Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo

Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo

By Kevin Lewis, Pictures By Daniel Kirk

This book I also found at a preschool I use to work at.  It was a favorite among the children.  It goes through the day of a train engineer who is a toy in a little boys room.

Why your child will love it:  What little boy doesn't love trains, of course he will love it.  The illustrations are so bright and engaging.  The language is simple enough that they will memorize it soon, but the rhyming text also makes it very captivating.  Your child will love making the whooo! whooooooo! noises of the train.  And it is a bedtime story that will leave them feeling cozy and ready to be tucked in.   

Why I love it:  I loved this book from the first moment I read it.  When my son has a child I will buy it for them.  One of my favorite parts of this book is that the setting is not the typical train setting.  It is in the little boys room, and it is his train set and toys that are going on this adventure.  The illustrations are so detailed and so great, from the train going over a bridge of blocks to it going under a rocking chair.  It is like you are peeking into the little boys imagination. 

*I have read via Amazon that the illustrations in the board book are not as the hardcover.  I only own the hardcover and the illustrations are bright and wonderful.  The reviewer stated that the board books illustrations were not as great.

Age Recommendation:  One, Two, Three, Preschool

Sample Verse:  Sun's up!  Morning's here.  Up and at 'em engineer.

Sixteen Cows

Sixteen Cows

By Lisa Wheeler, Illustrated By Kurt Cyrus

We have a farm and own cows, so I could not pass this one up after reading some good reviews.  I'm sure happy I didn't.  This book is a lively tale of two cowpokes whose land meets together at the fence line.  After their fence is blown away their cows decide to mingle together.  They try to get their cows split back up by singing them a song, a very silly song.  The cows get awfully confused and the two ranchers decide to call a truce and raise their cows together.  

Why your children will love this book:  The rhyming of this book alone makes it very fun.  It is very silly.  Definitely not a before bed calm story, my kids smile as we read it.  The best part is the repetition of the cows names, such as Butter-Box and Jelly Toes it brings giggles every time.

Why I love it:  As stated it is super fun ;)  The rhyming and the cow poke dialogue is very engaging.  The illustrations are great too.  And of course the song they sing their cows is a lot of fun.  Most importantly, my kids really love it.  Our paperback copy has been used and abused, also known as loved dearly.  I must say if you ever heard the Diamond Rio song Meet In The Middle you will get is stuck in your head after reading this book somehow... at least I do.

Age Recommendation:  Two & up

Sample Verse:  The cows all did the two-step, as Gene commenced to singin'.  They trotted down to Biddle Ranch, their cowbells just a-ringin'!

The Little Red Hen

The Little Red Hen

By Jerry Pinkney

This is a classic children's fable.  The reason your should read this exact one is because of the illustrations.  Jerry Pinkney is one of the best children's book illustrators out there.  There are so many small details to look at on each page it will keep your child from wanting to flip quickly to the next page.

What I love about this book:  A book about working hard and taking initiative!  What child/ adult doesn't need to know that?!?  This is a book I will make sure I read and read again to my child.  It is great for opening up a conversation.  Do you know why the animals did not get to eat any bread?  Oh, no you don't, well let me tell you.  And as mentioned the illustrations are lovely.  

Age Recommendation:  Preschool and up

Sample Verse:  The little red hen greeted the sun with a cheery "Good Morning!" It was going to be another busy day.

The Tin Forest

The Tin Forst 

By Helen Ward  Illustrated by Wayne Anderson

I was first introduced to this book at a preschool I was working at and was immediately smitten.  The story and the illustrations are AMAZING.  I bought it for gifts, then bought it for my own kids.  This is a story about an older man (grandfatherish) who lives alone in a garbage dump of sorts, "near nowhere and close to forgotten, that was filled with all the things that no one wanted".   Every night he dreamed he lived in a forest. One day the lonely old man gets an idea and turns the garbage into an incredibly made forest which soon attracts real animals and starts growing real trees and flowers which completes his dreams.  

Why your child will love this book:  Odd enough to say but there is a slight sadness about this book when it begins but it ends happily.  There is something old feeling about this tale.  I think it draws kids in.  The illustrations will keep your child busy.  There is so much detail and little things you just don't notice right away.  It is a joy to look at.

What I love about this book:   The story is one all kids need to hear, it is suitable for adults too!  It's message is to work towards your dreams and make the most out of what you have.  The illustrations by themselves are enough of a reason to buy this book.

Age Recommendation:  Preschool and up 

Sample Verse:  Right in the middle was a small house, with small windows.  And in the house lived an old man who never stopped dreaming.

When the World Is Ready for Bed

When the World Is Ready for Bed

By Gillian Shields  Illustrated by Anna Currey

There are a great deal of bed time stories out there but a lot of them lack the cozy warmth that a bedtime story should possess.   This one delivers though.  It is a classic bed time story about a family of bunnies getting ready for bed that will hopefully ease your little one into bed as well.  It very realistically leads you through the bed time routine with sweet rhyming stanzas.  They eat dinner, clean up, tell stories about their day, take baths and get into their beds!   

Why your child will love it:  The pictures are comforting, the rhythm of the words is great.  Children will enjoy the routine the little bunnies go through.  My child is aware that there is a bed time routine and she's not always very excited about it but I think it is helpful for her to have this book to look forward to at the end and see that these little bunnies have to do the same thing as her.  

Age Recommendation:  Preschool

Sample verse:  Today has nearly slipped away;  Tomorrow brings another day.  Always lovely, Always new, Tomorrow's waiting just for you.

Invitation

One of my favorite activities as a child was reading books.  I am so very happy to say that is now one of my children's favorite activities as well.  I am a big 'googler' and am always looking for new books for my little ones and was would rely on different sites from here and there to learn about new books.  After doing this I have decided to start my own children's book review.  I will be tagging my blogs for easy searching by age, gender, holidays, and various others.  We will see what comes out of this.  I LOVE children's books.  They are a huge part of my life still and I believe I have a great opinion on quality so I really hope this site can be a valuable tool for you when you are searching for new books for your own little ones or for gifts!