lit*chick

Read Aloud Christmas

I am determined this year to wrap our Christmas books and read one a night to the kids. Although some version of this has been done in our home, the books have not been wrapped, and as usual I have lacked consistency - could I blame that on all those birthdays?  Typically I like to add one new book to the mix (and then stock up on the 1/2 price sale after Christmas).

This is my 2011 addition:                     
The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree by David Rubel illus by Jim LaMarche. This was recommended by my school librarian who I believe saw it on 7 Impossible Things. I also nerded it up by ordering the Rockefeller Center Tree puzzle (only $5 at B&N).

Also, I meant to blog about this BEFORE Thanksgiving, but we were plagued with a nasty stomach bug. Ew.  Fans of author & illustrator Melissa Sweet - ahem, Elizabeth  - have you seen this?

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

Add that to your list too!

Do you have any Christmas reading traditions? Any holiday books catching your eye? Do tell.

The End.

well rested

I should be inserting my sigh of contentment here, but I can't hear out of my right ear (waterlogged) and it's really bugging me. Truthfully, I've had a mostly relaxing week - slept alot, ate some, read a little, and traveled none. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and found some time to read. Did anyone get books as gifts?  Do tell.

My December reading has been pretty blah (much like my blogging). I did read The Hunger Games (ya novel -fantastic!), Mrs. Mike, and finally finished America, America. 

And if you haven't emerged yet from your Christmas cave, no worries. Although I will tell you that this is an excellent time to add to your kids' Christmas book library - it's all half price (and online at b&n)!  This year we added Lemony Snicket's Lump of Coal and Drummer Boy.

Plans for New Years', anyone?

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Boo to You!

Even though I'm not a big Halloween gal, these books for the kiddos are all good:

Where's My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi (my fave this year)

  An old Golden Book - gotta hunt this down.

Skeleton Hiccups - we thought this was funny,and a little bit strange

It's Halloween by Jack Prelutsky - KWB's pick

The Bake Shop Ghost (recommended by e.)

And Question of the Week:

What's the scariest book you've ever read?

My answer: Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi about the Manson Murders during a true crime phase about 20 years ago, still scares me. Recently - Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn creeped me out.

The End.

 

4th of July booklist & bonus soundtrack

for the wee patriots:

The Star Spangled Banner illus by Peter Spier    Fireworks, Picnics, and Flags by James Cross Giblin

Fireworks and Freedom: Fourth of July Activity Book              F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

 

The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh                 

                 

You're a Grand Old Flag illus by Warren Kimble       This Land is Your Land

We the Kids by David Catrow                        America the Beautiful by Robert Sabuda

and for you over acheivers:

1776 by David McCullough                                Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis               and shouldn't every house have one of these? for $2 i think so :)

Have a safe, wonderful, strawberry shortcake filled 4th.

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lit chick's Easter booklist

Even though I have known that Easter is early this year, it is still sneaking up on me. Here is the list in all it's pastel glory:

The Easter Parade: A Novel by Richard Yates is on my to-read list.

We are fans of Brian Wildsmith - his illustrations are lovely,especially in his religious titles. Others include: Exodus, Moses, and Joseph

Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes

The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous

  Love Gail Gibbons books - but BE WARNED - if you are an easter bunny family, this book describes the "legend" of said bunny so you may want to preview...on amazon people are up in arms that it spoils the bunny story. Personally, I find her inclusivity of the resurrection and the bunny to be pretty cool.

The Easter Rabbit's Parade by Lois Lenski

The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt - a lovely folk tale about three trees that grow up to be the manger, boat, and cross for Jesus

and our favorite:

Owen's Marshmellow Chick

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a headstart

"Some trees are naked, the ones that aren't are forevergreens." - said by Caleb on the way home from school...

Here is my list for children's Xmas books - I am delighted every year by the discovery of new ones. Please suggest more favorites if you have them.

during WW I when a group of  British and German soldiers put aside their differences for one day.

This is my surprise find - about a boy who does his father's hardest chore- milking cows - as a gift to him.

looks like a sweet story.

a fun rhyming story to read aloud.

saw this at B&N - the nativity story from the camel's perspective. looks adorable.

another discovery - an illustrated reprint from 1955 of various Christmas stories, verses, etc.

I like Cynthia Rylant.

this is only available used, but it's worthwhile to track it down.

I love pop up books. Unfortunately, they have a short life in this house. For those of you with a gentle touch, this looks good.

This year I'm going to put a different book title in some of our advent calendar pockets and that will be our Christmas book before bed. Of course, I must include candy too or there will be an uproar.

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Putting the P back in nuemonia

Don't be alarmed, I don't have pnuemonia (at least not yet). But I'm still sick. I remain thankful that I am not hosting Thanksgiving. I'm sure everyone else involved in preparations for tomorrow's big meal is thankful as well.

Here is my somewhat late list of Thanksgiving books.

Caleb's teacher is adamant (and rightfully so) that the kids understand the Indians were here first, and this book has the rare Indian perspective:

highly recommended on Amazon, no longer available, but at the library no doubt.

In our house a holiday isn't a holiday without some Charlie Brown.

there's also a couple companion books -one about a boy and one about an Indian.  I like these merely to show my kids that the early settlers life was no picnic.

a little bit gross, but totally appeals to my 3rd grade son.

wonderful illustrations, lovely story.

for you really ambitious parents, of which I am not one.

a good place to start :)

it's not just about the food...

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15, 17

Be safe and have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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