Children's Book Picks for the Week

I don't want you to think I'm no longer reading.  Have no fear, the reading girl is here!

Here are this week's picks for recent fun children's books.

Fancy Nancy: I know, I know, how is it that I'm only just now reading this book?  Let's be real, I'm not a fancy girl.  Why would I be interested in reading about a girl who loves everything razzle-dazzle?  I don't even like to put concealer on in the morning.  But, slow and steady, I'm finishing the race and joining on the bandwagon.  The book is CUTE!  Nancy is adorable, and the pictures are the finishing touch to a great book.

Lizard Walinsky: While I'm not a dinosaur/lizard/reptile person, this book is more my style.  Lizard doesn't like to play with dolls - no dress-up, no pretend mommy-daughter play, no beauty shop.  (I didn't expect Lizard to be a girl from the cover.  There's your first surprise.)  And then you find out Lizard doesn't quite fit in because she's different from the other girls.  (I love you even more Lizard!)  No worries, Lizard finds friends who are perfect for her, though there are some bumps along the way.  This is definitely a book for the quirky child who may need some encouragement embracing what makes our differences special.

Children's Book of the Week

In honor of the annual reading challenge at my school, over the next few weeks I'm going to post my favorite children's books that I've recently read.  So without further ado, the book of the week.

Aliens Love Underpants takes on the weighty conversation of extraterrestrial life and why those aliens really come to visit Earth.  No worries - they're not coming for you.  They're coming for your underpants!  After all, who can resist a clothesline of drawers swaying in the breeze?  The book is typical picture book length and written in rhyming verse.  The print is big enough to encourage struggling readers, but will keep everyone laughing the whole way through.  It's become a quick favorite of mine and leaves me wondering...if aliens are playing in our underpants, are they also responsible for those lost socks in the dryer?

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

I suppose I should have logged on this morning and posted for his birthday earlier than with only a few hours remaining, but pulling off green eggs and ham, my own version of And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, and oobleck all occupied the brain during the pre-school hours.  A successful celebration at school now over, it's time for my own birthday wishes.

I love to read.  I love rhyming books.  I love silly illustrations.  I love books that are quirky and fun.  I love books that have a moral and encourage children to be caring.  I love tongue twisters that make you laugh and made-up words that only make sense between the covers of a Dr. Seuss book.  I love teaching to read, and I love watching children find their own love for reading and joy in the power of playing with words.  I love Dr. Seuss.

I'll save you from reading my pitiful attempt at rhyming because some of my second graders could craft a better poem than I can (as exhibited today).  Instead, let's have a little fun with Dr. Seuss trivia.

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10 Things You May Not Have Known About Dr. Seuss (This would have been quite helpful when creating my multi-genre report years ago, but then, where's the chance to practice all those research skills?)

Dr. Seuss Quotes (I regret to admit that I only scored a 90%.)

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Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss.  "Today you are You, that is truer than true.  There is no one alive who is Youer than You." (Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!)


And how about you?  What's your favorite?