Color Me Blue

The author of this beautifully illustrated book explores color and perspective, as print characters suddenly come to life on the page. It all starts with the unseen illustrator who is just about to finish painting the scene, with only the barnyard left to complete. Next, a little white chicken pictured on the page decides she wants to help. Suddenly, blue paint is everywhere and spreading fast! First on the chicken, then over purple pansies, next-turning yellow ducks blue, splattering the cat and even pouring over the pages that follow. How can chicken undo her mistake and turn everything back the way it was before? Children will love finding out what happens next.

With minimal text, the illustrations really help tell most of the story. This is the perfect type of book to sit and have a conversation about with your child. For younger children, start by pointing at the different animals and asking, "What's this?" Expand on what your child says. If she says, "A white chicken" you might say, "Yes, a white chicken looking at a bottle of blue paint." If you think your child is ready, start asking more open ended questions such as, "What is chicken doing?" "How do you think the other animals feel now that they are blue?" "What can chicken do to clean up the blue paint?" Having a conversation about the pictures in a book is a great way to increase your child's language skills, build critical thinking and help him understand what is going on in the story. Most importantly, sharing and talking about books will help build an even stronger bond between you and your child.

Miss~Mary

Lost and Found

Poor little bunny has lost his Granny and he is feeling and looking very blue. He even cries blue tears...boo hoo hoo! I like this book for many reasons not the least of which is the art and design. Nicola Smee's watercolor illustrations stand out strongly on the clean, white uncluttered pages with big, bold text that even a beginner reader could pick up and read to a younger sibling. When Bunny Blue's granny goes missing all of bunny's friends come to the rescue asking important questions to find out what Granny looks like. Bunny's endearing descriptions of a granny with twinkly eyes, a big smile, and soft furry arms provide all the clues his friends need to join in the search. What's the Matter Bunny Blue introduces a scary theme of being lost without being scary, and offers reassurance to a child that there are caring adults who will come to the rescue. Read it! Then talk to your child about what they should do if their granny ever goes missing. Seriously, this simple story with a happy ending provides a great segue for you to talk to your child about an important subject.


Miss Julie

It's Going to Get Loud...

I love reading interactive, funny books with kids. Bertie Was a Watchdog by Rick Walton is right up my alley.

Bertie is a watchdog, but not because he's big or mean or scary, but because he is the size of a wristwatch. Do you still wear a wristwatch? This may be a good opportunity to show your little one what one is. When a robber breaks into the house, Bertie has to use his smarts to save the day.

You will get to growl, bark and make siren noises together while you read this story. Encouraging your antsy little guys to make appropriate noises while you read is a sure way to capture their attention. So let the fun begin and go to your local library and check out a copy now!

~miss_april