Some Noteworthy Reading

Bedtime stories have become a favorite way to end the day. We've gone from creating our own stories (The Adventures of Sweet Pea) to reading books about sharks, dinosaurs, and insects (still a favorite) to story books. Sebastian's current favorites are:



The Blue Day Book by Bradley Trevor Greive - I bought this book a couple of years ago. I loved the photographs and captions. It really is a charming little book. Sebastian discovered this on the shelf sometime last year. It has since become a favorite. He memorizes the lines and likes to say them out loud as I read. Then we talk about the cool animal pictures and which one's we like the best. It's great that he can relate to this book. Even small people have 'blue days.'



It's Hard To Be Five by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell - Sebastian discovered this book in school. We read this every Wednesday at our reading morning's. Seba has just turned 6, started at 'big' school, and has recently given up his stroller so he can totally relate to this. He loves the pug and the "annoying baby brother." The illustrations are fun too. There's so much too see and talk about on each page.



Diary Of A Fly/ Diary Of A Spider/ Diary Of A Worm by Doreen Cronin - We first discovered Diary of a Worm at our reading morning's. We can read this book three times in a row and Seba still finds it just as fun as the first time. Since it has become a favorite, I picked up the other two diaries for him. This is one book where short sentences pack a lot of punch! Specially when you read it the way you imagine a small person would say it. The pictures are large and fun. Seba loves that Worm would like to be secret service agent when he grows up and Fly would like to be a super hero. Grampa Spider is a great character too. Seba's only wish: Diary of a Cockroach!



Two recent buys that are equally noteworthy:



Beware of the Storybook Wolves by Lauren Child - I love stories and characters that are off-beat and veer away from the expected. This book has all of that and more. Where else will you find a Fairy Godmother who is grumpy and tired of doing favors for spoilt princesses?! Or a little wolf who loves wearing a ballgown?! The bold illustrations just add to the charm of this book. Seba has not taken to this book as he did the others but I really like it.



The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard by Gregory Rogers - This book has no text. It's similar to a comic book wherein you follow boxes of pictures. I think this is a great way to 'create and imagine' a story. Last night, we 'read' this one. I noticed that Sebastian also takes cues from the more subtle images. (Expressions and stance of the characters). Really a great way to build your imagination. Plus the story always changes with each reading.