Happy Mother's Day!

     

       "The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation."--- James E. Faust

     In honor of this very special day, we are shining a spotlight on some tales that are not only perfect cuddling up and sharing together with your little ones, but highlight the most special relationship between a mother and her child.  

     It is my hope that you'll find some lovely stories that will not only honor a mother's (grandmother's and all of the exceptional, significant individuals who play an integral maternal-like role in our lives) wise, warm and caring ways, but shows how their love shines in our hearts.

Just Fishing with Grandma

     Yet another delightful "Little Critter" story from the popular series from Mercer Mayer (with his wife Gina), as our tale begins, all Little Critter wants to do one sunny morning is to fish.  He asks his Dad, Mom and Grandpa, and they are all busy with other chores, when Grandma says that she'll take him out fishing.  Excited, Little Critter and Grandma and Little Critter make it out to Lake Pookatookee, where Grandma shows Little Critter the proper way to put the worm on the hook of his new fishing pole.  But, soon, Little Critter and Grandma see that the best laid plans often go awry (fishing rods that get tangled and then 'taken' by the fish!!).  With patience, understanding and a little bit of cleverness on Grandma's part, the day still turns out memorable. 

Just Fishing with Grandma

Written by Gina & Mercer Mayer

Published by Harper Festival, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2003)

ISBN: 978-0-06-147808-6

Through Your Eyes- My Child's Gift to Me   

     This stunningly beautiful picture book which is the follow up to author Ainsley Earhardt's previous 2016 debut (the New York Times bestseller, Take Heart, My Child: A Mother's Dream) celebrates a mother's joy of the dreams and hopes she has when her child is born.  As we all have the tendency to race through life, we should all stop and draw upon the wisdom and perspectives from our children to to serve as a reminder of what not only is important in life, but what should be celebrated and remembered.  These are the simple, everyday joys, miracles and the quiet pleasures of life.

Through Your Eyes- My Child's Gift to Me

Written by Ainsley Earhardt & Illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim

Published by Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster (2017)

ISBN: 978-1-5344-0959-0

A Spotlight Flashback from May 2013!----The Berenstain Bears:  We Love Our Mom! 

     My family, like so many of yours, have been longtime fans of the lovable Berenstain Bears family collection of stories (okay, well, I'll just come right out now and admit it- I love ANYTHING with bears!).  When my son was a baby, I cherished the times that we cuddled together on the living room couch or in my rocking chair at bedtime, reading so many of Jan & Stan Berenstain's bear family adventures. And as a parent, I appreciated all of the morals and lesson's that my little boy learned along the way through reading their many lovable tales.

     Jan and her son, Mike Berenstain, do not disappoint in this latest tale, where we find Brother, Sister and little Honey Bear on the hunt for ideas for what they can do to honor their beloved Mama Bear on Mother's Day. Your little readers will clearly see from the delightful and comforting illustrations just how truly selfless Mama Bear is, as she does everything to make her family of little (and big!) cubs happy. Flashbacks from the young cubs show Mama Bear tending to Brother's scraped knee; sewing popped buttons back on their shirts and always making their favorite, yummy, bear-shaped pancakes for breakfast.  When recalling all of these wonderful things that their Mama Bear does for them all each and every day, they soon realize that they just have to do something truly special for her but they just don't know what to do. And, just when you think that the bears will not be able to come up with anything, inspiration strikes while on a visit to their Grizzly Gran and Gramps house, and the creativity and fun begins!

     An added bonus to this sweet book is the do-it-yourself, "My Mama's Book" where you and your children can create their very own scrapbook for their special moms just like Brother, Sister and Honey Bea

The Berenstain Bears:  We Love Our Mom!

Written & Illustrated by Jan & Mike Berenstain

Publisher: Harper Festival, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN: 9780062075475

Our First Throw Back Thursday Tale-- Revisiting "Canary in the Cold Mine" by Madelyn Rosenberg

      Every Thursday, we're going to throw it back in time for a look back at some very special posts from the beginnings of this blog.  For those who have newly found their way here- Welcome!!  It is my hope that this spotlight may provide you with a welcome visit of some tales that you have missed; while for those who have regularly stopped by, not only do I thank you, but I hope this regular spotlight is a sweet reminder of a tale that you might want to pick up and read again.

     For this very first "Throw Back Thursday Tale", please enjoy Canary in the Cold Mine by Madelyn Rosenberg.

https://amodestmommasmusingsforlittlereaders.blogspot.com/2013/06/canary-in-coal-mine-by-madelyn-rosenberg.html

It Came in the Mail

     When I was a little girl, I was always so excited to receive a letter or a card in the mail.  The thrill I received at that time when I held an envelope in my hands with my name on it made me feel so lucky and important.  On those occasions when I found myself not so lucky when nothing arrived in our shiny bronze mailbox right by the front door of my childhood home for me, I can look back to my feelings of disappointment and can immediately identify with the character of Liam in author Ben Clanton's adorable and expressive tale, It Came in the Mail.  

     As our tale begins, all that little Liam really wants in the whole wide world is to receive some mail.  Every day, every hour and every few seconds, Liam dutifully checks his mailbox, only to be disappointed each and every time. So, he figures that the very best way that he can go about making his wish come true is to ask the very thing that delivers it. Pen and paper in hand, Liam writes a letter to his mailbox and places it in the box. Shaking, quaking, and making noises that Liam has never heard from it before, his trusty mailbox soon delivers on Liam's request.  His first piece of mail to Liam was not your ordinary card or letter--- oh no! Mailbox decides to put it all out there and sends Liam a Dragon!  

     Soon, Mailbox starts to quickly send Liam more mail than he could have ever wished for!  Pickles! Pigs!  Even a gigantic whale with wings! But, soon, Liam's wish quickly turns into a problem, as the overflowing envelopes and packages begin to pile up. What will Liam do with all these packages?  Will Liam ever be able to convince Mailbox to stop?  

     It Came in the Mail is filled with simple, detailed yet whimsical watercolor illustrations throughout, and I loved the touches of visuals of postcards and postage stamps throughout the tale. Your little ones will learn a true and valuable life lesson in Clanton's story that a wish is even better when one is given an opportunity to share it with others.

It Came in the Mail

Written & Illustrated by Ben Clanton

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2016)

For Ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 978-148-140-3603

Little Wing Learns to Fly

 

     "There are only two lasting bequests that we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings."---Johann Wolfgang von Gothe. 

    Roots will always provide our children with a sense of home; they will give them a strong, steady foundation that will help them stay grounded amidst the troubled world that we sadly are seeing around us of late. The wings that we give them, while they may take them elsewhere in life, they will always carry with them the lessons that the roots provided them with to soar and achieve their goals and dreams.  

    As we watch our little ones develop those wings and learn how to fly, it's only natural that we experience feelings of anxiousness, nervousness and trepidation, as we try, at the same time, to balance showing them how far their wings can take them.  Such is the case for a momma dragon as written in this beautiful, coming-of-age story by author Calista Brill in Little Wing Learns to Fly. 

     As our tale begins, Little Wing has been trying very hard to fly.  But, even though that every attempt so far has led him to "Flip...Flap...Flop" he is determined to never give up. However, Little Wing knows that today is the day.  While his mother gently tries to persuade her little dragon to rest, Little Wing tries once more.  "A dragon never gives up," he says, and suddenly, instead of ending with a "Flop"  this time, Little Wing flutters and starts to go airborne!  As his mother tries to tell him the three rules, the wind catches Little Wing high up in the clouds, and deep into the dark forest.  What happens to Little Wing? Will his newly found wings take him back  home?

     Brill's story is so heartfelt and engaging. With its strong message of hard work, perseverance, and the understanding that while no matter how small or how big we become, we all will always need help sometimes along our journey.  Jennifer A. Bell's stunning illustrations, especially those for when Little Wing's flight takes him into the dark forest, away from his mother, will capture you in. 

Little Wing Learns to Fly

Written by Calista Brill and Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell

Published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2016)

For Ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 978-0-06-236033-5

A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins

     

    "Once upon a time," as author and illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins leads us into her debut storybook,  A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals, "there was a very hungry lion and some adorable little animals"..., a kitten, a mouse, two bunnies that have floppy and un-floppy ears, a bat, a turtle, among others. The hungry lion and his adorable friends happily gather together, when, suddenly, with a quick turn of the page, some of the animals go missing. One by one, his little friends disappear, when only who remains is the hungry lion and a little turtle.  The hungry lion quickly becomes confused when the lights go out, only to be greeted by his original group of friends gathered around a beautifully delicious looking birthday cake.  Our hungry lion looks among his friends enjoying the party with a mischievous smile, when he decides to turn out the lights. But, the tables soon turn on the hungry lion, leading to a twist at the very end that will leave you and your readers completely surprised! The illustrations, brightly colored with hues of red and charcoal, work alongside the story line effortlessly as readers soon discover that while you might not always be able to trust a famished lion, there just might be be a bigger eater waiting in the wings!

        Now, understandably, some may find Cummins tale to be perhaps a bit dark for the intended age group (between 4 to 8 years old), and they may feel hesitant about introducing it to their more sensitive little ones (they will question just where exactly, did all the other animals go--- did they disappear or did they end up in the stomach of the hungry lion?) .  If your little one is delicate to stories with subtly dark overtones, this just may not be a book for them to read at this stage.  However, there will also be some may find that the authors irreverent humorous story line to be refreshing, that their readers are able to handle the authors clever filled tale and use it as means discussing the concepts of making predictions, developing counting skills, and using their imagination wondering what they think may come next.

A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals 

Written & Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins 

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster (2016)

For ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 978-1-4814-4889-5

Finding Spring by Carin Berger

      The unmistakable signs that Spring is nearing- Trees with newly formed buds; bulbs popping out from the warming earth opening up to the longer lit days ahead; birds beginning their migrating journey back north, these welcome beacons always bring forth renewal and excitement to all from the long, cold winter months. 

     But, for one  impatient little bear named Maurice who lives in the forest, Spring is something that he's heard all about, yet, hasn't had a chance to experience it yet.  And, his natural curiosity sets him out on a journey all about "Finding Spring" in this thoroughly engaging tale from writer/illustrator Carin Berger.

     As our tale begins, Maurice is filled with anticipation about Spring- "Where is it?"  "What is it?" "When will it arrive?" questioning Mama Bear who is trying to gently guide her little cub to their den after filling their tummies with berries in preparation for their hibernation.   "Waiting is hard," says Mama Bear to her cub, as she tries to lull Maurice to his slumber.  As Mama Bear starts to drift off in a deep, snore filled rest, Maurice remains wide awake, determined to find Spring.

    Into the woods Maurice travels, encountering fellow forest friends who are busily preparing themselves for the long winter ahead of them.  For each of the forest friends who question what Maurice is looking for, when he states that he's in search of Spring, they dismiss him, until Maurice wanders off alone, continuing his search.  Suddenly, a beautiful crystal comes out of no where,  cold to the touch on his nose as it bounces off and lands into his paw.  Could this be Spring?  Is this the sign that he has been looking for all along? Will Maurice ever find his Spring? 

     The warm llustrations designed in a cut papered collage style are filled with vibrant colors and textures, the perfect compliment to Berger's inspiring yet gentle story line.  This is a definite pick for your home library shelf for your little one's inquisitiveness about the changing seasons. 

Finding Spring

Written & Illustrated by Carin Berger

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

For Ages 4 to 8 

ISBN: 978-0-06-225019-3

Please Visit the Author's Website at: http://www.carinberger.com/NEWS/Carin_Berger_News.html

Little Butterfly by Laura Logan

     

     Butterflies have long been known to be symbols synonymous of transformation, hope, faith and rebirth, as they, like us, go through so many cycles of life.  From their earliest beginnings as larva, to the caterpillar that enters the chrysalis stage, emerging finally into a beautiful, graceful butterfly.  In essence, through the periods of darkness and uncertainty in our lives, there is always light. This light can also appear to us in many earthly forms, as gentle assurances and reminders, especially from those above us that we loved but lost at some point in our lives that their presence has never left our side.

     Quite like the experiences of many of you during this past year dealing with the pandemic and how things changed our lives, our family too, and those of many of my loved ones, has had it's unfortunate fair share of periods of darkness and uncertainty.  It was during these times that I learned how all together it is easy for one to succumb to the shadows, and started to neglect the things that once brought me great joy and fulfillment, which include writing for you all.  Somehow through it all, I found a new inner strength that helped me to find all those signs of light and hope, like those that butterflies bring to us, lifting me out of the shadows to see the sunshine in life once again.  So, it is no wonder that my first entry back for you all is of an powerful picture book that shares these very same lessons with your little ones in a thoughtful, yet simple way they will be able to understand.

    Little Butterfly is a beautifully illustrated, wordless picture book from Laura Logan,  An engaging, yet profound tale of a young girl, whose simple act of kindness leads her into a magical journey through the wonders that nature brings to us all.  As our tale begins, a little girl arrives back home after a day at school.  As she walks to her home, she is unbeknownst to her, followed by a lovely lithe monarch butterfly.  She greets her pet cat, and begins to play with him, when the cat manages to capture the butterfly in its claws.  The little girl is able to release the butterfly from her cats clutches, only to notice a tear in it's wings. She holds the wounded butterfly tenderly in her hands when it suddenly flies off.  While she is visibly saddened by the actions of her cat, she picks him up, forgives and cradles him as they drift off to a nap.  As she sleeps, the little girl is suddenly awakened from her slumber by hundreds of monarchs, who together, lift her up to join them on a captivating journey, rewarding her kindness in helping a broken butterfly regain it's wings and courage.  

     Your little ones will be able to learn that what appears to be broken doesn't necessarily mean that we should treat it with any lesser value.  When we reach out to help those who are broken, beautiful blessings and results can happen as an end result.  

Little Butterfly

Written & Illustrated by Laura Logan

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN: 9780062281265

For Ages 4 to 8