Nona Reads

The Kissing Hand, written by Audry Penn, is one of those books that happens at the perfect time! It is about a little critter who isn't so excited about beginning school and the solution created by momma. It is a keeper for your library! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nona-reads0/message

Hugo and the Impossible Thing was written and illustrated by Renee Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel and is a lovely book for your kiddo. Hugo has an idea, a goal, a dream, and he doesn't let others' misgivings overwhelm his determination to achieve it! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nona-reads0/message

You're My Little Honey Bunny AND You're My Little Cuddle Bug -- two books in one episode today! Both were written by Nicola Edwards and both are much loved by littles. I hope that you get some good cuddle time while listening to these two sweet books. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nona-reads0/message

This precious book was written by one of our favorite authors--and illustrators--in the business, Jan Brett. If you haven't seen her work, it is worth a trip to the library, my friends. Hedgehog has heard all about Winter and all that happens then, but never has experienced it until THIS year.... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nona-reads0/message

Amazing things can happen when friends pitch in and worked together to overcome and obstacle. Great read for you and your kiddo! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nona-reads0/message

The Wolf's Chicken Stew is a delightful tale of a devious critter turned cheery chef to children! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

How is it possible that they are ALL favorites??? We have loved this book from the first reading decades ago. Snuggle Piggy and his blanket run into some trouble but soon figure their way out of it with no one the worse for having been soaked! Please enjoy--and the illustrations, should you see it in print, bring Noah and his ark to mind, just saying. =} --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

An all-time fave here, folks! Small pig just wants to be comfy, and when the busy farmer's wife disturbs his peace, craziness ensues! This is, by the way, quite an old book being written in 1969. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Both of these books were sent to me by the author, Molly Smith, and she and her family are avid fans...so here you go! We are sharing them with you today. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library, written by James Dean, is just the book to make reading and going to the library into a super cool sport for any youngster. Everything Pete does is cool, so being a reader just like Pete is something our wee ones will want to emulate after diving into this book. We love any of the Pete the Cat books, so if you haven't indulged, don't wait! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie, written and illustrated by Kimberly and James Dean, tells the story of Pete the Cat as he works hard to find his groove--in spite of the help of his many friends! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, written by Kevin Henkes, is a story about a vivacious little mouse and the fun--and trouble--she gets into with her prized purple plastic purse...and the teacher who took time to build her up. Your older preschooler and even early elementary-aged kiddos will enjoy and empathize with Lily, I am certain! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

To say that this book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, is one of my all-time favorites would be an understatement. The beauty of the story and the illustrations swirl together to create a moment of perfect story. Who hasn't wanted the animals in their life to show up in such a way? Enjoy this with your littles, and for an extra treat, pick it up at the library for the sake of the illustrations. You won't be sad for having done so! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Miss Rumphius, written by Barbara Cooney, is a lovely and slightly longer story that your older preschooler will enjoy. The idea of leaving a floral legacy that returns every year simply gives me goosebumps! Enjoy, and then go grab some flower seeds! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Molly Smith, What Do the Stars See? is a sweet ending to the day for your kiddo. Waltzing through the seasons, we see what the stars see, and by the end of the book, all is quiet and we say good night. Thank you for sharing your book with us, Molly. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Peppa's First Sleepover is a Peppa Pig book and is delightful in its telling of the grand adventure of a first sleepover with friends. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Bedtime for Peppa is a Peppa Pig book and is delightful in its telling of Peppa and George's bedtime routine. A book young children will enjoy and to which grownups will relate! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Another short book about the adorable and ever-correct Peppa Pig and her adventures with skiing. A sweet read for littles, and short for bedtime, too. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Horsey Twinkle Toes is a Peppa Pig book and is delightful in its telling of Peppa and George and how they solve the problem of a new toy with no name and two owners! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by R.W. Alley and illustrated by S. J. Fore, this little book is all about a kiddo who just wants to read and his tiger who wants to play! Take a listen to see how the two eventually manage to find an acceptable compromise! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld, The Rabbit Listened is a delightful children's book centered on a little tyke who has experienced the trauma of having his creation destroyed--so very symbolic and able to be adapted to many situations. He is told how to solve his problem by each of his friends with each solution mirroring the friend's manner. Finally, sweet Rabbit listens. Period. And the result is healing. Simple, yes, but more than enough for a kiddo to chew on. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson, Last Stop on Market Street encourages listeners to open their eyes to the world beyond as a young boy and his grandmother travel from their world to a world needier than they. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Curious George--we all grew up hearing stories about this rascally little fellow! Here we have a new adventure which is definitely delightful and will have you looking for more! Haven't we all wanted to crawl up the shelves of a toy store?! True confession: I am uncomfortable reading the first Curious George book as it deals with his being taken from the jungle to be placed in a zoo...we all know the story didn't end that way, but for today's listeners, methinks we'll just skip reading that first book. What do you think? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Curious George--we all grew up with his story in our hearts, and here we have a new adventure. Written in the style of the original books, this adventure is delightful and will have you looking for more! True confession: I am uncomfortable reading the first Curious George book as it deals with his being taken from the jungle to be placed in a zoo...we all know the story didn't end that way, but for today's listeners, methinks we'll just skip reading that first book. What do you think? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Another all-time favorite children's book, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat is a classic, spunky, fast-paced book. The tireless Sam-I-Am is most certainly a reference to the children in our lives who ask, ask and ask again! Like many of Dr. Seuss' works, this story is capable of tying your tongue into knots and tickling your imagination--all at once. The classic Dr. Seuss illustrations do not disappoint. My advice? Well, if you don't already have this in your home library, it is worth ordering for you and your kiddos. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Watty Piper and illustrated by George & Doris Hauman, this classic tale of choosing to be helpful has been read aloud to children across the nation since the 1920s! From its pages comes the repetition "I think I can! I think I can!" --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Another delightful book by author/illustrator Anna Dewdney, Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa combines some familiar childhood fears, a stuffed animal loss and the perfect solution flawlessly in what is, as expected with Ms. Dewdney's books, a delightful bedtime read. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney, Little Excavator, with all of its construction site excitement, appeals to both girls and boys. Listen along as "Little E" finds his place among the big rigs. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Just a Nap is written and illustrated by Mercer Mayer whose works have long been favorites in our home. Her little critters and their adventures/misadventures are perfect for the preschool set. The stories are simple and contain many normal issues/fears/joys to which kiddos can very well relate. And, as you may have already guesses, this particular story is about naps...rather, a nap....an unwanted nap... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

The Very Hungry Caterpillar--written and illustrated by the amazing and inimitable Eric Carle--is an absolute masterpiece. The simple story of an ever-hungrier caterpillar's journey to metamorphosis holds the attention of both young and old. If you have occasion, please look up a hard copy of this as the illustrations are true works of art....and maybe you might even visit the floating exhibit of his work making its rounds on the museum circuit recently. Happy listening/reading/looking and most definitely, enjoying! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, If You Give a Moose a Muffin follows in the footsteps of the earlier books in the series and is to be considered an absolute delight. The step-by-step progression leading to the already-guessed eventual end brings you all the way back to the beginning of the story. Truly a pleasure to kiddos and those who are reading to them. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, If You Give a Moose a Muffin follows in the footsteps of the earlier books in the series and is to be considered an absolute delight. The step-by-step progression and then the eventual end which brings you all the way back to the beginning it's a pleasure to kiddos and those who are reading to them. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, If You Give a Pig a Pancake follows in the footsteps of the earlier books in the series and is to be considered an absolute delight. The step-by-step progression and then the eventual end which brings you all the way back to the beginning it's a pleasure to kiddos and those who are reading to them. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

A fun book your kiddos will want to song along with, Loren Long's “There's a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake” has an unexpected ending that will have the grownups smiling. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is an absolute delight when it comes to children's book. The step-by-step progression and then the eventual end which brings you all the way back to the beginning it's a pleasure to young adult. Beware, though, as you will end up wanting to be all of the rest of the series. Now. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo is the tale of a wee mouse whose quick-thinking stories keep him safe and sound, EVEN when faced with a real live Gruffalo. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

A give-away from Chick-Fil-A, this little book Duck& Goose is a delight to read. It is a story about wrong assumptions and friendship. Our copy is quite worn from reading so it definitely was worth the cost of lunch out. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written in 1950 by Phyllis Krasilovsky and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, this precious little book is worth finding in a used bookstore for yourself. It is a tale teaching the value of doing hard things when they need to be done as letting them pile up can become unsurmountable...without a little intervention. You will enjoy reading it as much as your listeners will enjoy following along to see how the little old man solves his growing problem. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Giraffes Can't Dance, written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, is a delightful newer classic for children that focuses on learning to do things in the way that best suits you. A happy ending and great illustrations make it a book you might want to get for yourself! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, this adorable book is a winner hands down! When something big and loud spooks the toughest animals in the neighborhood, there remains nothing to do but to call Mama Frog.... Come listen and see if you think she is up to the task! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by K.G. Campbell, we stumbled upon this book through the Dolly Parton program for early readers in Tennessee, and are thankul that we did! It's a delightful read about a bossy little miss and a hungry bear cub and what happens when there is only one cookie left.... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Caldecott Honor recipient Rachel Isadora's I Just Want to Say Good Night is a beautiful sharing of a little girl's good night ritual...from her good night greeting to the goat all the way to her closing words to her favorite book, every parent has lived a similar progression and can smile (now) in understanding. It is a favorite of ours, to be sure. The illustrations make if worth purchasing or checking out at the library if you are able. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Janell Cannon's Stellaluna is a classic that you definitely want in your repertoire. With the anxiety of being lost resolved by a wee little baby fruit bat, all by herself, this tale has just enough "scare" in it to be fascinating to those kiddos just beginning to address these kinds of fears. A beautiful read made better only with a snuggle! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Lisa Mccourt and delightfully illustrated by Cyd Moore, I Love You, Stinky Face is a statement of determination to love a tot no matter what! Whimsical and magical and delightfully daring, this is a sweet read even for tiny kiddos, especially when paired with a snuggle. Do get the book, though, as the illustrations are paired perfectly with the ideas that you will want to see it for yourself. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Rebecca Patterson's My No, No, No Day is a delight for parents and kiddos alike as we have ALL had a no, no, no day from time to time. The most delightful part of all? The book ends with a yes, yes, yes day--the note of hope we all need to get through those more difficult times. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace, Little Hoot is a delightful read with humor for children and their adult readers. The unfairness of the life of a little owl is the topic and is a sweet reversal of all that a toddler wants at bedtime--to stay up later! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

Written by Joshua Karsh and illustrated by Corey Ohayon, this little book tells a secret about a certain red-headed monster...can you guess it before the last page? A perfect read for toddlers and the rest of the preschool crowd. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

On the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman, is a delightful read at bedtime with a wee one cuddled in your lap. It celebrates your listener and shares some of the awe there is to be found in the soul of a child. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

An all-time classic children's book, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat is a spunky, fast-paced book that can tie your tongue into knots and tickle your imagination--all at once. The illustrations are classic Dr. Seuss and do not disappoint. If you don't already have this in your library, it is worth ordering. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

If I Were A Kangaroo, written by Mylisa Larsen and illustrated by Anna Raff, is a cuddly read with your toddler(s). Calm and quiet, it perfectly sets the bedtime scene for you and your littles. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message

A children's classic, this book gathers no dust on our bookshelves. Written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney, Llama Llama Red Pajama sweetly walks us through bedtime fears--it is as though the writer were a kiddo herself. From Llama Llama's intent listening to his whirlwind of fear, this book hits the mark on a common source of childhood fear and anxiety. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nona-reads0/message