Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets is another cool site for parents that offer reading strategies, lessons and activities to help children to read. Check it out J

Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow

One of my habits at work is to look through the customer orders. I like to see what type of book customers like to order and I found it very interesting. Today while looking through the customer orders, I stumble upon this book, Elsa Beskow’s Children of the Forest. It’s such a lovely book with a beautiful illustrations and I fall in love with it. I cannot help myself so, straight away I order a copy for myself. I cannot wait to receive my order and read it to my children. J

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne (Read on 12th January 2012)

Last night I’ve reread Anthony Browne’s Little Beauty to my children. They never get bored with this story and often choose it as our bedtime story selection. But, I admit it myself. This book is fun to read aloud and I don’t mind reading it over, and over again. The story is about a friendship between a gorilla and a very small kitten named Beauty. The gorilla is very special because he had been taught to use a sign language, so he was able to tell his keepers what he wanted. One day, he signed to his keepers that he wanted a friend. So, they give him a little kitten named Beauty and the two of them become close friend. This is a heart-warming tale about friendship and I enjoyed reading it to my children.

Story Time: Books We Read Last Week

Last week was very busy (as usual), but I managed to read three times to my children. Here is the list of books we read last week;

• Tanka Tanka Skunk! By Steve Webb
• Little Beauty by Anthony Browne
• Kisses For Daddy by Frances Watts and David Legge
• My Dad by Anthony Browne
• Sleepyhead by Karma Wilson and John Segal
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Read Aloud at Kinokuniya: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (Read on 14th December 2012)

Last week at my workplace, I read aloud one of my favorite picture book which is Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. Since it's my last public speaking, I chose this title because it was one of the best picture books I’ve ever read and it’s carried a very strong message about love and giving. I’ve been reading this book over and over again to my children during our story time. There are an opposite opinion between my eldest son and my daughter; my son like the little boy but my daughter prefers the tree. But both of them agreed that even though the story is sad but it’s a wonderful story and they love it very much. I hope my colleagues enjoy my speech, get the message from this book and spread the power of love and giving. ^_^

Story Time: Books We Read Last Week

Last week I'm not feeling well because my back in pain again. As a result, I won't be able to read every night to my children. My daughter keep on begging me to read to them even only one book. So I tried my best and managed to read three nights for them. Here is the list of books we read last week:

• Spells by Emily Gravett
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
• Reading Grows by Ellen B. Senisi
• How to Hide a Butterfly and Other Insects by Ruth Hellers

Shopping @ BookXcess on 10th December 2011

Yesterday, we went to Amcorp Mall and brought some books at BookXcess. My daughter very happy especially when I brought her one of The Magic Bookshop Bears series. She asked me to buy the other titles in the series if we go to visit BookXcess again. I promise her that I will buy the entire series if she behave nicely. ^_^

Books We Read Over the Weekend

Last weekend I had a great time with my children. I'm off for three days and I spent most of my time with them. I didn't even have time to open my FB, which is fine with me. Basically, I play with them especially with the youngest one and bring them along with me to do the grocery shopping. Do I have time to read to them? Yes, of course I do. Here is the list of books we read last weekend and loved: 

• Qaroon and His Treasures (Quran Stories) 
• The Emperor of Absurdia by Chris Riddell 
• What's the Time Mr. Wolf? by Lucy M George
• Where's My Teddy by Jez Alborough 
• Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak

Interesting Blog: Growing Bookworms

I found another cool blog about children books at www.GrowingBookworms.com. This blog is very informative and useful. It's helps people to encourage children to love books by providing them book reviews, literacy news, and email newsletter. So, wait no more! Check out this blog and I can assure you will love it!:)

Pansing Partner's Day 2011: There Are Cats In This Book by Viviane Schwarz (Read on 22nd November 2011)

This time I only bought one book from Pansing Partner's Day which is Viviane Schwarz's There are Cats In This Book. Previously, I've bought her second book about cats called There Are No Cats In This Book at Bookxcess. My children are in love with Tiny, Moonpie and Andre (the lovely cats in this book). They so excited when I show them this book and they asked me to read to them before dinner. So I did and they enjoyed it. Vivian Schwarz's books are very entertaining and always full of surprises. Read her books, and you will know what I meant. :)

Reading to Our Children is a Joyful Activity

Today I’ve read this cool article from Guardian, where Julia Donaldson shares how picture books can teach our children to understand themselves. And there was a part when she talks about the important to read to children, I agreed with her that reading to our children is a joyful activity. Yes, it is a joyful activity. This is the time when I can cuddle my children and feel close to them. And after reading together, I feel the satisfaction when I see their happy face. That meant they enjoy the stories. And for me, I always think that every time I read to my children is like giving them a gift that will last forever.:)

Story Time: Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (read on 17th November 2011)

Couple of week ago, I bought Mr. Popper’s Penguin’s DVD starring Jim Carrey. And last Thursday, since school holiday just around the corner, I let my children watch the movie and stay up a bit late. The story is hilarious and Jim Carrey was a great comedian. And the penguins are adorable. We laugh out loud and had a great time watching the movie. After watching the movie, I asked my children if we have picture book about penguins. They look for it and found Oliver Jeffers’s Lost and Found. So, I read to them that book. Lost and Found is a story about the friendship between a lonely penguin and a boy. How this boy tries to return the penguin to where it’s belong. He even set out a journey to the South Pole with the penguin. But after they get there, the boy discovers that the penguin wasn’t lost after all. Oliver Jeffers’ unique tale of friendship is such a delight read aloud book. It’s good to see my children enjoyed it. ^_^

Books Bought @ Carrefour 2

We went to Carrefour for groceries shopping today. And as usual, I will go to the books clearance corner and hunt for book. It's caught me by surprise, because today's bargain is only RM1 per book.I guess Carrefour tries to get rid of the balance stocks. Not many books left, mostly fiction and self enrichment book. I browsed and managed to bought five books. Not bad, not bad at all.:)

Books Bought @ Carrefour

Recently, I always looking forward to do groceries shopping at Carrefour because they have books clearance corner. The price of the book is only RM5,yes only RM5 per book. And most of the books are fiction, young adults, self enrichment and business book.Last month I went there, I bought ten books mostly young adult.So,if you looking for bargain books go to Carrefour and experience it by yourself.

Story Time: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

I always delighted to read this book to my children. Over and over again, and I never get bored. This story involves the reader at the start as an active participant in the book. It's started with the bus driver asking the reader to keep an eye on the bus while he is gone. And soon, a pigeon will appears and tries to persuade the reader to let it drive the bus. I enjoyed reading this book to my children because they can participate during the reading sessions. They will giggles from start to the ends of the story.

Interesting Blog: Picturebooksinelt.com

Today, I spotted another cool blog about picture books.This blog is hosted by a freelance English teacher who used picture books as her teaching materials.

Interesting Blog: vintagechildrensbooksmykidloves.com

I come across this wonderful blog about vintage picture books. This blog belong to a mother who loved old picture books and shared it with her children. It’s very interesting and if you loved vintage picture books, you will adore this blog. It’s really cool. Come, and check it out.

Picture Book of the Day: Remembering Crystal by Sebastian Loth

When I was walking at the Children section this morning, I spotted this title. The front cover is very beautiful, so I pick it up and read. It's tell a story about Crystal, an old tortoise and Zelda, a young goose. They are best friends and like to shares things together; swimming, travelling, playing and reading. But, one day Crystal died and Zelda cannot accept the truth. She looks everywhere for Crystal but couldn't find her. Soon, she able to accept that Crystal was gone. Zelda also realizes that even though Crystal not around anymore but she will always be in her heart. This wonderful story introduces big subject to children which is death and friendship.It's really touches my heart.I loved it.

Picture Book of the Day: I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

A bear has lost his hat and he wants it back. Politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no and the bear begins to give up. Suddenly, a deer comes by and asks; what does your hat look like? This simple question sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search. Will the bear find his hat? You have to read this delightful tale which full with mischievous twist.

Big Bad Wolf Sale 7th & 8th Oct 2011

This year BBW was held in Serdang. I'm glad that I managed to go this year. On the first day, I've bought six books because I have no time to browsed at the Children section. But, on the second day when I went with my children, I bought almost twenty books. I'm looking forward for BBW sale next year.