National Plant a Flower Day - March 12

Flowering gardens are beautiful! They're also fun to grow! Why not pick up a shovel and a few flowers and plant a flowering plant today? Maybe pick one that will come back next year.

This early reader teachers about choosing the right flowers to grow. It is full of colorful photos and writting by Libby Wilson.

Book cover from Goodreads

This lyrical book shares the secrets of the underground parts of the garden. Journey through the year and see what happens above the ground and below the dirt. This is part of Over and Under series by Kate Messner.

Book cover from Goodreads

Eeeek!

 

I have a secret something. It's a writerly secret something. And I'm thrilled to work on this project!!

Word Nerd Day - January 9

I have to say, I LOVE fun words! When I read a book, I like to pick out a cool new favorite word. Notice I say "new" favorite word, because it changes regularly, weekly...daily...actually it's with each book I read. When I saw Tara Lazar's book, I bought it right away! It has inspired me to actually keep my own fun word list. It's like a treasure hunt while I'm reading.

Book cover from Goodreads

Here's what Goodreads had to say about it!

Why use boring old words when you can expand and build your vocabulary―and have fun doing it! A user-friendly, engaging book about the power of words―perfect for educators, parents, and future word nerds. Build confidence and become a stronger reader, writer, and communicator! This fun and hilarious vocabulary Kids with strong vocabularies are better readers, better writers, and even feel more confident tackling math and science. When a kid wants to learn a new word, we often send them to the dictionary or a thesaurus. But dictionaries only work if you know exactly the word you want. This dictionary-thesaurus hybrid is organized by theme and puts words in context with fun, engaging and hilarious sentences, pictures, and fun facts. You'll learn what words mean and then actually use them!

This bolded part is what I love most. It's a book full of my favorite things!
 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night

 

Book cover from Goodreads

A twist on the classic Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, we see all the beauty of lights from different nighttime sources. A delight to both the eyes and ears. Snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night and delight in the beautiful illustrations by Nneka Myers and the magical words by Megan Litwin.

A Sweet Diwali

 

Book cover from Goodreads

A sweet little girl and her dog named Lion are sure to encourage a young reader to open this story again and again. With a sparkly lights, fun food and fireworks, Lion gets into a little trouble, but Raina is right there. Read along as Raina and her family celebrate the festival of lights. The adorable illustrations by Geeta Ladi and the playful words by Harshita Jareth come together in a colorful celebration!

National Lemonade Day - August 20

 

Book cover from Goodreads

Cooler than Lemonade, by Harshita Jerath, is a tasty treat for readers' imaginations. In the face a of lemonade stand competition, Eva puts her imagination to work to win more business. Her persistence pays off, at least for awhile... 
The illustrations add to the cool factor of this story. And I enjoyed all the fun fonts. Cooler than Lemonade is a sweet story that can easily be used in early elementary science classrooms, too. Keep cool!

National Be Nice to Bugs Day - July 14

 Yes! Bugs need some love, too! 

Meet Dirt and Bugsy, two of my best bug catching buds! In Bug Catchers, when it starts to rain, Dirt and Butsy must figure out how to build a bug barn to keep their bug buddies dry. In Beetle Mania, they catch bugs that crawl, bugs that fly, bugs that slide and bugs that hide. How will they sort them all? Read Megan Litwin's early readers and find out!

For all my bug catching friends, don't forget to set your bugs free!

World Flour Day - March 20

I didn't know this was a thing. Evidently, it is! This day is to show us the importance of flour in our health and in what we eat. 

But, I have a better idea. Let's celebrate a new book! A book that spotlights what you can do with old flour sacks by Claire Annette Noland!

Book cover from Goodreads

I love quilts and I love Nancy Bess! Such a sweet character who uses her thrifty gifts to 'make do'. Flour sacks and sewing...sold! And you see why it's my book pick today! One of my favorite parts is the repeating line that is so fun to say, 

"She measured, cut, 

stitched 

and saved the unused bits." 

Nancy Bess is creative and resourceful and will give kids lots of fun ideas. There might be a little something squeaky hidden on every page. 

Thanks to Claire, Angela and Gnome Road Publishing for creating this lovely book! After losing three heirloom quilts from my two great-grandmas and my grandma, Nancy Bess has earned a special place in my heart!