If you’re not familiar with the Good Night Our World series, it currently includes 33 titles each dedicated to a different city, state or area.  The books are all set up the same, with children saying good night to various landmarks, animals and more related to the location in the title.  For example, the “Good Night Florida” book says good night to the beach, Kennedy Space Center, etc.  The “Good Night New York City” books says good night to the Statue of Liberty and more.

My kids are only 3, so they don’t completely understand all of the landmarks and so on that are including in the books, but I love that they’re being introduced to various parts of the world.  I’m sure that older children would really enjoy these books as well, and they could probably learn so much from the Good Night Our World series.

Have you read these books with your children?  What age are your kids and what did they think of the books?

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His teacher gives them time every day to sit down with a book and read. She also challenges them to go beyond the reading level they think they can understand. He has really started to love books and thatmakes me one happy momma.

This book is the sequel to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH . For the most part, everyone on Amazon gives this book a raving review. I told my son I get the book when he’s done.

Here’s a description of the book below the cut. 

Grade 4-7 This sequel to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Atheneum, 1971), written by O’Brien’s daughter, continues the NIMH saga with a focus on the second rodent generation: Timothy, Mrs. Frisby’s son, and Racso, son of the rebel rat Jenner. On his way to classes at Thorn Valley, Timothy saves Racso’s life but is himself severely injured. Both reach the Utopian colony only to discover that the valley and surrounding farms are to be turned into a tourist lake and campgrounds. Insecure and arrogant when he first arrives, Racso learns more than just how to read. In fact it is he who suggests a plan to save the colonysabotaging the dam site computer. Although the rats’ plans fail, the dam opening is postponed by a heroic act of Racso’s father. While the continuation of the NIMH story is most welcome, Conly’s novel lacks the light touch of O’Brien’s work, as well as the richness of character development and description. Timothy, for example, is too perfect a mouse to be very interesting, and the leader Nicodemus is often a tedious moralizer. Racso, on the other hand, is most appealing when he gets into trouble. Mrs. Frisby, Jeremy and Mr. Ages are unfortunately peripheral characters in this story. Conly sets the stage for the next sequel, for one reporter appears to believe that the computer was sabotaged by intelligent rats. Perhaps in the next installment, Racso’s joie de vivre will rub off on the other rodents of Thorn Valley.Yvonne A. Frey, Peoria Public Lib . , Ill.

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Kelly over at One Book Two Book, was browsing at Amazon looking at the reviews of this book and you have to go read what she found. This book has sparked a lot of controversy. Are you curious yet? I know I was.

Head on over and read her post: Rainbow Fish Makes a Comeback at Our House. The comments blew me away!

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Chowder: Chowder is not like most bulldogs. Instead of burying bones, he busily arranges them into a skeletal formation, as an archaeologist would. He gets about town with his doting owners in the type of backpack that a toddler would ride in, and he uses the toilet like a human. His quirkiness leads the neighborhood canines to conclude that he would be better off in a zoo, so it is with mounting excitement that he spots the grocery stores new Critter Corral through his balcony telescope and looks forward to making friends there. Browns static, acrylic-and-pencil compositions and the repetition of visual elements across the page yield strong designs. The rounded figures and precise patterning suggest a Playmobil™ world, with a touch of texture. The scenes depicted through the telescope are circular close-ups, framed in black. The parting shot, showing how Chowder communicates with his new friends even when they cant be together, requires a bit of visual sophistication, as does the book in general. Its wacky comedy and the quest for acceptance will best be appreciated by those whove been around the block a few times. Fans of Anthony Browne and Craig Frazier will sit up and beg for more.

The Fabulous Bouncing Chowder: When Chowder goes off to the Fabu Pooch Boot Camp, as usual he just doesn’t fit in. Chowder tries his best, but his attempts to make himself more fabulous all fall flat. When the First Annual Fabu Pooch Pageant is announced, Chowder anxiously tries to think of a way to stand out. After all, the prize is a one-year supply of Snarf Snacks! Some pups practice their pearly grins, other hounds get massages to relax. One pooch even gets permed! But Chowder finds his calling when he discovers a trampoline. He leaps, he flips, he bounces, and he wows the crowd!

Martha mentioned what a great lesson this book teaches. I think I’ve already fallen on love with Chowder without even reading the books! What a cute little dog he is.

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This book is geared towards kids 8 to 12. Here’s a description of the book from Amazon:

Fans of Superfudge and Fudge-a-Mania will welcome the return of seventh-grader Peter Hatcher and his five-year-old brother, Fudge, who in this comical caper meet distant cousins from Hawaii. The two families unexpectedly encounter one another in Washington, D.C., where the New York City Hatchers have gone so that Fudge, who has developed an obsession with money, can visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The Howie Hatcher clan proves an eccentric lot. Twins Fauna and Flora, unironicially nicknamed the Natural Beauties, would be in Peter’s grade if they weren’t home-schooled; apt to break into corny songs at any moment, they perform together as the Heavenly Hatchers. Their younger brother, who shares Fudge’s real name (Farley Drexel), acts like a dog, growling and licking people. And their father won’t stop calling Peter’s dad “Tubby.” Narrator Peter grits his teeth when the Honolulu Hatchers invite themselves to Manhattan to stay in his family’s cramped apartment, where nestled in their sleeping bags on the living room floor they “slept flat on their backs, like a row of hot dogs in their rolls. All that was missing was the mustard and the relish.” The boy is further appalled when the twins show up at his school and convene an assembly so that they can sing. Peter’s wry reactions to the sometimes outsize goings-on, Fudge’s inimitable antics and the characters’ rousing repartee contribute to the sprightly clip of this cheerful read.

We buy our kids books for Christmas every year and usually it’s a boxed set of some sort. I think that this year I will buy the Pure Fudge : Fudge boxed set, which has Double Fudge, Super Fudge and Fudge-a-Mania. I know this is a set of books that can be handed over to her 8 year old brother and then the 3 year old when he’s ready.

Seeing my daughter enjoy a book so much reminded me when I made time for reading. I’m starting my New Year’s resolutions early and have promised I will read an actual book. I’m shooting for one every 2 months.

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So who and what is Holly Claus all about? Here are some bits and pieces from the press release:

New York, NY PRNewswire– October 16, 2007 – Forever Entertainment and Planetwide Media build a destination website where children of all ages can explore the world of Holly Claus and interact with New York Times
Best Selling Author Brittney Ryan. Children young and old can visit HollyClaus.com, a magical place where readers can explore the dramatic modern myth of Holly Claus, the daughter of Santa Claus. When you
enter the site, the snow is falling. You are instantly transported to a fantasy world–Christmastime in the Land of Forever– as author Brittney narrates her stories set in the mystical world of Holly Claus. Write to Holly Claus, and read her reply online! Read the Royal Mail from the Holly Claus Sleigh Bag. Listen to glorious new songs of the season in Ryan’s angelic voice. Children will return again and again to feast on the wealth of creative Holly Claus activities. Print, cut out, and play with stunning Holly Claus paper dolls, lavishly illustrated by Laurel Long. Publish your own Holly Claus story, with authentic Holly Claus art!

“HollyClaus.com is the place where everyone who visits can be a Princess Forever” says Brittney Ryan. “My wish is to awaken the dream inside the heart of every child for generations to come and to tell children that their wishes, like Holly’s, can and really do come true”.

About Holly Claus

Holly Claus is the heroine of Holly Claus The Christmas Princess (HarperCollins Children’s Books) the beautifully-illustrated and
much-heralded new release by Brittney Ryan, author of the best-selling The Legend of Holly Claus.

When young Christopher writes a letter to Santa Claus, he poses a question no one has ever thought to ask before, “Dear Santa Claus, What do you wish for Christmas?” Miraculously, Santa’s longtime wish comes true, and a baby girl is born — Princess Holly Claus.

But just as the Land of Forever joyously celebrates her arrival, far away an evil is unleashed. A curse is placed on Holly, freezing her heart in ice so her future will be bound by a world of darkness. And with the Gates of Forever now locked, Santa can no longer spread the magic of Christmas to children everywhere. As soon as Holly finds a way
to make a daring escape, she begins an astounding journey to the Empire City, determined to free herself and, once and for all, bring back Christmas.

“The Legend of Holly Claus will capture the hearts of readers young and old, and eventually go down in history as one of the greatest fairy tales of our generation.” — Erika Sorocco, Book Review Columnist, The Community Bugle Newspaper.

Be sure and come back and let me know what you think!

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So, here is my list of 15 fun things to do with the kids during Thanksgiving:

1. Make a Thankful Tree

2. Make Finger Puppet Favors for Thanksgiving guests.

3. Play Power Yahtzee

4. Make Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies.

5. Watch Christmas Movies

6. Make Thanksgiving cards.

7. Make Heart Pancakes for Breakfast.

8. Have a Karaoke Night.

9. Have a Pizza Making Party.

10. Make Elephant Feet with Leftover Cans from Thanksgiving.

11. Read Christmas Story Books

12. Make a Scrapbook for Christmas Gifts.

13. Rake the Leaves and Then Jump in Them!

14. Play Family Flag Football

15. Relax and enjoy each other!

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In addition to the series itself, there are Research Guides that include additional facts to the times, places, and situations that Jack and Annie have experienced. My daughter enjoys these as well, but the Twisters and Other Terrible Storms did have her a bit freaked out and watchful of storms for a few weeks!

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My daughter, though, shares my passion for reading. And because she does, it’s getting to be more of a challenge to keep her supplied with books that push the limits of her reading level while keeping her entertained. (Love the library!!!)

I’m thinking it’s time to introduce her to Laura Ingalls and Anne of Green Gables. I’m actually sad to say that I’ve never read either series of books. Of course, I watched Little House on the Prairie, but I never got around to picking up the books. However, it might make it fun to discover the stories with my daughter for the first time. And maybe now I’ll get to be on the receiving end of storytime for a change.

What are some of your favorite book series for young readers? (I’m fishing for suggestions!)

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Very cute book. Too bad real bugs don’t seem nearly as cute and appealing as the little critters illustrated here!

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