combining the excitement of real letters (yes, real letters!) with the fun of fairytales is a winner for little kids

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combining the excitement of real letters (yes, real letters!) with the fun of fairytales is a winner for little kids

ages 3 to 7 years
Few things are more exciting for children than receiving mail—just for them. The joy of knowing that someone is thinking of you and the excitement of finding out what’s inside makes checking the mailbox a treat. The Jolly Postman combines that with the fun of fairytales!

This was one of my favourite books growing up and it's still a hit whenever I read it aloud.

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5 books to tickle a toddler's senses

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5 books to tickle a toddler's senses

ages newborn to 3 years
Angus is a sensory toddler. He loves to get his hands (or mouth, or any body part) into anything with an interesting texture—the sheer delight on his face as he plays with his mashed potatoes and the joy he emanates from trying to eat bubbles in the bath is wonderful to see.

It's also wonderful to see his love of all things sensory extending into his love for books—thanks to these five beauties: 

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the brilliance of Dr Seuss in rap video and political satire

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the brilliance of Dr Seuss in rap video and political satire

How many Dr Seuss books can (or could) you recite by heart? There was a time when I could rattle off the whole of Green Eggs and Ham while driving—Thomas would sit in his car seat behind me, flipping the pages at the appropriate moment while his two younger siblings looked on. I could give Fox in Socks a good crack too, though I did sometimes have to agree with Mr Knox:

“I hate this game, Sir. This game makes my tongue quite lame, Sir.”

All the Dr Seuss rhymes are brilliant for little kids who are learning to read, as that great-fun video points out.

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a delicious new treat for lovers of Madeline

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a delicious new treat for lovers of Madeline

ages 4 to 10 years
If you have a child who is a fan of Madeline and delicious food (perhaps that's you, too!) then The Sisters Saint-Claire is a must. The sisters Saint-Claire are five fabulous French mice with gourmet tastes. And each Sunday they head to the market to select the next week’s delicacies. All of them that is,

“Except for Cecile, who stayed home instead

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an ode to dads and the value of a simple childhood

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an ode to dads and the value of a simple childhood

ages 2 to 8 years—and dads!
Sam introduces us to his whole family, Mum, brother Leon, and Dad, and tells us about the things he does with his Dad. They’re simple things—the stuff of a blessedly ordinary childhood.... As he shares his life, we see the love and admiration Sam has for Dad but even more, we see the love Dad has for his family.

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putting a name to emotions and feelings

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putting a name to emotions and feelings

ages 0 to 8 years
 

Childhood is a wondrous and joyful time. Everything is magical and full of wonder. But it's easy to forget that childhood is also intense!

Those small bodies can experience such BIG emotions. Learning to understand, process and communicate emotions is a difficult process.

A book that's been incredibly helpful in our home recently is In My Heart: A Book Of Feelings.

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