Literacy Thursday, Goldilocks

This week I decided to review a favorite classic, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This version by Caralyn and Mark Buehner tells the tale with a bit of a modern twist, but not so much that its identity is lost. They add a little mischievous character to Goldilocks as she's skipping along with her jump rope. The bears are also expressive as they encounter Goldilocks in their home. "It's an alien," Little Wee Bear whispered excitedly. The illustrations are wonderful, as they tell the story fully. Emily loves to pick up just about any book and begin, "once upon a time." This is one she can "read" just by following the pictures.

Literacy Thursday, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is quickly becoming one of my favorite children's books. I had never heard of the book until I noticed that day after day Emily's sheet from school said they had read it in class, so I bought a copy for home. I didn't realize until I looked up the book for my blog that one of the authors, Bill Martin Jr., paired with Eric Carle to write Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (another household favorite).

I chose this book for Literacy Thursday this week because it reminds me of Dr. Seuss' style. "A told B and B told C, 'I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree. . . '" The rhythm of the book makes it fun to read outloud. Like Seuss' work, it also has great nonsense phrases like, "Skit skat skoodle doot. Flip. Flop. Flee." that you just can't help but read with enthusiasm.

Literacy Thursday, Bunny Kisses

This week's Literacy Thursday pick is perfect for the littlest Valentine.

In the tradition of touch-and-feel books with Pat the Bunny, Bunny Kisses is an interactive board book with something to feel on each page and a button that makes kissing noises. It is a simple, sweet story about the bunny and his friends -- he plays hide-and-seek, tucks puppies into bed, pets the cat, and gives kisses to everyone, especially the reader.

Literacy Thursday, More Parts

This week's book is one that I found hilarious but which I should have previewed before reading to Emily. The little boy in More Parts by Tedd Arnold is worried by common expressions he hears from grown-ups such as "broke your heart," "jump out of your skin," and "give him a hand." The boy in the story is afraid that he might run out of parts.

Since Emily really doesn't understand these expressions, she might have been more frightened than amused by the story (though she didn't say much either way.) The vivid story and illustrations are quite clever and the gross factor is likely to be appealing especially to little boys.

Literacy Thursday, Itsy Bitsy Spider

I've finally gotten around to participating in Literacy Thursday by blogging about one of our favorite children's books. I'm always looking for creative things to read that are both educational and entertaining.


This modern twist on the classic, Itsy Bitsy Spider by Keith Chapman, brings together fun illustrations, rhyming, and alliteration into a short book that preschoolers love. The spider, "spinning silver silk webs high up in a barn," bounces from one farm animal to another and finally in the safety of his mom's web. This book is one of Emily's favorites -- I think the combination of animals, sounds, and a fun ending she can anticipate make it especially fun.