Looking for something a little bit more out of the ordinary for you to enjoy with your kids and grandkids? Here are a few to consider. The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind is Aesop at his finest. It is the classic tale of kindness to others retold by Heather Forest and intriguingly illustrated by Susan Gaber. It has a distinct multicultural feel to it, as do many of the books at August House publishers. I liked the fact that you have to turn the book around and hold it in different ways as you are telling the story in order to properly view the illustrations. A marvelous twist to a very relevant story.
I have a hard time finding books about classical music that children will love. My husband happens to be a classical music enthusiast (I am not) and so I’m always on the lookout for books that will be enjoyable for daddy to read to the kids. I’ve found a lot of books on the symphony, of course, but not about the music itself. I finally stumbled across The Magic Flute, published by Star Bright Books. It is the well-told story of Mozart’s Magic Flute, adapted by Kyra Teis. This book is accurate to the opera itself, making it very impressive. If you are studying classical music with your kids, you’ll want to look for this book.
Although the title Termites on a Stick might not be particularly endearing, the story certainly is. Beautifully and scientifically illustrated by Michele Coxon, we spend our time with a young chimp who is learning his way in the world from his mother. My 2 year old son absolutely loved this book, I think, in part, because of the illustrations. Everything is very realistic which, in this particular case, drew him in to learn about chimpanzees. At the end of the book, which reads like a regular picture book, they include various facts concerning chimpanzees making this appropriate for ages 2 and up! We smile upon this book.
We’re always exploring and discovering new books. Do you have a unique book that you would like to share with everyone? Leave a comment here and let us know of it!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
thanks! I have been looking for good books for my class. 🙂
I have enjoyed some rebus books with my kids. I Love You by Jean Marzello with Amanda years and years ago. I searched for others, but never found them until recently at the library, Kyle and I found more — and more suitable to his advanced age (ha).
I’ve been meaning to write them up. . . .
These look so beautiful! I’ll have to check them out. As far as unique books go, I look no further than my bookshelves filled with Barefoot Books, an independent children’s book publisher. Gorgeous illustrations, unique stories . . . they really are simply perfect! The Boy Who Loved Flowers is creative, as is The Tear Thief, and for preschoolers or a picture book, you can’t beat the illustrations in Island in the Sun. Of course, I sell them, too, since I loved them so much!! http://www.mybarefootbooks.com/LoriHachenski for the complete catalog.
Great post! 🙂
I really like the sound of that Magic Flute book. As one of my first dates with my husband was that opera, I’d love to introduce the story to my son!
I’m bloghopping and I landed here! Will be back to do the What’s on your Bookshelf carnival (maybe).
You should check out Bayard and their series of StoryBoxBooks, AdventureBoxBooks, and DiscoveryBoxBooks.
There’s lots going on too:
This Month Storybox has guest illustrator Helen Oxenbury featured.
There’s a Readathon happening in UK and Ireland – http://discoveryboxbooks.com/readathon.php
There’s a Ghost Drawing competition in AdventureBoxBooks assiciated with the Polka Theatre ( http://www.adventureboxbooks.com/competition.php )