Day 244: Tippy, Tippy, Tippy Splash!

Sadly, summer has come and gone, but that has not stopped us from enjoying this cute story and reliving our fun days at the beach! Mr. McGreely and his mischievous bunnies are back in this fun, silly tale that little readers are sure to enjoy. Just as in Muncha, Muncha, Muncha!, 

Mr. McGreely had bunny problems.

He had bunnies in his garden.

Bunnies in his shed.

Bunnies in his cupboard.

Bunnies in his…BED!

He decides to escape from those pesky pufftails by spending a fun, relaxing day at the beach, but little does he know that the bunnies are going to come along, too! Mr. McGreely is determined to have fun collecting shells, flying his kite, surfing, and building sandcastles, and he tries his best... but not only do the bunnies do everything he does, they do it better! Just when Mr. McGreely thinks his day is ruined, the bunnies save the day, and the sweet ending is sure to bring a smile to your child's face. My daughter, 5, gets such a kick out of this story and especially loves the beach bunny in the sunglasses.  We hope you enjoy these silly stories as much as we do!

Our Summery Summer Reading List

As summer approaches and people begin dreaming about their summer reading lists, I thought I'd offer one of our own.  These are some of our favorite summertime books, in no particular order.  Happy reading!

Summertime Fun:

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey:  A classic tale by a classic author that is not to be missed.  I can't wait for freshly picked blueberries and blueberry pie!

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris van Dusen:  Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee are at it again.   What is your favorite way to camp?  Under the stars, cozy in a tent, or in a hotel?

Little Cloud by Eric Carle:  What is more summery than lying in the grass watching the clouds go by?

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey:  I love this timeless story about coastal life in a day gone by.  I can almost smell the sea just reading it... and clam chowder for lunch!

Henry and Mudge in the Green Time by Cynthia Rylant:  Henry and Mudge are two of our favorite literary characters. The last chapter, "The Green Time," is one of my favorites of the entire Henry and Mudge series.

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle:  Few things signal the arrival of summer more than watching fireflies flicker around the yard!


The Pigeon Needs a Bath! by Mo Willems:  The Pigeon is back and we couldn't love this book more.  What child can't relate? As we like to say here in our house, if you don't need a bath every night in the summer, you haven't been playing hard enough.

Andrew Henry's Meadow:  What child doesn't dream of building a secret fort or house in a world of his own?  Love, love, love this book.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney:  One of my favorite books of all time.  Gorgeous story, beautiful illustrations, and an even lovelier message.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies: Kick off summer reading season with a trip to your local library, and while you're there, look for this fabulous book!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen:  An entertaining story full of adventure, excitement, and fun sound effects.  May it inspire you to go on many adventures of your own this summer!

Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel:  One of my favorite stories from my childhood.  All of Frog and Toad's adventures are wonderful to read at any time of year, and make a great introduction to chapter books for younger readers.

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray:  This is a beautiful book that always makes me want to head outside in my pajamas to do a little stargazing.  Bring your little ones with you and then snuggle up in bed with this book.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown: "A magical story about a boy's dream and how the efforts on one call person can help change the world."  

My Garden by Kevin Henkes:  We just love this delightful story about a little girl's magical garden, complete with jelly bean bushes, seashells, glowing strawberries, chocolate rabbits, and flowers that grow back as soon as you pick them.  What would you grow in your garden?



At the beach:

Over in the Ocean by Maryanne Berkes:  A fabulously fun sing-along with brilliant illustrations.  My kids can't get enough of this book!

A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle:  Hunting for crabs is one of our favorite seaside activities, and we love to read this great story after a day of exploring "crab kingdom."

Stella, Star of the Sea by Marie Louise Gay:  Join Stella and her brother Sam as they spend a day at the seashore.  I just love Stella's carefree nature and her charming answers to Sam's endless questions.

Flotsam by David Weisner:  A brilliantly creative wordless picture book that is bound to be loved by children of all ages.

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen:  Always a favorite here in our house, the Pout Pout Fish reminds us that sometimes a kiss is all we need to turn our frowns upside down.




Be sure to check out The Pout-Pout Fish and the Big-Big Dark too!

Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea by Cynthia Rylant:  Join Henry and Mudge as they spend the day seaside and then treat yourself to a cherry sno cone (or two!)






Bring on vacation!

Pictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins:  A fabulous story that reminds us that the time we spend doing things together is the most memorable thing of all.

Penguin On Vacation by Salina Yoon:  A sweet story about friendship that is one of our summertime favorites.



Goodnight Our World series:  These books are a great way to introduce your child to a new place before you go there, or to remind you of that special place once you've gone back home.






Travel the World:

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman: A fabulous book that takes us around the world to acquire all the fixings for an apple pie.  Gather your cinnamon from the bark of Sri Lanka's kurundu trees, elegant eggs from France, sugar cane from Jamaica, and more!

We All Went On Safari by Laurie Krebs:  If you're looking for an amazing book about Africa or Maasai culture, look no further.  This book is bursting with information and is incredibly fun to read.  Be sure to check out all of the educational extras at the end!

Toot and Puddle by Hollie Hobbie:  Follow Toot on his journey around the world to Egypt, Paris, the Alps, Antarctica, and other exotic places, then read the postcards he sends to his best friend Puddle about his amazing adventures.

My Granny Went to Market by Stella Blackstone:  It's never too early to introduce children to other countries and cultures.  Fly around the world with Granny on her magic carpet, stopping to buy all kinds of fun things from different countries along the way.

Imagine by Alison Lester:  If your child loves animals, he will adore this book.  It is full of gorgeous illustrations of animals from all around the globe.  But don't worry -- there is a key of each picture and its species at the back of the book.


What is your favorite summer reading book?  Please share in the comments below!

Day 109: Blueberries for Sal

We're heading to Maine for a wedding tomorrow, so got several books on cd out of the library today for my son to listen to on our roadtrip.  And, since we're going to Maine, I thought Blueberries for Sal would be a perfect story to take along with us!  I just love Robert McCloskey's timeless tales that are so beautifully and masterfully crafted, and Blueberries for Sal is no exception.  You might remember little Sal from One Morning in Maine.  This time, she is venturing off to Blueberry Hill to collect blueberries with her mother.  Tin pail in hand, Sal picks blueberries the way I always did as a child (and still do, sometimes,) eating three handfuls for every one berry that ends up in the pail.  Her mother, of course, is focused on the task at hand, picking as many berries as possible so that she can preserve them for the winter months ahead.  Sal snacks while her mother picks, eventually wandering off toward the other side of the Blueberry Hill, where we meet another mother/child pair intent on eating their share of berries and storing up for the upcoming winter:  a mama bear and her cub!  In a clever juxtaposition of motherly love, nature, and young curiosity, we follow Sal and the little bear as they stray from their mothers in search of berries of their own, only to end up with the mother of the other.  McCloskey's drawings are fabulous, as always -- this is another Caldecott Honor book -- and capture the wonder of that summer afternoon perfectly.  I particularly love the illustration that appears on both the first and last page of Sal "helping" her mom can the berries in their kitchen.  I think Sal and my son must have a lot in common.  I also can't help but be reminded of the many summer days I have been fortunate to spend in my grandmother's Maine field, sitting down in the middle of a large clump of wild, low-bush berries, picking to my heart's content, dreaming of the pie that we'll later make and knowing that what we don't pick today, the deer might eat tonight.  As with One Morning in Maine and Make Way for Ducklings, McCloskey captures the  essence of a time gone by, forever preserving it for future generations.  Fall might have officially arrived here in New England, but this is one book that will remind us of the simple joys of summer all throughout the year. 

Day 93: A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee

Calling all campers!  This book is a must for you!  We first fell in love with Chris Van Duzen when we read The Circus Ship back on Day 61.  He is a master of fun, rhythmic verse (much like Bill Peet, in my opinion) and his illustrations have that certain je ne sais quoi.  I particularly love the way he is able to depict light and water in his art, with beautifully bold colors and a nuanced touch that bring his animated images to life.  A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee has a fabulously cool retro feel to it, too, from the style of the car and camper to Mr. Magee's glasses.   I just love it!  In this playful tale, Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee, head out to the mountains for some good ol' camping fun.  They find the perfect spot -- high on a hill overlooking the mountains and a beautiful waterfall -- and settle in for the evening.  "Dee gathered pine cones and branches and logs.  Magee made a campfire and cooked some hot dogs.  And as the sun set behind far distant knolls, they sat roasting marshmallows over the coals."  But as Dee and Magee drift off to sleep, a marshmallow hungry bear comes along... setting them off on a silly, wild, precarious ride!  Having survived several different camping comedies of error myself, I can't help but be amused by this story; especially the very end.  I usually find myself craving s'mores after reading it, too.  Whether your idea of camping is pitching your tent after a long backwoods hike or checking in at the Marriot,  A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee is sure to delight you and your child.

Day 83: Stella, Star of the Sea

To me, the beach and summer go hand in hand.  I can't imagine a better way to spend a summer day than strolling along the shore, feeling the sand between my toes, and taking a swim in the cool ocean waves.  I also realized recently that few things make me happier than watching my children play together along the water's edge.  When I asked some friends of the blog about their favorite summer reads, Sharon Cerasoli recommended Stella, Star of the Sea.  I love suggestions from fellow book lovers so couldn't wait to check it out.  We borrowed it from our local library the other day and my son and I both love it!  Thank you so much for sharing, Sharon!  Stella and her brother Sam are spending a day at the seashore.  It is Sam's very first time, and he's a bit nervous.  The sea is big and noisy.  The water is cold.  He's quite hesitant to go in, but not Stella!  She loves the sea!  "She had seen the sea once, before Sam was born," so of course, "She knew all its secrets."  Worrywart Sam asks his sister question after question, and each time, Stella has a delightful reply that is sure to bring a smile to your face.  "Where do starfish come from?" asked Sam.  "From the sky," answered Stella.  "Starfish are shooting stars that fell in love with the sea."  They find shells of all kinds, dig a hole to China, and fish from the pier, little brother asking questions all the while.  "Do you think there are sharks in the sea?...  Does a seahorse neigh?... Does a parrotfish swim? Or does it fly and squawk?"  Stella continues to reply with her matter-of-fact simplicity, until finally, her carefree nature and zest rub off on Sam and he takes the plunge!  I love the relationship between these two siblings and the illustrations are as fabulous as the story itself.  I especially love the kids' cute, round bellies and Stella's flaming red hair.  If you're looking for another great summertime read, I highly recommend this book.  There are others in the Stella series, too.  I can't wait to look them up!

Day 81: Little Cloud

Anyone who has ever gazed up at the clouds and seen different shapes and creatures among them is sure to adore this book.   We just love it!  Like so many wonderful Eric Carle stories, Little Cloud excites the imagination while teaching us a little lesson in the process.  The curious little cloud ventures away from his friends, touching the tops of the houses and trees, then turning into all sorts of shapes -- a sheep, a plane, a shark, trees, a rabbit, a hat, a clown -- before finally joining his friends to do what all clouds are supposed to do... rain!  I love Carle's choice of objects the cloud becomes and its reasons for doing so.  ("Little Cloud changed into an airplane.  Little Cloud often saw airplanes flying through the clouds.")  It's a simple, lovely story that intrigues young minds and is a perfect book to read on a summer day.  After reading it, of course, you'll have to go out and do some cloud gazing yourself!  Be sure to read Carle's letter to the reader on the inside cover, as well.  I always love when authors do this, especially when it provides a bigger sense of why they wrote the story and what they hope the reader takes away from the book.   Happy cloud watching!

Day 80: Henry and Mudge in the Green Time

One of our earliests posts (Day 3) was about the beloved boy and dog duo of Henry and Mudge, who have long been regular favorites in our household.  We are fond of Cynthia Rylant's books, in general, but Henry and Mudge will forever hold a very special place in our hearts.  I just love these stories about the big drooly dog and his best friend, Henry.  Sucie Stevenson's illustrations are wonderfully charming, and I love the way Rylant describes the things Mudge does and the love Henry's family has for one another.  There are 28 books in the series, and I think we've read just about all of them at one time or another.  Henry and Mudge in the Green Time is definitely among my favorites.   It takes place in the summer, and the three chapter stories are "The Picnic," in which Henry gets stung by a bee, "The Bath," in which Mudge endures a much-hated bath, and "The Green Time," my favorite of the three.   I think I love the Green Time so much because it captures the wonderful imagination of Henry, an only child, and the bliss and innocence of childhood.  Henry and Mudge spend lots of time on the green hill near their house, Henry pretending to be a king and Mudge, his dragon.  "The met monsters.  Mudge ate them.  They marched and marched till they could march no more.  Then they found a magic tree on the green hill.  It was a tree for kings and dragons who were tired.  Henry and Mudge sat down under the tree.  Henry put his arms around Mudge.  They were glad for a magic tree.  They closed their eyes.  And a boy and his dog slept, together, on the green hill in their green time."   Just wonderful, isn't it?  Henry and Mudge can usually be found in the early reader section of your library.  No need to wait until your child can actually read, though, before checking out this fabulous series.  These books are wonderful additions to any preschoolers library.  Be warned, though:  this series is addictive!  Don't be surprised if your little one asks to bring home the library's entire collection all at once.

Day 77: One Morning In Maine

No trip to Maine is complete without reading a few Robert McCloskey books.  We arrived in Boothbay Harbor today, which is about as close to coastal perfection as any town gets.  What better book to share from such a glorious location than One Morning in Maine?  After all, the setting for this charming story couldn't be all that far from here.  I was so thrilled to find a copy of One Morning in Maine at our last local library book sale for only 50 cents.  I brought it home and wanted to read it to my son right away, though I was worried he might still be a bit young to fully appreciate it.  In some respects, he is – I think this wonderful story might be better suited for the kindergarten and elementary demographic – but he does seem to like it nonetheless.  One Morning in Maine is classic McCloskey:  beautifully illustrated in expressive detail, with a wonderfully descriptive story.  What I love most about One Morning in Maine is the way it captures the simple lifestyle of a time gone by.  I can’t help but imagine myself growing up the way Sal and her sister do on a beautiful, isolated Maine coastline, digging clams for lunch and having to take the motor boat across the bay to the general store for milk and groceries.  I also love the way McCloskey weaves subtle educational tidbits into his story along the way, such as that birds lose feathers only to have others grow in their place, much like Sal will when she loses her tooth.  One Morning in Maine tells the story of just that – one morning in Maine – in a way that is captivating, timeless, and beautifully simple.  It might just be a few hours, but that morning we spend with Sal and her family is one that we will remember and cherish for years to come.

Day 74: Counting Our Way to Maine

It's official… we leave tomorrow for our Maine vacation!  Maine is one of my favorite places on the entire planet, and I just can't wait to get there.   As the sign says when you cross the state border, it's "The way life should be!"  6 days on Long Lake followed by 3 days in Boothbay Harbor (over my birthday at the place where we got married) = vacation perfection.  Lobster, kayaking, listening to loons on the lake calling out at night, more lobster, the crisp ocean breeze...  Aaaahhhhhh......  For those of you who have been to Maine, you'll read this story and immediately want to go back.  If you haven't been to Maine, don't worry -- this is still a fun, summer story that will make you nostalgic for great family vacations of the past.  As its title implies, Counting Our Way to Maine is a counting book (it goes up to 20), but it's so much more than that.  Any parent who has ever packed up children and gone on a road trip is sure to appreciate Maggie Smith's delightful choice of events along the way.  "For our trip to Maine this summer we packed one baby, two dogs, and three bicycles... We had to stop for the bathroom six times!  When we were halfway there, we stopped again and ate seven ice creams."  The counting continues with sandcastles, lobster pots, buoys, clams, mosquito bites, and of course, blueberries!  The illustrations are detailed and charming, and we just love counting along with the family throughout their vacation.  Be sure to look at the illustrations inside the front and back covers, too, that recap all twenty highlights of the trip.  Time for me to get packing!  Maybe I'll start by putting this great story in our book bag.

Day 70: The Very Lonely Firefly

The beloved Eric Carle turns 82 this Friday, June 25th, so we'd like to dedicate this week's selections to him.  He has authored and illustrated so many fabulous titles that it is really hard to choose which we love best, and given that there are over 60 titles that bear his name, there are still many we have not yet read.  Of course, we've already featured one of our absolute favorites, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? back on Day 7, which was also his very first book.  But today, on this first day of summer, I thought we'd feature a more seasonal favorite, The Very Lonely Firefly.  Sadly, we don't see many fireflies where we live in Massachusetts, but we saw some last weekend while visiting my family in Connecticut and they were beautiful.  As a child, I used to love going out at night and catching them in jars, completely mesmerized by their glow.  What fascinating little creatures!  My children love Carle's classic about the lonely little firefly who is searching for his friends.  He spies many other sources of light in the night -- a candle, a flashlight, a car's headlights -- before finally finding a group of fellow fireflies.  Carle's illustrations are unique, as always, with an interesting blend of colors to create wonderful nighttime scenes.  My son particularly loves the pages with the family car and the fireworks, and obviously the very last page is our absolute favorite of all.  What child doesn't immediately fall in love with those twinkling lights and want to see them again and again?  I love how we can see the lights flashing through on the second to last page, too -- it makes us even more excited to turn the page and get to the end!  I don't particularly care for the dialogue going on within the pictures so sometimes leave that part out, but it can be a fun conversational element for older children.  We received this book as a hand-me-down, and miraculously, those little lights are still going strong.  If you're looking for a great bedtime story to read on a summer night, try The Very Lonely Firefly.  Those little flashing lights are bound to bring a twinkle to your child's eye.