Picture Books (& Mother's Day Books) - A Present for Mom

Ah, did I ever tell you that my husband is the one that feeds my book habit? Probably, and on a number of occasions. Well, for Mother's Day my husband surprised me with a copy of A Present for Mom by Vivian French and illustrated by Dana Kubick 2002. What a delightful book about the youngest child's dilemma in finding the right gift for his mom. The illustrations are very sweet and captures kids (kitten) expressions so well. This would be a great story to read with kids around a parent's birthday as well. It helps the little ones understand that some of the best presents of all to give are from our heart and imagination. Also, this would be a good book for those single parent households out there as well. What's even better is it doesn't come across as a single family home. I didn't even notice at first until I read my previous notes on it from years ago when I put together my Mother's Day book list. Good for ages preschool and up.

Thinking Award - Thanks!

What a nice honor and surprise I received from Back in The Day and Return of the White Robin. Each awarded me a thinking blogger award. Both of these sites provide some refreshing views and thought provoking posts that well rather make my little effort here a bit quiet and lacking in influence. However, not one to be shy in being excited about an award especially one provided by those that you admire makes ones day. So, for those that are not familiar with this award, check out the orgins of the Thinking Award at the thinking blog. The rules from the original meme are as follows:

Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules
to the blogs you are tagging. I thought it would be appropriate to include them
with the meme.The participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that
make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the
meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to
the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold
doesn't fit your blog).

With so many really great reads out there it was really tough to narrow my top five list. So, even though there are numerous great book blogs, here are my five choices today in no special order.

1. A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

2. The Edge of the Forest (it is an online children's literature monthly put together by a blogger with contributions by bloggers)

3. Big A, little a

4. Book Moot

5. The PlanetEsma Plan

All five of these sites have well put together thoughts on books, authors, and libraries on a consistent basis and they provide a wealth of information. In the children's literature blog world there are so many worthwhile sites to visit you can't go wrong. Start here with one of these and check out their lists for even more sites to visit.

Discussion Books - What Will Happen In Harry Potter 7

As a fun little treat, my husband picked up a copy of What Will Happen In Harry Potter 7 (2006) this past week for me and what a delight it was. In general, I am not one who usually gets into any deep conversations about books. I always figure that most people are like me and enjoy a one on one relationship with their reading experience and do not usually discuss it with others. (Hum, why do I have a book blog then?) This is probably why I have never really been much for book clubs and similar get togethers. I do not mind chit chatting about books, but I’ve never been much for getting down into the muck about why the author decided to do this or that and what other books have similar ramblings, etc.

Now with that said, I must admit I really got a kick out of reading the various thoughts, discussions, and theories that are put forth in What Will Happen In Harry Potter 7, especially those that totally agreed with what I was already thinking. Plus, the quick little chapters that delve into a particular topic made me do a little additional thinking, which really made me want to get my hands on number 7.

The book is put out by Mugglenet.com’s founder and cohorts, which supposedly is one of the largest and most read Harry Potter related site. The authors like the site are some very dedicated enthusiast as well as a very talented youthful group. Like with books I am also not one to peruse the Internet for discussions or latest thought about what is going to happen with Harry and other Hogwarts friends and classmates. When I do stumble across something I will share it with those I think might be interested. I had not previously visited the Mugglenet.com until after I read the book. I still didn’t really look into it much, but if you are a fan this is probably a regular stop and I am behind the times as usually.

So, to sum this up, if you are having a hard time waiting until July and want to get a quick fix and a mini recap as to where things stand or might stand, then pick this up. The book is a very quick read and I think even those in 5th or 6th graders and up would really enjoy it.

Henry David Thoreau had a way with words

One of the great things about being married to my thoughtful husband is how he tries to constantly feed my many interests. On a trip to New York he came across a street that had wonderful quotes set along the sidewalk. I believe it was near a place they have dubbed Library Way. Knowing that I am a big fan of libraries and of course books, he took the time to snap a picture of some of these quotes. The one pictured here is by Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) "Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations." Well said, plus the coins that are imprinted on the plaque add an extra meaning.