Author: Caryn

25 Days – Book 3: The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy

Another late post I’m afraid, but hey, we are keeping this book Advent going! Today’s book is a sweet paperback from my childhood. Opening this story floods me with memories: my favorite pictures, the sad puppy, the even more sad and parentless boy! I truly believe that what you read as a child affects who you become as an adult and this book can definitely be included in my makeup. Let’s take a look at a tender story, a classic, even if a bit saccharine and tear-jerking. This is The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy by Jane Thayer, illustrated by Lisa McCue, 1985.

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25 Days – Book 2: The Christmas Book

December 2 is upon us (and almost gone! Still getting back into writing, so bear with my belatedness.) For today, we read a simple Nativity story by one of my favorite simple illustrators, Dick Bruna. His work is so stripped down that many assume it is easy, but he is an excellent creator and completely fascinating to children. He knows just the right way to tell a story and his linework is firm and no-nonsense with flat, solid colors. I requested this book for last Christmas and have been impatiently waiting to share it until this year. So have a peek at Dick Bruna’s lovely story, The Christmas Book, 1964.

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25 Days – Book 1: Christmas is Coming

My apologies on a late start for this year’s Christmas book Advent list. This Christmas season is already shaping up to be even more packed with all the amazing festivities NYC puts on. It is so exciting to be here and seeing it all, but it is even more incredible to be living it with our toddler. It feels like the holiday is once again brand new to her and that means all the books are too! It is so fun to be “introducing” the holiday to her and wondering if she’ll remember anything this time around. I found myself picking out specific books for certain days as a way to build up and explain things as they arrive. What an added joy to this lovely season!

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25 Days of Children’s Picture Books for Christmas, 2014

I can hardly believe it is that time of year again. Christmas season has begun! Oh, how things have changed in the past year with our big move, new baby, and even all my new book finds! I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever run out of books to do a picture book countdown until Christmas. It is hard to believe there are so many lovely Christmas-themed picture books out there, and my goodness, there are so many renditions of “The Night Before Christmas!” Getting this in late on December 1, I’m ready to try my hand at another year. I hope you’ll join along! And if you are looking for more Christmas book ideas, be sure to check out my 2012 countdown and 2013 countdown too! Let the Advent season begin!

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Let’s Read Three: Chicken Picture Books!

I have a slightly odd book-pairing today. All three of these books are so lovely and quite enjoyable that I just had to make a grouping, despite the subject being a bit peculiar. Everybody loves to read about chickens, right? The backyard chicken movement seems to be slowing down in popularity news-wise, but I know many who have awesome egg-laying friends pecking around their yards. And chickens make great picture book characters. Their shape and strut give tons of illustration inspiration and they all seem to sport some great attitude. Let’s read three picture books about chickens!

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