My Heart by Corinna Luyken

My Heart by Corinna Luyken was published in 2019. I bought this book because I love The Book of Mistakes.

The art is wonderful and the story shows that people will have good days, bad days, and in between days.

The whimsical illustrations are all in black and yellow.

The book begins, "My heart is a window, my heart is a slide. My heart can be closed or opened up wide. Some days it's a puddle. Some days it's a stain. Some days it is cloudy and heavy with rain." Each line is on a separate page with it's own illustrations. The story continues on and shows the importance of self care and caring for others.

I like this book because it opens the door to talk about emotions. Although this is a children's book, it  could be used in a middle or high school classroom. The same can be said for The Book of Mistakes that follows the growth mindset so well.

This beautiful book makes me excited to see what Luyken will come up with next. She is an author and artist to watch.

Cayli and Brandon donated these cute board books to our NICU book project. Cayli is a fashion and lifestyle blogger. You can find her here. 

Link to our NICU book registry if you'd like to donate books to babies in the newborn intensive care unit so their parents can read to them while they grow. You can also donate gently used books to our project by sending them to me or to Angie. Email me for a mailing address. We can use both English and Spanish books. If you have a graduate of the NICU, or if you have a baby whose life you would like to honor by donating books to this project, let me know, and I can make a book plate with their name for the books you donate.

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz was published in 2005, and this retelling of The Ugly Duckling is a perfect book for autumn. The drawings are really cute as you follow the story of the Ugly Pumpkin who no one wants for Halloween.

The Ugly Pumpkin begs for people to accept him, but he is refused at every turn, until he comes upon a group of squash and finds where he belongs just in time for Thanksgiving.

I love the bright colors in the story looks just right for autumn. The facial expressions are spot on and help a young child see emotions.

Michelle and her grandson, Lucas, brought over 12 books for the NICU this week, and I forgot to take pictures of them until after I made packets and taped them shut. This is what our packets look like. Each baby gets one. 

I appreciate your donations to our project. 

Link to our NICU book registry if you'd like to donate books to babies in the newborn intensive care unit so their parents can read to them while they grow. You can also donate gently used books to our project by sending them to me or to Angie. Email me for a mailing address. We can use both English and Spanish books. If you have a graduate of the NICU, or if you have a baby whose life you would like to honor by donating books to this project, let me know, and I can make a book plate with their name for the books you donate.

The Lonely Moose by John Segal

The Lonely Moose by John Segal was published in 2007. I'm not sure if the title is the right title for this story at the beginning. The story begins with a moose who lives alone, but he seems okay with his solitude. One day he saves a drowning bird that is unable to fly and they become friends.

Moose struggles to deal with the noise of bird and tells bird to be quiet often. Moose tries a worm offered by bird, but finds the taste revolting. The facial expressions are cute in this book and add to the story. When bird learns to fly, moose is once again alone, only this time he no longer enjoys his solitude. He is now a Lonely Moose.

There is a surprise ending that will mean more adjusting for moose. As a person who values solitude, I could relate with moose in this story. I don't want to be lonely but quiet can be nice.

We've had a few donations to our NICU book project.

Britney Shaw sent these books:

Angie found these at her local Savers during their half price book sale:

A mystery donor gave Angie $3, and I found a great book sale and bought these five books:

I value all our donations. This project began as a way to honor my babies who did not survive pregnancy, and your donations show that their lives mattered. Thank you.


Link to our NICU book registry if you'd like to donate books to babies in the newborn intensive care unit so their parents can read to them while they grow. You can also donate gently used books to our project by sending them to me or to Angie. Email me for a mailing address. We can use both English and Spanish books. If you have a graduate of the NICU, or if you have a baby whose life you would like to honor by donating books to this project, let me know, and I can make a book plate with their name for the books you donate.