Out With The Old And In With The New

This past week kept me busy. Besides homeschooling, taking pictures, and attending a board of trustee meeting at the library, I managed to build myself a new website at WIX. Not only is this new website fresh and updated, easy to navigate, and easy to maintain, it also comes with a built in blog for my book reviews.

This means no more running two separate sites. However, I will be leaving this site going as not to lose all my previous reviews. So if you enjoy my Monday posts please be sure to follow me at my new blog located at ...

www.kidlitfun.com

Joy Sometimes Looks Like A Stripy Sock

This past week seemed to fly by, but probably not fast enough for Emily who had to take a state algebra test. However, she is glad to be done with all major testing for the year. And of course we joyously celebrated Easter with my brother, his family, and my sister.

For Christians, Easter is a celebration of joy. The book I read this week was also a celebration of joy. And through the simple story of a grey rat on a grey day, one comes to realize as my sister is fond of saying, "Joy is a choice"!

In this book, A Rat In A Stripy Sock, written by Frances Watts and illustrated by David Francis, we follow the story of a grey rat sitting in the rain on a dreary day. However, his day turns completely around when he finds a stripy sock. That funny rainbow sock is all Rat needs to start dreaming. And Rat dreams big. Rat dreams of all the things one could do with a stripy sock.

It just goes to show, that it doesn't really take much in life to find joy. You simply have to look around you and take pleasure in what you find.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.

Mouseling's Words

Last week I didn't post because I sprained my knee and it was an effort to hobble anywhere let alone to my computer. And on top of a temporary bum knee, I had to take Emily to Terra Nova State testing and to take the ACT test. And this week she has to take the state Algebra test. I'm pretty sure she'd rather go to the dentist.

So all of that means that this week I have lots to share. Back in January I participated in Tara Lazar's Story Storm and besides coming up with several ideas for possible stories, I also won two books from author Shutta Crum. In addition, Ariel Bernstein sent me her brand new chapter book, Warren and Dragon - Volcano Deluxe for review.

With all the testing and hobbling going on, I was only able to read Shutta's picture book titled Mouselings Words, but that means I still have two books to look forward to. Now most of you know by now that I love words. Words of every kind. So Ms. Shutta's book about Mouseling and his love of words is just right up my alley.

Mousling loves the words on bits of papers in his nest, the words his Aunt Tillie brings him from the restaurant. But when it comes time for Mouseling to leave his comfortable home and start a life of his own, he is most reluctant. He refuses to leave his comfortable world of words until his aunt tells him there are words without end outside of the nest and restaurant.

Ms. Shutta weaves a tale of delight and Ryan O'Rourke's beautiful illustrations bring Mouseling's words to life. So if you have yet to discover Ms. Shutta's work, run don't walk to your nearest book store.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.

Board Books For A Birthday!

I've had a lot of library related meetings over the past week, so it was nice to take it easy over the weekend. I leisurely ran errands, played Skipbo with the hubs and Emily, and attended our great niece's first birthday.

Little Ruby is so cute I cold have eaten her up instead of the cake, but I refrained. And the present I picked out for our family to give her will come as no surprise to any one. Yes, you have it_ books!

I found a beautiful board book by a company called  Little Hippo Books called I Need A Hug. And it was written by Susie Linn. The story begins in the early morning and bushbaby, Boo, needs a hug from his mom before he can go to sleep. But Boo's mom is nowhere to be found. During his search for her, he gets hugs from many other animals; but none of them are the just right kind of hug. Finally he finds his mom, gets his hug, and drifts off into dreamland.

I also bought a book put out by Sky Pony titled Bedtime For Little Bears. It was a story of a small bear who doesn't want to go to bed (anyone with children will find this familiar). So Mother bear takes him on a walk to see who else is getting ready for bed.

I love board books, but since we are way past that stage, it was fun to be able to share a few with family. So if  you have littles who need a gift, be sure to check these books out.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.