June 2009

  • Goodnight Moon

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    Written in 1947, Margaret Wise Brown’s classic children’s bedtime story is a timeless starter for sweet dreams, perfect for children anywhere. It’s no wonder the book is a bestseller, having sold more than 4 million copies. As the little bunny says goodnight to all of the things in his or her room, the storyteller can softly reduce his or her speed, slowing to a whisper at the end, creating a feeling of peace in a child’s bedroom.

    Since the story is told in poetry form, it’s very easy to read, with an almost singsong quality. Moving from illustration to illustration, each gentle, soft picture also provides a soothing effect to end the day smoothly. As the story continues, the room gets darker and darker, depicting a natural bedtime progression.

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  • I Love the Night

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    hostahostaAll of Dar Hosta’s books are enchanting, but this one is perhaps my personal favorite. With its soothing nighttime story and stunning graphics, it’s no wonder the book was the winner of the Teacher’s Choice Award in 2004.

    The story itself is gorgeous enough for older readers, with or without the images; but Hosta’s art is, as ever, enchanting enough for all ages to fall in love with.

    Hosta gives a friendly face and a neighborly voice to animals like crickets, spiders and bats—animals that normally may seem strange and scary to little ones. Hosta gives them a calm sort of beauty, and a definite place in our world that we start to feel a reverence for creatures we may have once feared.

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  • Puff the Magic Dragon

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    Even if you only marginally like the song—and who doesn’t love “Puff the Magic Dragon”?—chances are you will love this book—and so will the children in your life. Here are ten reasons why this is an incredible book, both for the young and old.

    10. There’s nothing overtly trippy. Sure, the dolphins in the book wear graduation caps and glasses, and the plants have faces, but there’s nothing to indicate the song’s supposed “ulterior” meaning that many claim it has.

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  • Absolute Zero

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    I recently bought the second installment in the Bagthrope series which happens to be Absolute Zero. These books bring back fond memories and I was always thought that the character and plot-lines just got better as you dig further into the series. And so it was with Absolute Zero.

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  • The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters

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    Jolly PostmanJolly PostmanWho does not love getting mail in their mail box?  Children especially love getting surprise mail, letters and packages from family and friends, they even love to open up their parent’s junk mail.  This is what the Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters by

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  • Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough

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    Both mysDuck in the TruckDuck in the Truckelf and the little boy I nanny for fell in love with the rhyming children’s book, Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough.  This book has great cartoon graphics that really help to build up the story and make it even more hilarious than the words themselves.

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