Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Mother  Goose  Bruce by Ryan T Higgins was published in 2015 and is an Ezra Jack Keats honor book. Recently Michelle Aikeen donated a copy of this book to the NICU, so I had to order one for my home library.

This book is wonderful and the illustrations are so much fun. This is the story of Bruce a grump of a bear that lives alone. He doesn't like anything, not sun nor rain, not cute little animals. He only likes eggs and he collects (steals) them from all over the forest. He doesn't eat plain eggs; he looks up fancy recipes on the internet.

One day he wants to make hard-boiled goose eggs drizzled with honey-salmon sauce. He goes to the forest to collect all the ingredients, but when he tries to boil the eggs, he fire goes out. While he's out getting more wood, the eggs have hatched and he has become Mother Bruce. "Bruce was the victim of mistaken identity."

Since he can't return the goslings, he tries to get them to leave him alone, but they have imprinted on him, and he is stuck being Mother Bruce.

The bear's expressions are wonderful as he deals with his four new babies. This is fun take on Mother Goose.

I also bought Hotel Bruce, and there is a whole series of books with Mother Bruce. Book buying never ends. There is always another cute book to bring home.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard and Valeria Petrone

Potty Animals by Hope Vestergaard and illustrated by Valeria Petrone was published in 2010 and is one of the cutest potty books I've seen. The title page says, "Potty Animals What to Know When You've Gotta Go!"

Each page highlights one animal and the mistake they often make when going potty.

For instance, "Wilma tends to wait too long. She always keeps on playing. She doesn't want to lose her turn, or miss what kids are saying. So Wilma hops from foot to foot. She waits and waits and waits. And when it's time, she has to race . . . but sometimes she's too late!"

Wilbur the hedgehog doesn't wash his hands, Arnold the alligator has bad aim, Freddie the rabbit is afraid to flush, Helga the goose spends too long in the bathroom, Benji barges right in, Roxanne doesn't go before getting on the bus, Stanley pees outside, Georgie doesn't like to wipe, Farley doesn't close the door, and so on.

This is a cute and funny book that addresses all the things little kids need to remember when going potty even down to remembering to zip your pants. The illustrations are bright and colorful.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

Treasures in my Little Free Library

One of the benefits of having a Little Free Library is that people leave amazing books inside. Two children's books were recently placed inside by an unknown benefactor, and my grandkids love both of these books. They will be residing here for now so that I can share them with all of my grandchildren.

The first book is I'm Not Afraid of the Dark by Helena Harastova and illustrated by Jakub Cenkl. This book was published in 2017 and has fun slider pages that are heavy duty so that children can play with them safely.

In this story, a little boy is afraid of the dark. He sees scary things, but when your child turns on the light by pulling the slider, he sees what is there isn't scary at all. By the end of the book, he decides he's no longer afraid of the dark.

The illustrations are a lot of fun, and it's a hit with all the grandkids.

The second book that was left is Press Here by Herve Tullet and was published in 2010. This book is incredibly interactive. The pages are sturdy and wipeable if fingerprints end up on them. This book asks you to press on the yellow dot and when you turn the page, you discover what your action has done.

Before turning each page, you or the child will do what is asked. This book is fun and delightful and is a big hit with my grandchildren. The pictures are all dots, and you will see just how much fun dots can be.

I've really enjoyed my Little Free Library. We are charter number 88672. You are welcome to find us on the map and come take a book or leave a book.

An anonymous benefactor donated twelve board books to our project. These are just the right size for little hands. Thanks for the books.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

Sweetgirl by Travis Mulhauser

Sweetgirl by Travis Mulhauser was published in 2016. I really enjoyed this book because it shows just what addiction looks like when it has reached its end stages.

Blurb from Barnes and Noble: "As a blizzard bears down, Percy James sets off to find her troubled mother, Carletta. For years, Percy has had to take care of herself and Mama—a woman who’s been unraveling for as long as her daughter can remember. Fearing Carletta is strung out on meth and that she won’t survive the storm, Percy heads for Shelton Potter’s cabin, deep in the woods of Northern Michigan. A two-bit criminal, as incompetent as he his violent, Shelton has been smoking his own cook and grieving the death of his beloved Labrador, Old Bo.

"But when Percy arrives, there is no sign of Carletta. Searching the house, she finds Shelton and his girlfriend drugged into oblivion—and a crying baby girl left alone in a freezing room upstairs. From the moment the baby wraps a tiny hand around her finger, Percy knows she must save her—a split-second decision that is the beginning of a dangerous odyssey in which she must battle the elements and evade Shelton and a small band of desperate criminals, hell-bent on getting that baby back.

"Knowing she and the child cannot make it alone, Percy seeks help from Carletta’s ex, Portis Dale, who is the closest thing she’s ever had to a father. As the storm breaks and violence erupts, Percy will be forced to confront the haunting nature of her mother’s affliction and finds her own fate tied more and more inextricably to the baby she is determined to save."

I liked Percy James. She was a realistic character who is in a horrible situation, yet she does her best to do the right thing. This would make a good Hi/Low book because of the fast pace and high interest content. The font size is larger and there is plenty of white space on the page.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved how vivid he paints a picture of what he writes. I felt like I was watching a movie while I read. The setting, the characters, the smells, everything came alive for me. I love an author that has the ability to do that. I'll be looking to read more of his work.

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 Magic Half by Annie Barrows

The Magic Half by Annie Barrows was published in 2008 and is a great middle grade tale of magic and time travel.

Miri is sandwiched in between two sets of twins. She has older twin brothers, and younger twin sisters, so she often feels left out. Her family buys an old home, and one day when Miri has been sent to her room for hitting her brother with a shovel (he deserved it, but she shouldn't have used a shovel), she finds the single lens from a pair of glasses. She peeks through this lens and is transported to another time. She is still in her room, but a girl named Molly says it is her room and believes that Miri is a fairy who has come to save her.

Barrows got the sibling rivalry down well. Their arguments and fights are realistic. I grew up in a large family and sometimes the fights can get a bit intense. I also found the mother's reactions realistic.

There were some issues that I thought would end up being plot holes, but Barrows filled in all the gaps. There were scary parts, but not too scary for middle grade. I would have loved this book when I was in elementary school, and I'm excited to share it with Callie and Kayana.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman was published in 2018, and I'll bet this will be used in many classrooms as a read aloud. 

The illustrations by Kaufman were based on her daughters school that celebrates diversity. She created a poster to use at their school and other schools. This poster is on the back of the dust jacket. When Penfold saw this poster, she was inspired to write the words to this book. 

I love the message of inclusion in this story. Thanks for recommending it to me, Michelle. 

"Pencils sharpened in their case. 
Bells are ringing, let's make haste. 
School's beginning, dreams to chase.
All are welcome here."

"No matter how you start your day.
What you wear when you play.
Or if you come from far away.
All are welcome here."

"In our classroom safe and sound.
Fears are lost and hope is found.
Raise your hand, we'll go around.
All are welcome here."

The story covers a school day and life outside the school where all are welcome.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

Bennett Cerf's Pop-Up Limericks

Bennett Cerf's Pop-Up Limericks was published in 1967 and this 52 year old book is in great condition. Every so often, I come across a treasure at the thrift store. I only paid 55 cents for this book.

The limericks in this book are cute and the pop-ups all work.

"A mouse in her room woke Miss Dowd.
She was frightened, it must be allowed.
Then a happy thought hit her:
To scare off the critter,
She climbed down from her chair and meowed."

 "There was a young lady of Crete
Who was so incredibly neat,
that when rising from bed
she stood on her head
To make sure of not soiling her feet." 

This book is out of print, but it's so cute.

Angela Jensen is a consistent supporter of our book project. I'm excited for the babies to get these books. Giggle, Giggle, Quack is such a fun book. Thanks, Angela.                                   

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers was published in 2006, and I was lucky enough to find a copy in a local little free library. This book even has a bite mark cut out of the back the cover as part of its design.

Henry is a little boy who loves books so much that he eats them. He finds that when he eats books, he becomes smarter. His brain absorbs whatever knowledge is in the book.

He starts eating more and more books with an unfortunate result. The pictures depicting the result are fun. He learns that he can read books and still gain knowledge without any bad side effects.

This book is a must have for the book lover in your life.

I  received another package from the family of Liam and for whatever reason, these packages seem to come on the day I need them most. These darling board books came from Jason and Lori Krause.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

Mutt Dog by Stephen Michael King

Mutt Dog by Stephen Michael King was published in 2005 and is a tender story about a homeless dog.

"In the city lives a dog who belonged to no-one. He had to be brave, and fast, and smart, just to survive. He ate whatever he could find. And looked for a new place to sleep every night."

"Go Away, you Mutt!"

In his travels, he tries to find a home, but things don't look hopeful. This story has a sweet ending and the pictures are just right for the text. If you have a dog lover in your life, they will like this story.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.

Where Will You Go, Ricky Jo? by Tom Murdoch and Marina Veselinovic

Where Will You Go, Ricky Jo? written by Tom Murdoch and illustrated by Marina Veselinovic was published in 2018. The author, Tom Murdoch, recently sent me two copies of this book for our NICU book project.

I like the size of this book. It's about 8 inches by 8 inches. This book is a well made hardback with heavy pages which will help it last longer.

The illustrations are cute and colorful, and the story takes the reader on a dream adventure.

Ricky Jo goes to the shoe store, the park, the ocean, a farm, and the mountains. He rides on a firetruck, an airplane, and a horse. The story is fun to read as it has rhythm and rhyme.

Thank you, Tom, for sending books for the littlest of readers.

Read to a child today even if that child is 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.