Category: book nook

Isn’t it stange, sometimes, how a particular author/illustrator captures your attention? I really didn’t care much for the first book I came across, but as I discovered more of Denise Fleming’s books, I changed my mind about her work! Read on, especially if you have a toddler or preschooler.

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first Denise Fleming book that I read to my daughter Lily. We discovered it at the library during story time, and I really didn’t like it at first. Then, my mom gave this book to my younger daughter, Emmy, as a gift. The more I read it to Emmy, the more I appreciated it. The animals in the pond are shown throughout the seasons. Every page also has as least one frog on it. As I read this book to Emmy, I ask her to point to the frog on each page. This is a great book for toddlers.

Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
My mom also gave Barnyard Banter to Emmy as a gift. She LOVES this books, and requests it frequently. Barnyard animals along with the noises they make are featured in this book, and throughout the book is Goose, chasing a butterfly.

The “pulp paintings” Fleming uses give the illustrations great texture and depth.

Better than your typical “farm book!” Another great find for a good toddler read.

Buster by Denise Fleming

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is my favorite of the three Denise Fleming books I have read. Buster is an adorable dog, owned by “Brown Shoes.” Buster’s routine and comfortable life is ruined by the arrival of Betty, an even more adorable white kitten. Buster runs away; too far away, as a matter of fact, and can’t find his way home. Guess who helps him make his way home?

Denise Fleming included a map to show Buster’s route home, and there is a great reunion at the end of the story. I love the “pulp paintings” Fleming uses; her illustrations are so unique!

With more of a plot than In a Small, Small Pond and Barnyard Banter, this book will appeal to preschool aged kids.

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A very wise mouse once wrote, “Today is a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better.” I use this mantra all the time; on days when I feel awful after yelling at Lily too much, on days when I just don’t feel well; when things start to pile up. Mr. Slinger is the mouse I’m referring to, of course! He is Lilly’s teacher in Lilly and the Purple Plastic Purse. This is another one of those books which I had when I was teaching, and I didn’t even discover it until I had a daughter of my own. After I read this book to my Lily, we went to the library and found all the mouse books Kevin Henkes ever wrote! (By the way, Lilly the Mouse is how I came up with Lily’s blog name…she is one of my daughter’s favorite characters!) (Um, you knew I use blog names, right?)

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lilly brings her purple plastic purse to school for sharing time, but she is like every little girl I know…she cannot wait for sharing time to share her wonderful purple plastic purse! As a result, her teacher, Mr. Slinger, takes her purse for the rest of the day. Lilly feels very angry, and so she draws a not-so-nice picture of Mr. Slinger and slips it into his book bag. Of course, as soon as she realizes what she has done, she feels horrible.

This is the first book my daughter and I read about Lilly, and it is a great story about what to do when you do something wrong, and the good things that can happen when you try to make things right.

Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes

My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Chester and Wilson are best friends, and they do everything together. When Lilly moves into the neighborhood, she upsets the apple cart, and Chester and Wilson go out of their way to avoid her. But when Lilly helps them out during a sticky situation, they soon become best friends, and learn new things from each other.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Chrysanthemum loves her unique name, until she goes to school. The other students tease her about the length of her name, and she is miserable. Then, a special music teacher helps her feel special about her name once again.

Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes

My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
This adorable “mouse book” is about two sisters; one brave, the other not so brave. When Sheila Rae is a little too brave and finds herself in a scary situation, her little sister Louise comes to the rescue, and discovers that she can be brave, too.

There are many other mouse books by Kevin Henkes, and they are all worth checking out! Just click on the link below to see some other titles.

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