Adorable Mother-Child Read Aloud

Books Kids Will Love RATING: BB
Book: Little Goose
Author: Davis Mraz
Illustrator: Marot Apple
Recommended for ages 2-5
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This is an adorable book for the child off to daycare, preschool, or summer camp for the first time. It celebrates the joy of returning home to a mother's love.
In the book, Little Goose has forgotten something important and sets out on a journey to remember it. He asks his friends turtle, frog, and mouse for help. Only when Little goose returns home to his mama's soft wing does he remember that this is what he was missing all along. Mama makes him "cozy and comfy and happy all over, from side to side and bottom to top."
The colored pencil illustrations are fabulous. Very colorful and appealing to young children.
Apple is a local illustrator from Shelburne Falls, here in Massachusetts. She has illustrated more than 50 books.
I give this book a BB rating, due to cost in this sluggish economy. The rating would increase to BBBB in a paperback form.
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Tricyle Press
Published in April 2009
32 pages
$15.99, hardcover

Stylish Yourkshire Terrier Perfect for Preschoolers

Books Kids Will Love RATING: BBB
Book: Puddin' The Yorkshire Terrier
Illustrator: Shannon Bonatakis
Recommended for ages 3-5
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A cute concept book for young girls. The book can actually be carried like a small purse for young fashionistas. Plus, the book comes with a dog-bone shaped silver tone necklace.
The text is too simple for a child older than age 5, but the included necklace makes the book not safe for a child under age 3. Limited readership - preschooler only!
The publisher says the main character is the "terrier to see and be seen with, as she struts herself in New Yorkie."
The story features a Yorkshire Terrier named Puddin' and her owner and their fashionable lifestyle.
This is a book for dog lovers who love fashion. According to the American Kennel Club, Yorkshire Terriers were the second more popular purebred in American last year and estimated 43 million United States households own a dog.
Due to the book's limited staying power, I can only give it a BBB rating. Add it to your child's collection only if you find it on sale. It is unlikely you would find this book at your local library due to the stickers and necklace. The book makes a cute birthday gift, too.
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Running Press Book Publishing
First published in April 2009
$12.95 (book, necklace & stickers)

Introduce Your Child to the Nation's New Children's Poet Laureate

Books Kids will Love RATING: BBB
Book: One of Each
By: Mary Ann Hoberman
Recommended for ages 3-6
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April is National Poetry Month and what better way to celebrate than by introducing your child to poetry.
My favorite is poet Robert Frost, but consider trying a few books by the nation's newest Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman of Connecticut. Awarded the two-year title by the Poetry Foundation in October 2008, Hoberman is an author of more than 40 books for children, including You Read To Me, I'll Read to You (which is my favorite of her collection and I would give a BBBB rating.)
In One of Each, Hoberman reinforces the concepts of friendship and sharing.
The main character Oliver Tolliver is so proud of his home. He feels it is fit for a king. The only problem with it, is there is just one of each item. So when he invites a friend over, he learns she is not as happy with his home. "It may be for you but it isn't for me." Soon, Oliver is redecorating to accommodate his friends.
This is a great book to be read aloud.
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Little Brown Books for Young Readers
First published in 1997
32 pages
$6.99, paperback