The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

It’s not often that one of the most miraculous lessons in science is taught in such beautiful and engaging manner. The Very Hungry Caterpillar teaches children the concept of metamorphosis in a manner that even the youngest of readers will understand.

Children will love the greedy little caterpillar that tries to eat healthy then discovers the appeal of junk food only to pay the price for such indulgence. All is well in the end as the charming little caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly. Beyond the science, this book includes counting, days of the week, nutrition, plus the holes in the food that are just so darn fun to stick little fingers through. Sure to be an all-time favorite!

 

In this Issue

• Just as the Very hungry Caterpillar eats 1 apple, 2 pears, 3 plums, 4 strawberries, and 5 oranges, make our Caterpillar Counting Fruit Salad.
• Find out How and What Does a Butterfly Eat?
• Turn a fruit featured in the book into Caterpillar Fruit Stamps!
• Learn about the life cycle of a butterfly with this week's Book Play.

Recently on Instagram

• Moonlight the Halloween Cat Pipe Cleaner Art
• New book alert: Otto the Book Bear in the Snow (affiliate link)
• Black as Moonlight Chocolate Pudding
• Moonlight the Halloween Cat
• Apple Pie Parfaits
• Painted, Stamped and Scented Apple Pie Craft
• The Apple Pie Tree
• Apple Pancakes from @ourspicedkitchen
• Leaf Mosaic Trees Craft

 

• Sweet Potato Leaf Quesadillas
• My Leaf Book
• Reader's Bird Seed Treat
• Cereal Box Nature Tote
• Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
• It's a Big Red Barn Raising
• Big Red Barn
• Otto's File Folder Backpack

You Made Me a Mother

by Laurenne Sala
illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Have you seen the You Made Me a Mother video? (If not, find it in the Parents' Corner below!)  Just in time for Mother's Day, HaperCollins has turned this popular poem-turned-video into a beautiful and touching picture book.

While the text will resonate with the moms who read You Made Me a Mother, the illustrations will draw young readers into the story, making it a perfect choice for a cozy read-together. Kids love hearing about when they were babies, and this is a great conversation starter to share special stories with them. They never tire of hearing even the same stories over and over again, and they will giggle at the antics of their younger self!

 You Made Me a Mother is a great gift to give to a special mother you know, or to even give yourself, to celebrate the unique relationship of mother and child. 

In this Issue

• At the Art Table and Come Out and Play with Me: Yarn and Nature Silhouettes
• In the Kitchen: Handprint Cookies
• Parents' Corner: You Made Me a Mother video

Julia's House for Lost Creatures

by Ben Hatke

"Julia's house came to town and settled by the sea. Things are just a little too quiet for Julia, so she opens her doors to any lost creatures in search of ah ome. Soon she's hosting troops, goblins, mermaids, ghosts, and even dragons. Quiet isn't exactly a problem any more."

'Judicious placement of the spare text and enlarged, attention-getting onomatopoetic words like “whoosh,” “scratch scratch,” “boom” and “creak” add drama, while fanciful pen, ink and watercolor illustrations create a whimsical world of cartoonlike creatures. Julia’s all practicality in her kerchief, apron and pink high-top sneakers, while her ramshackle house atop the giant tortoise is the picture of cozy comfort until the invading troll, dragon, mermaid and companions trigger a rumpus reminiscent of Sendak’s Wild Things.' –Kirkus Reviews

Julia's House for Lost Creatures is a magical story and readers of all ages will want to step right in and be a part of the story!  

In this Issue

• In the Kitchen: Troll Toast
• Play Prompt: Creature Creations
• In the Garden: Plant an Avocado Seed
• At the Art Table: Sign Making Workshop

More Than Enough: A Passover Story

by April Halprin Wayland
illustrated by Katie Kath

We were delighted to receive a copy of More Than Enough: A Passover Story for review, and from the first reading we were struck by the joyfulness of the story. We firmly believe any picture book can be a starting point for young readers to make new discoveries, but even adults can learn something new in this story. More Than Enough is presented in a way that readers who are not familiar with the traditions of Passover will gain an understanding of this spring holiday. 

"Deriving its name from the Passover seder song Dayenu which means, 'it would have been enough,' a Jewish family prepares their Passover seder, giving thanks for their everyday blessings. First the family visits the famers market for walnuts, lilacs, and honey (adopting a kitten along the way!). Than at Nana's house the children complete a treasure hunt of holiday traditions: chopping apples for charoset, opening the door for Elijah singing the verses of 'Chad Gadya,' and searching from the hidden afikomen. All the while, Dayenu remains the thankful refrain."

"The infectious, child-appealing watercolor artwork–with that adorable kitten!–will make readers smile. And once they understand the meaning of dayenu, they'll get into the spirit of gratitude as well." –Booklist

"Chopping apples for charoset – Dayenu.
Dashing though puddles on the way to Nan's house – Dayenu.
A delicious seder meal for the whole family to enjoy – Dayenu."

 

In this Issue

• In the Kitchen: Charoset
• Music: Dayenu
• At the Art Table: Make it Rain: Nature Rain Paintings

The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits

by Douglas Florian
Illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

 The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits is one of our absolute favorite new books of the year. Reading this book, you'll discover that rabbits have wonderful habits we humans never knew about, from finding buried treasure to playing recorders and having dance parties, to enjoying nightly bedtime stories!

While this is the perfect book for spring, and works as an Easter book, it works just as well any time of year, with references to rabbits' habits in each of the seasons. Bouncy rhyme and engagingly detailed illustrations that bring out the humor in the text make this glorious picture book simply a joy to read. 

In this Issue

• Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad
• More Fun with The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits
• Plenty of Rabbits Puppets or Playthings