King of the Playground by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

King of the Playground, written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and illustrated by Nola Langner Malone, is a great book to use to talk about bullies.  Kevin doesn't have much fun at the playground because of Sam, the bully.  Sam keeps threatening Kevin.  Kevin talks to his dad about it and his dad helps him see that Sam's threats are really rather silly.  Finally Kevin gets up enough courage to stand up to Sam and help him realize how silly his threats are and they end up having fun playing together.

Anna and I both enjoyed this book and it gave us a chance to talk about bullying.  I loved how the father in the story didn't jump in and defend his son, nor did he encourage him to be mean back, he simply helped his son see the reality of the situation and look for ways to change it.

Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses by Ainslie Manson

Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses by Ainslie Manson, illustrated by Dean Griffiths is a very cute story about a brother that saves the day for his little sister, even though there are times that he wishes he could trade her in for a puppy.  Ben is not impressed when his plans for the day are ruined because his mom is busy and he's responsible for his little sister, Allison.

Anna loved this book and I could tell from the look on her face while I was reading it that there were times when she wanted to punch Ben, but in the end he turned out to be a good big brother.

The ABC's of the Real Treat! by Samantha Gerbeau

The ABC's of the Real Treat! by Samantha Gerbeau is a small booklet put together to use to talk to children about eating healthy.  It is an alphabet book that suggests healthy foods to eat for each letter of the alphabet.  The author had developed some educator's extra's, including a facilator's guide and an ABC's slideshow, to go with the book.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  It's kind of cute and a good tool to encourage talking about eating healthy but I don't think either Anna or I particularly enjoyed the book much.  I found some of the rhymes really irritating and contrived so I may have reflected my dislike for it in my reading and that may have influenced Anna.  When I discovered that there were extra resources to go with the book I thought maybe it might be redeemable in some way but I was disappointed to see that the resources were not free, and even that the prices were a little steep in my mind.  Great idea for a book and kind of fun but not one that we'll likely read again.

Carmine: A Little More Red by Melissa Sweet

Carmine: A Little More Red, written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet, is a very different alphabet book. The words featured for the letters are not words you expect and they are part of the story.  The story is similar to Red Riding Hood, but with a flair all it's own.  I would say this is an alphabet book that children can grow into and grow to appreciate more with each reading.

Anna and I enjoyed the story.  Anna noticed and commented on the similarities to Red Riding Hood.  This is definitely one that I will be returning to because there's far to much in if for just one read through.

The Red Apples by Marion Mineau

In The Red Apples, written by Marion Mineau and illustrated by Shirley Day, Mary sits on her steps looking longingly at the apples in the orchard, but not daring to go into the orchard to pick any because of the calves that are also in the orchard, til one day...  Cute story that tells about Mary's adventures when she finally does decide to tempt fate and how she is successful until she gets greedy.

Unforunately I couldn't find any information about the author or the illustrator, except that the back of the book says the author is from Canada.

Anna loved the story.  I used it as a chance to talk about how no good can ever come of being greedy.

The Spider in the Woodpile by Terry Morrison, illustrations by Len Walbourne

The Spider in the Woodpile, written by Terry Morrison and illustrationed by Len Walbourne, is a funny story about a spider named Webster.  Webster is delighted to find the perfect home for himself inside a cosy hole in a log.  He's a little concerned when the log moves and he discovers that it's being carried by a man.  Soon, however, he settles down as the log becomes a part of a woodpile.  He curious as to what the man is doing with the logs he carries from the woodpile once in a while but he doesn't give it too much thought until one day it's his log, with him inside it, that the man carries away and tries to throw into a very hot funny shaped black thing.  Luckily he escapes just in time, but that's not the end of his adventures.

Anna really enjoyed this book.  It would be a great book to use to kick of a study of insects.  It is a funny story that children would enjoy and the back of the book gives a bit of information about spiders and may inspire some scientific investigation and learning.  Unforunately the book is not easy to find, but there are copies of it available through the Newfoundland Public Library system.

In the Beginning by Max Lucado

I'm not really sure if In the Beginning, by Max Lucado, should be classed as a children's book or not but Anna and I did read it together recently and she was spell bond by it.  It is a fictional account of a conversation that supposedly takes place between God and the archangel Michelangelo during the creation of the world. The text is accompanied by beautiful artwork that depicts the different stages of creation. At the back of the book are the actual scripture verses that give the Biblical account of creation.

I wasn't sure what to think of the book first when I started reading it and I was tempted to stop, but Anna wanted me to keep going. I usually read the preface and info on the flap of jacket books and/or backs of books before I read each book but I didn't do it with this book so at first I didn't get what the book was actually about.  Once I got to the end and then went back to read those things if finally made sense.