Mama Always Comes Home by Karma Wilson

What it's About: This book discusses how all moms have to leave their babies occasionally. It is a natural thing for moms to go away, but that they always miss their babies and they always come home,

Why I Like It: It's a sincere and lovingly written book that gives me "warm fuzzies" when I read it.

What it Teaches: It helps children and moms know that it is ok to have to leave each other sometimes, and that even though they miss each other while they are apart, they will be together again soon. It shows that even animals have to leave their babies, but they always come back home.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

What it's about: It's time for little llama to go to bed. Mama kisses him and tucks him in bed, but when she leaves plenty of llama drama ensues. Little llama wants his mama, but she's busy and can't come right away. Llama cries and screams and finally mama comes rushing back and tells him not to worry, she is always near.

Why I like it: Just looking at the cover makes me snicker a bit. The illustrator truly captures the emotion llama feels when left alone in his room, and for added giggles llama's stuffed toy always displays facial expressions identical to llama's.

What it teaches: A very helpful book for children who have trouble going to bed at night, and it's great for teaching kids to read with expression. I also use it to show children how to draw characters with lots of detail and emotion.

Interested?

Click here to see how much it sells for on Amazon

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

What it's about: A witch and her cat take a ride on her broomstick, but she keeps losing things and has to land to search for each item. She has trouble finding her things, but other animals search them out and then ask if there is "room on the broom" for each of them. At the end, the witch gets caught by a dragon and her new friends come to the rescue.

Why I like it: Because of the different voices of the animals, it's fun to read this book with lots of expression. I also love the friendly personality of the witch and how her good deeds come back to her when she needs help.

Skills it teaches: This book teaches a lesson on the benefits of friendship. It is also great for teaching expression and rhyming skills. (I know...another rhyming book!)

Interested?
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The Magic Hat by Mem Fox

What it's about: A hat blows into town one day and transforms whoever wears it into an animal

Why I like it: It has a repetitive phrase that is fun to read together..."Oh the magic hat, the magic hat! It moves like this it moves like that!"

Skills it teaches: It's great for teaching kids to look at the pictures and make predictions on what will happen next. It is also a fun rhyming book.

Interested?
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Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd

What's it about:
A cat that is friendly and fun during the day, but turns into a thief at night.

Why I like it:
It has fun illustrations (I love the cat's facial expressions) and a good reading rhythm

Skills it teaches:
It is a rhyming book, but I love it even more because of the great expression and use of fun words like "pilfer," "fiendish" and "rapscallion."

Interested?
Click here to see how much it sells for on Amazon