Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Boot and Shoe by Marla Frazee

This is a heartwarming tale about two dogs (though my children swore up and down they were cats) that share everything including there routines. They eat together, share the same bed, pee on the same tree the only difference is Boot is a back porch kind of dog and Shoe likes the front porch better. All is well in their routines till a naughty squirrel decides to shake it up and the two dogs lose each other. Will they ever be reunited. This is such a cute story that would work with many different themes: Dogs, Pets, friends, routines. It is also written to appeal to many ages.

Creepy Carrots By Aaron Reynolds and Illustrated by Peter Brown

Creepy Carrots is such a cute book. We have already read this book at least thirty times and my children never tire of it. Creepy Carrots! is the story of Jasper Rabbit who can not get enough of the carrots at Crackenhopper Field, that was until they began following him. Is this just a trick of Jasper's imagination or are the carrots really after revenge. You will have to read the story to fond out. This would be a welcome addition to a vegetable story time or even a food themed Halloween story time. A great addition would be the "Lima Bean Monster" by Dan Yaccarino. A nice craft idea would be creepy carrot bookmarks with felt or even plant the top of a carrot and make a cute Popsicle stick fence.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

The Amazing Mr Zooty by Emma Chichester Clark




We read a lot of books in my family. So to keep up with the pace I find myself at the library at least three or four times a week digging through the children's stacks to find something new and interesting. When I say "new" I mean something different we have not read before. It was during my latest trip to the library I came across "The Amazing Mr. Zooty."  What a great story!! The Amazing Mr. Zooty is a cat with a mission to "Get out, Help out" and that is exactly what he does. Mr. Zooty comes across the Taylor family in the park after watching the children trying to catch leaves for luck he decides to help them. Dressing up as a begger cat he approaches them for money and after they politely refuse him money citing they have none they give him the lucky leaves they have caught. After thanking them Mr. Zooty leaves to walk away and then pretends to faint. The family promptly takes the cat home to help him get back on his feet, because everybody needs a little help sometimes. When the Taylor"s reach  home Mr. Zooty leaps up and states it is now my turn to help you and this is where the magic begins. Mr. Zooty than grants the family something they each wish. This is a magical tale about the power of kindness that teaches children the importance of helping and compassion. A must read for anyone.

The Amazing Mr. Zooty can be used in so many different storytimes as it's message is ageless. The colorful illustrations and beautiful writing will work with any group.