Week 19: Happy Easter!

Our Weekly Progress: 

Well, we got a little behind again! I try to read 10 books each week, and write up each blog post at some point during the weekend. The week numbers, by the way, are based on how many weeks old Emma turns during the week. So this past Thursday, she turned 19 weeks old. 

Anyway, this past weekend we visited my parents for Easter, and when we came home on Sunday, we hadn't read ANY of the week's books yet. (The ones I was supposed to be writing about during the weekend that just ended.) 

BUT I have off this week for Spring Break! So I was determined to read 20 books during the week and catch up. So far, so good! 10 down, 10 to go. And there were lots of good books this week! Check it out:   

Our Weekly Favorite:

Title: The Treasure Bath

Author/Illustrator: Dan Andreasen 

Summary:

"Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the bubbles in the bathtub? Embark on a magical journey with a little boy as he explores a creature-filled world beneath the sea."

"This wordless picture book for the very young is full of imagination and surprise. Never has bath time been such a thrilling (and soapy!) adventure!" 

Why I Loved it:

• I really, REALLY loved the illustrations in this book! They are exceptionally well done. The little boy's expressions tell it all. 
• The story-line mixes the everyday with the whimsical, which I love. 
• I don't want to give anything away, but the ending is adorable. 
• This story is told with NO words! It's perfect for kids who can't read yet to make up the words for this tale as they look at each page.                   

Other Books We Read This Week:

	Title: Bayou Lullaby Author: Kathi Appelt Illustrator: Neil Waldman This was not my favorite book. And I have always been intrigued by the Bayou. I hope to visit one day. Even so, the abstract-style of poetry in this book is what ruined it for me. However, I did enjoy the glossary in the front of the book, introducing the bayou-related terms that you would encounter as you read.
	Title: Suryia & Roscoe: The Story of an Unlikely Friendship Author: Bhagavan "Doc" Antle with Thea Feldman Photographer: Barry Bland  This book was so disappointing to me! I thought it was going to be a true story about a remarkable friendship between two animals at a zoo or wildlife preserve. But the authors kind of tried to turn it into fiction, if that makes any sense. They told it from the animals' perspectives, like it was almost normal for a dog and orangoutang to be friends. I wish they had told the true story behind how these pictures were taken. Instead, I'm left to wonder.
	Title: Sophie and the New Baby Author: Laurence Anholt Illustrator: Catherine Anholt  There are a lot of get-the-older-sibling-ready-for-a-new-baby books out there. This is one of the best that I've read. I love the season theme, which very realistically depicts how long a baby takes to arrive!
	Title: Harry's Home Author/Illustrator: Catherine and Laurence Anholt  This was a very good book, with a few good themes running throughout: differences can be good, traveling, homesickness, country vs. city, modes of transportation. Well done.
	Title: Happy Birthday Chimp and Zoe  Author/Illustrator: Catherine and Laurence Anholt  I really enjoyed this book about monkey-twins on their birthday. Very cute.
	Title: Billy and the Big New School Author/Illustrator: Catherine & Laurence Anholt This book was good, but I probably wouldn't read it again unless my kids were starting a new school.
	Title: Crankee Doodle Author: Tom Angleberger Illustrator: Cece Bell  I surprised myself by liking this book! It was very silly, but also funny. I loved the last page where the pony gives a little bit of history about the song, "Yankee Doodle."
	Title: The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage Authors: Julie Andrews (yes, the Julie Andrews!) and Emma Walton Hamilton Illustrator: Christine Davenier I like these books. I would read them again. I wouldn't necessarily buy them for my own library, but if you want a dose of adorable, just ask a Daddy or Grandpa to read this story out loud to your little one! So cute. This book is all sparkle and little-girl-glam.
	Title: Story County Here We Come!  Author/Illustrator: Derek Anderson  I really enjoyed this imaginative tale about 5 friends who decide to start a farm. It's really very cleverly done. I loved it when they decided to plant jelly beans and candy corn. Even though it's a short book, the author still managed to give each character a unique personality. Well done!