Ditchdiggers

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Ditchdiggers

Like lean giraffes about the building site,
With questing noses tilted to the sky,
They stand, a still and silent little herd,
And let the world go by...

Until the whistle blows.  And then they turn
With lowered heads, travel and work and wheel,
Grabbing great gobbets of the yellow clay
To toss it into trucks, tireless as steel...

Until the whistle blows again.  And then,
With noses tilted up against the sky,
They stand, a still and silent little herd,
And let the world go by.

~ Lydia Pender

I wanted to post a poem about work for Labor Day and finally decided on this one, even though it's talking about machines that are working, not people.  I love the image of diggers as a giraffe herd!  I've always been reminded of long-necked dinosaurs, myself, but I can also see them as giraffes.

Wishing you all a wonderful Labor Day!

Fun Books for New Readers

Ben, reading with some friends, April 2012

As part of his Kindergarten homework, Ben is supposed to read out loud for at least 15 minutes after school every day.  Luckily, this has not been a struggle -- he loves to read, and can often be found with a book or two, even when it's not homework time.  We own a few "easy readers", and always bring several home whenever we visit the library, too.  I thought I'd share some of the books that Ben's read to me recently.  Some of these are actually marketed as books for beginning readers.  Others are not, but they use simple language.  All of them are also great stories for parents and others to read aloud to those who aren't reading on their own yet.

Snug House, Bug House, written by Susan Schade and illustrated by Jon Buller, 1994... A group of bugs find a tennis ball and turn it into a cozy home for all of them.  Short phrases and rhymes make this a fun book for all ages.

Moongame, written and illustrated by Frank Asch, 1984...  When Bear learns to play hide-and-seek, he decides to play the game with the moon.  Asch uses simple words and sentences to tell this gentle story.  This used to be one of my daughter Emmalie's favorite books, and she would beg to hear it again and again at bedtime!

Cars Galore, written by Peter Stein and illustrated by Bob Staake, 2011...  Ben found this book at the library, and couldn't wait to read it!  With its rhythmic verse and whimsical illustrations, this is an entertaining book for everyone -- but especially for vehicle enthusiasts like Ben.

Go to Bed, Monster!, written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz, 2007...  Lucy does not want to go to bed -- she wants to draw.  But when she creates Monster with her crayons, all he wants to do is play.  When Lucy finally gets tired, she must figure out a way to get Monster to go to bed.  Ben and I both loved this silly, imaginative book!

Sir Small and the Dragonfly, written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by John O'Brien, 1988... In the land of Pee Wee, no one is taller than a toothpick.  When Lady Teena is captured by a dragonfly, the brave Sir Small and his trusty ant ride off to find and rescue her.  I remember hearing this book for the first time many years ago, when Emmalie was learning to read.  I found it to be a funny, clever story back then, and it still makes me smile today.

The Cat in the Hat, written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss, 1957... The Cat in the Hat knows all kinds of fun games to play when it's cold and wet outside.  Unfortunately, his games -- and his friends Thing One and Thing Two -- create a huge mess in the house... and Mother will be home soon.  I had a copy of this book when I was a little girl, and I loved reading it with my parents. Filled with Dr. Seuss' distinctive rhymes and zaniness, this book is truly a classic!

The rest of these are short chapter books:

Frog and Toad Are Friends, written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, 1970... Frog and Toad are the best of friends, and they do everything together, from swimming to telling stories to searching for lost buttons. Lobel created a series of books about these two that also includes Frog and Toad Together (1972), Frog and Toad All Year (1976), and Days With Frog and Toad (1979).  Each one is a delightful, humorous tale of friendship that will resonate with children and adults alike.

Houndsley and Catina, written by James Howe and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay, 2007... The first in a series of four books about this dog and cat pair, this chapter book begins with Catina wanting to become a famous writer.  The only problem is, the book she wrote is terrible.  Meanwhile, her friend Houndsley loves to cook and enters a cooking contest.  In the end, the two realize that friendship is more important -- and more fulfilling -- than being famous.  We haven't read the other volumes in the series yet, but Ben and I really enjoyed the light comedy and cute illustrations in this one.

Poppleton and Friends, written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Mark Teague, 1998... Through a sequence of silly events, Poppleton the pig, Hudson the mouse, and Cherry Sue the llama learn that friends are the secret to a long, happy life.  When we checked this out from the library, I didn't realize that it was the second book in a series of eight.  We haven't read the others yet, but plan to look for them next time!

What are some of your favorite "easy readers"?  Ben and I would love suggestions for new books to try!

Oh, magic hour!

Ben reading Leaves in Fall, by Martha E. H. Rustad

"Oh, magic hour,
when a child first knows
she can read printed words!" 
~ Betty Smith,
from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943

Over the past couple of months, Benjamin has been learning how to read.  I love to watch his eyes light up with understanding and pride as he reads aloud to me after school every day.  "I read that page all by myself, Mommy!" he'll say, or "I know that word!"  We've been checking out lots of "easy reader" books from the library for him.  I also went through all of our books at home, pulling out the ones that are for beginning readers.  I thought I'd share a few of our favorites here: 

Cat Traps, written and illustrated by Molly Coxe, 1996... My sister bought this for my daughter Emmalie when she was learning to read.  All three of my kids have enjoyed the rhymes and silliness in this book!  Cat wants a snack, and keeps setting traps in order to get one, with unexpected consequences....

Cookie's Week, written by Cindy Ward and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, 1997... This is another fun story about a mischievous cat who keeps getting into trouble.  I love dePaola's colorful illustrations, as well.

Send It, written and illustrated by Don Carter, 2003... This book follows a package as it travels from its sender to the recipient's home.  Containing pictures of several vehicles -- mail trucks, trains, airplanes -- this will especially appeal to those kids interested in things that go!

Trucks, written by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Ivanke & Lola, 2009... Another book for vehicle buffs, kids and parents will enjoy the rhyming text and the interesting illustrations.  (Benjamin spent quite a bit of time looking at all the little details in the pictures!)

 When kids are ready to start reading some longer books, here are a few that I recommend:

Are You My Mother?, written and illustrated by P. D. Eastman, 1960... A baby bird hatches, then tries to find the mother he's never seen before.  My kids and I have always appreciated the humor in this book, as the bird meets various creatures -- a dog, a cow, a "snort" -- and wonders if they are his mother.

Little Bear, written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, 1978... This book contains 4 short, sweet stories about Little Bear, his mother, and his friends: "What Will Little Bear Wear?", "Birthday Soup", "Little Bear Goes to the Moon", and "Little Bear's Wish".  Minarik's simple text and Sendak's tender drawings complement each other very well, creating a classic that's delighted children and their parents for over three decades now. 

Surprise in the Tree, written by Sara Asheron and illustrated by Susan Perl, 1962... I've owned this book since I was a little girl, learning to read myself.  About a  young boy named Jerry and his inquisitive kitten, Penny (who keeps him on his toes), this story still makes me smile.   Along with the story itself, I have always loved the whimsical drawings by Perl.

I'd love to get suggestions for new books to look for at the library, for Ben to check out and read to me.  What are your favorite Early Reader books?  

Things That Go

Photo courtesy of
 PublicDomainPictures.net

I have never really been very interested in cars or trucks or planes.  However, after being married to a train aficionado for almost 20 years and then becoming the mother of a little boy who's obsessed with vehicles of any kind, I've come to appreciate "things that go" a bit more than I used to!  I've certainly read many, many books about them.  The following are some of my son Benjamin's favorite vehicle books.  (I recommend them, too!)

My Big Truck Book (2002)

and My Big Train Book (2003),

both by Roger Priddy

 

from My Big Truck Book

These large board books are perfect for toddlers who love vehicles.  Colorful photographs, specific truck and train names, and occasional details about the vehicles help kids (and clueless adults, like me) learn all about them.

Freight Train,
written and illustrated by Donald Crews, 1989

This one is a family favorite.  We originally bought it for my daughter Emmalie when she was a baby.  Since then, my husband and I have read it to all three of our kids countless times, and always with sound effects. :)  I love the simple, poetic words and the colorful train.

You Can Name 100 Trucks,
written by Jim Becker and Andy Mayer,
and illustrated by Randy Chewning, 1994

This shaped board book shows all kinds of trucks in their typical settings, doing the work they normally do.  And, if you read this book as many times as I've read it to Ben, you will eventually be able to name 100 different trucks! :)

All Aboard ABC,
by Doug Magee and Robert Newman, 1994

An ABC book about trains, this book features photographs and technical terms that railroad fans will love!

The Little Engine That Could,
written by Watty Piper, 1930,
this version illustrated by Christina Ong

I remember loving this classic as a child, and I still enjoy reading it aloud.  There are many versions of this story available, but each one celebrates the Little Blue Engine's helpfulness and determined spirit.

Big Machines! Big Buildings!,
(also published as The Lot at the End of My Block),
written by Kevin Lewis
and illustrated by Reg Cartwright, 2001

This cumulative story, in the same vein as The House That Jack Built, is told by a young boy who watches the construction of a building.  It's fun to read (and listen to), and teaches kids about various construction trucks along the way.

Mr. Punnymoon's Train,
written by Alice Hadsell
and illustrated by Katherine L. Phillips, 1951

This was one of my favorite books as a little girl, and this well-worn copy used to belong to my dad when he was a little boy!  Mr. Punnymoon is a train engineer who loves his job.  When he retires, he misses his work.  He decides to build a miniature train for the park, making himself and the children in his town very happy!

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go,
written and illustrated by Richard Scarry, 1974

This was another childhood favorite, of mine and my husband's.  I loved all the Richard Scarry books, not so much for the vehicles, but for the fun animal characters and the amusing, detailed scenes.  One of the parts I liked best about this particular book was searching for Goldbug on every page, something all three of my kids have enjoyed, as well.  Though some of the vehicles featured may never be seen outside a Scarry book (A pencil car?  A banana-mobile?), Cars and Trucks and Things That Go is filled with many real-life vehicles, as well.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,
written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton, 1939

This book was a favorite of my husband's when he was a boy.  Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne, the steam shovel, are a great team, working hard wherever they go.  But with the introduction of new, faster machines -- gas, electric, and diesel shovels -- the duo must prove themselves still useful.  More about friendship and perseverance than the history of steam vs. modern vehicles, this story is a timeless classic.

Katy and the Big Snow,
also written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton, 1943

Katy, a red crawler tractor, does all kinds of work to help out the citizens of Geoppolis, but in the winter, when she is used as a snowplow, she has to wait and wait through their mild winter, doing nothing.  Finally, there is "a big snow", and Katy is the only one who can save the town!  I'm thinking Katy must be related to The Little Blue Engine. :)

Smash! Crash! (a Trucktown book),
(also published as Welcome to Trucktown!)
written by Jon Scieszka
and illustrated by David Shannon,
Loren Long, and David Gordon, 2008

Ben and I discovered the Trucktown books at the library a year or so ago.  I spotted Smash! Crash! on the shelf, and quickly added it to our pile of books, since it was obviously about vehicles and I'd enjoyed some of Sciezka's other work.  When we got home, it was the first book Ben wanted me to read.  We both got a big kick out of the entertaining illustrations and story line!  Since that time, we've checked out every Trucktown book available at our library, titles such as Melvin Might?, Uh-oh Max, and Pete's Party.

Ben also owns the following Trucktown book:

Truckery Rhymes,
also written by Jon Scieszka
and illustrated by David Shannon,
Loren Long, and David Gordon, 2009

Filled with adaptations of familiar nursery rhymes, this is an all-around delightful book.  Ben took it to his preschool one day, for show and tell, and the teacher ended up reading the whole thing aloud because the class enjoyed it so much!

In addition to the books, I found that Sciezka also has a Trucktown website, which offers fun, easy games for young kids.

If I Built a Car,
written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, 2007

My sister gave this book to Ben for his birthday last year.  Imaginative and clever, it is filled with hilarious illustrations and a rhyming story about all the features a young boy would add to a car if he could.

Do you love vehicles, too?  If so, what are some of your favorite books about things that go?