photo The Adventures of Granny Clearwater & Little Critter written by Kimberly Willis Holt and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith:
The above book is a great recommendation for a picture book for children. I would estimate it is for children in the 5-9 age range. I read it to my 8 year old son tonight. I happened to come across it today when I took my two daughters to the library. My younger daughter (2) was looking at some books and “reading” happily to herself. While my older daughter (10) who was home sick (barky type cough) was also reading a book she checked out. So, I decided to look at some books too. This one particular book caught my eye. I loved the illustrations and I actually recognize the illustrator’s name; I believe I have some books in the house made by her.
I have to say, this book was so funny! Some of the humor is a little hard for youngsters to get, but us older folks can surely appreciate the funny points. It is a clever book and it also reminded me about how my mother always would tell me, my mom taught me how to do this, that and the other…”Grannies” sure do know a LOT.  It also made me think of the fond memories of me with my own Grandma, or “Bubbi” as she was known to me.
Every so often, I enjoy writing about different good books to read to your youngsters.  I taught early childhood education for many years before becoming a parent myself and because of this, I am very choosy with the books I buy or take out from the library. I don’t like any with “bad” language, in fact, my two older children (ages 8 and 10) already know that I use to change words like “stupid” into “silly” and other such words that I felt were not appropriate. I do believe it makes a difference when parenting. My children have never “cursed” in our house and they know never to.  Some favorites to seek out for young babies/toddlers are the following authors/illustrators:
Eric Carle
Margaret Wise Brown
Sandra Boynton
Byron Barton
Dr. Seuss books are also great for ages 4+ (even my older children enjoy hearing the classic Dr. Seuss books such as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat and the Hat, The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Red Fish, Blue, Fish, 1 Fish, 2 Fish, The Lorax, Maisy Head, Daisy Head, etc.
So, enjoy reading to your child/ren every day. In fact, I even still read chapter books to my middle child, he is already 8 and can read very well, but enjoys when his MOM reads to him, it is special bonding time.
Have any other good books to share? Let us know! Thanks!

The Adventures of Granny Clearwater & Little Critter written by Kimberly Willis Holt and illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith:


The above book is a great recommendation for a picture book for children. I would estimate it is for children in the 5-9 age range. I read it to my 8 year old son tonight. I happened to come across it today when I took my two daughters to the library. My younger daughter (2) was looking at some books and “reading” happily to herself. While my older daughter (10) who was home sick (barky type cough) was also reading a book she checked out. So, I decided to look at some books too. This one particular book caught my eye. I loved the illustrations and I actually recognize the illustrator’s name; I believe I have some books in the house made by her.

I have to say, this book was so funny! Some of the humor is a little hard for youngsters to get, but us older folks can surely appreciate the funny points. It is a clever book and it also reminded me about how my mother always would tell me, my mom taught me how to do this, that and the other…”Grannies” sure do know a LOT.  It also made me think of the fond memories of me with my own Grandma, or “Bubbi” as she was known to me.

Every so often, I enjoy writing about different good books to read to your youngsters.  I taught early childhood education for many years before becoming a parent myself and because of this, I am very choosy with the books I buy or take out from the library. I don’t like any with “bad” language, in fact, my two older children (ages 8 and 10) already know that I use to change words like “stupid” into “silly” and other such words that I felt were not appropriate. I do believe it makes a difference when parenting. My children have never “cursed” in our house and they know never to.  Some favorites to seek out for young babies/toddlers are the following authors/illustrators:

Eric Carle

Margaret Wise Brown

Sandra Boynton

Byron Barton

Dr. Seuss books are also great for ages 4+ (even my older children enjoy hearing the classic Dr. Seuss books such as Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat and the Hat, The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Red Fish, Blue, Fish, 1 Fish, 2 Fish, The Lorax, Maisy Head, Daisy Head, etc.

So, enjoy reading to your child/ren every day. In fact, I even still read chapter books to my middle child, he is already 8 and can read very well, but enjoys when his MOM reads to him, it is special bonding time.

Have any other good books to share? Let us know! Thanks!

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Great Childrens Books for your youngsters:

Having a degree in Early Chidhood Education has totally helped me choose excellent books for my own children. Now that my two bigger ones are getting bigger, I am not that versed in “good” book choices for them, since they now read chapter books, but they seem to find books they enjoy. My older child is more of a reader than my middle, having read all the Harry Potter series in about 6 weeks, she enjoys Fantasy like my husband, I am more of a Non-fiction type personally and my son, well, let’s just say, he enjoys reading the Geronimo Stilton series…funny, easy reading.

As far as baby and toddler choices, I can totally help you out. Here are a few of my baby’s favorite finds: The wonderful thing about board books is that they don’t rip easily (I did not say NEVER, my daughter manages to rip some that she reads over and over again) and they often have rhymes or repetition which is excellent for children learning to talk and communicate. Here are some great choices that my baby enjoys:

The Lady with the Alligator Purse (board book)

Miss Mary Mack (board book)

Skip to my Lou (board book) 

BIG RED BARN (board book)

Stop Train Stop!  (board book) She loves Thomas the Tank Engine, by baby, see, it is not just for boys! :)

This is the CHARLIE and LOLA stories, about a brother who takes care of his younger sister, Lola. My daughter adores these two stories. She says the words along with me.

This story in particular cracks my baby up every time she hears it. It is also a good way to show you how to be creative with healthy foods that your child doesn’t seem to want to eat.

She adores the numerous Sandra Boynton stories we have (there are a lot we don’t have, because there are SO many, but they are all terrific). I actually have always read books by also saying who the author as well as the illustrator is, I think it is important and good for children to know those facts. My daughter can tell me the last name of the author after I say the first name b/c she is use to hearing them over and over… Here are a few favorites:

But NOT the Hippopotamus!  

The Going to Bed Book  

Moo Baa LA LA LA!   

BLUE HAT, GREEN HAT    

OPPOSITES    

Lastly, I was curious, would you like to see me sell BABY BOOK GIFT SETS on the site? Please send your comments to info@startingoutsmall.com or leave a comment here, THANKS!

I will write some more great toddler choices another time, in the meantime, don’t forget, the best thing you can do for your child is READ, READ, READ!!!!

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