The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle…
… Day 22 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Who hasn’t read this classic children’s book? A no-brainer choice for Day 22 of the May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
There are so many editions of this story. Books with pop-ups, books with finger puppets and bean-bag toys, books with touchy-feely bits along with the ‘eaten’ holes in the page. There have been games based on the book, it’s been used in a campaign to promote healthy eating and every year, on the first day of spring, we have a Very Hungry Caterpillar Day with folks dressing up to celebrate the book. Yes, it’s that well loved.
So, on the off-chance that you haven’t come across this book (or that you just forgot), the story goes: after hatching from his egg, the ever-hungry caterpillar eats his way through increasing amounts of food until he builds himself a cocoon, emerging as a beautiful butterfly.
As well as teaching children the life-cycle of a butterfly, you get the opportunity to practice counting to five and even very young children enjoy the award-winning, bright illustrations.
I love listening to authors read their books, so here is Eric himself to tell the story. Take it away, Eric.
It’s not hard to see why this has been such a popular book. A must-have for every child’s bookshelf.
Suzie x
P.S. Read this book? (Of course, you have) Let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter V in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.
The Ugly Duckling by Ian Beck …
… Day 21 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
A retelling of the classic story, The Ugly Duckling, is the book for Day 21 of the #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
“Once upon a time there was a mother duck who had seven little ducklings. Six of them were soft and fluffy and yellow. The seventh duckling was different …”
My grandchildren love this story. We have a family of little ducklings on my pond at the moment, which has prompted much discussion about which one is the ‘ugly’ one that will grow into a swan.
Ian Beck’s version has beautiful, gentle illustrations and just enough text for small children.
Suzie x
P.S. Read this book? Let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter U in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.
Things Evie Eats …
… Day 20 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
Day 20 of the #AtoZfavbooks challenge features Things Evie Eats. (It’s not cheating to pick your own book, is it?)
I’m sure you all know a fussy eater. Well, Things Evie Eats is the story of a little girl with very definite ideas on the things she wants to eat.
When Evie decides she only wants to eat flowers, her big (-ish) brother comes to the rescue and keeps everyone happy.
I’ve had so much fun with food whilst writing this book which is due to be published in paperback and ebook on 20th July 2016. Sign up for the newsletter to catch the recipes for your own fussy eaters.
Suzie x
P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter T in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.
First reviews
I’m thrilled that the first reviews for Better Buckle Up are coming in.
Here’s what people are saying.
Delightful Illustrations and Effective Story L. Favreau
As a professional child care provider I’m always looking for books that will help solve problems for my parents. This book does an excellent job reinforcing the importance of buckling up, not for fear of being hurt in an accident (a concept that is too abstract and potentially too scary for some) but in a manner that empowers the child to chose and cooperate.
My child rearing mantra is “Distract and Redirect” a theme this book gets perfectly. Rather than ordering her child to buckle up or lecturing, the mother gives her son concrete observable examples of what benefit he gets by cooperating. The choice is self-motivating rather than forced upon him.
And it works like a charm. Giving children incremental power over their lives instills confidence. Especially well done given that the outcome isn’t really a choice-they have to buckle-up, it’s the law.
I read this on my laptop. The illustrations are vibrant and clear, jumping off the page. I hope it is available as a board book soon.
Absolutely adorable! Murboyd.
Absolutely adorable! A charming book to help parents and their kids when it’s time to lock up the car seat belt, and done in a fun way. It’s quick, which is good for youngsters, and the pictures are a delight. Little ones understand race cars and space ships and dune buggies and . . . I won’t do any more spoilers of the cute lures to convince kids to buckle up. It has the added advantage of giving them ideas for pretend while they are in the car seat. I loved the bright smiles on the car drivers, etc, as they zip and soar, and always, never too obvious, the seat belt.
One other fun thing about the book is that if you double-click on the print, the words enlarge for easy reading. I didn’t have any trouble reading them before, but thought that feature might be neat when the children get old enough to read themselves. Not to mention just plain fun for young and not so young!
For you fellow Paperwhite readers, I have a Paperwhite and it won’t let me read it there. It downloaded fine, but won’t open, but I also have my computer, a tablet and a Blackberry Passport, and it works perfectly on all of them. You won’t want to read this in black and white anyway! The color pictures are too good to subdue!
A very clear and positive message, in a captivating story. P. Edwards.
A really enjoyable read for all. A very clear and positive message, in a captivating story. Lovely colourful and interesting illustrations with lots to look at on each page. Every read you spot something different to talk about and discuss. Looking forward to many more reads to come!
So there you have it. Don’t know why it won’t open on a Kindle PaperWhite … will investigate.
A big thank you to all who have bought Better Buckle Up and especially to my first reviewers.
Suzie x
Sun Kisses Moon Hugs by Susan Schaefer Bernardo …
… Day 19 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
Sun Kisses Moon Hugs is a very special book for Day 19 of the #AtoZfavbooks challenge. Written by Susan Schaefer Bernardo it has a simple but powerful message: love lasts forever.
“No matter how far apart we are,
I’ll always find ways to tell you I love you.”
Apart from being just right for cuddles before bedtime, Sun Kisses Moon Hugs is also ideal for supporting children going through separation anxiety, divorce, loss, illness or other traumatic situations. It has a gentle story and lovely illustrations. This is a book you and your child will want to read over and over.
Suzie x
P.S. Read this book? Let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter S in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.
Launch day for Better Buckle Up
Better Buckle Up has finally been cleared for launch.
A book aiming to make car safety fun, follow Ollie as he drives a fire-engine, a racing car and even a rocket … all whilst wearing his seat-belt, of course.
At the time of writing it’s only in ebook edition although I’m hoping/praying/begging that the print version will be available in the next few days. (See here for the reasons behind the delay)
I hope you’ll check out the book. It costs £2.12 to UK readers, $2.99 in the US and if you’re a member of Amazon Prime 
you and your child can read it for free.
Suzie x
The Rhino who swallowed a Storm by LeVar Burton and Susan Schaefer Bernardo …
… Day 18 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
The Rhino who Swallowed a Storm is the tale of a mouse who is frightened by a thunderstorm. To comfort her, her father reads her the story of a rhinoceros, who after having everything she loves swept away, goes on a journey of healing.
This book was the 2015 IPPY Gold Medal winner for best children’s picture book and also the recipient of the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award. It’s author, LeVar Burton, is an actor and was the host of the children’s series, Reading Rainbow.
Suzie x
P.S. Read this book? Let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter R in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.
Pre launch Panic.
Well, I’m looking at the countdown timer for the launch of Better Buckle Up and having a pre launch panic.
Two hours!
This was not the post I was expecting to write. I thought I had things organised so early on. But the print version has been beset with problems. I had to lighten the picture files as they were too dark and I changed the binding from saddle stitch to perfect bound, so that delay was my fault. But, having been told by the printer that the cover file would be OK for both types of binding, it caused problems with the trimming. I mean, they almost cut the bar code off! And it took a while to figure out why it was happening. So that delay wasn’t my fault.
Has it been fixed? I’m still waiting for UPS to deliver what will hopefully be the final proof of the print copy which will then be available in the next few days.
So, it’ll be a soft launch tomorrow. Just the ebook will go live on Amazon. It’ll cost £2.12 to UK readers, $2.99 in the US. Members of Amazon Prime can check it out for free.
Suzie x
Q is for Duck by Mary Elting …
… Day 17 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
Q is for Duck by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom is an alphabet book with a difference. It’s my choice for Day 17 of the #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
Here’s how it works.
“A is for Zoo. Why? Because Animals live in the Zoo.”
Brilliant 🙂
I really love this clever idea. It gets away from the usual list-style alphabet book, the text is funny and the illustrations have lots of detail to talk about. What more could you ask for?
Suzie x
P.S. Read this book? Let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter Q in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.
Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter …
… Day 16 May #AtoZfavbooks challenge.
Peter Rabbit: a beautiful classic children’s book by one of the first authors to choose the self-publishing route, Beatrix Potter. She wrote so many books but I’ve always loved Peter Rabbit.
Generations of children have enjoyed the tale of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter. When Mrs Rabbit tells her children to be good and not get into mischief while she’s out, “Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor’s garden, and squeezed under the gate!”
It’s funny how much children like to read about characters who get into trouble. Peter has enthralled readers since it’s publication in 1902. It definitely belongs on every child’s bookshelf.
Suzie x
P.S. Read this book? Let me know in the comments below.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to share your favourite book title starting with the letter P in the comments below or post them on facebook or twitter with the hashtag #AtoZfavbooks so I can find them.