Puppies and Piggies

Puppies and Piggies, by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Ivan Bates, is a beautiful rhyming book that tells about various animals and what they like to do. Puppy, Kitty, Bunny, Piggy, Chicky, Mousey, Goosey, Poney, and finally, Baby all have pages in the story.  The illustrations add depth and enjoyment to the story as it is read.  This book is a great bedtime story and can also be read by young readers.  We hope you have fun reading it!

Question Collection:

*Can you name the animals in the story?

*What rhyming words did you hear?

*What things from the story do you like to do?

On the Night You Were Born

On the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman, is a beautiful book that every child deserves to hear.  Psalm 139 is quoted at the beginning of the book—For you are fearfully and wonderfully made….and the story unfolds to confirm the special place each child holds.  The rhyming words and the beautiful illustrations paint loving pictures of the night the child was born.  Taking a picture walk before and after reading the story enhances this story and leads to conversation.  We like to read this at birthday times and any other time when a gentle reminder of our special place in the world is needed.  This book is a great gift idea for a family with a newborn!

Question Collection:

*What is your favorite picture in this book?

*Why do you think you are special?

*Why do you think God made each person different?

Room for a Little One

Room for a Little One, A Christmas Tale, written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft, is a favorite Christmas read in our home.  The gentle story describes the story of animals that, one by one, enter the stable by the inn.  The beautiful illustrations add to the richness of the story with soft colors and accurately drawn animals.  The Kind Ox welcomes each animal by saying there’s always room for a little one.  Animals that are usually seen as rivals, such as the dog and cat, find room and are not harmed.  The story then finds Mary and Joseph looking for a room, and of course, the Kind Ox welcomes the donkey along with his riders.  The highlight of the story is that Jesus is born and welcomed by the animals in their stable.  We love reading this fictional account of the reason we celebrate Christmas, Baby Jesus.  We hope that you and your family enjoy the conversations that can result from the reading of this book.

Question Collection:

*Why was the Kind Ox so welcoming to the other animals?

*Did you think the animals would get along?

*Why do you think the book is titled Room for a Little One?

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, is one of our favorite books! Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school and leave his mother.  She gently reassures him by showing him the secret of the kissing hand.  Chester returns the favor by sharing the kissing hand with his mother.  The story will warm your heart! The reassuring love of a parent for his/her child makes this a timeless message.  This is the perfect book to read as your child has a change in his/her life requiring a separation from a parent.We love to read this book as school starts each year.  Enjoy this book with your family!

Question Collection:

*Why do you think Chester doesn’t want to go to school?

*Why do you think Chester’s mom shows him the kissing hand?

*Would the kissing hand make you feel better?

Daddy Hugs

Karen Katz creates another beautiful board book in Daddy Hugs.  Her colorful illustrations are used as a Daddy lists ten kinds of hugs he loves to give Baby.  This is a perfect book to share with very young children who enjoy board books.  This book has been a favorite in our home for many years.  Happy Father’s Day!

Question Collection:

*Can you count with the book?

*Point to your favorite picture.

*Can you hug Daddy?

I Love You, Too

A perfect gift for a mother to share with her child is I Love You, Too! by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  Beautiful illustrations accompany the story that begins with Little Brown Puppy searching for a gift for his mother.  He brings a bone to her, so she tells him she loves the bone.  She also tells him that she loves him too.  Other animals then begin looking for the perfect gift for their mothers.  Each mother animal loves the gift and tells her offspring that she loves him/her also.  The story ends with Billy giving his mother the best gift with her responding that she loves him too.  Rhyming is used in each animal’s conversation. Reading and discussing this book together can affirm parent love.  We hope you enjoy this book!

Question Collection:

*What’s your favorite part of the book?

*Did you hear any rhyming words?

*Can you name an animal that isn’t in this book and predict what it would bring to its mama?

I Love You, Little One

I Love You, Little One, by Nancy Tafuri, is a gentle book about mothers and how they love their children.  Each section begins with an animal in the deep woods asking its mama if she loves him/her.  Very reassuringly the mother answers and tells her child how much she loves him/her.  The story progresses to a child in a log cabin deep in the woods making the same inquiry of Mama.  This is a good bedtime story to be shared with children. 

Question Collection:

*Which of these animals have you seen?

*Which animal is your favorite?

*Can you think of other animals and what their mothers would say?