What! Cried Granny: An Almost Bedtime Story

by Kate Lum

illustrated by Adrian Johnson

This book is just silly and fun.  The great thing is that it would definitely apply to any parents and especially to any grandparents who have ever had to go to great efforts to put the little one to bed.

Inside the book, we follow Granny and Patrick through the adventures Granny endures (all the while still wearing a pearl necklace and a little black purse) in order to get everything ready for little Patrick to go to sleep.  

You must use Granny and Patrick voices (especially when Granny says, "WHAAAAAAT?"), and you must find the little dog on every page.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!

by Jon Scieszka

illustrated by Lane Smith

A couple of months ago during library storytime, the librarian chose a book that varied from the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood.  When the story began to depart from the traditional telling, I heard a 'pop' and looked over just in time to see a little 3 year old's boots follow his head to smack down hard onto the carpet.  He couldn't go on.  The story was not right and he could not continue to remain in the room with thatbook.

Although this case is the most extreme example I've seen in a child trying to deal with changes to a familiar story, it definitely isn't the first.  Changing a tale and encouraging your child to alter a story will foster creativity and freedom in writing...and maybe a little tolerance?  

This book is a great way to teach about different points of view.  Apply the same idea to another classic fairy tale.  What if Cinderella's stepsisters were the nice ones?  Kids love role play--especially if you're involved.  Act it out and see what happens!  

I'd be surprised if most or all of you haven't already read or heard of this book, but thought I'd post it as a reminder to read it and love it all over again.

image via coverbrowser.com

The Rainbow Fish

by Marcus Pfister

Rainbow Fish is beautiful with his lovely shimmering scales, but he is also very lonely.  Rainbow Fish goes to a wise octopus for advice, and is told he will find happiess if he gives his beautiful scales away.  Hesitant to do this, the fish eventually learns that sharing really is a great way to make friends!

The power of sharing is difficult to understand at an early age (and sometimes even at much older ages).  Reading books that exemplify traits you want your kids to learn is almost always more effective than just telling them to do it.

Have a little fun: I have seen so many cute art projects to go along with The Rainbow Fish story.   Try the one above.  Sometimes the hardest things to share are shiny objects, like the little glitter shapes in this craft.  Read the book and use the craft to apply what they've learned about sharing. 

image via amazon.com

Boxes for Katje

by Candace Fleming

illustated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen

Based on the author's true family story.  Times were hard in 1945 after the war.  There was little left in the Dutch town of Olst.  They went without many "luxuries" we would now call staples.  

One morning a young Dutch girl named Katje received a box from America from a small girl she doesn't even know.  It was part of a program through the Children's Aid Society to bring hard to find things to the children in Holland.  It was just a small box that contained a bar of soap, a pair of socks and a piece of chocolate.  All of the items were very much needed and Katje was kind to share with others in her neighborhood.  

Katje wrote back to thank the American girl, Rosie, for her gift, and admitted that sugar was rarely ever seen in Holland.  Weeks passed, and soon another package arrived for Katje from Rosie.  As their correspondence increased, so did the interest of the people in Rosie's American hometown.  What started out as just a tiny box mailed by a little girl, turned into a community effort to save Katje's town that winter.

This was an uplifting book that focuses much more on the happiness when Katje and her friends received the gifts, rather than the sadness of their need.

Anyone can make a difference.

image via barnesandnoble.com

Too Many Toys

by David Shannon

 

Could there be a more appropriate time to read this book?  

Spencer has too many toys.  Everyone gives him toys on every holiday, and all the little times in between: the dentist, the doctor, in the kid's meal...at other kids' birthday parties!  Toys were taking over the house until Spencer's mother finally takes out a big box and decides the time has come to say goodbye to a few.

Although this book is great, the humor in the text and the pictures might be lost on anyone younger than kindergarten.  My kids enjoyed the book, but I have to admit I probably enjoyed it even more than they did.

image via barnesandnoble.com