Valentine's Books and Crafts for Kids

Hi Y'all!

I am finally getting posts up in advance. They aren't as frequent as I would like, but it's progress. 

We have had such a great week with homeschooling. My girl is finally getting it! She is actually asking to read independently and doing it! Not just skimming over or re-reading the same book she's had memorized since last year!

This is huge for her! Of course, it makes my heart smile too! I may get another reader in the house. (high hopes)

Being mom and teacher gives me another reason to scope out books for her. I go through a series of variables. 

Are they the right reading level?

Can we use it as a lesson or tie it into what we're working on?(she loves non-fiction)

Does it look like she would be interested in it?

I love that most children's books have a lesson or moral to the story type of theme, but they also make it light, funny, or wacky to get kids to really think and analyze the story. 

Reading books to or with a child is a great opportunity to ask some awesome questions!

You'd be amazed at the insight you can get from your child's responses.

How did that make you feel?

How could you have helped xyz?

Would you like to go there someday?

Could you be friends with someone like that?

These are just some example questions. I know you can come up with a ton more.

Love is an amazing topic to learn about! Is it a noun or a verb?

I love this question. For myself, it is a verb. An act of doing or showing.

What do you think? Both? Could be.

Books can help you learn all different types of love!

I started looking up on Pinterest, Valentine's ideas for kids

I actually was shocked that most of the pins were for books about Valentine's Day!

Also, we actually own a bunch of them!

Here goes my mom brain!

I started searching around on Thriftbooks and made up my own list.

I found over 300 children's books listed! Over 300! Just on Valentine's Day. 

There absolutely is a book for every child to get interested in!

Here is a list of the ones we are going to read this year.

Our Top 7 Choices

Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day is Cool

A Crankenstein Valentine

Nate the Great and The Mushy Valentine

Mr. Goat's Valentine

Rhyme Time Valentine

God Gave Us Love

Love Monster

I hope you'll check out our list and let me know which books you chose!

I'm working on an idea of a book swap for kids. Keep that in mind for the future if you'd be interested!

I also found some fun craft ideas to share.

Take a look, Pinterest: Valentine Kid Crafts

Happy Reading and have a blessed weekend!

Big List of Valentine's Day Books

I've Been Reading: Book Review

 The Vampire Knitting Club(series)

by Nancy Warren

paranormal/cozy mystery

audiobook

Tangles and Treason~Prequel/ Book #0.5

The Vampire Knitting Club~Book #1

Quote:

" I needed comforting after discovering my boyfriend of two years, Todd, had stuck his salami in someone else's sandwich. I refer to him now as my ex-boyfriend, "The Toad".~ Lucy Swift

Book Blurbs:

From #0.5

Tangles and Treason

In Elizabethan Oxford, Sir Rafe Crosyer is on a secret mission for the queen. He also wants to secure Constance's hand in marriage, not only for love, but for her safety, for there are rumours afloat that Constance is a witch. When he is attacked and left for dead, not only is his love in terrible danger, but also his queen. Unless he takes the unthinkable step...

From #1

The Vampire Knitting Club

At a crossroads between a cringe-worthy past(Todd the toad) and an uncertain future(she's not exactly homeless, but it's close), Lucy Swift travels to Oxford to visit her grandmother. With Gran's undying love to count on and Cardinal Woolsey's, Gran's knitting shop, to keep her busy, Lucy can catch her breath and figure out what she is going to do.

My Review:

I'm giving both of these books a solid 4 stars.

These are the first two books in Nancy Warren's The Vampire Knitting Club series.

There are a total of 13 books, or 15(counting the two .5 books)

The complete list is here:

Nancy Warren series in order

I actually happened to find the first book by accident on my library app. I tend to always have some audiobook downloaded on Libby. Lately, I hardly have time to sit down with a physical book.

There are a ton of apps you can download with thousands of audiobooks for people always on the go.

By my mistake, I accidentally read book #1 first, not realizing there was a prequel.

I definitely am excited to continue onto book #3 and see where this series goes.

These two are, absolutely, cozy mysteries. Somewhere between Ghost Whisperer and any of the Hallmark murder/mystery series(usually based off books anyway), or a good Murder She Wrote.

You can certainly wrap up one of these "who done it" books in a few hours or a day.

That's one thing I liked about the first two. It is an enjoyable, fast-paced, light read, or listen, to keep your mind engaging.

There isn't any huge twists or mind-blowing moments, but that isn't what they are intended to be.

The characters are relatable, and each one has a purpose in the story. I'm not a fan of books that add characters just for word count r to fill a gap in a scene.

I always think, where'd they go? or What was that about?

Give them a purpose, or just omit them.

Sir Rafe Crosyer is a classic loyal servant/hero caught with two missions, protecting his queen and his love.

Lucy is a late twenties' gal, just out of a bad relationship, looking for solace and time to figure things out.

Gran is a typical grandma, knitting, sweet, caring, but with a magical twist

You'll have to read the books to get more characters.

I only gave them 4 stars because, again, I read the books out of order, not realizing there was a prequel. I definitely think it needed to go further with Rafe's character. I'm not 100% happy about how book #1 kind of drops him and starts off with a whole new story.

I can't get too much into that without spoilers, but if you read them(you should), then you'll see what I mean.

That's really my only complaint. Again, these are cozy, light reads, great for anyone looking for fast-paced, fun series.

Go and check them out. Remember, there are 15 books!

Always be watching for new book reviews!

                              

I've Been Reading: Book Review

 The Favored Queen 

by

Carolly Erickson

Historical fiction/Tudor era

295 pages/hardcover

 

Quote: "Why must you go out of your way to stir up conflict?" ~ King Henry VIII 

From the cover: Born into an ambitious noble family, young Jane Seymour is sent to court as a maid of honor to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's aging queen. She is devoted to her mistress and watches with empathy as the calculating Anne Boleyn contrives to supplant Catherine as queen.

My Review:

I honestly have been putting off and debating whether to do this review. I truly wanted to love this book, but it didn't pull me in as I thought it would. In actuality, I felt myself starting and stopping over and over. Either I just couldn't get into the story, or I found myself pausing to do some "fact" checking.

I am aware this is labeled historical fiction, but I also know that Carolly Erickson is considered a distinguished historian. I have read other books by her, and do not remember struggling throughout any of them.

Furthermore, I feel, even as a fiction book, Ms. Erickson has taken too many liberties in changing or adding to Jane Seymour's life and story.

To me, this wasn't a  fill in the blanks, where there is no actual record. It was more of, let's just create a whole affair that has no proof or make doubtful assumptions in history.

Historical researchers, Jane Seymour is known to have been kind-hearted, docile, subservient, silent, virtuous, and having good sense.

Erickson has made her to be more of a naive, flighty woman who is easily persuaded from one love to another.

In chapter 12, page 123 she is talking with Will Dormer(there was an engagement between them IRL) of their marriage plans and is having her gown made. Less than ten pages later, she has met Galyon Hone(actual Tudor glacier, but NO record Jane ever met him) and agrees to meet him in secret. Two pages later, quoted "So easily, did I leave girlhood behind that night and not with dear Will, but with a stranger."~ Jane

Sorry, Will, you're out.

The book goes on to her marrying King Henry VIII less than 120 pages later.

Also, I felt this book, while being read as Jane's voice, actually was more about Henry's first 2 wives, their lives, relationships, and all that was going on at court around Jane. She only becomes the main character after Anne's beheading, more than halfway through the book. 

I did give it 3 stars.

1. Carolly Erickson is a wonderful author. I've read a few of her other books

2. Anything Tudor is a win for me

3. It was an entertaining book. If my knowledge of Tudor history was less, I may have enjoyed it more as a historical fiction.

If you'd like to give this one a try, you can find it here

The Favored Queen: A novel of Henry VIII's Third Wife by Carolly Erickson

I hope you've enjoyed this book review. I am always reading something, so check back for more reviews.

10 Books Titled "Never Let You Go" : The List I made

 10 Books Titled, 

Never Let You Go

by a variety of authors

Hey y'all.

Have you ever been looking for a certain book, but you can't exactly remember the Title? You just kind of have a vague idea of what it was called or what the main theme was.

I honestly do that a lot. I am constantly seeing #bookcoverporn, some great review posted, ads for new books coming out, or someone sends me recs.

I love it! I love it all! I know on my last day, my TBR list will still be in the hundreds. I read 2 or 3, and add 5 more before the week is done.

That is exactly how this post came about. I remembered this book that I wanted to post over on my Facebook page, but I could not think of the title!

Never Go Away?

Never Let Her Go?

You'll Never Go?

You get the idea. So I'm scrolling through my Goodreads app(I get distracted looking through all the books I want to read.), and then I just decided to go look over on Thriftbooks.

I just typed in Never Go titles and a whole page of books titled...

Never Let You Go or I'll Never Let You Go pops up. 

The very first one is the one I had been searching for! Yes!

Then, I couldn't just ignore 9 other books RIGHT THERE baring the same title! All different authors. A slew of genres. From suspense to children's books.

Hence, my list of 10 books titled:

Never Let you Go

1.Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

2. I'll Never Let You Go by Mary Burton

3. Never Let You Go by Monica Murphy

4. I'll Never Let You Go by Smriti Prasadam-Halls

5. I'll Never Let You Go by Marianne Richmond

6. Never Let You Go by Emma Carlson Berne

7. Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

8. Never Let You Go by Andrew Grey

9. Never Let You Go by Katy Regnery

10. Never Let You Go by Patricia Storms

There actually were more than 10, but I was trying to keep the list fun and manageable.

I hope you enjoy this list!

Happy Reading!

Save a tree, save a buck.

Buy Used Books!

Manners Matter! A list of Children's books to read.

Mind Your Manners, Please!

Teaching children a few basic manners goes a long way.

    I am always trying to find a great lesson to teach my daughter. She is homeschooled, so it is my job to be mom and teacher. One thing we have always taught our daughters, is manners.

Yes, I am the mom who says things like, "That's not ladylike." You can call it old fashion or sexist, or whatever you want. I use it, it works, and we believe in it.

Manners are so important in everyday life. It should be a habit that is universal, but it has to be taught. Manners aren't something children are born with or something they just know.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Teaching manners could be as simple as reminding a child to say please and thank you.

It can also be more difficult, as in teaching them not to interrupt someone when they are in a conversation.

There are a ton of manners that are fairly common and universal.

1. Say please and thank you

2. No hitting/biting

3. No screaming

4. Respect yourself and others.

5. Try to share

6. Table manners. Sit still, don't play with your food, etc

7. No burping or slurping

8. Use kind words

9. Help others

10. Do not stick out your tongue or roll your eyes

I'm fairly certain we all want children to understand and follow these, but we need to teach them.

As you all know, I am a total Book Nerd! Books are my go to for so much.

Teaching is one of the ways I use books daily.

Here is a fun list of a few books we either own, have read, or will be getting here soon!

I think my favorite one is the Dude, That's Rude!

You'll definitely have to check some of these out.

Whoopi's Big Book of Manners by Whoopi Goldberg

Emily's Everyday Manners by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post

Dude, That's Rude by Pamela Espeland and Elizabeth Verdick

Manners Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf

My Mouth is a Volcano! by Julia Cook

The Bernstein Bears Forgot Their Manners by Stan and Jan Bernstein

A Child's Book of Manners by Ruth Shannon Odor

The Thingumajig Book of Manners by Irene Keller

Manners Are Important For You and Me by Todd Snow

The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper

These are just a few of the many books available.

I almost always buy my books from Thriftbooks.com

I just love old books!

Buy used!

Save a tree. Save your money!

I hope you find the perfect book for you to teach a child about manners.

Do you already have a favorite? I'd love for you to share.

I've Been Reading: Book Reviews

 

Hey all,

I hope everyone is getting more reading time in than me. I feel like I am pulled in so many directions lately. My favorite things to do for myself are crochet, write/blog, and read! The latter I haven't found much downtime to do.

I used to be able to zone the world out and be completely engrossed in anything I was reading. Now, it seems every little thing irritates me when I'm trying to read. The train or traffic outside, phones ringing, kids arguing, T.V. up too loud, or just my brain in over-drive.

Lately, I've been depending on audiobooks to get in my reading. Our library has an adequate amount of books you can download through the Libby/Overdrive app, and it is 100% free! Bonus! Libby also has ebooks. There are several other apps. Audible, Scribd, NOOK, Storytel are a few I've seen on Google Play store.

The last two books that I have really enjoyed are,

Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton

This is Dolly's latest book. Did you know she has written 7 books? Including two children's books. I had no clue!

It's no secret that Dolly Parton is so loved in our household. My 8-year-old wants to BE Dolly Parton when she grows up. No joke.

I came across this book while scrolling through Libby. It always shows books that may interest you, based off previously read audiobooks. I read a ton of memoirs, bios, and autobiographies. It is one of my favorite genres.(people's stories/lives fascinate me)

Then I download it and realize Dolly is also the narrator of the audiobook! Yes. Bonus!

This one really does make you feel like Dolly is right there with you. Just chatting away. She is so confident and comfortable in herself. I just love her.

Her message has always been, everyone is different. Everyone has their own story. Everyone makes mistakes. Don't judge, love more. Love life, love each other.

I definitely recommend the audiobook over the physical book. 

The Loyal Wife by Natalie Barelli

Another of my  favorite genres is definitely Thriller/Suspense/Mystery.
This one has it all.

Mini synopsis:

Trusting her wasn't a mistake. Betraying her was.

She thought she had the perfect marriage...

Tamra knows something about Mike. Something he did. Something evil. And she was prepared to carry the secret to her grave.

Not anymore.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but it probably won't be my last.

She definitely can grab you from the start. The middle got a little slow and ehh, but it did have a twisty ending. 

Again, this one I chose the audiobook, so maybe the narrator during multiple characters is what got fuzzy for me. It was still a 4/5-star book for me.

I hope you'll check these out. I'm glad I found them. Audio or physical, maybe even ebook(I haven't done those much), I recommend them both.
I actually did begin reading an actual book this week, When August Leaves by Amy S. Foster.
Hopefully, I'll get it read and be able to post a review.

Do you prefer audio to physical books?
What's your favorite genre?
Happy reading!

National "Get Out of the Doghouse" Day!

 National Get Out of the Doghouse Day!

Why do we use this phrase, and where did it even start?

I'm so glad you asked. I'm going to fill you in soon. I have always been one of those people that like to know the how's and why's before I share any information. I have to at least try to dig into the history or facts about what ever it is. 

 E.g. Why do people say someone is "piss poor" or that it is "raining cats and dogs"?

Those are a couple of fun ones I looked up. You'll have to do your own digging on those and maybe some others.

Now, back to today's fun saying.

"Get Out of the Doghouse"

It is celebrated every year on the third Monday of July.

The phrase is known to be used when someone(spouse, friend, other), is in trouble or out of favor with the other. It is used as a punishment for their transgression. A shaming tactic.

I'm sure we all know what it means or how it is used, but do you know why we say it or where it started?

Would you believe it began in a classic children's book we all know, fairly well, I'd say?

It all started in 1911 in the story of Peter Pan, written by J.M Barrie.

That's right!

In chapter 16, Mr. darling is feeling guilty that the children flew away, and he consigns himself to the "doghouse" or kennel, as is the case in the book.

Quote:

"When the children flew away, Mr. Darling felt in his bones that all the blame was his for having chained Nana up, and that from first to last she had been wiser than he. Of course, as we have seen, he was quite a simple man; indeed he might have passed for a boy again if he had been able to take his baldness off; but he had also a noble sense of justice and a lion's courage to do what seemed right to him; and having thought the matter out with anxious care after the flight of the children, he went down on all fours and crawled into the kennel. To all Mrs. Darling's dear invitations to him to come out, he replied sadly but firmly:

"No, my own one, this is the place for me.""

This may be why we associate the phrase more toward men. Who knows?

This is where the phrase or the idea originated, but the first actual printed "in the doghouse" verses Mr. Darling consigning himself to the kennel; actually can be found in James. J. Finerty's 1926 glossary of the language of criminals, Criminalese, in which being "in the doghouse" is described as being "in disfavor"

Not a big gap between Children's class literature and Criminal language.

Funny how that happens. 

The next confirmed print of the term is found in 1933 in an Iowa newspaper, Waterloo Daily, in which the "poor French ambassador" is being described as "still in the doghouse."

Books used for references:

Peter Pan: With original 1911 illustrations

How to Stay Out of the Doghouse by Josh Rubin

Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms

I think the phrase has definitely become more popular, and widely used, over time.

We've probably all said it once or twice, whether we put someone there, or were there ourselves.

I hope you've enjoyed today's post and our fun facts about our National Fun Holiday.

Dear America Book Series

 

Dear America Book Series

I know this isn't my usual spot for book reviews. You can view those here: A Novel Experience 

 I wanted to do a little showcase on these great books. I'm calling these a series, although they actually are stand-alone. I definitely recommend buying as many as you can!

I have 3 daughters, am a self-taught history buff, and an unapologetic book hoarder.

According to Goodreads, there are 43 books. We probably own 15 or so and have read more of them.

These historical fiction books are fascinating. They are full of wonderful information on some of America's biggest historical moments!

While the protagonist is usually a fictitious, young girl writing in her diary, the historical events are factual and many of the names are also real people.

I actually just finished reading another one of these books, which is mainly the reason for this post.

I wanted to hop on here and share this one.

Dear America, A Time For Courage

The Suffragette Diary of Kathleen Bowen

Washington, D.C, 1917

written by: Kathryn Lasky

I honestly was just drawn into this book from the beginning. There is so much information that I learned.

A few of the things I am taking away from this book.

The suffragette movement was so much more than just women wanting to be legally allowed to vote.

Women were not allowed to sue anyone, have mortgages, and were often denied higher education. Women were also required to quit their jobs once they became married at one time in history.

Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the first to hold a meeting for woman's rights in her home. The meeting, held in July 1848 held over 300 women and 40 men, including Frederick Douglas.

Lucy Burns was arrested with many other women. In 1917, she led many of the women prisoners on a hunger strike that eventually led to their pardons and release from jail.

President Wilson did not support the Women's movement and often refused to listen or acknowledge the picketers and spokespeople.

Women picketers were called unwomanly, pathological, diseased, dangerous, among other things.

Women today still fight for equality.

 

As you can see, this book alone is full of wonderful history.

I would love for you to check out more of these books here.

More Dear America Books!

Have you read any of them?

Which is your favorite?

Halloween and Fall Books For Kids

*post contains affiliate links

Update:

I've also added a fun Halloween packet to print out.

Halloween Fun Activities Packet

Who has kids busting at their little seams getting excited about Halloween?

I can't believe how early and how fast it seems to come every year!
I keep thinking the fourth of July was like...last month! Oh no, it's already September. Wow!
Too fast!

I have had this list of books sitting around. Taking my time getting cover photos and editing them, trying to pick a few of our favorites and seeing which ones others seem to favor.
Then, I realized today that everyone is posting, pinning, and sharing all of their Halloween and Fall stuff already! (Walmart already has real pumpkins for sale!!!)
Well, I can't be falling behind any more than I apparently already am!

We have read several of these books. I have also added some we have not read, but I am certainly going to shop for them.

Used Children's Books at Awesome Prices

Without further ado...

Great Halloween and Fall Books

Room on The Broom
This is one of our absolute favorites! It is a fast paced, rhyming story about a witch who has a few visitors on her broom.

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
This book is about a pumpkin that doesn't look like all the others in the patch, but soon he shows them how different can be a good thing.

Pinkalicious and the Pink Pumpkin
Pinkalicious is all things pink! Even her pumpkin! If she can find one...

The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree
Do they dare go there? Do they dare go in to the Spooky Old Tree?

Boo Who? A Lift and Flap story
Cute little book to show different Halloween things.

Peter Rabbit and the Pumpkin Patch
Peter and Benjamin are on another adventure into Mr. McGregor's garden.

The Berenstain Bears go on a Ghost Walk

Click, Clack, Boo by Doreen Cronin
The Tiniest Pumpkin by Janet Craig
We're Off to Find the Witch's House by Richard Krieb
Arthur's Halloween by Marc Brown
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
Franklin's Pumpkin by Sharon Jennings
Bernstain Bears Harvest Festival by Stan Bernstain
There was an Old Lady who swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro
We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
Even more Awesome books @ Scholastic Kids

I know there are so many more I could list. I'm sure I will come back and add as I find more great books!
I hope you enjoy these. Please comment and share any that you've read and love!
What is your kid's favorite spooky book?

Remembering the Holocaust: Book List *Updated List*

" Fear makes you weak, anger makes you strong."
Irena Sendler

*This post contains affiliate links

The Holocaust, which was a genocide of Jews and anyone not considered of their "pure Aryan race"; officially began on January 30, 1933, when Adolf Hilter became Chancellor of Germany.

For the next twelve years, Nazis and their supporters, humiliated, tortured, and killed over 6 million Jews and almost 5 million others. Gypsies, Jewish supporters, handicapped, homosexuals, and anyone they feared were not like them.

VE Day, May 8, 1945 officially marks the end of WWII by the formal surrender by German Forces.

January 30, 1933- May 8, 1945

While, I understand dates, statistics, and facts are a huge part of learning history, and figuring out who done what, when, where and why; I want this post to be more about the actual people.

I have always been intrigued by the history of the Holocaust. For me, it is one of the most fascinating and tragic wars ever. 

The first time I ever heard of it was probably around grade 5 or 6. Yes, reading The Diary of Anne Frank. While I didn't have the mentality to fully grasp the severity, nor the horror of these events; I was captured by her! I truly believe my learning of Anne Frank and hearing her story is where I began my love of reading and being fascinated by people. Real people who have shared their stories, their truths, their lives with the world.

I am always in awe of the things people endure. The strength that we as humans have. Not just physically, but emotionally, and mostly spiritually.

How amazing their lives are.

That is what I want to share with you.

I want to pass on some of these wonderful books. I want you to learn who the people were, not just the events. These are real life people who lived through trials, tragedies, turmoils, and came out triumphant!

They are sharing their own lives with us. Whether it be to educate, to cleanse themselves, or just for a chance to be heard. 

These are their stories.

**UPDATED LISTS**

Here is a list of some of the books I have read personally.

You can click here to read more about each one: Goodreads: Holocaust and WWII Book List

1. The Diary of Anne Frank- Anne Frank

2. Behind the Secret Window- Nelly S. Toll

3. The Secret Holocaust Diaries- Nonna Bannister

4. Sarah's Key-Tatiana De Rosnay

5. The Nazi Officer's Wife-Edith Hahn Beer

6. Thanks for My Journey- Erica Miller

7. The Seamstress- Sara Tuvel Bernstein

8. A Lucky Child- Thomas Buergenthal

9. Witnesses to War- Michael Leapman

10. The Last Train- Rona Arato

11. Irena's Children- Mary Cronk Farrell

12. The Hiding Place- Corrie Ten Boom

13. Don't Forget To Write- Pam Hobbs

These books below are considered Historical Fiction. I still highly recommend them!

14. One eye laughing, the Other Weeping(Dear America)- Barry Denenberg

15. A Faraway Island-Annika Thor

16. The True Story of Hansel and Gretel- Louise Murphy

17. Block 11- Piero Degli Antoni

18. While We're far Apart- Lynn Austin

19. Between Shades of Grey- Ruta Sepetys

20.The Lily Pond- Annika Thor

These books are by far some of my favorites of all the books I have read.
Be sure to also check out A Novel Experience my blog dedicated to all things I love about books!

**Updated**

A few more I have read more recently,

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel

River In the Sea by Tina Boscha

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

I also wanted to list a few people that I recommend learning about. Some "heroes or heroines" of the Holocaust

Corrie Ten Boom

Irena Sendler

Oskar Schindler

Nancy Wake

"You see a man drowning, you must try to save him. Even if you cannot swim."

Irena Sendler

I hope you enjoy this list and will read as many as you wish!

What are your favorite stories/books?

I would love to know and add to my own list!

Please Share!!

Our List of 8 Great Bedtime Stories

Our List of

8

Great Bedtime Stories

  I believe the only thing for me that is more precious than that glorious bedtime; that time when we are all winding down and feeling relaxed and at ease, are mornings.

I love the sound of those little feet hitting the floor at the crack of dawn. Hearing their first words of the day..."Momma, I'm awake!"

I know, I'm a mushy momma! But, bedtime is so important. It really is.  To have some sort of routine. Something that helps them know that this time is needed, for them and yourself.

I know every night won't be the same. Schedules change, kids get sick, they have needs and demands that come up as the clock ticks on.

You're tired, you have things to finish up. We've all been there!

So, on those nights that do go as planned, make it a good time to bond. Take advantage of those moments when they know your sole focus is on them and that you cherish this time.

 Sharing a story with a child is one of the best ways to share some time with them.

We read a TON of books around here! I even started a Goodreads account for little E a while back. It helps me to keep track of most of the books we've read together.

I realized when sorting through her books and trying to get them organized that we really do have a lot of books about bedtime. That seems to be a theme that we both enjoy, and they really do help her relax and want to listen to the story.

A few of our favorites, or ones that we seem to read and re-read, over and over are listed below.

*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on a link and making a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Great Bedtime Stories

1. Night Noises by Mem Fox

2. Tell Me Somthing Happy Before I Go To Sleep by Joyce Dunbar

3. Good Night, Wonder Pets by Simon Spotlight/Nick Jr.

4. Snug as a Bug by Amy Imbody

5. Good Night, Little Rabbit by J.P. Miller

6. It's Time to Sleep, My Love by Nancy Tillman (my favorite)

7. Bedtime for Peppa by Scholastic

8. Night-Night, Sleep Tight by Jerry Smath

I hope you enjoy our list, and make reading a time to bond with your little ones. It doesn't have to be  bedtime stories, or even a book! Tell them a story that you remember from your own childhood, share the when I was little stories with them. You can even have them help you tell a story. Give them an idea and see where they go with it.

I have found so many wonderful books all around. Yard sales, library sales, discount shops, thrift stores, online, and even given to us by friends. If you look, you can find a book!

What are your child's favorite books about bedtime?
Do you have a favorite?
Please share! We're always looking for new stories!

Amazing LIST of Books about SCHOOL for PreK and Kindergartners

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents"~ 

Emilie Buchwald

I am an admitted book hoarder and hopefully will pass on this wonderful love of reading to all my children.

I strive to read every day!

My children see me reading, book shopping, logging in or researching books, doing a book review or recommending books on the DAILY!

They can't get away from me and my addiction..err, habit.

Tidbits of my hobby here: A Novel Experience

My youngest just turned 4 years old, and she has already become the boss of..."Read one more, Momma!"

This I hear 3 to 4 times a day. 

Usually, when "Mr. Sun" is sleeping and my coffee has worn off for the day!

It has become a nighttime ritual.

And while...honestly, there are times, I just want to read my OWN book or try to let her "read" independently...I usually end up reading to her, the same book...again!

And again!

I love that this is "our time".

 I could sit and read to her for hours, if we had all that free time. I love that she would allow me to, and she enjoys it.

I see her remembering what happens next and asking questions when she doesn't understand something in the story. She has even begun reading along or "spoiling" the next page by reading ahead because she is remembering the story!

It is so amazing watching her go through this process of learning. I can sit in awe of this accomplishment!

These important times are the beginning steps in her learning to read,...and enjoy reading!

I have learned it is so much easier to get her interested if I let her choose the book and also let her pick out what she likes at the library or bookstore.

It doesn't always have to be "kiddy books".

Non-fiction, science, nature, animals, transportation, even cookbooks with pictures....all these subjects have a book that will intrigue a child if they are interested.

I wanted to try to make some lists and also help organize her books to be ready for homeschool/preschool.

Organizing by author didn't really seem too practical for our needs, so I am trying to separate them by theme or "characters"(Arthur, Berenstain Bears, Disney, etc)

So, My first list is of books about school.

Do you need #books to help your #child get ready for #backtoschool or starting school.
Here are a few we lovehttps://t.co/VKvUMEhgRi

— Trema Renae (@CoffeeWastedMom) August 1, 2018

We seem to be moving backwards in working on "Back to School" in week #2, but that is okay. It's still September and she is enjoying the books. Well, and that seemed to be a subject we found a lot of books about.

Some we have read, some I had read years ago to my older girls, and some I found online or on other great lists.

So here they are:

My List of Amazing Books about School!

**UPDATED LIST**

1. Olivia and the School Carnival~ Tina Gallo

2. Tom's First Day of School~ Beth Robbins

3. Strawberry Shortcake Goes to School~ Grosset & Dunlap

4. Wonder Pets: Off to School~ Sascha Paladino

5. Little Pirate Goes to School~ Lawrence Schimel

6. Kindergarten, Here We Come~ Quinlan B. Lee

7. The Berenstain Bears Go Back to School~ Stan and Jan Berenstain

8. A Place Called Kindergarten~ Jessica Harper

9. First Day, Hooray!~ Nancy Paydor

10. If You Take A Mouse To School~ Laura Numeroff

11. Preschool To The Rescue~ Judy Sierra

12.Llama Llama Misses Mama~ Anna Dewdney

13. Mouse's First Day of School~ Lauren Thompson

14. The Night Before Preschool~ Natasha Wing

15. Back To School? Cool!~ Suzy Spafford

Here is a great "box set" of beginner activity books:

My First Activities Book series

I hope you will find these books to read and enjoy with your littles!

Please comment on any you have found or any you would like added to the list!

I know there are SO many more wonderful books out there!

What are your favorites?

Happy Reading and Happy Learning!