We try to go to the library weekly and while some times we pick out pretty good books, we’ve had our share of not so great reads as well. However, that’s to be expected from time to time and the plus side is we haven’t actually purchased the book.

What a Naughty Bird

In this hilarious rhyming story, one naughty bird flies around the world, pooping on other animals! He goes on a bull on a farm, an elephant in Africa, a wolf in the mountains, and a shark in the sea. It’s all fun and games until the bird goes a step too far and poops on a bear. The bird forgot that bears can climb trees, too, as the bear climbs up when the bird is sleeping to a higher branch and returns the favor!

This Is Not My Hat

When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. . . . Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale

We Found A Hat

Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. . . . Evoking hilarity and sympathy, the shifting eyes tell the tale in this brilliantly paced story in three parts, highlighting Jon Klassen’s visual comedy and deceptive simplicity. The delicious buildup takes an unexpected turn that is sure to please loyal fans and newcomers alike.

A Grand Old Tree

Once there was a grand old tree, whose roots sank deep into the earth and whose arms reached high into the sky. Every spring the grand old tree flowered and bore cherries for the squirrels and birds that made their homes in her leafy branches. And every year, seeds from the tree scattered in the wind, along with many millions of leaves. Mary Newell DePalma creates an emotional tale of life and renewal, of nature’s bounty and quiet balance, illustrated with simple images made powerful with vivid colors and moving compositions.

Max at Night

Max is done being brave, and now it’s time to sleep―all he has to do is say good night. But something’s wrong! When Max goes to say good night to the moon, it’s nowhere to be found. Unable to sleep without finishing his nighttime ritual, Max embarks on a journey to find the moon and wish it a good night.

You Are Not A Cat

This clever and hilarious story stars Cat, who starts out perfectly content and relaxed, and Duck, who infuriates him by meowing like a cat instead of quacking like Cat thinks he should. Written completely in dialogue, this minimalist text by award-winning novelist Sharon G. Flake (in her debut picture book) is fun to read aloud and easy enough for newly independent readers to enjoy on their own. Anna Raff’s humorous and deceptively simple artwork highlights the characters’ personalities, showing Duck’s quirkiness and good humor and Cat’s rising frustration as Duck impersonates a variety of animals, refusing to concede that he is, indeed, a duck. Duck’s silliness will appeal to children who enjoy pretend play, and older siblings will relate to Cat’s annoyance as Duck refuses to leave his side. This concise, funny story is ideal for multiple readings, with playful details in the artwork and humor that never fades.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.

The Little House

Virginia Lee Burton won the Caldecott Medal in 1943 for her memorable picture book The Little House, a poignant story of a cute country cottage that becomes engulfed by the city that grows up around it. The house has an expressive face of windows and doors, and even the feelings of a person, so she’s sad when she’s surrounded by the dirty, noisy city’s hustle and bustle: “She missed the field of daisies / and the apple trees dancing in the moonlight.” Fortunately, there’s a happy ending, as the house is taken back to the country where she belongs. A classic!

Spiders

For the first to third grade set, spiders are fascinating and suitably gruesome, especially when looked at in EXTREME close-up. Amazing images show the beauty and otherworldliness of spiders. Simple, engaging text conveys basic information about spiders as well as cool and quirky facts. One stop-action montage shows a spider leaping twenty times its body length!

Songbirds

This new series is based on the Peterson Identification System, which uses life-like illustrations to help young naturalists make accurate identifications. The design of each book is straightforward, simple, friendly, and easy to use — ensuring the success of beginners. Each of the four new titles in the series (SONGBIRDS, WILDFLOWERS, CATERPILLARS, and BUTTERFLIES) features vibrant color photographs of North American plants, birds, and insects in their natural habitats.

The post What We’re Reading This Week In Our Homeschool! appeared first on As They Grow Up.

The question is, how is our homeschool going? Actually I’m very happy to report that it’s going very smooth. This is our second week back after taking a two-week Christmas break. After having two good weeks back at school, I am not convinced that the boys needed that break. I’m not sure if I mentioned it or not, but over the four years that we have homeschooled, this is the first time we have taken time off for Christmas. We also opted to take a few days off for Thanksgiving this year as well and I think it’s a change that I’m going to keep.

We had snow come in last week over the weekend, and we took that to our advantage and did a few fun activities. The boys made a snow volcano and we also did a snow melting experiment to see which snow would melt faster, the one salt, or the one without. After the both experiments we talked about they happened and had a blast.

We also learned about Jim Henson this week and after our lesson on that, we made a bird marionette. This activity was so fun and simple. We actually found the directions for it on Pinterest and luckily had everything already to make it. I’m still working on planning activities a head of time. This was one of my New Year goals. It’s been a slow progress for sure, but I’m getting better at that.

What Are We Reading:
We just wrapped up reading A Bear Called Paddington. This was a read aloud that I did with both boys. Davis wasn’t overly thrilled with the book, but loved it! When we wrapped up that book, the boys then switched to two different read alouds.

Luke is currently reading Squanto, A Friend To The Pilgrams. This book is complementing his current history lesson really well and he loves it. With Luke I usually only read one chapter aloud at a time, but with this book, he has asked to read more. We have been doing between 2-3 chapters a day spread out. We should have the book finished by tomorrow. 

With Davis I started reading Little House on the Prairie. I felt I was taking a chance with this particular book, but I really wanted him to be familiar with it. In February, our homeschool group is going to be doing a few activities around Little House and Davis has never read any of the books. We has watched the television show, but let’s be honest it. They aren’t exactly like the books. I have attempted Farmer Boy with him a few times and he isn’t a fan, so I have my fingers crossed on this one. The only complaint that I have received from him so far on this book is that the chapters are long. He has a hard time comprehending when it comes to read alouds and I lose him a lot.

So that’s our week in a nutshell. Thanks for reading!!

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Title: Groggle’s Monster Valentine
Author:  Diane Murray
Illustrator: Bats Langley
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Publication Date: January 17, 2017
Genre/Format: Picture Book
Ages: 3-6

Synopsis:

Groggle has been up all night making a Valentine’s Day card. This isn’t just any Valentine, though, and it has to be perfect – it’s for Snarlina, his beast friend in the whole wide world!

Searching in the dark forest, he finds just the right heart-shaped leaves. He collects some bog slime and quirts everything he wants to say in  bold, gooey letters.  Groggle’s creation looks horribly good. But there’s just one problem- gobble, crunch, crunch, slurp! he has a monster Appetite!

Groggle tries again, this time writing poem after poem to make sure he has some extras just in case. He picks skunk flowers, carefully ties on snake bows, and sprinkles shiny beetle glitter. he decorates each card with care. But…gobble, crunch, crunch, slurp! Groggle’s monster impulses foil his efforts and he’s running out of time!

Will Groggle ever be able to tive his toothsome,stomping, monstrous friend Snarlina a Valentine? Find out in this monster of a tale!

About the Author: Diana Murray
Diana Murray is a poet and picture book author whos other books include City Shapes, Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch, and Ned the Knitting Pirate. Diana’s award-winning children’s poems have appeared in many magazines, such as Highlights and Spider. She lives in New York City with her husband, and two very messy children, and a motley crew of lizards, snails, and fish.

About the Illustrator:Bats Langley
Bats Langley grew up in Wolcott, Connecticut, and attended the Rhode Island School of Design. His art has been shown in galleries in New York City, Los Angeles, and Hangzhou, China, and has even been displayed in the United States Capitol building. Mr. Langley has also been a regular contributor to Ladybug and Spider magazines. This is his first picture book. He resides in New York, New York.

My Thoughts:
Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes a super fun book that kids are sure to love!  Groggle’s Monster Valentine is about a little monster named Groggle that wants to make a special Valentine for his beast friend, Snarlina. Problem is, he can’t help but eat all the Valentine’s that he creates for her!  Every one that he makes, he ends up eating. He even makes extras just in case.  Will he ever be able to deliver his beast friend a Valentine?  

This book had my boys laughing the entire time, and the illustrations are amazing!

Groggle’s Monster Valentine can be found at your local book retailer or online at stores like Amazon.

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Have you heard about the new film that’s going to be hitting the theaters on January 27? The film is A Dog’s Purpose and our family is beyond excited to see this film.

Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, Juilet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz and Pooch Hall.

The ones we rescue, rescue us. Watch the trailer for A Dog’s Purpose, in theaters January 27.

Starring Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, with Dennis Quaid and Josh Gad

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Recreate the #ADogsPurpose movie poster using your dog & share using #MyDogsPurpose. Your furry friend could even be featured in the film’s campaign! Get started now: http://unvrs.al/ADPPoster

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$25 Fandango gift code to see A Dog’s Purpose in theaters January 27, A Dog’s Purpose Calendar, Bandana, T-Shirt, Tennis Ball Launcher, and Frisbee

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