Best in Bag, September 2014

Here I am.  Only two days late!  We didn't make it to the library much last month.  We spent most of September getting used to a new routine that involves Kaden being shuttled to and from preschool three days a week, and after a summer packed to the brim with fun, we've been spending a lot more down time at home.  We also spent time in Kinston fixing up our vacated rental property (more on that later) and met up with Grandma in Greensboro for a FABRY conference (more on that later, too).

I'm ashamed to say that we only visited the library twice this month, and one visit consisted of me running in to pick up books that I'd placed on hold.  So.  September's library picks have been renewed and re-read more than a few times out of necessity. Without further ado, here are the titles that saved my sanity in the sea of duds we brought home from the biblioteca:

1.  Mitchell Goes Bowling by Hallie Durand - I love it when the dad in the story gets the spotlight.  I don't think there's enough out there in picture book land about exceptional dads.  This book does just that. Mitchell's dad is hip, cool, and a fantastic father.  After reading this multiple times, Kaden now wants his marble jar prize to be a visit to the bowling alley.  He's asked Chad to teach him to do a "leg kick," based on the moves in the story.  Read this one.  It's super cute. 

2.  Builder Goose:  It's Construction Rhyme Time by Boni Ashburn - There's nothing monumental about this one, but if you have little boys who obsess over construction sites, this may be the book for you.  It's basically mother goose rhymes changed up to be about rough and tough construction vehicles, jobs, and workers.  If you don't slow down when you drive by a construction zone, or catch yourself counting bulldozers even without your kiddos in the car, this may not be the book for you.  

3.  Mix it Up by Herve' Tullet - After we fell head over heels in love with last month's pick, Press Here, I may or may not have gone to the library's website and requested everything else Tullet's written for children. This one was an absolute winner, too.  Simple, interactive fun on each and every page.  

4.  Sparky by Jenny Offill and Chris Appelhans - I don't think Kaden loved this quite as much as I did, but it was laugh out loud funny to me.  It's a story about a little girl who begs her mom for a pet, only to be told no repeatedly.  Mom slips up, though, when she gives her daughter this loop hole:  "You can have any pet you want as long as it doesn't need to be walked or bathed or fed."  Enter her mail-ordered pet sloth.  The story was just too cute.  Plus, I think this will be a great one to pull out in the future when my kids start begging me for a pet, and I get sick of answering, "No," on repeat.  

5.  Planes Go by Steve Light - Ah, Steve.  He's made the list again.  This was one we'd never read before this library round up, and it's a winner like all his others.  I love this author and illustrator, but since I've already sung his praises in previous posts, I'll just say that it's been decided Santa needs to bring these books to my kids.  They're just that good.  So if you see the jolly man, pass the word along, will ya?

This month I feel like Everett's become an official book worm, and it makes my heart soar with English-teacher-mommy pride.  He can often be spotted sitting in his rocking chair these days, flipping through a board book, and he points at his book shelves all day begging to be read to.  Most of the time I oblige. There's not much cuter than a baby's voice responding with a boisterous, "Noooooo!!!!" every time the pigeon begs to, "Drive the bus," or "Stay up late."  Not much cuter at all.  I promise.  

Happy reading!  

What good books have you read with your kids lately?