Millie's Library Bag - April 13

Millie checks out 5+ books every time we visit the library (which is weekly), so I have a difficult time keeping track of which books we've checked out previously (and, more importantly, which ones we've LOVED and should really just buy). Sounds like our library's new LINKcat will have the option to save a list of everything you've previously checked out (hooray!), but until then, here's what's in Millie's library bag this week:

"Bear's New Friend" by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman A cute little story about Bear and his friends meeting a new, shy forest friend. I think this is Millie's favorite of the bunch. When she saw me looking the book up online, she ran to get her copy to compare. It looks like there are a few other books about Bear, including "Bear Feels Sick" and "Bear Wants More" (I love that Millie recognized that he was signing for "more" based on the front cover!). We really enjoy finding fun series with lovable characters! (I'll share our favorites in another post.)

"Dog Wants to Play" by Christine McDonnell Dog wants to play TODAY! but none of the farm animals want to play with him. Poor dog! But by the end of the book, Dog finds a friend who wants to play ALL DAY! Books with repetition like this one are great for little ones because they know what to expect and can even "read" along with you.

"Goodnight, Chickie" by Emile Jadoul It's time for Chickie to go to sleep, but his toy bunny needs some comforting from Mother Hen first! A great read for little ones who may not like sleeping (or waking up) in an empty room. By the end of the book, both bunny and Chickie are reassured that Mother Hen is only a few steps away!

"Miranda's Beach Day" by Holly Keller Millie picked this book out herself, and we read it five times right there on the library floor! I'm not sure what she likes best about this book - the story or the pictures. Miranda and her mama spend the day at the beach, where Miranda finds a crab and decides to build it a new home.

"Mouse Count" by Ellen Stoll Walsh Another great series! Millie loved the mice in "Mouse Paint" and "Mouse Shapes", so this book was an instant favorite. The only problem I have with the book (for a child Millie's age) is that there are gaps between counting the mice, so Millie has a tough time remembering where the snake left off.

With spring finally here, Millie is obsessed with finding, observing and collecting bugs, so I grabbed two bug books for us to read as well:

"Have You Seen Bugs?" by Joanne Oppenheim This book has beautiful pictures of numerous bugs with a wonderful verse explaining the different varieties. Oppenheim does include the names of all the bugs pictured - however, the names are all at the back of the book, so I have to keep flipping back and forth when Millie asks "what's that one?" Maybe if we read it enough times I'll have them memorized!

"Ladybugs" by Margaret Hall A scientific look at ladybugs that's just simple enough for Millie to enjoy. And there are many other bug books similar to this one that we'll need to check out next time! We've found quite a few ladybugs already this year, and I enjoy focusing on bugs Millie's able to find in her own yard.

Last week's favorite was "Drum City" by Thea Guidone. We only returned it because we had already renewed it once. This book has great rhythm (not surprising considering its subject!). Millie loved reading it herself while drumming on the pages.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

"One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight."

I thought we'd start with a classic (and currently one of Millie's favorites!): Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. I love this book both for its simplicity and its language (with phrases such as "trim little boat" and "a deserving porcupine") . Millie enjoys the part where Harold climbs up a mountain and slips off the other side! Also, the nine kinds of pie.

Harold has such a fantastic imagination! In just a few pages, he goes on a thrilling adventure with only a simple purple crayon in his hand.

Johnson wrote many other Harold books, so this would be a great series to start collecting for your child (so far we've only read "Harold's Circus," one of my husband's favorites!).