Biscuit series

Delaney is still in love with Mercy Watson, but is not able to read her books independently yet. For her independent reading, she is spending her time reading an all in one book collection of Biscuit. Love them. They are on a mid first grade level, so they are perfect for independent time for her...and she loves them. I think her favorite thing is that she gets to "woof woof" so much while reading :-). If interested...they sell this collection for like 10 bucks on Amazon. You can't beat that, considering you get 10 picture books. I wish all books were a dollar a book.

The Red Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer

Kaytlynn read this book yesterday. She thought it was okay. She definitely liked The Blue Ghost and the Green Ghost better though. She didn't like the ghost only showed up at the end of the book in chapter 9. Its only 9 chapters long and a end of 2nd grade level, so it is an easy read, with good illustrations, so perfect for a newly independent or reluctant reader.

She has decided that she wants to read a book from the Cam Jansen series next. Until then....

Twig...

We finished Twig yesterday. It was a winner. Its the story of a little girl that lives in a complex with a barren backyard...except for one tomato can which she imagines as a fairies home and a dandelion which she imagines as a tree for her house! Soon she is transported into this world where she becomes miniaturized and meets Elf, an elf; The Fairy Queen; a man that can do magic with coins, gum, clouds named Lord Buzzle and a cameo appearance of the cockroach named Chummie. Don't worry, you will laugh at chummie, not be grossed out. In fact...Chummie's scene in the book, might be the funniest one I have read all year. Definitely a great read aloud to anyone that loves sweet, happy, imaginative stories. Its 150 pages, so if being read independently I'd say it would be perfect for an average 8 - 10 year old.

As a side note...this book is a special treat. It was out of print for a long time, but our good friends at Purple House Press brought it back. They are by far and wide, my favorite publisher as they bring old favorite children's books back to life. What an amazing gift to give to the world, eh? You can see all their "stuff" at purplehousepress.com

The Author Elizabeth Orton Jones also did the adorable illustrations. She won the Caldecott Medal for her book Prayer for a Child way back in 1941.

Delaney Loves Mercy...

Mercy Watson that is! If you are not familiar with Mercy Watson...You should be. She is a pig that belongs to the Watson family, though she doesn't reside outside. Mercy has her own room, bed, toys, etc. She is treated just like a human child would be treated. She loves her parents, she loves her elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln and she Loves, Loves, Loves Toast with a great deal of butter on it.

I asked Delaney why she liked Mercy so much and she said it is because she doesn't listen very well. It's true. She doesn't...and it makes the story funny. Only it isn't exactly disobedience. Its just that her parents thinks that she is A LOT smarter than she actually is. So unless they are speaking of toast with a great deal of butter on it...she has no clue what is going on.

There are 6 books in the series. They are easy chapter books. In fact...the second book in the series was the first chapter book Delaney read...and we are so proud of her...but not as proud as she is of herself.

The first book in the Mercy Watson series ...The colors and illustrations on the whole of this entire book are FABULOUS.


This is the second book in the series, but was the first one Delaney read...In fact, it was Smarty McSmarty Delaney's first chapter book EVER!

Kaytlynn's The Very Little Princess: Zoey's Story

I received a Kindle this past month and Kaytlynn loved looking at it, so I decided to buy her a small chapter book on it, so she could continue to enjoy it. She enjoyed the blue ghost so much that I chose another book by Marion Dane Bauer, The Very Little Princess. It took her a while to read this and when I looked into it...the reading level was upper 5th grade. I kinda felt bad...that is one of the bad things about a kindle. You can't really see its length, and you can't open a page up to take a look at it first. She didn't want to drop the book, but it took her a week to finish it up. She did end up liking the book but I think the length and difficulty took its toll. She told me she wanted an EASY book next time! Sweet story though with beautiful illustrations...so I'd recommend it for someone reading on that level that has a fondness for dolls.

The Blue Ghost...Kaytlynn's first ghost story

Kaytlynn finished The Blue Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer today. It was her first ghost story. It wasn't humorous...but it wasn't spooky at all, which made it a nice introduction to this new genre.

Its about a little girl who lives in a cabin and "walks" through a wall ...into the same cabin a century ago. A blue ghost and a grandmother give her hints to help a little girl out.

This book was about 100 pages in length with decent black and white pictures. There are maybe 6 pictures throughout the book, which is perfect for Kaytlynn right now. She is still not fond of pictureless books...but then again...even adults like art on the covers, etc. , so I can't blame her much!

She said it didn't beat The King's Equal...but that she did want to read the other 2 books in this series.

I HEART Katherine Paterson

For those of you that know Kaytlynn well, you probably know that she LOVES to be read to, but she doesn't particularly love reading by herself...there are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, she would just as soon be outside on her bike. I took her to my library and showed her this book, and that book, and about 50 more...nothing looked good to her. It didn't have enough pictures (chapter books with pictures...they are loved around here) or it didn't look interesting, or it didn't have any action, its too long, etc. etc. etc.

We left with several chapter books that were all representative of different children's series. And then on a whim, I remembered Katherine Paterson's The Kings Equal. She read it, in 2 days and has now claimed that it is now her FAVORITE book. It knocked the A-Z Mysteries books right of the proverbial pedestal. It is always fun to find a new book that becomes your favorite, or one that changes you a little, or one that stays with you, but it is even better when you see it happening with your child!

So, not only is Kaytlynn in love with Katherine Paterson tonight...I am too! Here is a picture of the one that deserves our adoration...I guess her publisher deserves a little love too.


One small side note. Kaytlynn came from my bedroom into the living room with her book and large eyes. She said, "Mommy, this book keeps saying God's name in vain, over and over again". I didn't remember it, but I told her to let me have a look. Well, the book is about a king...and they keep calling him lord. Hehehehe. We had the whole discussion on the little l versus the big L and the whole middle ages/renaissance age where they would say "my lord" or "my lady".

Elephant, Piggy, and Delaney

I now have Delaney reading the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems! Its tricky business writing a book WITH a story line that is on a first graders reading level. Its a miracle when it is done with sarcasm and humor that the child AND the adult laugh at. Mo Willems is the master at it! Delaney especially loved I Am Invited to a Party!

The Cobble Street Cousins

Kaytlynn has begun a new series called the Cobble Street Cousins. She is really enjoying them...according to her, she likes the ALMOST as much as A-Z and that is saying something. She can read through one in a day (maybe takes her an hour if you add a couple of reading "sessions" together). I haven't read any of them, but I seem to like anything written by Cynthia Rylant. I have read enough of them to know that if you are looking for a story with an antagonist...its not for you. If you are looking for a book with a lot of action packed adventures...its not for you. If you want a book with a big problem or mystery that gets solved at the end...its not for you.

BUT...if you are looking for a sweet story about 3 cousins that do things together like listen to music and dance and go on adventures to places like the craft store or the ice cream shop, or have tea with their favorite aunt, then look no further. I'm happy that there are 6 books in the series...but, call me selfish...I wish there were more.

Family Read Alouds

So we have always read to the girls...but we have recently started reading aloud as a whole family. I am enjoying and I really think the that the girls are too. Todd...well, he does, but not until he is actually reading...its hard to pull him away from whatever, since he has so much to do, but he does enjoy it once he is "there".

We read Cynthia Rylants The Lighthouse Family books (there are about 5 in the series). They were such sweet books about a dog and cat...they lead lonely lives. They find each other, then find 3 orphaned mice, and form a family, all while running a lighthouse. They make friends with other wonderful animals. Each are 60 - 80 pages...the illustrations (pencil drawings) just might be better than the stories.

We then read The Best Loved Doll...GREAT book for anyone that loves dolls! It is about a girl, going to a doll party and she has to choose which of her wonderful dolls she will take with her!

Delaney was able to choose our next book and she chose An American Girl :Lanie. Both girls liked it...it was a little on the long side for me :-) But I will say, it talked about some interesting things. Lanie is a nature lover, stuck in a family that loves the great INdoors! In the story, she plants a garden of wildflowers and herbs, walks her pet rabbit on a leash, starts a nature journal, and observes a caterpillar going through metamorphisis. It made Kaytlynn want to have a nature journal and to top that, it is now Delaney's favorite book...and for that reason alone, I am glad I read the book.
2 days ago, we finished the newest Magic Tree House #45 A Ghost Tale at Christmas. Kaytlynn chose this family read. Jack and Annie visit Charles Dickens and learn about what caused him to write A Christmas Carol. He came from poverty. His parents lived in a debtors prison while he worked in a factory 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. He was still saddened and hurt by the way he was treated and was still surrounded by poverty...he continued to walk the slums of London...wishing there was something he could do to make people want to be better.

We are presently reading the companion to A Ghost Tale at Christmas. This research guide is called Rags to Riches. It discusses Charles Dicken's life, but it also goes into the life of the poor and the rich during his time period. You learn how dirty London was, how children were workers rather than players and learners, etc. The girls actually like the research guides more than the fictional books of the MTH series. Kinda unusual for girls, but whatever floats their boat :-)Sorry for the long post, but all of these were such good memories that I wanted to get them all down before I forgot them. I am so happy that I have chosen to add this tradition to our life. I hope they are learning lots of facts. I hope they are learning how to listen better. I hope they are learning to read better and to love reading, but most of all, I hope the girls look back at this time together with a smile.

Delaney's Tearing Through 'Em

I couldn't be happier to report that Delaney has finished her 100 Easy Lessons book and is now going through "real books" like crazy! I started her on I Love You, Dear Dragon. She liked it and I think it gave her a lot of self confidence. Super easy and sweet book. She then read Inside Outside Upside Down...simple board book full of a lot of repeated words...again, a winner, but she definitely liked I Love You, Dear Dragon more...she is still reading that one. Then came the wonderful Go Dog Go...everyone should read this wonderful early Seuss reader by P.D. Eastman to their babies. I don't really get why, but EVERY kid seems to love this one. Delaney wasn't an exception. She wanted to read Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish next. These are lengthy...she reads them well, but tends not to finish them :-) The Carrot Seed is the book that I chose for her next. I LOVE this book. I love the drawings, I love the simplicity of the story and how each person can relate...it's just a wonderful book. Madonna, the singer, stated that the reason she started writing children's books was because while reading with her daughter she found that there were no good children's books out there. SERIOUSLY? REALLY? My first thought was...has she ever read The Carrot Seed (amongst other books) That right there, told me how much I loved this book. The art, as you can probably see) is by the same person that did Harold and the Purple Crayon. Delaney has LOVED this book and I am thrilled. She reads it more than any of her other ones! Today, I introduced her to Whose Mouse Are You? I had never read it, but it is super sweet...and again, chock full of high frequency words and repeated text...so it was perfect for her. Delaney thinks its a sad book with a wonderful happy ending. I love how she describes things. She is always one for theatrics! Can I just say how much I love enjoying books with my girls...it is such a neat time in our lives together. I wouldn't trade it :-)

Kaytlynn's First Chapter Book

Kaytlynn just got finished reading her first chapter book by herself. She has read several chapter books before now, but none, completely by herself! She chose January Joker by Ron Roy which is the first book in the Calendar Mystery series books. She liked it quite a bit, so she chose to continue with February Friend and March Mischief. She started the April book, but lost it, and that was the last book in the series for now. So she has moved on to bigger and better things.

She really likes the "whodunnit" part of the book and guessing before the end who she thinks it might be.
Maybe we will find where in the world she put April and we can continue reading it ? :-)