to the saga of trying to get your little ones to go to sleep at night. This book is sure to make both parents and children smile!

Nothing: By Jon Agee

* I thought this book title was appropriate for my return to The Children's Book Bin blog. For those of you who had been keeping up with me before, I apologize for the hiatus. That's just life, I guess. I fully intend to keep up with regular blog postings now, though. Wish me luck! *

Nothing by Jon Agee is a wonderful book about how silly people can be about their "things" and thus their accumulation of "things". I happen to think this is a great story about greed and how silly it can be. Read this book with your children to see how when someone has too many things they'll go so far as to buy something that's a nonsense item just because they feel that they need to have more things. Then others will follow them, just because it seems like the trendy thing to do. You'll have to read the story to find out what results, though. This is a very cute story for children with a bit of wittiness thrown in for the adults!

Ramona the Pest: By Beverly Cleary

I just finished reading this beloved story about one of my favorite characters from childhood, Ramona. With the new movie coming out, Ramona and Beezus, I thought I'd brush up on my Ramona facts and antics. My she is a funny child! I'm sure many of you out there would get a kick out of reading this book again or maybe even for the first time. And, I'm sure that children out there would love this book as well. Kindergartners and first graders could definitely relate to this story, as much of the plot takes place in Ramona's kindergarten class.
Read along to see how Ramona handles her first year in school. It's sure to bring a smile to your face!
P.S. A few tidbits about this book:Ramona the Pest is the first of Beverly Cleary's books to focus on Ramona Quimby as the protagonist. The book's title is derived from characterization of Ramona as a "pest" by many, including her older sister Beatrice, known as "Beezus." Ramona the Pest features illustrations by Louis Darling and was first published in 1968. The current edition was illustrated by Tracy Dockray.

Some Dogs Do: By Jez Alborough

Author-illustrator Jez Alborough has done a great job with this tale for your children. If your children love dogs, are fascinated with flying, or are dreamers, then they will love this book! What a great story with a great message! Read along to find out that no matter what anyone tells you, if you believe in something and yourself enough, you can truly do anything you set your mind to! Brilliant!!

Happy Reading!!

xxxTiffany

Day Out With Daddy: By Stephen Cook

When Mom has to leave for the day, Father and son will play! Check out Day Out With Daddy to see what mishaps occur and what adventures a daddy and his son can find together. And remember, it doesn't matter what you do...when you're with someone you love, anything can be fun!

The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo: By Jonathan Allen

If your little ones like farm animals, then this is the book for you! Read along to see the different personas the animals take on. Your little ones will love this book!

Michael Recycle: Written by Ellie Bethel, Illustrated by Alexandra Colombo

This is a wonderful, vibrantly illustrated story with a great message for kids....Recycle!! As you read, you will follow the adventure of Michael Recycle in the town of Abberdoo-Rimey where garbage was left to grow rotten and slimy. Kids and adults will both enjoy this fun rhyming story about acting soon...in order to stop trash from reaching up to the moon!
Oh! And don't forget to read the last pages so that you can find tips about how to help the environment.
Happy reading....

Puffling: Written by Margaret Wild, Illustrated by Julie Vivas

With this being graduation time and thus a time when we think about children growing up and venturing out on their own, I dedicate this book review to everyone out there who is celebrating a milestone or knows someone who is celebrating a milestone in their life.

This beautifully illustrated, well written book is a story about growing up and learning how to spread your wings. You'll love the story, especially if you're a parent or if you are someone who has gained the wisdom that life can bring you about growing up. The story is so sweet and lines like this will warm your heart: "You'll be our dear Puffling - even when you're grown up and have a chick of your own." How sweet.

Let me know if you've read this and what you think about it....

Hattie the Bad: Written by Jane Devlin, Pictures by Joe Berger

What can I say? I'm a bit "bad' at heart, so this book appealed to me!! Read along to find what unfolds in this story for Hattie the Bad. And, don't let the book title scare you away...after all, I think that even the best of us have a little bad inside! Besides that, this story has a good moral to it. We all need to remember what makes us us. We are all unique in our own way...even if that means that we are a bit mischievous or don't always follow the rules. Rules are meant to be broken anyway, right? And, sometimes being too good is overrated! I think the bottom line to remember when reading this book is that we shouldn't take things or ourselves too seriously. Life is meant to be enjoyed. You can't worry about what others think of you or change who you are to fit their mold. You have to remain true to yourself and be who you really are.
Happy reading....
Tiffany

Oh yeah...I forgot to add, that the illustrations in this book are very vivid, bright, and appealing to the eye. I love the work that Joe Berger did with the pictures in the book!

Book Fair

Looking for something fun to do with your kiddos this summer? Check out the Scholastic Book Fair at the Martha Riley Library in Roseville taking place from June 14th - 19th. The book fair will be held during regular library hours. Martha Riley Library is located at: 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, California 95747

Poor Puppy: By Nick Bruel

So, if you've read my blog before, you know that I loved the book Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel. Now, I have stumbled across Poor Puppy...also written by Nick Bruel. This is another great story for kids. The pages are brilliantly colorful, so they are sure to stand out, appeal to your children, and keep their attention. The story is also quite humorous and educational at the same time. As you and your child read, you will review the letters of the alphabet and also do some counting. The author is very witty and has managed to keep the book educational just like the Bad Kitty story, without your children even realizing that this is a story for both enjoyment and for learning!
Happy reading!!

Hello all....

Sorry it's been so long. I have lots of good excuses as to why I haven't posted any book reviews for a while...but I'll keep those to myself. That's not important. What is important is that I'm up and running again, so get ready for some posts!!!

Bluebird's Nest

Written by Dorothea DePrisco, Illustrations by Jo Parry

A nice little story where we see an adorable bluebird that builds it's nest. As the nest is being built, we see the collection of "twigs" that help make the nest. Check out the book for yourself to see what the "twigs" look like....you'll like it! =)

What Makes a Rainbow

By Betty Ann Schwartz, Illustrated by Dona Turner

I love this story! It is a very fun read where a ribbon of rainbow colors continues to build as you turn the pages so that at the end of the story you are left with a nice little ribbon rainbow. And, at the very end of the story, on the last page you are left with a pop up rainbow. Very cute!

Great Day for Up

Great Day for Up: By Dr. Seuss, Pictures by Quentin Blake I think this is my signature book! Read this story to find that it's a great day for up, being up, and getting up, however not necessarily a great day for the character at the end of the story to be getting up and out of bed! LOL!! I love it. You probably will too. This is a very cute, energetic story.
Happy reading.....

As promised....

Some book reviews.....

YAY BOOKS!!!

I'm headed out for a walk with Jenna and my doggies. When I return, I shall post a few book reviews. I'm looking forward to it....hope you are too!!
P.S. Feel free to share any comments regarding books you have recently read or any trips to the bookstore or library. I love reading and I love hearing about others and the books they read or the stores and libraries they like to visit. (Holy run-on sentence!!)
Oh, side note....who's looking forward to the Academy Awards Show, aka the Oscars tonight????

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

I came across this book while browsing through the children's section at a local bookstore the other night. The story is hilarious and is a great way to reinforce teaching your children the alphabet. I suggest this book to teachers, parents looking for a book to help supplement alphabet learning at home, and all kids, especially Pre-K and Kindergartners.

* Another tidbit: If you like this book, check out the author's website for more books including Bad Kitty in other adventures! Website: www.nickbruel.com

The Napping House by Audrey Wood...

Illustrated by Don Wood. This is a very cute book. The illustrations are nicely done as well. The story is similar to "The House That Jack Built", in which each part of the story builds from the last thing that happened. And in the end, it all comes tumbling down. Check it out for your kiddos. They'll love the flea and how it all goes down in the end!
Happy reading....

California Academy of Sciences: Classroom Kits for Teachers

The Academy of Sciences in San Francisco has kits for teachers to be used in the classroom. The kits include materials for grades K-12 that include lesson plans, games, specimens, books, DVDs, etc. The activities in the kit meet California Science Content Standards. For more information and to find a kit specific to your teaching unit and/or grade level, visit their website.
http://www.calacademy.org

Book Club, March - May: For Adults, California Academy of Sciences

The Naturalist Center at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is hosting a book club for adults from March - May. The Academy actually hosts a monthly book group that focuses on science themed books. The book club is known as Bookworms.

The Ultimate Girly Book: Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes

Book: Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes
Author and Illustrator: Sujean Rim

This book is absolutely adorable! And, it is one of the girliest books for children I have seen. It is so wonderfully illustrated. I stumbled across the author's name a while back and was finally able to pick this book up yesterday evening at a local Borders bookstore. I am in LOVE! The story is good, the characters are fun, the pictures are wonderful, and the shoes are exquisite! To quote one of my favorite ladies..... "I die!" (Quote taken from Rachel Zoe.) I was literally reading this book and telling my husband, who, by the way, had to endure the story, because I read it aloud to him [ :-) ]....anyway, I was reading it to him and stopping at every page to sigh and tell him how I wanted the shoes in the book and to look at how cute they were and that I want to be like the mommy in the book. Well, anyway, sorry for rambling. I hope this all makes sense. Bottom line....I just love this book and I hope if any of you out there are as girly as me; or have a little girl or girls; or a niece; or even if you don't have kids, but just love to read; or love shoes; or fashion; or are just young at heart...well then, check this book out. It's one of my favorites. SO CUTE!!!
Happy Reading,
Tiffany

A Special Place In My Heart: Alice in Wonderland

Not only do I love the book, but in 3rd grade, I played the lead role in the play "Alice in Wonderland." =)
Since then, Alice has had a special place in my heart! And, although it's been ages since I've read the book, all of the recent previews for the new movie sparked the motivation for this post.
I don't have a review for the book, but thought these tidbits were interesting:

* Alice in Wonderland was originally entitled "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
* The original book was written in 1865....Holy cow! That was SOOOO long ago!!!
* The author's name is really Charles Lutwidge Dodgson
* He used the surname Lewis Carroll
* The movie was released by Disney in 1951
* One of only six original copies from 1865 was sold at an auction for $1.54 million, making Alice in Wonderland the most expensive children's book ever traded

I think I need to purchase my own copy of Alice in Wonderland to add to my collection. Does anyone else own the book? I'm just curious. What do you think of the book? The upcoming movie? Leave me a comment......

Help me out!!

Sorry everyone. I have been seriously lagging here with this blog. I haven't had time to get into a bookstore or library to check out any new books. So, this is where maybe some of you can help me out. Let me know what books you have come across lately that are worth talking about. Tell me a story about going to the bookstore or the library. Tell me about a story time event you went to with your kids. Tell me something, anything related to reading or books. It can even be something that doesn't pertain to children's books. Just share with me. I need some motivation. (And some proof that someone is actually reading what I write!!)









Happy story telling......

A book of friendship: "Frog and Toad Are Friends" by Arnold Lobel

And last of all for today, I will suggest "Frog and Toad Are Friends" by Arnold Lobel. This is another Caldecott Honor Book. I remember reading this book when I was a kid. It's a very nice story about friendship. It has a great message and is a great read. I highly suggest this one for kids. The message about kindness and friendship will warm their hearts and probably yours too.

Happy Reading!

- Tiffany

Olivia: A Caldecott Honor Book, written and illustrated by Ian Falconer

This is a nice little book that I stumbled across. Again, this one reminds me of myself. Not the pig part, but the fact that Olivia has a little brother and that she likes to go to the museum, and...well, you're just going to have to check it out yourself to see the rest! You'll like it, though. It's cute. It made me laugh!

And, another Valentine's Day read...

What the heck, let's dedicate this post to my niece, Amelia, as well. It has her name in the title, afterall! Ok, Amelia, this one's for you little lady..."Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine" is the name of the book and it's very cute! I have loved Amelia Bedelia stories since I was a child myself. I just love Amelia Bedelia. She is such a precocious little girl. She kind of reminds me a bit of myself! Anyway, this is a fun read, is nicely illustrated, and is an easy read for Valentine's Day.

Written by: Herman Parish

Pictures by: Lynne Avril

This is dedicated to my niece, Amelia...

Who happens to love Fancy Nancy! I am still learning, Amelia, but I agree with you that Fancy Nancy is pretty cute! And, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, this is a fun read. As Fancy Nancy says, this one is "Magnifique!"

Some Groundhog's Day Education: "Groundhog Weather School" written by Joan Holub and illustrated by Kristin Sorra

This is another great book for Groundhog's Day. "Groundhog Weather School" is a very well written, nicely illustrated book that uses a bit of humor to provide information about groundhogs and to explain the history of Groundhog's Day.

If you or your children are interested in finding out the significance of Goundhog's Day, then I suggest you take a look at this book. Plus, it's a fun read!

Today is February 2nd: Groundhog's Day 2010!!!

Here's a book for your little ones especially for Groundhog's Day - "Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather" by Bruce Koscielniak. This is a very cute story with a special message for children and their mamas. The message: Never forget that your mom is always there to help you out when you need her! Considering the fact that I just called my own mama for some help this week, this book spoke to me. What a nice little story!

I'm back...and lost among all the books!

I just wandered into a local Barnes and Noble bookstore, where I am currently writing this blog...and I have found lots of fun things to write about!! I just love coming to the bookstore. I could get lost for hours among the shelves of books. Does anyone else feel the same? If so, leave me a comment, and share your stories. I'm curious to hear others' thoughts about reading, books, the library, their favorite bookstores, etc.

Anyway, happy reading. I hope you enjoy what I share with you today!

- Tiffany

Here's hoping the sun comes out tommorrow and...

that I get a good post in. I have some things put together that I'm hoping to get to research tomorrow so I can send some more book choices and reviews your way. Stay tuned....

But I am feeling a bit like this today.....

Sorry...

That my blog is looking like this today....

Children's Storytime: Barnes and Noble

Locations, Days, and Times

Every Tuesday and Saturday at the Barnes and Noble in Natomas, 3561 N. Freeway Blvd., there is a children's storytime @ 11:00 a.m. The Barnes and Noble in Sacramento @ 1725 Arden Way, by the Arden Mall, also hosts storytime on Tuesdays and Saturdays. If you look at the Sacramento Barnes and Noble website, you can see a calendar of events in which the site lists what the theme for storytime will be. Looking ahead, this Saturday will be Super Hero Storytime and next Tuesday will be Duck Storytime. Barnes and Noble in Citrus Heights @ 6111 Sunrise Blvd. hosts children's storytime every Tuesday @ 10:30 a.m. The Barnes and Noble store in Roseville @ 1256 Galleria Blvd. hosts Wonderful Wacky Wednesday Storytime every Wednesday and Super Saturday Storytime every Saturday at 11:00.

Wag, by Patrick McDonnell

The same day that I found Hug Time, I came across another book by Patrick McDonnell: Wag.

What a cute story. If you have a child that likes dogs, then this is the book for you! This story shows us what gets Earl, the dog's, cute little tail really wagging! Read along to find the true meaning in this one: the secret to tail wagging in dogs...LOVE!

Another Valentine's Day Read: Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell

I was at Barnes and Noble on Saturday with my dear friend, Nicole, and I came across this book. I picked it up because with Valentine's Day just around the corner, the big red heart on the front cover caught my eye. Indeed, this is another good book that's fitting for the upcoming "holiday." Actually, though, this is a book that would be great at any time of the year. The message here is great for kids: Hugs can make the world a better place. There is another "hidden" message in the book as well. Read along with your favorite "little person" to see how Jules the kitten shows animals around the globe that there is someone out there who cares for them.

A Valentine's Day Read: "Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink"

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd suggest something for the upcoming "holiday":

"Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink" by Diane deGroat is a great read for your little ones for Valentine's Day. It contains great artwork and a very good message to youngsters about the choices we make and how they affect us as well as others around us.

I love this book. I purchased it last year around Valentine's Day to read to one of my classes I was teaching at the time. The kids really enjoyed it, and I think yours will too! Look for this book at your local bookstores, Borders or Barnes and Noble retailers, or at stores like Target and Wal-Mart. (I got my copy at Target last year.)

As always, happy reading!!!

- Tiffany

Local Bookstore Events: Children's Story Time

Just wanted those of you out there with kids to know that the Borders bookstores in Sacramento on Fair Oaks Blvd. and in Folsom on East Bidwell Street host "Children's Storytime" every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. I have never been, but am planning my next free Tuesday to go check it out at one of these stores. Be waiting for upcoming blogs for information on when I'm planning to go and then for a review. If anyone would like to join me, let me know and maybe we can figure out a date and time to go check it out together!
Oh, and if you've ever been, leave me a comment on what you think....
Happy reading and happy Friday,
Tiffany <3

Collecting Children's Books

I decided while I was at the bookstore today, that I do love children's books so...that I am going to start collecting the ones that I especially take a liking to. There are so many great children's books that I have come across in various different stores. I just never pick them up because I don't have kids of my own. I realized today, however, that there are not boundaries regarding books and reading. Just because I'm an adult and a book may be classified as a "children's book," doesn't mean that I can't read it and it doesn't mean I can't purchase it. So, in addition to the novels I pick up for myself, I intend to start collecting children's books as well. Oh, and just an FYI, I do take hand me downs and gifts! Just kidding...well, sort of....but really, feel free to send anything you think I may like my way... or leave me a comment with any suggestions and recommendations. Thanks! And again, happy reading!!

The Ugly Pumpkin

I was at my local Borders bookstore today and came across this fabulous book in the bargain bin. I sat down and read it and fell in love. It is such a nicely illustrated, colorful book with a very good message. I definitely suggest it to anyone looking to purchase a book for their children that has a similar meaning as the story of the Ugly Duckling. This is that kind of story, only a newer version. It is a very good and easy read for young readers. I give it a star!

And, in case you're wondering, I purchased it! =)

Everything Books, Reading, and the like.....

This is my blog for everything related to reading and books geared toward children and young adults. I hope to inspire youngsters to read, get parents and kids talking about reading, and hopefully share some interesting, fun, and exciting books for you to read along the way. I hope you will find something you like, pass it on, share with your children, and continue to keep reading!
Much love,
Tiffany