MommaReads

Does your little one hear noises in the night? Then they will be able to relate to poor Little Mouse who can’t sleep because of the wind, a branch tapping on the window, an owl hooting in the distance and a drippy faucet. If you have a little one like this, then you will be able to appreciate poor Big Mouse who is getting zero sleep trying to reassure Little Mouse that everything is okay. In the end, just like in your own life maybe, after all of that reassuring Little Mouse still ends up in Big Mouse’ bed.

Our youngest picked this book out at the library this week because it has a lollipop on the front (he is all about lollipops) and it turns out this is a great book! (Today also happens to be National Lollipop Day!) I love this book because it covers cultural differences…Rubina’s family being new to the United States doesn’t quite understand what’s socially acceptable at a birthday party or even what a birthday party really is. It addresses sibling rivalry which anyone with a sibling can relate to…Rubina’s mom makes her take her little sister with her to a classmate’s birthday party and it is a complete disaster and then her little sister has the audacity to eat her goody bag treats!!! Finally, it addresses the love the siblings have for one another, despite the teasing and fussing…when Rubina’s little sister gets invited to her own birthday party, her little sister has a way of making up for the goody bag incident.

This is another favorite easy reader series in our house. The stories are short, sweet and have words that kids who are just learning how to read can figure out. Biscuit is a cute dog who sometimes gets into trouble, but is always endearing. These books are a darling introduction to early reading and are recommended for grades preschool-first grade.

Here is another one of our favorite books to read together. In this book, one reader reads the words on the left in one color, the other reader reads the words on the right in another color and then there are words in the middle in another color that the two readers read simultaneously. These books are so much fun to read and the kids especially seem to love the parts where the two readers read together. All of the stories in this book are short and some of them are easier than others. It is recommended for ages 4-8.

These are my newest favorite books for kids who are just beginning to read. We just discovered them at the library a few weeks ago and we love them! These books come in both fiction and non-fiction and they are leveled. What I love about them is that they are meant to be read with a parent. The parent reads the left-hand side of the page which has more difficult text and vocabulary and then the child reads the right-hand side of the page which is easier, but adds to the story and is not just “fluff”. I also like that the words that are going to come up on the child’s page are bold-faced on the parent’s page. I am so glad we found these.

There are a lot of different book series out there designed to help early readers learn how to read. This series is my ALL TIME favorite. There are so many things I love about it. I love that there is a little bit that the parents read before the book begins so that the children know what the book is going to be about and what words they are going to be looking for before they even begin reading. I love how the pictures are designed to help the child figure out the words to the story. I love how the books actually use words that beginning readers can figure out but aren’t boring and monotonous. Lastly, I love that the stories are short; early readers can get tired of reading in a hurry. Let’s face it, reading can be a lot of work when you are just learning how to put all of the pieces together. These books get them through a story that they can feel successful about reading in a short amount of time. LOVE THEM!!!

Poor Wink, he is training to be a ninja, but he is clearly not ninja material. Ninja’s follow rules and think alike…Wink is more of a think outside the box kind of person. One day, on the way home from school, Wink runs across a family who happens to be a part of the circus that has some to town. Maybe Wink can use his ninja skills and his think outside the box personality in the circus? 🙂 Cute story.

This book will have you boppin’ around while you’re reading. As a matter of fact, the dinosaurs bop around so much there’s an earthquake. Such a cute book with an upbeat rhyming rhythm. Trust me, you almost have to dance while you are reading this book. A fun book that your children will want you to read to them again and again and before you know it they will be reading it to you! 🙂

Okay, one more pirate book… I couldn’t resist this one. Not only is it a cute story of a bunch of shipmates who have to look for all of the letters of the alphabet for their tyrant pirate captain because “R” (get it? arrrr….) isn’t enough for them anymore, it also rhymes…I love those rhyming books!!! I also love it because as you are reading it the kids get to search for the missing letters (which are hidden on each page) along with the pirates.

This is such a heartfelt story and a great one for discussion. Amos, the mouse, is saved by Boris, the whale, when Amos gets swept out to sea by a huge wave. Boris takes Amos back home and they part ways knowing they may never see each other again. They developed a special bond during their time together, however, so years later when Boris needs Amos’ help, not only do they recognize each other, but Amos comes up with a plan to save his friend. I love the language of this book-there are some bigger words which is great. Some children’s books kind of talk down to kids. This is not one of those books. Note: This book has some serious topics. Both characters almost die in the story and there is mention of drowning. The story does have a happy ending, but it’s always good to have a heads up on these things especially if you have sensitive little ones.