Books We Are Loving

I have recently been making an attempt to read to the kids more. If I am really being honest, I am making an attempt to limit the amount of television we watch (myself included), and filling in some of the unplugged time with extra books.

Here are two that the boys can’t get enough of, and something I just read. I have linked each title to Amazon if you want to check them out.

Inside Your Outside: All About the Human Body by Tish Rabe

This book is super fun. It is written in rhyming verses and the illustrations are Seuss style. It is loaded with great information on how your body works in a very kid friendly way. The boys especially enjoy the pages about “waste”. They are boys, after all.

When it warms up this summer I am going to have the kids lie down on butcher paper and trace their outline. Then we will make some body parts from construction paper and paint the bodies. I am not sure of the specifics yet. Anyways, this is a must have for four year olds.

Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett

Yes, the same Josie Bissett from Melrose Place. I remember watching 90210 followed by Melrose after sorority meetings in the chapter room on Monday nights. Everyone was so bummed when we had to vote at meetings and missed the beginning of our shows. Life as a sorority girl was so difficult before TiVo.

Anyways, this is a super cute book. Franklin got it for his birthday from my crazy friend Audrey. It comes with these little monster gloves for tickling your listener as you read the story. Franklin likes to be the monster. This one also rhymes and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. The kids are always cracking up when we get to the end and Vincent has learned to cover the part of his body that will be tickled next.

Both these books are great for Coco, who is into identifying parts of her body...and pulling up her shirt. We are working on that.

This photo is from December 2008. They are so little!

Finally, if you are looking for a book to read before bed at night check out The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran. Never in a million years would I have picked this book up on my own. It was a book club selection by my friend Flossie who always chooses the best books. I am totally disappointed that I missed the meeting and discussion for this selection because I would have loved to hear others thoughts on the story.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I will only tell you that this is a work of historical fiction that is set in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, and has well-established characters. It involves sea travel, kidnapping, and bigamy. Can you think of anything more intriguing? Maybe an ice cream sundae and bottle of Pinot, but you can have those while you read.

What are some of the favorites around your house?