Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Just a delightful, imagine-this, engaging story. Aramis suggested it, and Donovan and I loved it together.

If You Give a Moose a Muffin

It's just hilarious. Donovan has asked for it again and again. We talked about how books can give you "hints" or "clues" to what's happening. Donovan delighted in tracing the steam from the moose back to the muffin. The moose is just adorable and endearing. And the boy goes out of his way to appease him. At the end of the day, they're both exhausted but happy from a full day of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants play.

My First Word Life-the-Flap Board Book

This was a regular in the day and at bedtime for both Aramis and Donovan when they were toddlers. Some of the flaps tore off after so many reads (and I think Aramis tore a couple off himself) but we still enjoyed every page. And it was so educational. When Aramis was little, we'd start of every reading of it by chanting the title (It's so long and funny, "My First Word" (pause) "Life-the-Flap Board(board said with a higher pitch) Book." We laughed together today about the way we used to say it.

Max Found Two Sticks

We learned about making beats (and listening for beats) and about what you can do with two sticks (although Aramis and Donovan are naturally skilled in finding value in any object they encounter, inside or outside-legos, bottles, key rings, stones, sticks, you name it. In the fall when we collect leaves, Donovan has always thought the dry leaves are the most beautiful. On a walk, Aramis always finds at least two sticks that are slingshot or bow-and-arrow worthy. We didn't talk about those connections when we read it. But the book was another way to reinforce what you can do with simple things you find.

Magic Treehouse Books

Aramis devoured these books starting in 1st grade. I remember the first time I read "Afternoon on the Amazon" to him. It was exciting for a beginning chapter book. It was just enough suspense to keep Aramis highly interested but not scared. This series is also highly educational. Aramis was riveted by it. I'm about half way through "Afternoon on the Amazon" with Donovan now. In my opinion, this is THE BEST chapter book series to start with.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I hesitated so much in reading this book because I thought it would encourage bad behavior. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Just at the perfect time when we needed it (in the library when Donovan waited for so long to play in the castle but was shewed away time and again), I spotted it on the shelf. I picked it up and we walked together to a different seating area. By the time we finished it, Donovan was cheerful and ready to go on with a great day. I think he said something like, "That was a REALLy bad day", about the tough time Alexander had, which made our uncomfortable experience that day disappear.

Bigger

The world opens up as you get bigger. That's the message of this book. It's delightful, inspiring, and touching.

The Little Hippos' Adventure

The best part of this book is when the hippos make the big leap off the cliff together. I read it to them saying 1...2........3! We'd turn the page to find the hippos leaping off the cliff and into the water. You felt like you were jumping with them. That part was thrilling for each of our boys at the time. The book also gave us an opportunity to talk about strangers and to be delighted at seeing one (stranger) threatened in a big way.

Pat the Bunny

Pat the Bunny was very, very good. I bought a copy for Aramis and Donovan each when they were babies. The first one was used so much (and I think chewed) by Aramis that I felt Donovan deserved his own. And when Donovan was done with it, it was in the same condition. A great way for babies to explore their senses.

Big Red Barn

"And they all lived together in the big red barn". We always knew what line was coming next. There is so much to talk about in this book. We studied the animals together. And I remember that Donovan was fascinated with the scarecrow at the end. It gave us a good opportunity to make them not scary at all. The rhythm of the book was soothing and lulling as we watched day turn into a beautiful evening, and into night.

Goodnight Moon

We read this so many times we could recite the words together. I don't know what it is about it. It's just soothing. At the time when I used to read this a lot to them, I found myself just reciting the words to myself on occasion.

Baby Faces

Delight, surprise, curiosity (and dribbles) - The looks I remember on Aramis' face when I read him this book

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish

The rhymes and the rhythm are unforgettable. It's the first book I purchased as a mother. I read it to Aramis before he was born.