Winter Months



Near the end of December winter begins –

Brr!  It is getting quite cold.

The temperature drops (as leaves already have),

And the year is growing quite old.

Through January winter continues –

Brrr!  It is really cold now.

There sometimes is snow, maybe sleet and ice;

We go as the weather will allow.

Winter remains through February –

Brrr!  Days are of the coldest sort.

We seldom will want to be outside,

But at least this month is short.

In March the end of winter arrives –

Ahh!  Now that’s not so bad.

Life is returning to growing things;

The flowers and warmth make me glad!

© Connie Arnold

Winter is good for snowmen, but not for me. I'm always ready for spring and warmer weather to arrive. Do you like winter?

Sweet Christmas Stories

 

Dixie Phillips is a talented author who has written several children's books that are lovely, entertaining, and provide valuable lessons for children about Jesus.  Two of them are especially appropriate for this time of year. 

One of these sweet stories is Baby Jesus is Missing! It is the story of a boy who discovers that baby Jesus is missing from the manger scene in his home. He is understandably upset because, after all, what is Christmas without Jesus? His parents, however, are too caught up in trying to win a Christmas decoration contest to pay attention. It takes the love and simple faith of a child to help them realize the true meaning of Christmas. The lovely illustrations by K.C. Snider add a special touch to the story as well.

Angel eyes is the story of Jesus coming to earth at Christmas as seen by two young angels. It is told in a creative and imaginative way that will capture children's attention and help them learn about the Christmas story and the life of Jesus and what it means, not only to the whole world, but to them as well. The bright, sweet illustrations by Kim Sponaugle help draw the reader in along with the story.

These books are both published by Guardian Angel Publishing and are available from there and Amazon - Baby Jesus is Missing and Angel Eyes. Read more from Dixie on her blog, "From the Heart of Dixie."

Sharing books like these with children is a great way to help them learn what Christmas is really about. May we regain a childlike faith as shown in these stories, and rejoice in the special blessing that Christmas brings.

Gunther, the Underwater Elephant

Doesn't that name grab your attention? And look at that sweet little elephant floating under the water! Ginger Neilson has written and illustrated an adorable children's book about a small elephant named Gunther who discovers he can float and swim underwater, holding his trunk up like a snorkel to breathe. He has been playing with his bigger cousins, and when they are distracted he floats away. Gunther is pleasantly surprised at how he can swim and breathe, and also at all he sees under the water as he floats along. Children will be delighted along with Gunther as they enjoy the beautifully illustrated, colorful pages of undersea scenes.

When night comes, Gunther falls asleep and wakes up washed up on what seems to be an island, surrounded by water. He is feeling frightened and alone until he meets a surprising new friend, who comes to his aid and leads him on a new adventure.

Gunther, the Underwater Elephant is filled with page after page of lovely underwater areas and creatures that will capture children's imaginations along with the creative story. And although it is a fun story, it also has a couple of important lessons to impart.

Published by 4RV Publishing, Gunther, the Underwater Elephant is also available from Amazon. You can visit Ginger at her blog.





My Sister is My Best Friend

 

Do you have a sister? I do, and although we live far apart, we remain close friends and talk or email often. 

Author Nicole Weaver has sisters and has written a lovely book about two sisters who are also best friends. It's a sweet story about twins girls who enjoy doing things together. They do the types of fun things that young girls like to do, such as play with dolls and their dog, ride on a seesaw,  and help their mother with the flower garden. The best thing about what they are doing is that they are spending time with each other. Although children sometimes have disagreements and fight with each other, this story focuses on the positive aspects of being sisters and friends. The bright illustrations by Clara Batton Smith display the colorful clothing and the girls' surroundings in a pleasing and attractive way.

An added bonus to this book is that each page is written in three languages. The first is English, then the same thing is repeated it Spanish and again in French. It's an excellent opportunity to be exposed to different languages and learn new words, for children and adults as well.

My Sister is My Best Friend is available from Guardian Angel Publishing and Amazon. You can learn more about Nicole on her website and visit her blog, Melange of Cultures.

Please feel free to share about your siblings and your relationship with them!

Ferdinand Frog's Flight

Since I enjoy rhymes so much and like reading rhyming books to my grandsons, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to review a new picture book written by Marvin Mayer, illustrated by Stephen Macquignon and published by 4RV Publishing. Ferdinand Frog's Flight fills all the qualifications of what I'm looking for in a fun picture book!

Ferdinand is a sad frog. He doesn't like having to stay on the ground but has always wanted to fly. He is jealous of birds, who can soar above the trees. Although the birds try to convince Ferdinand that frogs belong on the ground and that things are not always fun for them, he remains unconvinced. When Ferdinand meets a helpful eagle, it appears his wish will come true. He is in for a surprise when he takes the big leap.

The flowing rhythm, catchy rhymes and expressive illustrations are added attractions to this delightful tale that soars with anticipation and suspense. Children can relate to Ferdinand with his dream and learn along with him on his adventure.

Ferdinand Frog's Flight can be purchased from 4RV or Amazon.

Don't you agree this is a fun book for young children? The bonus is that it's also fun to read!

The Giving Meadow

The Giving Meadow by Stephanie Burkhart is an adorable book about the cute little caterpillar shown on the cover above. Now, I'm not a big fan of bugs, in fact I tend to take off in the opposite direction when I see one. But look at that sweet face! There is nothing disgusting about this bug, and the story is as friendly as the caterpillar is.

This new little fellow has emerged from his egg hungry and hunting something to eat. He makes his way across a meadow, looking for something to eat each day since he is growing rapidly and getting hungrier and hungrier. As he inches along, the caterpillar encounters several different creatures and requests something to eat each time. None of them has much food but all have a generous spirit. He fills his tummy and makes new friends until one day he disappears into a cocoon.

Children will be drawn into the suspense and the surprise along with the caterpillar's friends, waiting to see what happens to him as they enjoy the bright and colorful illustrations by Stephen Macquignon along the way.

Often children are fascinated by insects, especially ones like this little fellow who has such a transforming experience! This is a good book for helping young children learn about how caterpillars change as well as a gentle lesson about sharing and caring.

The Giving Meadow is available from 4RV Publishing and Amazon. You can learn more about Stephanie and her books on her website.

November is Picture Book Month

November is Picture Book Month, a time to celebrate picture books and their importance in a child's life. Since this is the 11th month, I'd like to share with you recommendations for 11 children's books, with links to my review of each book and to the author's and artist's sites. First though, I'd like to share a poem with you!

Reading a book to a child is great fun,

a short one, a long one,

a rhyming, sing-song one,

one that has colorful, nice pictures, too

of animals, scenery,

earth, sky or sea, 

to offer enjoyment to your child and you!

No More Gunk by Donna Shepherd

illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

 Signs of Trouble by Janet Ann Collins

 illustrated by Jack Foster

Horatio Humble Beats the Big D by Margot Finke
illustrated by Ellen Gurak

Klutzy Kantor by J. Aday Kennedy
 illustrated by Jack Foster

A Wish and a Prayer by Beth Bence Reinke
illustrated by Ginger Nielson

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep by Kathy Stemke
illustrated by Jack Foster

Mr. Topper, the Potbellied Pig by Liam Maher
illustrated by Vanda Lavar

Where is Salami by Donna J. Shepherd
illustrated by Jack Foster

Trouble on Earth Day by Kathy Stemke

I Spy a Dragonfly by Carla Burke

And for the 11th picture book on the list, I couldn't forget  
Animal Sound Mix-up by Connie Arnold
illustrated by Kit Grady

Many more quality children's picture books can be found at Guardian Angel Publishing, 4RV Publishing, and Amazon.

Hope you find many opportunities to read picture books with a child this month and every month! What do you think are some of the advantages of sharing picture books with children at an early age?