| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mustbeteatime |
Posted - Oct 25 2005 : 09:37:35 AM
I read the thread on beautiful and unusual children's books and decided this didn't quite fit in...
We borrow stacks of children’s books from the library almost weekly – sometimes we have 30 or more (50 is the limit). 
Always looking for recommendations – what are your favorites?
Some of our favorites:
Little Farm by the Sea - by Kay Chorao (so beautiful I want my own)
Big Red Barn – by Margaret Wise Brown
The Bear Under the Stairs – Helen F. Coooper
The Rusty, Trusty Tractor – Joy Cowley
almost anything by Martin Waddell, Rick Walton, or Kay Chorao
and
The Cow who wouldn't come Down
The Pig who ran a Red Light
The Goose who went off in a Huff – all by Paul Brett Johnson – they are hilarious! 
Also, for all you farmgirls:
A Farm of her Own – Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Enjoy the good things in life - especially when there is time for tea! |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Merryday |
Posted - Jun 15 2006 : 08:00:52 AM
One of my favorite children's books is a rare one and probably hard to find, but a true gem. It is called "Grindle Lamfoon and the Porcurnious Fleekers" and is written by Valerie Hubbard Damon. It is a wonderful story about a funny little bird creature who gets inspired by the moon to build a costume/float for the annual May Day parade... the moon insists that Grindle will find everything he needs if he just looks around him in nature. Beautifully illustrated too!
"As you travel through life, remember your goal, keep your eye on the doughnut, and not on the hole" - something my Pop used to say |
| lurban |
Posted - Jun 15 2006 : 05:51:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by lurban
I've been reading quite
Oops. Little glitch there. What I meant to say was:
I've been reading quite a few books for 9-15 year olds of late and wanted to recommend a few:
THE PENDERWICKS by Jeanne Birdsall -- won the National Book Award for good reason. A lovely book about the four Penderwick sisters and the magical summer they spend with their father in a garden cottage. This is an old fashioned book (though set in the modern world) that will be loved by those who revel in books like Little Women, the Melendy books of Elizabeth Enright, etc.
ENTHUSIASM by Polly Shulman -- For fans of Jane Austen. The narrator's best friend has had a hamster phase, a Little House on the Prairie phase, a King Arthur phase. She has been fanatical about garage bands and goat cheese. Suddenly, she is obsessed with all things Austen -- a passion that the narrator has quietly held as her own since Freshman year. The story follows their Austen obsession and -- of course! -- features a lovely romance that Ms. Austen herself would love. A rare teen book in which parents are mostly good people and the characters generally seem to love one another, faults and all.
ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine -- this retelling of Cinderella came out a few years ago and was eventually made into a film. Skip the film, but have your daughter read the book. In it, you'll find a young Ella, ignored by her father and tormented not only by a stepmother, but by a terrible curse that forces her to do anything she is ordered to do, even when she knows it will cause harm.
BLUE by Joyce Hostetter -- Ann Fay's father goes off to fight WWII leaving a pair of overalls and declaring her the "man of the house", telling her to help Mama with the farm and taking care of her twin sisters and younger brother. Ann Fay is doing her best when the polio epidemic hits and her brother is whisked away to the hastily constructed tent hospital in Hickory, NC. Great historical fiction about an often forgotten part of stateside WWII life.
I've got tons more to recommend if folks are interested -- including a few books with boy protagonists. Let me know! |
| lurban |
Posted - Jun 15 2006 : 05:33:08 AM
I've been reading quite |
| mustbeteatime |
Posted - Jan 20 2006 : 4:24:18 PM
MN FarmGirl,
We have the book Stranger in the Woods - it sounds much like the one you describe. It's by Carl Sams II & Jean Stoick. My kids really like it.
All,
I just came across another treasure at the library: The Trouble with Henry, A Tale of Walden Pond by Deborah O'Neal and Angela Westengard. Although it is a fictional tale (the authors admit to that), it is about "[proving] nature is nicer than sooty factories and fancy parasols." It is just so fitting. 
-Colette
Enjoy the good things in life! |
| MNFarmGirl |
Posted - Jan 19 2006 : 2:45:40 PM
We just bought a couple really cute books for our nephews, one was called "Into the Woods", these nature photographers made a snowman and put things like nuts and bird seed on him and they filmed different wild animals eating bits of him. It is a really sweet book to introduce local animals to the kids. It's a book and also a film to go along with it. They also made another about the first year of a baby fawns life meeting all kinds of new animal friends and finding soft grass to sleep on. But my favorite author is L.M. Montgomery with Anne of Green Gables.
"Agriculture...is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end conribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness." Thomas Jefferson |
| Barbara Jean |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 5:58:11 PM
The Napping House by Audrey Wood was one of my daughter's favorites as a little girl. We laughed every time the flea bites the mouse and all the uproar starts. |
| farmgrlchick |
Posted - Jan 09 2006 : 11:47:32 AM
I did a search on Sandra Boynton , she didn't show up , so I hope I am not repeating. SHe is a fabulous children's author and song writer, look her up on amazon. Young children I would say birth to age 7, although my 8 year old will plop himself down next to me when I read to my 6 year old. She has book with Cd called Philadelphia Chickens. Book and CD of the imaginary musical revue. It sais For all ages, except 43. LOL. The Belly Button song is our favorite.
So Round. So profound. SO great to contemplate...
Belly Belly button,
you're oh so fine.
OOO, Belly Button,
I'm so happy you're mine.
A tummy without you
just wouldn't be right
Little Belly Button,
You're a beautiful sight. Belly! Belly Button!
(yeah)
Patty pat pat.
Baby fat
Patty pat pat, baby fat.
Itty bitty button in the middle of that.
Check her out! |
| Rebekka Mae |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 6:52:05 PM
We love...
Sybil Van Offers- The Root Children
Elsa Beskow - The Sun Egg or anything else by her
Gerda Muller Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
They may not be in your library but they could order them in on request or you could buy them- they are all nature based, with art quality illustrations- true classics
Hugs, rebekka |
| manda |
Posted - Dec 27 2005 : 9:01:16 PM
My 5 year old daughter's favorites (and mine) are:
Is Your Mama a Llama
Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type and also Giggle Giggle Quack by Doreen Cronin
The Kissing Hand (this book is a must when they start preschool)
If You Give A Pig a Pancake and the other titles by Laura Numeroff -Moose a Muffin, etc..
The Okay Book by Todd Parr (love all his books -funny with great messages about tolerance and diversity)
Manda
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| JerseyCowFan |
Posted - Dec 27 2005 : 01:06:23 AM
Anne of Green Gables!!!
Michelle
Spirited Rose Jerseys
Colville, WA |
| westfork woman |
Posted - Dec 01 2005 : 4:09:04 PM
Our school librarian called me and asked if I wanted to rescue the Glenn Balch books that had been in the library since I was in school. Glenn was from Boise and used to pheasant hunt in our valley. He was a big guy who was really interested in what kids thought and did. He always had time to talk to us, and gave the books to the school. Of course I said yes right away. There is a stack of them, I haven't read them since grade school, so my grandson and I are going to read them this winter. They are about kids and ranches and horses, all set in the high desert country.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
| mcbride |
Posted - Nov 30 2005 : 6:50:52 PM
If you want to teach your kids to think, encourage them to read Robert A. Heinlein's juvenile science fiction. A lot of it may seem kind of dated in our world today, but good stories and Heinlein's independent mindset and love of learning come thru strong in them.
Claudia |
| connio |
Posted - Nov 24 2005 : 7:29:56 PM
Hey Farm Girls!!!!!
Surviving the Appplewhites is one of my favorite titles for middle school reading. Funny Funny Funny
Connie
cozycottage |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 7:28:58 PM
For all you homeschooling families....we LOVED Surviving the Applewhites!
Susan
Proprietress of Dahlem's Soapworks http://www.thesoapmaven.com
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| KJD |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 6:44:47 PM
Yes, Dorothy Canfield Fisher is a popular author amongst homeschoolers as well! I had all boys, so didn't read them to my guys, but I remember them from my childhood.
How about Elizabeth Enright? The Melendy Family books are the best! I checked them out over and over and have been thrilled to find them at used book sales in adulthood. My kids have loved them along with me. Highly recommend! |
| TheSoapMaven |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 6:29:46 PM
We love:
Morris' Disappearing Bag by: Rosemary Wells
Lilly's PurplePlastic Purse by: by Kevin Henkes(actually love all his books
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
The Giver (Newbery Medal Book) by Lois Lowry
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
All the Ramona books
Little House Book
Anne of Green Gables Books
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
The Betsy and Tacy books
Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes
The Lemony Snicket Books
All Roald Dahl books
The Junie B. Jones books
This is all I could come up with off the top of my head...
Susan
Proprietress of Dahlem's Soapworks http://www.thesoapmaven.com
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 6:06:42 PM
Oh my gosh...I remember that book!! They had it in my school library when I was in third grade..and I read EVERYTHING!! The librarian always tucked books back for me that she thought I would like. I havn't thought about that one in years!! I don't know that I ever read any of her other books but I do remember enjoying that one!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| connio |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 5:46:06 PM
Hey Farm Girls!!!
Somehow I have missed reading the children's books that were written at the turn of the century by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Her most famous book is UNDERSTOOD BETSY. It is about a young girl who is orphaned and must move to the "wilds of Vermont" to live with "those horrid Putney, Vermont cousins."
Are any of you familiar with Fisher's books?
Connie
cozycottage |
| lurban |
Posted - Nov 16 2005 : 07:54:34 AM
Sharon Creech writes great books for that age and none of her girl protagonists are particularly girly. She might also like Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (great adventure) and Bridge to Teribithia by Katherine Patterson. I'm also a fan of Jerry Spinelli's books. They have boy protagonists but universal appeal: Maniac Magee is great. Wringer is brilliantly written, but it breaks my heart. Loser is also great. If she likes funny at all try Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher. I also love Stauffacher's Donuthead. |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Nov 13 2005 : 06:11:59 AM
Can anyone recommend a reading series to engage a 13 year old girl? She is a bit of a tomboy, and loves animals. But it is a challenge to get her to just sit and read. "Girly" type books don't interest her. Thanks!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| bramble |
Posted - Nov 12 2005 : 8:51:44 PM
Diane- Not sure about your 7 year old but my son LOVED those books and couldn't wait for the next installment. (I'm the one who recommended them!) They are published by Scholastic so they really aren't that bad just very silly and a little naughty (in a good way ,,,) that keeps the kids cooming back for more! What kid wouldn't want to read a comic strip format about a principal who has a secret life as a "super hero" and wears his underwear(tidy whities) as his uniform! Boys are sometimes tough to get reading but these books suck them in and they are alot of fun to read together.My son wrote to the author and got a whole packet of cool stuff from the publishher along with a very kooky reply. It was great fun!
with a happy heart |
| Birdcat |
Posted - Nov 12 2005 : 7:54:49 PM
Thanks, Ms. Fabulous. Yes, i'm doing quite well. Glad to hear your family is doing better, too.
Farting dogs and underpant superhero's just gotta be a personal decision. I ain't gonna recommend anything like that. Can't go wrong with Little Critter, though. Stellaluna, too. Does he have a lot of books? I know his auntie is a book hound. |
| Fabulous Farm Femmes |
Posted - Nov 10 2005 : 10:06:23 PM
Hey Birdcat/Goalie person, glad to see you on here...heard from Erin and also Carol that you were feeling better. So glad!
I was at Borders the other day and noticed Walter the Farting Dog has 2 new adventure books.
Is Captain Underpants suitable for a 7 year old boy who just learned to read? need some suggestions for the grandson. |
| Birdcat |
Posted - Nov 10 2005 : 09:37:53 AM
yeah, i was avoiding the "Good Families Do." description. But now that the beautiful farmgrrl genius Meadowlark has broke the ice, what the hey. Stories about green farts and Captain Underpants are definitely exploiting a niche. I think it's great. "The Stinky Cheeze Man" and "Squids will be Squids" also appeal to a childs natural humor about the GI track. I think it's healthy. I remember my favorite art teacher would use this card to get our attention in class. He'd be dealing with a bunch of squealing, out-of-control 8 year olds and would suddenly announce, "Oh Geeze, i forgot to wear my underwear." I suppose that sort of remark would get him fired nowadays but it sure got everybody's attention back then. And their empathy. |
| Tatiana |
Posted - Nov 10 2005 : 07:40:36 AM
My daughter loves dog books so our alltime favorite is Argo You Lucky Dog by Maggie Smith. We also like Mark Teague's Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School and Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation.
Two other favorites are:
Gershon's Monster by Eric Kimmel (A story about Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and forgiveness A great story for anyone's New Year)
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
Princess Furball- A beautifully illustrated version of the Cinderella story- Can't remember the author.
Happy reading,
Tania in Boise |
