Give the Gift of Reading (and why I read to my kid)

I can wax poetic all day and night about why books make the best gifts, but that would make for one very long post. I'll try to keep it short and sweet…. But I won’t promise anything. :)

Books can make really great gifts if you think about it. They far outlast some of the more popular gifts out there, don’t require batteries and come in a one size fits all ratio. Plus they are easy to wrap! They inspire imagination and creativity not to mention a good book can transport you anywhere in the world without setting one foot outside. They really are the best gift that keeps on giving, so in honor of Christmas I would like to share some of my favorite books that would make great gifts for the little munchkins in your life… and the mamas too!

For baby:

Brown Bear, Bown Bear, What Do You See?

The Monster at the End of This Book

Goodnight Moon

The Snowy Day

I am a Bunny

All of which can be found in board book version. Perfect for little hands and almost indestructible! (almost)

For the Pre-Schooler:

Anything Curious George

Where The Wild Things Are
The Nutshell Library

There is Something There: Three Bedtime Classics

For the animal lover:

Over in the Meadow

The Magpie’s Nest

A kiss For Little Bear
The If You Give Series:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

… There are tons more in the series but these are our favorites.

Mama and Baby:

The Kissing Hand

Are You My Mother?

For The little traveler:

The Red Balloon

For the budding artist:

Roy Lichtenstein’s ABC

Counting with Wayne Thiebaud
Andy Warhol’s Colors

Books about potty time:

Once Upon a Potty

Everyone Poops

Now onto the next subject. Why I love story time with The Boog.

Reading is beneficial in a lot of ways but it’s the snuggling and laughing that inevitably ensues which brings us closer together. After a day of hustle and bustle it’s nice to grab a few quiet minutes, just the two of us. I also feel a tinge of accomplishment when she grabs her favorite book and sits on the couch “reading” to herself. I read to The Boog because I treasure moments like that. Of course I read to her because of the countless educational benefits but reading for us is so much more than that. I read to her so she feels loved, safe, creative, passionate…. I want her to love books as much as I do. They are magical doors to endless possibilities. But first and foremost, reading gives me an excuse to cuddle and show her that mommy loves her, in her own words, “always and forever.” So give the gift of reading and know your giving someone so much more than just a book!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

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If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
Written by Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond
2008

"If you give a cat a cupcake, he'll ask for some sprinkles to go with it. When you give him the sprinkles, he might spill some on the floor. Cleaning up will make him hot, so you'll give him a bathing suit" . . . . . I had no idea this existed or else I would have added it to our collection by now! Decided to buy it for The BOOG for Christmas... Oh how we love our cupcakes!


Also By:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
If You Give a Pig a Pancake

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Pumpkin Party

Hey Kiddo’s! What were you up to this weekend? Im excited for The Boog’s impending Birthday Party, which happens to be right around Halloween. The theme for this year is PUMPKIN! Pumpkin picking , pumpkin cake…. Pumpkin decorations! Everything is pumpkin. So in honor of my party planning efforts and All Hallows Eve, here are a few fun posts from around the web…… (above image: Jar o lanterns via family fun)
Pumpkin Patch Cake via Decorated Cookie

Popcorn Pops via Sugar Derby

DIY “Reese’s” Pumpkins via Miss Make

Pumpkin Balloons via Martha Stewart

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If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
By Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond

Hello all! How is everyone doing…? I only ask since I have been away for a couple months enjoying time with my family and unfortunately not spending a whole lot of time treasure hunting. No treasure hunting means that I have spent even less time blogging. However, I’m so happy to be back in time for my favorite season, Fall! What excites me even more than Fall? Halloween! I have some goodies coming up for these next couple of weeks but for now allow me to introduce the new addition to Barnes and Noble’s Online Storytime, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Laura Numeroff narrates the beloved tale of a mouse with a hankering for milk and cookies and a penchant for chaos.

Do you know what happens if you give a mouse a cookie? He’ll want some milk to go with it… and then milk and cookies will turn into haircuts, nap time, story time, arts and crafts time…… if you are unfamiliar with Laura Numeroff, you just have to check out her “If You Give” Series. The illustrations are intriguing and the story always features an animal innocently wreaking havoc on unassuming young children. The Boog finds them to be funny and I myself find it amusing how the animals zip through one activity to the next exhausting their little friends as they go along.

Also by:
If You Give a Pig a Pancake

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Ernie's Work of Art

Ernie’s Work of ArtBy Valjean McLenighan
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu1979

I’m such a sucker for vintage Sesame Street that, even a ratty crummy old, Little Golden Book won’t turn me away! This one was purchased not too long ago, along with a few other bedtime stories I picked up for The Boog. (May I quickly mention that it was illustrated by one of my most favorite Sesame Street Illustrators of all time.)

I have so many of these Sesame Street LGBks to share but today I chose one that directly reflects the mood in my house since, as you can see, The Boog is feeling very artistic as of late. What can I say? Im a proud mama!

Anyhoo, let's see what Ernie creates, with a little help from the Sesame Street Gang.

THE END

Also by Joe Mathieu:
Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree

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