Big Little Brother

written by Kevin Kling
illustrated by Chris Monroe
ages: preschool through grade school

There's nothing quite like being an older brother. The advantages of being able to boss someone else around, to be in charge of the games and the toys-except for when your little brother grows bigger than you. Could there possibly be any advantages to having a little brother that is bigger than you?

This book is an utter delight from beginning to end. The illustrations are laugh out loud funny and it has the kind of humor that will make parents love reading this to their kids over and over. This book became an instant hit at our house because we have a big little brother under our very own roof! Give this a try for a quirky and touching brotherly read.

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys

written by: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard

illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
ages: school aged

All that Virgie wants to do is attend school with her five older brothers, George, Will, Nelson, Val, and C.C. They keep saying that she is too small to walk the seven miles, that she'll miss her parents too much, and that girls don't need to go to school anyway. Virgie proves them wrong with her desire to learn to read and go to school.

Set in the post-Civil War South, this true story is beautifully written and illustrated. Virgie's story takes place during Reconstruction when schools were created to educate newly freed slaves and their children. Fewer than 10% of slaves were literate and schools offered an unprecedented opportunity to learn. During Reconstruction, only boys were allowed to go to school, but that doesn't stop Virgie. This book has a rich message of education and freedom and can be a real jumping off point for conversations with kids about the Civil War, slavery, determination, and the value of education.

Goodnight Ipad

by Ann Droyd
All ages

A great parody book of our technology craze society.  I laughed so hard.  Everyone will enjoy this book if they loved "GOODNIGHT MOON."

Goodnight Moon

written by: Margaret Wise Brown
illustrated by: Clement Hurd
ages: birth-preschool

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is about as classic as a children's book comes. This is a lovely bedtime story using soothing words and soft pictures. It won't take long for your child to become familiar with the simple vocabulary of this beautiful book. The safety and peace of the "great green room" will make this a bedtime favorite.

Goodnight Moon was, hands down, my son's favorite nap time and bedtime book. In fact, we have three (count 'em!) copies of this book; one board book and two hardcovers in different sizes. It has been a cherished book in our family. Give Goodnight Moon a chance to work its magic on your baby or toddler.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy birthday to Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss! Dr. Seuss was a man who wrote books filled with wonderful wordplay and jubilant silliness. Although he was a cartoonist and not a real doctor, we can thank him for some of the most memorable characters in children's literature: the Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, and Yertle the Turtle to name only a few.

To celebrate his birthday and National Read Across American Day, here are a few favorites to try with your family:

Here's an interesting fact: did you know that The Cat in the Hat was originally created as a reading primer for children? The Beginner Reader series includes other new reader favorites such as Hop on Pop and Green Eggs and Ham.

Whether you celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with crazy socks or green eggs and ham, make sure that you include some quality reading time with your favorite kiddos.