Fancy Nancy Book Review

Bella and I have recently discovered the glamorous (that's a fancy way of saying pretty) life of Nancy.

Nancy likes all things pretty and fabulous.
Frilly socks and lots of bows.
She is bewildered at the fact that her parents and sister do not care for fancy things.
Not even sprinkles on their ice cream..
So, she comes up with a plan. Lessons in being fancy!
She starts a class for her family and success is found.
A wonderful dinner out is had, complete with several French words spoken.
Sadly, tragedy strikes as Nancy is carrying the parfaits to the table.
Soon, they are back at home, cleaned up and in regular clothes.
As Nancy is tucked into bed, she and her parents say "I love you"
and there is no fancier or better way to say that.

What a delight this book was! We look forward to continuing the series.

• Fancy Nancy
• Author-Jane O'Conner
• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780060542092
• ISBN-13: 978-0060542092

Boo To A Goose

Children's Book Review 

Boo To A Goose

Here is an excerpt of this jewel of a picture book

“I’d dance with a pig in a shiny green wig
But I wouldn’t say boo to a goose!’
I’d ride on a ‘roo to Kalamazoo
But I wouldn’t say boo to a goose!"

I had a wonderful time reading this book to my daughter. 

The rolling rhymes just flowed along 

and we both enjoyed the silly word pictures Mem Fox presented. 

Simple and fun, it is a great read aloud for the young folks. 

I love the repeating phrase "I wouldn't say boo to a goose"

Kids enjoy having something like this refrain to shout out as you engage them in reading. 

Also, the illustrations are very intricate paper cut-outs 

laid out in beautiful fashion. 

I give this book a big happy mom recommendation! 

The only warning I should give parents is this:

There are two parts of the book, one involving piranhas and 

one involving the child's pants slipping down. 

So please be advised to pre-read and see if you feel it is right for your children.

Information so you can find the book

• Name: Boo To A Goose 
• Author Mem Fox
• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (February 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140567666
• ISBN-13: 978-0140567663

Review "Bear In Sunshine"

Tonight I want to recommend yet another delightful book that
I have stumbled across during my time as "The Mama" 
It tells the story of a bear through the seasons. 
He enjoys rain, mist and snow among other "climate changes" 
The colors are so bright and beautiful,
it is a treat to read and point things out for little eyes to peruse. 
I love that there are so many details in the illustrations. 
Bear wears black rain boots, purple ice skates,  has a pink umbrella 
and is shown flying a red kite. 
A great way to teach item names and colors. 
At the end of the book is a run-down of each season 
with a cute illustration of bear doing something associated with that time of year. 
Just a nice, simple enjoyable book for the 2 year old and parent. 
Here is the run-down so you can find it 

    Bear in Sunshine by Stella Blackstone

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
• Board book: 24 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841489239
• ISBN-13: 978-1841489230
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches

"Bear Snores On" Book Review

Bear's friends sneak into his den on a frosty winters night and day. 

There is tea to drink, pop corn is popped and food is made.

The friends gather to chatter, talk, tweet and chirp all through the night, never waking bear. 

Then, a piece of pepper finds the way to his nose and he is awoken. 

What will happen, we wonder now that Bear is alert?

He is sad, because his friends have had all the fun while he was asleep. 

He then joins in the fun for a while.... 

only to look down and discover the rest of the gang has decided to snooze.

Such a delight to read with the beautiful rhythm and flow of the words.

The illustrations are lovely and there are nice details to point out to your little ones

The book has wonderful word usage, great to encourage your child to come back for more!

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1st edition (January 1, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0689878028
• ISBN-13: 978-0689831874

Book Review "Honey For A Child's Heart"

When I was in college, the book: "Honey For A Child's Heart" was assigned to my Children's Lit. class.
It is amusing that once it was required for a grade but, now I read it for fun and even recommend it.
This book made me stop and truly consider what lies in our book-reading path.
It asks several questions of you as an educator or parent.
Why are you having the children read?
What thoughts or ideals should books communicate to your children?
It also encourages you to share your reading experiences with your children.
This is not a path that you throw them on to continue down by themselves. Reading is an amazing journey, where you take your child mentally by the hand and point out interests along the way.
This passage does well to bring the joy of reading out

Page 26 says 
" What kind of books? Stories that make for wonder. Stories that make for laughter. Stories that stir one within with an understanding of the true nature of courage, of love, of beauty. Stories that make one tingle with high adventure, with daring, with grim determination, with the capacity of seeing danger through to the end. Stories that bring our minds to kneel in reverence; stories that show the tenderness of true mercy, the strength of loyalty, the unmawkish respect for what is good. A good book is always an experience containing spiritual, emotional and intellectual dimensions"

How can we not be stirred by this section in the book?
The books you choose for your child will have a profound influence on them both now and later in life
I also appreciated that this book reminds us how wonderful it is to read out loud to each other and what wonderful discussions a book can foster.

All this, is well and good but, my favorite part is the bibliography in back.
It has the books divided by age level and contains some small descriptions about the content of the books.
It is a veritable reading buffet for parents!
I am so excited to use this as Bella gets older.
Here, I leave you to make up your own mind about this selection but, I give it a high recommendation.

"Honey For A Child's Heart"
              Gladys Hunt - ISBN 0-310-26381-6

Ode To Delicious Drinks

Delicious Drink

In the Walters' home we indulge in something called Ginger Beer.
It is enjoyable, crisp and refreshing.
Also, it is 100% natural in its ingredients and is made the old fashioned way.
It is non-alcoholic and ginger is supposed to be very good for the digestive system.
Either way, we love it and all the different flavors you can get.

Here is a link to their site~
http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com/index.php

An Old Fashioned Read

I was in a reading mood yesterday, and was struggling to find something enjoyable.
Then I remembered my small collection of Louisa may Alcott books.
I pulled An Old Fashioned Girl from the dusty shelves and began to peruse it.
I have read this book several times but, it has certainly been a while.
I highly recommend reading it, if you have not.
Polly is a very likable character with excellent morals, and high standards of conduct.
I also enjoyed the book Rose in Bloom.... that whole series, which stems from 8 cousins, is delightful as well.
I feel these books would be especially good for a girl just on the brink of woman-hood.
However; we who have been women for a while can sit down, relax with a warm cup of tea and read just a few chapters ourselves. Have a blessed day!