Our Seasons

Posted on November 6, 2016July 5, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Our Seasons (2007)
by Grace Lin and Ranida T. McKneally

In my quest to get everything Grace Lin, I came across this book. It introduces the seasons by focusing on four children experiencing them. Each page contains a delightful illustration by Ms. Lin, a haiku for younger readers, and then a longer scientific explanation of some natural occurrence of the season. Examples are: “Why do my cheeks turn red in the cold?” “Why do I tan?” “Why do the leaves change color?” What a clever book! I love that it not only holds the interest of our 3-year old, but also offers me new information. It’s a book that will grow with your child and can give you plenty of jumping off points for more learning and exploring. Brilliant!

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Fall (Autumn) Book list

Miss Fiona’s Stupendous Pumpkin Pies

Posted on November 4, 2016September 13, 2019 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Miss Fiona’s Stupendous Pumpkin Pies (2001)
written by Mark Kimball Moulton, illustrated by Karen Hillard Crouch

Miss Fiona, the witch, uses secret ingredients to cook up pumpkin pies every Halloween. She may look like a “kooky” witch, but Miss Fiona has “goodness deep within.” In her warm and cozy house, she serves pumpkin pie to eager trick-or-treaters at the stroke of midnight every Halloween night.

This is a longer picture book, but the story and the rhyming verses keep it interesting. I especially like that instead of the children being scared off by Miss Fiona, they see her home as the highlight of their night. She’s good to them, serving pies and cider and passing out spider rings. The illustrations are great. I love that this is a Halloween book with all the trappings of Halloween, without being scary.

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Halloween book list

Bears in the Night

Posted on November 3, 2016July 4, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Bears in the Night (1971)
by Stan and Jan Berenstain

This is a limited-word picture book that uses repetition and prepositions to tell its story. Seven bear siblings hear a mysterious noise from their bed and decide to go investigate.

I remember this book from when I was a girl, so I do have a bit of nostalgia for it. I enjoy its simplicity and feel like the reader’s approach can either make it into a lesson about placement and positions, a quick bedtime story, or even a spooky Halloween story.

Bears in the Night (1971)

The Teeny Tiny Woman

Posted on November 2, 2016July 4, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

The Teeny Tiny Woman (1986)
retold by Paul Galdone

This is a folktale ghost story about a teeny tiny woman who finds a teeny tiny bone and takes it back to her teeny tiny house.

Delivery is a huge part of this tale, and while it could be a bit spooky (and a bit odd), the repetition and rhythm of the “teeny tiny” words also make it quite humorous. I love the final, brave and funny, punchline.

I have such fond memories of my dad reading this tale to us as kids, so I picked it up for our daughter when she was born. When she was very little, she wouldn’t sit through it. Now though, she thinks it’s great. A good book for anytime of year, but could definitely be brought out for Halloween or a spooky, preschool-friendly, “ghost” story.

The Teeny Tiny Woman (1986)

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Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin

Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin

Posted on October 31, 2016September 13, 2019 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin (2004)
words by Rick Walton, illustrated by Delana Bettoli

As Halloween approaches, Mrs. McMurphy gets daily visits from a mysterious and spooky pumpkin showing up in her house. As the facial features of the pumpkin gradually appear, it promises to eat her once its teeth arrive. Mrs. McMurphy responds to each encounter gently, but firmly by putting the pumpkin in its place, so to speak.

I wasn’t sure how our 3-year old would react to this story, as it has the potential to be a bit scary. But I think that Mrs. McMurphy’s strong character and care-free reactions to the pumpkin keep this story approachable for little ones. I love that it IS a slightly spooky, “campfire” tale that (kid-depending) could be appropriate for a younger crowd.

Mrs. McMurphy’s Pumpkin (2004)

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Halloween Book list