Books and Bananas: Last Stop On Market Street

Let me start by giving a shout-out to our local library.  I so treasure it, and I'm thankful that it continues to evolve to bring joy to future generations.  My toddler gets so excited when I tell him we're going to the library.  I hope that excitement never fades. 

Today's Books and Bananas selections were all from this week's trip to the library.  I've wanted to read Last Stop On Market Street, so that's what we started with this morning. (Don't assume my selection is what we read every time; I am dealing with a toddler, after all).

I love how the author gives us authentic insight into the world of the main characters. 

I found myself nodding in agreement when Nana says "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful."

Maybe more adults should take a few minutes to read picture books to remind us all how beautiful life is.

Elephant & Piggie

This icy winter morning started cuddled in bed with books and bananas. Santa brought a pile of Elephant & Piggie books...smart move, Santa! We started with Waiting Is Not Easy!, which pretty much summed up how a toddler feels the days before Christmas.

I love how this series is a great easy reader yet provides a fun storyline that always makes my toddler giggle.  And as he gets older, he'll be able to start reading them to me.  

Books and Bananas: Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name

After work travel last weekend, waking up to my 3 yr old saying "Momma, let's have books and bananas!" was the best sound in the world.

My boys love anything from Tedd Arnold (Fly Guy books are always a big favorite!), and this one is at the top of the list. Of course, putting googly eyes on the cover didn't hurt.

Apparently this is a campfire song, but I must have been a deprived child because I wasn't familiar with it until reading this book. My toddler loves loves loves the rhythm and completes the sentences as much as he can.

His favorite? "She had two holes in the bottom of her nose -- One for her fingers....and one for her toes."

Thank you, Tedd Arnold, for giving us silliness.

Books and Bananas: I Wanna Iguana

Today started like most weekend mornings...with my favorite toddler crawling in and whispering "Momma, let's have books 'n 'nanas!". 

This morning's pick was I Wanna Iguana.  The book originally came into our home through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.  If you're not familiar with it, I highly suggest you check it out.  They send FREE books to kids from birth to age 5.  It's a fantastic way to discover new stories, and your child gets mail just for them, which is always exciting.

The child who originally received this book is now a teenager, so it's been in our house for quite a few years.  It doesn't matter how many times I read it, I smile at the sarcasm every time.

Written as notes between a mom and a son, it's a great read.

Books and Bananas: Knuffle Bunny Too

This morning my toddler climbed in to my bed with, as he describes it, "ALL the books!"

We started with Thomas and the Big Big Bridge...he's a bit of a train fanatic. His next selection was from the amazing Mo Willems, Knuffle Bunny Too (yes, it's a sequel).

I love the images in this story, and the humor is written to give the adult reader a good chuckle. Happy toddler, amused mom. Win!

Books and Bananas: Snowstorm

Last week brought a news-worthy level snowstorm to our part of the country.  That meant snowman making weather!  And with every good snowman (or snowlady!) comes the curiosity around  what they do when we're not watching...enter Snowmen at Night.

My mom gifted this book to my older boys years ago, and it's now a standing winter favorite for my toddler.  After building a snowman, he repeatdly runs to the window and reports back "snowman not moving yet".

I love it!

Oh, and what's that other book in the pic?  Check back another week and I'll fill you in!

Books and Bananas Thanksgiving weekend: The Day The Crayons Quit

We are big users of our local library, easily hauling out a dozen picture books per trip.  I love discovering authors, watching my toddler pick out his selections (he totally judges a book by its cover), and finding new favorites along the way.

We (ok, maybe just me) have been waiting FOREVER for our turn to check out The Day The Crayons Quit.  I'm not sure why I didn't just buy it, knowing it would be a favorite.  

This past week our library adventure finally scored us a turn at this fantastic story.

Haven't read it? It's a must. I am raising a boy, so obviously PEACH is his favorite in the story.  You'll have to read it yourself to find out why!