The Night Pirates Book

Written with a lyrical rhythm of rhymes, The Night Pirates is an excellent book to read aloud. In this story, the pirates are girls who take a little boy named Tom on board to share their adventure. But before they are off, the girl pirates disguise their ship with the front of Tom's house. Imaginatively silly and fun to read!

Here's a tip to have an even more exciting, "piratey" experience. Read the story aloud to like a pirate. This is sure to engage the children in the story further. And don't be surprised if you have some adults joining storytime interested in a good pirate tale. I read this book as Pirate Mommy for my daughter before bedtime. Little did I expect an extra pair of ears listening in--they were my husband's!

Title: Night Pirates

Author: Peter Harris

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!



Alicia Parker
Alicia.Parker11@yahoo.com

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Duck and Goose

When Duck and Goose find a spotted ball, each are eager to claim it as his own believing the ball to be an egg. Their squabble over the "egg" is a classic depiction of two children fighting over the same toy. As their disagreeing dialogue progresses, the quarrel transforms into an endearing friendship.

This delightful tale of Duck and Goose is not one to miss. If you are looking for a book that demonstrates the beauty of friendship and the willingness to share, look no further.

Title: Duck and Goose

Author: Tad Hills

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!



Alicia Parker
Alicia.Parker11@yahoo.com

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Swim, Little Wombat, SWIM!

Although Wombat and Platypus look as different as can be, it does not take long before these Australian critters are good friends. Wombat has a lot to learn from his strange-looking pal, even how to swim. While Wombat struggles during his lessons, the very different pair build a friendship so sweet, simple and very honest. A terrific story of encouragement for children to embrace the differences in each other, as well as for learning to do something difficult like swimming.

My daughter giggles every time she sees the cover of this book. She adores the character illustrations. They add so much more to the story and are a great addition to the words on the pages.

Title: Swim, Little Wombat, Swim!

Author: Charles Fuge

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!




Alicia Parker
Alicia.Parker11@yahoo.com

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Belly Button Book!

Two words: hippos and belly buttons. You can't go wrong with this one. It is my husband's favorite board book. He has read it so many times to the point that every word is firmly ingrained in his mind. It’s also an easy book to carry around or recite on trips. It reads like a song!

Really want to hear the Belly Button song? Check out Philadelphia Chickens. It's on the CD.

Title: Belly Button Book (Boynton on Board)

Author: Sandra Boynton

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!

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John, Paul, George & Ben

Although some may argue, younger children will not need to know the facts of American history to enjoy this parody of the beginnings of a few American icons. There is no need to explain to kids the comedy in a loud-mouthed, underwear selling young Paul Revere, or a brainy Benjamin Franklin spewing out the silliest of sayings. While they may not know all of the factual history behind these characters, kids know humor when they hear it or see it (this book also contains wonderful, comical illustrations).

There is something for children and adults of all ages to enjoy in this book. Even my four-year old was able to catch on to some of the jokes! It is not difficult for children to see that the characters in stories are being naughty or silly. After all, it takes one to know one!

Pick up this witty book for the entire family to enjoy. I especially recommend this book to adults looking for a good laugh.

Title: John, Paul, George & Ben

Author: Lane Smith

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!

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Philadelphia Chickens

Another Sandra Boynton masterpiece, Philadelphia Chickens, is packed with an array of songs based on some of Boynton's popular children's book characters. This book comes with a CD featuring an all-star cast performing songs like Snuggle Puppy (Eric Stoltz), BusyBusyBusy (Kevin Kline), Nobody Understands Me (Meryl Streep), Please, Can I Keep It? (Laura Linney), Philadelphia Chickens (The Bacon Brothers), and more!

We bought this book when my daughter was two years old. It is still one of her favorite CDs to listen to. There are plenty of songs she sings and dances to. One of the best investments and additions we have made to our home library.

Title: Philadelphia Chickens

Author: Sandra Boynton

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!

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Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

Mr. McGreely works hard to tend the garden he has been longing to grow. But he's not the only one longing to munch on the fresh vegetables.

So do the bunnies! Bunnies! Bunnies! Can Mr. McGreely succeed in keeping the bunnies out of his garden? Or will the bunnies prove to be too much to handle in the end?

I was grateful to find this book at a time when my daughter refused to eat anything green or fresh. It is a great story to read to picky eaters. Find out how you can use this book to encourage your child to eat healthy foods. Love the book. Love Mr. McGreely. And we love bunnies, bunnies, BUNNIES!

Title: Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

Author: Candace Fleming

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!

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Minnie's Diner

Here is a book that had my daughter "doubling" up in laughter throughout. I, personally, adore this story even more. If you are looking for a book with a lot of good humor, look no further. The illustrations in this one are absolutely classic in style, not to mention very hilarious. Minnie's Diner also offers an excellent and fun introduction to multiplying by two. Although my daughter was three when I first introduced this book to her, she easily picked up on the humor. The multiplication idea was a plus!

This book cannot be read one time only. Make it a double over and over again!

Title: Minnie's Diner: A Multiplying Menu

Author: Dayle Ann Dodds

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!



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Charlie Cook's Favorite Book

This is one of those books that you would not mind reading to your child before bedtime night after night after night after night... Charlie Cook's Favorite Book takes the reader on a journey through a seemingly endless stream of adventures made possible simply by opening a book.

I read this to my girl, who absolutely loved the unique style of the story. A good one to pick up if you want to demonstrate to your child that reading is more than just words and sentences on the page. It is about going to places and meeting others you may never encounter in real life. Packed with a lot of comical illustrations, this book is a fun and clever read!

Title: Charlie Cook's Favorite Book

Author: Julia Donaldson

Book Recommend (Mommy/Daughter): YES/YES

Good luck & keep reading!

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Children's Books and Reviews Launches

My daughter has been reading books since she was two. She is four now, and her love for new books is still going strong. Already reading chapter books on her own, she has been my greatest literacy role model in life. It is no wonder that through her wisdom and passion, I have grown fonder and more appreciative of children's books. These timely treasures hold the foundation for literacy and the ability to learn story comprehension.

The best part of a children's story is that it knows no age minimum or limit. Although you may see ages, levels or grade recommendations printed on the covers of some books, children's books can be enjoyed any time by anyone. Whether you are looking for the right book for a child to read or for you to read to a child, an infant, a classroom full of children, or just yourself, you will find simplicity, knowledge and most of all fun in these books hand-selected and reviewed by my little reader and myself.

Do you have any books in mind that you would like be reviewed or featured?

Do you have a literacy- or family-related site and would like to exchange links?

Contact me at Alicia.Parker11@yahoo.com.

Good luck & keep reading!

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