Anyone who knows me – knows my love of Pumpkins.  That’s why this is the second month in a row to feature a Pumpkin themed book!  If I had to choose between Pumpkin Circle and this – I would choose this one.  It’s a simple story of a man and a field and the great lengths the man goes to to keep his field just the way it is.  This is a perfect book for a classroom – I suggest the book for Kindergarten to 3rd grade. 

I love Pumpkins. I love the fall – but I think it’s mostly due to the fact that I love Pumpkins so much. This book is amazing. It not only shows how pumpkins grow but also that there are many different kinds of pumpkins and how pumpkins are in a never ending circle of life! The pictures are absolutely breathtaking (check some of them out here).  I am not alone in my love for this book.  Check out their website with links to buying the video.
I love pumpkins so much that on my trip to the Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in New Hampshire this past weekend – we passed a farm stand with pumpkins already out – and I brought one home. Okay, two, but my wife and I gave one away already. Everyone should have a pumpkin. And everyone should own this book!

Usually I put books here that I love so much that I think my fans would enjoy them – well this is no exception – except that it is out of print.  I tracked down a few copies still available right here.  This is an amazing book about a little bushbaby who’s love of figs gets him into trouble with Monitor, a fierce lizard, who gaurds the tree.

Find a copy at your local library – if you love it – get a copy for yourself at the link above.  Maybe with enough interest we can get them to start printing this book again!  Great books should never go out of print!

Night at the Fair is a simple story with outstanding pictures byDonald Crews.  He is able to capture the lights, excitement and chaos of a traveling fair at night.  He truly gives you an amazing look at the fair from the top of the ferris wheel at the end of the book.  Make sure to check out page 7 (shown here in the 5th picture) where Donald Crews draws himself into the crowd.  This book is a wonderful summer time treat! 

Wordless picture books scare people. The crutch of the typed out words aren’t there, a lot of people aren’t sure of what to say – how to tell the story! Personally, I love wordless picture books because it gives the child a chance to tell the story to you.  Looking Down is a great story that simply gets a closer look, with every turn of the page, at this beautiful world of ours.  Check it out today!

The visually stunning OH! is a hidden treasure in children’s literature.  Each simple picture, a tea cup, a clothes pin, a flower, the moon – becomes so much more.  The theme is arresting and children will pick this book again and again to flip through and enjoy!  Great book for toddlers – even better for preschool and early Elementary.  I can’t praise this book enough!  One of my absolute favorites!

This story is about two boys who find a small treasure – an old pair of motorcycle goggles!  Along with thier dog Willie, Peter and Archie head home – only to encounter some older boys who want the goggles for themselves!  See what Peter and Archie do!  This story is one of my favorite Keats stories because it deals with issues that every young boy has had to deal with from time to time – bigger, scary, older boys!  I really like how Keats handles the situation he puts this characters in and it makes a wonderful addition to any library!

This story is about a group of children who decide to take a shortcut home – walking on train tracks!  Follow the boys and girls as they soon realize that walking on the train tracks was not a good idea.  This story is most effective when you use a slow monotone voice while narrating and don’t forget the train sound effects!