Read through the Rainbow Book List - Part 1 - red!

Today is the first day in a series of posts I have planned about reading through the rainbow. ... not to be confused with Reading Rainbow, which is pretty much an amazing television show that was on when I was growing up in the nineties (Yes, we had electricity then...) 
I plan to take each color (or shade) and give you a list* of books based on my own personal reading experience with my toddler. Not all of the books are board books, nor are they all picture books. Many of the books might also have a board book and hardcover version, which makes them great for little ones who are learning to treat books with respect. My little one learned how to turn pages of picture books on her own before she was nine months old because we started reading with her as soon as we could. I know not every toddler can sit through every book, but these books were some that have extended their loan from the library or made it home from the store with us and were pulled out over and over. 


This list could be a good way to build a birthday present for your favorite little person based on their favorite color (even though we all know little people can change their favorite colors often!) 

Day One - RED! (and pink, so as not to offend any sparkly littles!) 

1. The Moon is Coming to Addy's House, by Ida Pearle - This one was renewed until we couldn't renew it anymore, and checked out again after returning to the library. Perfect for bedtime, just the right amount of words to go with the beautiful layout to keep tiny humans attentively sleepy right along with the grownup lucky enough to read this book with them. 

2. Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf - Everyone knows corks grow on and hang from cork trees ;) A classic book everyone needs in their library about a sweet little bull challenging the norm. 

3. Are You a Cow, by Sandra Boynton - I blame my sweet mother for getting me hooked on Sandra Boynton's books. This one is a great introduction to animals, as well as getting toddlers out of whatever shell they might have built that day to reestablish their own identity before bed. If you haven't read this one, please go get it right now. You are missing out on another silly board book :) 

4. A Treasury of Curious George, by Margaret and H. A. Rey - Who hasn't heard of Curious George? "He was a good little monkey, and always very curious." This volume includes Curious George Takes a Train (2002), Curious George Visits a Toy Store (2002), Curious George and the Dump Truck (1999), Curious George and the Birthday Surprise (2003), Curious George Goes Camping (1999), Curious George Goes to a Costume Party (2001), Curious George Visits the Library (2003), and Curious George in the Big City (2001).

5. The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers 2, by Carla Barnhill and Elena Kucharik (the illustrator of Care Bears) - We are starting this one this year, since we just finished the first devotional in 2016. My little one used the inside few pages for storing her favorite stickers, so we'll still pull it out to read with her this year :)  This is a perfect first devotional, especially for active toddlers. This one goes through the Bible chronologically and has the same sweet characters as the first throughout, along with a verse and prayer on each page. The "Little Blessings" books are great for toddlers :) 

^
And now my toddler's opinion on the devotional - 
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As you can see, she really enjoys it :) 


6. First Concepts - Numbers, Priddy Books - My little really likes this board book because of the many exciting flaps to lift and tabs to pull. The images are realistic and colorful, and the last page has an extra "bonus" book for the number ten that includes all the previous pages, making it great practice for little hands in turning pages. 

7. My First Bible in Pictures, Kenneth N. Taylor - Basically a "Great Illustrated Classics" type of Bible for tiny humans. Each page has a paragraph-sized story with a picture on the facing page, and an included question to help with comprehension. The pictures are realistic, and although "older" styled, beautiful. So far our toddler loves it, and it is basic enough for the littlest ones to enjoy and understand!

8. Everything a Child Should Know About God, Kenneth N. Taylor - This book is just beautiful, and the illustrations are like a vibrant vacuum that suck you in. It is basically a catechism and storybook for little ones and a great introduction to Christianity. I would recommend this book especially because of the illustrations (by Jenny Brake) 

9.  Hippo Says "Excuse Me," Michael Dahl - From the "Hello Genius" collection, (available as a board book!) we found this book and couldn't leave it all alone on the shelves. Hippo is a little bumbling fellow walking around town with his mama, and has to use the phrase "Excuse me" multiple times as he bumps and butts his way through the streets. It's pretty much adorable, and why don't you have it yet??

10. Puppies are Like That, by Jan Pfloog - Pretty much the perfect explanation for all the mischievous things puppies do. This book is great if you have a new (furry) addition to your family! 

11. Clifford the Big Red Dog, by Norman Bridwell - If you don't know about Clifford, get this book. If you do know about him, you already most likely know that Mr. Bridwell has died recently so this is a historical gem of a book to add to your collection. Any of the Clifford books are a great addition, actually! 

12. Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton - We have the board book, but either format is an amazing read and a great look back into "olden times." Ms. Burton's books are beautiful inside and out! 

13. Merry Christmas, Daniel Tiger! - This is a super lift-the-flap board book. Our copy got waterlogged, so we're on the lookout for a new one because this was one of our tot's favorites. Many of the Daniel Tiger books seem like the text overwhelms the illustrations because of the word bubbles, but this one does a great job with the balance. Plus, it's a Christmas book! I grew up watching Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and I love that Daniel wears a red sweatshirt as a special tribute to Mr. Rogers, and he is the son of the original "Daniel Tiger." (Yes, Dad Tiger with the sultry voice is also "Daniel Tiger." 

* affiliate links. anything purchased via these links might help keep the lights on. Vaguely. Or buy a Christmas gift for a kid I know. Possibly. 

No Pictures

Today is the first day of a new year, according to the calendar. This past year God has done so much in the lives of my little family - given us a job, allowed that same job to be taken away, and given us a new little one to teach all we know about Him, His love, and His world. (Not) coincidentally, my high school  senior class verse "just happened" to be Proverbs 3:5-6,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

I never realized in high school how much that verse would come into play in my life. This year I might actually be able to share a few more bits and pieces about all that God has allowed into my life and the lives of my two babies and my sweet husband while attempting to put that verse into play. Several moves, many part time jobs, gaining various certifications, missing out on important family events because of money, and safely picking up two beautiful, healthy babies from the Stork Store...

In church this morning we sang the Getty's song "By Faith," and I realized just how very, very much the past few months that song has been our life. If the Israelites can set up odd rock formations to remind them of God's provision, I can at least write a few blog posts until I have time to write down physical reminders in my Bible between trips to the potty and feeding a toddler fighting growth spurts... So be prepared to hear how many are the mercies of my God!