How about a quick look at the kids' fave books right now, shall we? It's that time again-- what are your kids reading these days? 5 Minutes for Books is hosting Kids' Picks, and this is a peek into what books are most often finding their way into my little ones' hands.
Let's start with JAM, the book-loving, Star Wars obsessed almost-9 year old who lives under this roof, litters our yard with sticks and can't wait for school to finish in two days. Lovely hubby bought him this book a little while ago, and he's been completely absorbed in it, although I have to say that I have no interest in joining him... this one is absolutely a daddy/JAM kind of thing. The Hobbit: An illustrated edition of the fantasy classic, illustrated by David Wenzel. While this may not be my thing, JAM is loving it, and the graphic novel/comic book structure is a cool way to introduce the story to him before he's ready to read the actual novel.
Red is as in love with anything Mo Willems as I am, so we've been reading some of the Elephant & Piggie books, cracking up together at the joy that emanates from these simple little books. I can't wait until she can read these on her own-- I have an image of sitting with her as she giggles out the words to me. (Insert appropriate lengthed "awwww" here.") The one that we just read before nap today is the silly Today I Will Fly! As Piggie wants to fly, there is Gerald being a grump and trying to rain on her parade, but she'll keep her sunny disposition as always. The best part, which just says something about our fascination, was the surprise appearance of Pigeon in the end pages. Red did her own LOL when she discovered him!
Then there's Pudge, who has shown more and more interest in reading books on his own. The sight of him grabbing a book, scaling the couch and plopping down on the pillows to read all alone makes me tear up. (I'm a sentimental sap.) He keeps returning to this book that we got from the library weeks back, The Baby in the Hat by Allan Ahlberg. It's a strange little story, I have to say, but we like it. His favorite page-- which I can assert because it's the page he usually goes to first-- is a spread of the captain in a long boat with six rowers all saying, "Aye-aye, sir!" The first time I read this, I gave each of the guys an English accent in various tones and volumes, and now that's just what Pudge does when he looks at this page. A one-year old imitating an already-bad British accent is hysterical, trust me!What are your kids picking these days? (And don't say their noses... that's a given round these parts!) Link on up or leave a comment over at 5M4B!
A fan of my local library,
The second two books sound sooo cute I bet my kid would love them! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I am totally a fan of the Elephant and Piggie readers because recently I found I Love My New Toy, and new that he could read all those words on the page, so we checked it out.
ReplyDeleteKyle happened to be beside me just now and pointed to the book cover and read it, and said, "I want that one."
So, guess what? We clicked through amazon and bought it. And since it's part of buy 4 for the price of 3, we also bought 3 more of them AND I Love my New Toy was in the bargain bin for 3.96, so we bought it too. Do you care about my shopping expedition? Probably not, but I think that 5 books for $40 is a steal, and he had a bday check from a grandparent burning a hole in my pocket, and we have my very long car journey coming up -- so YAY!
Audrey LOVES the Elephant and Piggie books! It helps that she is somewhat pig-obsessed. We just got "I Love My New Toy" from the library last week. After one reading she had it memorized. Now I can hear her up in her room "reading" the whole story. I think it is cool to have an early reader book that isn't dull as dirt. But since she just memorizes them, I don't know how I'll ever know if she can read them. :)
ReplyDeleteWe recently returned "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed". We checked that out on your glowing recommendation and were not disapointed. Thanks for the tip.
YAY for JAM's fascination with the Hobbit. Start 'um young, that's fantastic! ;)
ReplyDeletePiggie and Elephant are big hits around here lately. They are the only readers Noah will pick up on his own....love hearing him read to Camille since she begs to hear them throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteWe are also loving Florian's recent book of poetry: Dinothesaurus. And getting ready to re-read "The Invention of Hugo Cabret". I think you and JAM would both enjoy that one.
So, I went on (and ON) about my great shopping experience, and I was thinking that it wasn't sounding so great, because one of the books was free, and one was only $4.
ReplyDeleteAnyway -- it was really all 5 of those books for just over $30, not $40. Can't wait until they get here.
I posted about a deal in my Kids' Picks post. I just love getting a deal. A cheap pair of jeans or shoes -- well, that's okay, but a deal on books -- now that I can talk about (and can't resist).
My six year old girl likes the Chronicles of Narnia. At her reading level, I have to read these books to her. Both her and her four year old brother like the Mercy Watson series of books. Mom doesn't much care for Mercy Watson, but unlike some of the other books, the kids instantly quiet down and pay attention when a Mercy Watson book is being read.
ReplyDeleteMy son got in HUGE trouble the other day and was in his room forever. He picked up his sister's copy of Twilight on the way to his banishment and is now hooked. (picture me giggling. he's a non-Twilight type of guy. although, he was told that it really is a magnet for chicks. :D )
ReplyDeleteOh, I also heard him giving his sister a review of what he liked and did not like about the book so far. Very funny. Makes this mom a little sentimental. (would love to see Pudge plop on the couch to read.)
I'm gonna have to pick up that version of "The Hobbit" for Patrick. I've read the Tolkien novel to him, and he loves the animated movie-- but I think he'll enjoy the graphic novel style.
ReplyDeleteHopefully some new "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book will come out soon-- those are his absolute faves (along with Captain Underpants, of course). :) Hooray for kids who love books!
I really liked The Hobbit, I'm excited to read it to my two bigs ones sometime soon. And you know how I feel about Elephant and Piggie :)
ReplyDeleteI love Today I Will Fly. The first time I read it at the book store, I had to buy it b/c I actually snorted out loud in the store. The Elephant and Pig books make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI also love My Friend is Sad.