Good Night Harry

"Good night, everyone," says Harry.

"Zzz," went Lulu.

"Snore," went Ted.

Harry lay waiting.

But sleep didn't come.

Harry and his friends, Lulu and Ted, are getting ready for bed. But, Harry can't go to sleep. He reads himself a bedtime story, but that doesn't work. He hung up his clothes, cleaned his room, ran in place, touched his toes, hopped on one foot, jumped up and down, and then went back to bed. But nothing happened. He tossed and he turned, trying to get comfortable. Then he begins to worry. Poor Harry. He rolls up in a ball and pulls all the covers off of his friends! Waking up, they want to know why Harry isn't asleep so he explains. Being the very best of friends, they stay up with him. They sit very close together, looking out the window, singing a little song, and counting the stars. Harry feels sleepy at last.

"Goodnight, Harry," said Lulu.

"Sweet dreams, Harry," said Ted.

but, "Snuffle" was all Harry said.

Good Night, Harry is the sleepy sequel to My Friend Harry by Author/Illustrator, Kim Lewis. Ms. Lewis will enchant you for life with her dear dreamy illustrations and sweet stories. An excellent choice for your own sleepy time routine.

Title: Good Night Harry

Author: Kim Lewis

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 0-7636-2206-0

Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead

Eyes, nose,

fingers, toes,

lips, hair.....

everywhere!

This classic bedtime poem of a little girl getting ready for bedtime and including all of her "lovies" in the process. Originally published as EYES NOSE FINGERS TOES, by Ruth Krauss this enchanting story is brought to a new generation with the charming illustrations of best-selling illustrator, Jane Dyer. Simple story, excellent rhyming, and perfectly wonderful illustrations make this one of the best bedtime stories I have come across in a long time.

Title: Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead

Author: Ruth Krauss

Illustrator: Jane Dyer

Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers

ISBN:0-06-028894-9

In the Beginning

In the beginning there was only heaven and earth.

In the Beginning is an amazing story of the beginnings of all things, told with a surprising twist~ babies.

Rachel Isadora has done it again with her amazing watercolor illustrations and the artful and inspiring way of telling a very old story. We take a journey through the ages, from a dark and empty world to one full of light and life. One full of babies and love. Just the way the world should be. The book is so full of amazing pictures, very few words are needed. Each page brings something new and delightful, even to the youngest of children. A very imaginative and charming book. Easy to read to any age and captivating. Definitely a keeper.

Title: In the Beginning

Author: Rachel Isadora

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Son's

ISBN: 0-399-23997-9

The New Friend

Toot and Puddle's cousin, Opal, has come to visit them at Woodcock Pocket and has brought a new friend along. Her name is Daphne. Daphne is special, she is very beautiful, she can do perfect cartwheels, stand on one foot the longest, hold her breath the longest, and play a Mozart violin concerto perfectly. Opal startes to feel bad but Toot and Puddle help her see that Daphne's perfect-ness only extends so far. "I think your new friend is a bit of a prima donna," Toot said after Daphne refuses to eat Puddle's homemade dandelion sause and stops playing Go Fish after Opal wins three times in a row, won't eat Toot's oatmeal and won't help rake leaves. It all turns out ok when Opal discovers that she is special too, just in different ways. A very sweet book that helps little one's to understand that every one is special and different at the same time. Holly Hobbie's delight illustrations and perfect way of telling this story make it an endearing book to be enjoyed again and again.

Title: Toot and Puddle: the new friend

Author: Holly Hobbie

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

ISBN:0-316-36636-6

Bonaparte

The Day they took Jean Claude away to school with his tuba, valise, and toy boat, the left Bonaparte at the chateau. "Bonaparte!" the boy cried. "You have everything you need, Jean Claude. Come along," the parents said. "Bonaparte, stay!" the ordered the dog. "No dogs at La School d'Excellence."

Bonaparte is devastate! Bonaparte is distraught! They have taken his boy away! Taken him far away to Pairs and La School d'Excellence where no dogs are allowed under any circumstances! Bonaparte decided to take matters into his own paws and sets out on a journey to find his boy. We watch as Bonaparte escapes the village and makes for the streets of Paris. In the amazing illustrations we get glimpses of street vendors, workers, boats floating on the river, fountains, and cafes. Bonaparte searches them all in hopes of finding his boy. Finally, on Monday he finds the school, but NO DOGS ALLOWED! Bonaparte has to find another way in! Your child will be delighted and tickled to see Bonaparte dressed up as a mother, a lunch lady, and a drummer. Giggles are sure to happen when Bonaparte dresses up as a boy and tried to apply at the school and is taken to the Dr. to be examined. On a quiet Saturday morning, Bonaparte slips in as the new janitor. Sniffing around Bonaparte discovers that his boy, Jean Claude, is missing! Bonaparte takes off, following the trail, determined to find his boy. Suddenly he hears a voice, "Bonaparte!" Could it be his boy? It is! With much rejoicing the two, boy and dog, are reunited. They return, together, to La School d'Excellence and Jean Claude explains that he will stay only if the best of friends are admitted too. What could the Regents do but accept? The school then changed it's sign from NO DOGS ALLOWED to NOW DOGS ALLOWED. The best of friends began arriving from every direction and afterwards, everyone had to agree that La School d'Excellence would never be the same again.

A wonderful story about the love of a dog for his boy. The illustrations are in great detail and every page surrounded by another border based on an architectural piece in Paris. A delightful read for all ages.

Title: Bonaparte

Author: Marsha Wilson Chall

Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin

Publisher:Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. (D~K, INK)

ISBN: 0-7894-2617-X

What's in Baby's Morning?

"What's in Baby's Morning?

A sister sleeping just over there,

counting beads and a little chair,

Spotty Dog and Mrs. Cow,

and Little Hup the hippo.

"Good Morning, Little Hup!'"

So begins What's in Baby's Morning? by Judy Hindley and illustrated by Jo Burroughes.

We follow the delightful watercolor and pencil illustrations through Baby's waking, kisses from Mommy and getting dressed, to breakfast and Peekaboo with sister, a ride on the trike, and then outside for playing with Daddy, all accompanied by Little Hup the Hippo who is Baby's "lovie." But, when Little Hup disappears, Baby is so upset! Where ever could Little Hup be? Thankfully, big sister finds him in no time and all is right again. Then it is off to inside where, with a drink, a cuddle, a story, and with sleepy eyes it is time for a little nap.

"And this is how the morning ends."

A wonderful telling of a loving family and how they relate to Baby. This is what Judy Hindley, the author, says of What's in Baby's Morning?, "I wanted to write a real story for a small person, but with plenty of naming and pointing and shouting out-in case an even smaller person is sharing the lap." I believe that she has done just that.

A perfect tale for naptime, lap-time, or anytime.

Title: What's in Baby's Morning?

Author: Judy Hindley

Illustrator: Jo Burroughes

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN:0-7636-2372-5

On Your Toes: A Ballet ABC

A~Arabesque

B~Backstage

C~Costume

On Your Toes: A Ballet ABC by Rachel Isadora is a delightful ABC book for any aspiring little dancer. Through it's pages it shows a ballet company performing, warming up and behind the scenes. It's glowing watercolors bring a dreaming and beautiful quality to the pages. Besides teaching the ABC's, you also learn some of the basic terminology of ballet, see the different ballets in action and practice your French. The author/illustrator, who is herself a previous ballet dancer, brings to life ballets ranging from the classics, such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, to the newer ballet, Firebird. The author's passion and knowledge of this enchanting dance is evident in her loving portrayals. This is one of my daughter's absolute favorite books. This book if full of delightful illustrations and has a handy glossary in the back of the book to help with some of those difficult French words and an explanation to the pictures and characters in the illustrations. The book can also be used to help little ones use up some of their energy by practicing some of the moves described in the book. I definitely recommend this book for any little girl, even if she isn't a dancer. The illustrations alone are worth the time.

En Pointe Everyone!

Title: On Your Toes: A Ballet ABC

Author: Rachel Isadora

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

ISBN 0-06-050238

Little Bunny On the Move

It was time for a little bunny

to be on the move.

From here to there,

a bunny goes where a bunny must.

So begins the story of "Little Bunny on the Move" Written and Illustrated by Peter McCarty.
Little Bunny has some place to go, and as we watch his journey, past the farm animals, across the railroad tracks, past the little girl who wants to take him home and then see him at his final destination we are met at every turn with delightful and sweet illustrations that leaves no one wondering why this book was awarded "Best Illustrated Children's Book" by The New York Times Book Review. This is a very simple and easy to understand book, even for extremely young children, but Little Bunny will move his way right into your heart and make his home there. A perfect bedtime or naptime story for everyone to enjoy.

Little Bunny on the Move
Peter McCarty
Henry Holt and company, LLC
ISBN 0-8050-4620-8

Welcome

Welcome to

Under the Polka Dot Tree...

...with Olivia and Annabelle.

A place to find reading suggestions for your little ones and a place to share your own.