Book Review: The Big Blue Book of Beginner Books

*** Originally posted 1/13/09 at Stephanie's Mommy Brain.

My kids received TEN new books at Christmas this year. Picture books. Non-fiction books. And drawing books.

I can't wait to share them all with you! But I'll restrain myself and not review all ten of them in this one post. I'll spread them out a little.

(However, if you can't wait, click on the GoodReads link in the sidebar and search for my children's shelf.)

The one book we bought ourselves was The Big Blue Book of Beginner Books.

This book includes: Go Dogs Go!, It's Not Easy Being a Bunny, Are You My Mother?, Put Me in the Zoo, The Best Nest, and A Fly Went By.

Usually I don't like compilation books but this was about $5 more than we would have paid for ONE of those titles by itself. I LOVE me a bargain!

All of my kids are enjoying these stories. Ellie walks around with the book and calls it her "Bible." (We think God understands the mind of a 2 year old and won't strike her for her blasphemy.) She and Will (5 years) both like to sit and "read" the book.

Actually, William could read the book if he put some effort into it. It's a beginning reader book and he definitely qualifies for that. Ellie's version of reading the book is to say the parts she remembers us reading. It won't be long and she'll have the while thing memorized.

I have enjoyed reading some of the lesser known Dr. Seuss stories. There is the typical Seussian rhyme, silly antics by the characters and bright illustrations. Two of the stories (It's Not Easy Being a Bunny, The Best Nest) even have morals (be yourself and be content).

If you are looking for a beginning reader or a rhyming book other than Cat in the Hat, I highly recommend this book.

If you enjoy Dr. Seuss here are a few links you might be interested in:
*Seussville for games, catalog and events;
*Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden outside the Springfield Museums (Massachusetts)which also includes an exhibit on Dr. Seuss.

Finally, on March 2, 2009, (Seuss's birthday) the National Education Association's Read Across America program is calling for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult.

(Let me be clear that I am NOT an advocate for or fan of the NEA!)

Thanksgiving Children's Book Recommendations and Reviews

In preparation for Thanksgiving lesson plans, I pulled out Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey and then searched the web for some appropriate children's books.

I bought five new books, which are listed below. When I began my search I wanted books in several categories. I wanted a child appropriate, historically accurate retelling of the Pilgrim story, a true-to-history (NOT politically correct) account of the Indian involvement with the Pilgrims, and books describing different types of family Thanksgiving celebrations.

The following books are what I ended up buying. If you click on the cover pictures you will be taken to bookstore websites. If you click on the title under the picture you will be taken to my review of the individual book.

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh

Mary's First Thanksgiving by Kathy-jo Wargin

Give Thanks to the Lord by Karma Wilson

Book Review: Mary's First Thanksgiving

In Mary's First Thanksgiving by Katy-jo Wargin a young Irish immigrant girl in the late 19th century learns the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Mary begins the story sad over her family's lack of all the Thanksgiving trimmings and any friends to share them with. After listening to her father tell of the struggles of the Pilgrims she realizes just how blessed she is and even seeks out a new friend.

Though not precisely what I was looking for (books describing Thanksgiving traditions of the past and present) I have enjoyed this book. The lesson Mary learns about gratefulness is important for readers young and old today.

The illustrations by Robert Papp are incredible. They are very realistic - to the point that they look like photographs printed on canvas instead of paper.

I think any family would enjoy this book, but especially one with girls.

Kid's Picks: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

We are currently reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. And by "we" I mean my husband is reading it aloud to my five-year-old son, William, and the rest of us occasionally listen.

I asked Will if he likes reading the book with Daddy. "Yes." What do you like about it? "The good guys win." I'm not sure what prompted that response but I know he's begging to read the book every night after supper. That's always a good sign of an excellent book!

Just a word of caution that this book contains some language and themes (smoking!) that may not be suitable for young children. Joel mentioned to me that he's doing quite a bit of editing as he is reading, mainly for language, I think. It's a judgment call for parents to make.

William definitely does not understand everything in this book and has asked many questions as a result. We've had some good conversations about how Tom's actions are disobedient or how he isn't doing the "right" thing and what would be the "right" thing to do. We are comfortable with these kind of discussions at his age.

What about you? What classic characters have you introduced your children to?

Book Review: The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh is another well-written book describing the journey on the Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth by the Pilgrims. This book sort of tells the story from the perspective of the three Hopkins children.

I say sort of because it uses a third-person narrative voice but includes details sure to capture a child's interest. I am a little disappointed because I thought it would use the voice of one of the children to explain the story of the Pilgrims.

While the illustrations by Helen Sewell don't appeal to me, the book was awarded a Caldecott Honor Award.

Don't let my unfulfilled expectations deter you from this book. For a general outline of the Pilgrim story this is a quality book worth having in your library, though not necessarily a must-have book.

Book Review: The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern uses simple language to tell the story of the Pilgrims. Though it doesn't maintain a child's perspective throughout the book, it does emphasize details sure to interest children. Like the lack of toys on board the Mayflower. And the jobs children had in the new village of Plymouth.

I wouldn't say this book is a must have but if you are looking for a book to tell the general story of the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving on a preschool or early elementary level, this one does just that. Filled with color and activity the illustrations will also hold the interest of young readers.

You may find it helpful to know this book is a Scholastic paperback. If you are looking for Thanksgiving activities Scholastic has pages of recommendations. I wish I had found their site when I wrote my Thanksgiving lesson plans!

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving Book Review

When I started looking for children's Thanksgiving books to go with my Thanksgiving lesson plans I wanted a book that talked about the Indians (or Native Americans). But I didn't want a politically correct book that made them out to be the saviors of the Pilgrims. I wanted a book that let God do the saving THROUGH the Indians.

I discovered what I was looking for in Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas. Metaxas tells us the true story of Squanto, an Indian boy, kidnapped and taken to Spain. Through the Sovereign hand of God he eventually returns to his homeland and finds his entire village wiped out by illness. Not long after his return the Pilgrims settle on the very land his village once occupied. Squanto meets with the Pilgrims, recognizes them as followers of the True God, and helps them survive.

I found it refreshing to read an account of Thanksgiving and the Indians that acknowledged the hand of God in history. As a Christian I believe He has a plan and a purpose for everyone's life. Sometimes we can see the plan and purpose, sometimes we can't. Like Joseph of the Old Testament, Squanto spent many years wondering what purpose God had in his kidnapping. And like Joseph, God used Squanto to save some of His people.

My only negative comment is that the illustrations of Squanto seem to change from page to page. I realize he is growing up and changing cultures but his facial features and hair color should not change that much. I am a little disappointed that the illustrator did not maintain the Indian (Native American) facial features and black hair that Squanto most definitely had.

Other than that minor negative I whole heartily recommend this book to anyone, young or old, who wants to learn the story of how God used one man to rescue many.