Author: Judy Smith

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Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit            By:  Kimberly and James Dean

Ages:  Pre-school through First Grade

 

 

Pete the Cat is back in another sweet Easter story.  In this delightful book, Pete discovers that his Easter basket is missing.  He and his friends follow the trail of candy to locate the basket.  They are surprised to find out where the basket is and why it was taken.  In the end, this is a story of friendship and giving.  Pete does it again!

 

 

 

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I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared!

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared!          By:  Seth Meyers            Illustrated by:  Rob Sayegh Jr.

Ages:  Pre-school through Second Grade

 

 

The theme of this fun book is about a bear who is afraid of many things and his best friend rabbit, who is not afraid of anything.  They travel on a journey together and a problem occurs. This story is about much more than fear.  It is about true friendship and dedication!

 

 

 

 

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Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine            By:  Jonathan Stutzman            Illustrated by:  Jay Fleck

Ages:  Toddler through Kindergarten

 

 

 

This adorable book is perfect for young children.  Tiny T. Rex wanted to make the perfect valentine for his best friend Pointy. However, everything went wrong and Tiny T. Rex was very sad.  The ending of this sweet story is perfect.  Wonderful book for Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

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Something, Someday

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Something, Someday            By:  Amanda Gorman            Illustrated by:  Christian Robinson

Ages:  Pre-school through Second Grade

 

 

This inspirational book by Amanda Gorman, poet laureate, is a must read for all children.  It illustrates how even when a problem seems impossible, with help from others , faith and determination, change is indeed possible.  This is a  lesson to be learned by everyone.  Please put this amazing book on your reading list.

 

 

 

 

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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening            By:  Robert Frost            Illustrated by:  Susan Jeffers

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening           By:  Robert Frost            Illustrated by:  P. J. Lynch

Ages:  Pre-school through Adult

 

 

 

This classic poem has been re-written many times with a number of different illustrators.  We have posted two of our favorites.  This beautiful poem is amazing all on its own, but the illustrations in both of these books, brings the story to life.  It is a perfect read for bedtime on a snowy night.

 

 

 

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Bear’s Big Dreaming

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Bear’s Big Dreaming            By:  Michael Rosen            Illustrated by:  Daniel Egneus

Ages:  Pre-school through First Grade

 

 

This is another one of those special  books that you will add to your favorites.  “Bear’s Big Dreaming”, is not only beautiful, but heartwarming.  Little Bear talks to his friends to find dreams for the “Big Sleep”.  The dreams are perfect for a little bear!  Please add this special book to your reading list.

 

 

 

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Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh            By:  Mo Willems

Ages:  Pre-school through First Grade

 

 

Our delightful pigeon is back and this time he wants to drive Santa’s sleigh.  Once our feathered friend sees that the sleigh is propelled by reindeer, he changes his mind.  Mo Willems has done it again and brought us a fun Christmas tale.

 

 

 

 

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I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie            By:  Alison Jackson            Illustrated by:  Judith Byron Schachner

Ages:  Pre-school through Second grade

 

 

This traditional story lends itself well to Thanksgiving dinner.  The old lady in our story can’t resist swallowing an entire pie and then she continues her hunger streak through the entire dinner.  No worries, she finally got full at the end.  This is a fun book that all children will enjoy!

 

 

 

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Fletcher and the Falling Leaves

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves             By:  Julia Rawlinson            Illustrations by:  Tiphanie Beeke

Ages:  Pre-school through Second Grade

 

 

This is such a sweet story and it is perfect for this time of year.  Little Fletcher became very upset when the leaves began to fall from his favorite tree.  He tried to save them, but could only save one.  He felt terrible that he couldn’t save all of the leaves.  Then the next morning, he went out and his tree was covered in beautiful icicles. The story helps illustrate the transition of the seasons.

 

 

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Just Because

Dear Reader,

This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children.  Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills.  You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story.  Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

Just Because            By:  Matthew McConaughey            Illustrated by:  Renee Kurilla

Ages:  Pre-school through Adult

 

 

 

This inspirational book by Matthew McConaughey is full of life lessons for children and adults.  The pictures really help to illustrate the themes of the book.  The feelings illuminated in this book are very relatable to the reader and the listener.  Please put this one on your read aloud list.

 

 

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