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Book Thoughts: Apple Cider Making Days (Purmell)

Type: picture bookAges: 3-8Author: Ann PurmellIllustrator: Joanne Friar The book is mostly factual rather than a story, but you do follow the family members through the various steps of their routine. The illustrations are charming–realistic yet cozy. Read this in…

Book Thoughts: The Courage of Sarah Noble (Dalgliesh)

Type: beginner chapter bookAges: 6-10Author: Alice Dalgliesh *The father Indian explains to his son that Sarah (saying her bedtime prayers) is speaking “to her Great Spirit as we speak with our Great Spirit.” Nothing else was mentioned or described on…

Book Thoughts: Ludwig Van Beethoven (Mattern)

Type: biographical picture bookAges: 5+Author: Joanne Mattern We have been studying Beethoven recently in our house. There is always going to be overlap within resources, but I thought this one was well put together. It’s a great start if you’re…

Book Thoughts: Abel’s Island (Steig)

Type: chapter bookAges: 8-12Author: William Steig Abel goes through a few seasonal changes on the island, learning how to survive, defending himself from predators and gaining many new skills. The vocabulary of the book is more catered toward the 8-12…

Book Thoughts: The Christmas Tree Ship (Crane)

Type: historical fiction picture bookAges: 4-8Author: Carol CraneIllustrator: Chris Ellison *The text says, “Then the schooner slowly slipped beneath the churning lake. Lost were the captain and his crew, this Christmas Ship heartbreak.” If you’re looking for a unique addition…

Book Thoughts: A Kite for Moon (Yolen)

Type: picture bookAges: 3-7Authors: Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. StempleIllustrator: Matt Phelan As this was dedicated to Neil Armstrong, it appears to be painting the picture of what his childhood might have looked like. It’s a sweet story with even sweeter…

Book Thoughts: Tippy Lemmey (McKissack)

Type: beginner chapter bookAges: 5-8Author: Patricia C. McKissackIllustrator: Susan Keeter *The kids are punished for disobeying a big rule, but there’s one scene toward the beginning of the book when they skip Sunday School without consequences. The Korean War is…

Book Thoughts: The Mother’s Day Mice (Bunting)

Type: picture bookAges: 3-6Author: Eve BuntingIllustrator: Jan Brett This was probably the first Mother’s Day book I’ve ever read. It was very sweet, although I was sad there wasn’t a daddy mouse. 😉 I especially liked how the siblings acted…

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