• Reviews

    Book Review: The Painting

    The Painting by Charis Cotter is a story of mystery and intrigue but at its heart its the story of loss and relationships among family. Annie loves painting, drawing, and art and is nothing at all like her parents who just can’t seem to understand their daughter. But, when Annie’s…

  • Reviews

    Book Review: The Exact Location of Home

    Kate Messner is a prolific writer of children’s books – picture books, early chapter books and middle grade novels and she fits into each of these areas with ease. Today, I want to focus on her newest middle grade novel, The Exact Location of Home a companion story to The Brilliant Fall…

  • Reviews

    "I Wish You More"

    I was shocked just a week ago after reading “You May Want to Marry My Husband” that Amy Krouse Rosenthal was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer and again today,  although not surprised, saddened to find that she passed away. It was interesting to see her article go viral as it swept…

  • Reviews

    Picture Book Theme: Peace

    You’ll be seeing a lot of picture books on my blog throughout the month of November as we celebrate Picture Book Month.  You’ll definitely want to check out the website as picture book authors and illustrators will be posting an essay each day about the importance of picture books!  Check…

  • Activities

    Blogging From A to Z: Hugs

    During the month of April, I’ll be participating in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge.  My theme for the month is Storytime Plans From A to Z.  Each plan will have eight stories as well as four songs, fingerplays or rhymes to match the theme!  As you can see,…

  • Lists

    Unexpected Valentine’s Day Stories

    Although not your typical Valentine’s Day stories these are all stories that speak to the power of love among families, friends, and communities.  And if you haven’t read or shared these Unexpected Valentine’s Day Stories with your loved ones, then head out to your favorite library or bookstore and share…

  • Activities

    Family Storytime Theme: Color Red

    Storytime went pretty well today!  The kids definitely got Red by Michael Hall.  I made sure to talk about it a little bit before we started and the older kids picked up on the fact that the crayon itself was blue, but it’s wrapper was red.   We talked about what…

  • Lists

    Top Ten Tuesday: Valentine’s Day Books

    The I Love You Book by Todd Parr Penguin in Love by Salina Yoon Sweet Hearts by Jan Carr Love, Lola by Diane De Groat Won’t You Be My Kissaroo? by Joanne Ryder Mouse’s First Valentine by Lauren Thompson Hug Machine by Scott Campbell My Heart is Like a Zoo…

  • Lists

    National Hug Day

    These are just a few of the hundreds of picture books about sharing a hug, but I thought it most appropriate to share them with you today since it’s National Hug Day!  One of my favorites is Won’t You Be My Hugaroo? by Joanne Ryder and illustrated by Melissa Sweet – great…