New Baby Coming? Books for Big Brother or Sister

A few months ago, a friend handed me a pile of books for me to read to my boys to help prepare them for the new baby coming. My boys LOVE these books! We have been reading them several times a week, and my 4 year old talks about the books (and what he's learned from the books) all the time. I wanted to pass them along to you in case you have little ones expecting a new baby in the house too!

I'm A Big Brother 

This one is the simplest of the 3 books we're reading.  My 4 year old has it memorized, and my 2 year old loves it.  It's perfect for his little attention span!  It does a really good job of explaining the difference between what big boys can do and what babies can do (which is great since I know my 2 year old is going to have a really hard time giving up the "baby position").

The Berenstain Bears: New Baby

Who doesn't love the Berenstain Bears?  My 4 year old especially loves this book!  It's just a fun story about prepping for baby.  It does make it look like baby comes within 5 minutes, but I'm sure that's just a Mom thing to notice!  Brother Bear has to give up his bed for the new baby; which I think helped my son hand his bed over for the new baby too.  Pretty cute!

And lastly,

Baby on the Way

This is by far the most informative book we've read.  Maybe a little too informative, although it's easy enough to "censor" for younger readers (maybe I'm crazy, but I don't think my 2 year old needs to be worried about how the uterus works quite yet).  There is an illustration of a baby in mommy's belly, which my boys LOVE looking at; realizing that's what their baby sister looks like too.

So that's our current reading list in our home!  What books did you read to your little ones to help prep them for a new baby?

Adventures in Amblyopia: A Book Review

I'm finally back!! Well, sort of. I'm here for a couple of days and then gone again for the weekend. But then next week, I am back for real, for the rest of the summer!!

Before I went out of town last month, I was contacted to see if I would be interested in reviewing a new children's book coming out that dealt with the need for glasses. Of course, I said yes!! When I got home, I found this adorable little book sitting in my mailbox:

I quickly scanned through it and knew instantly that my 4 year old would be IN LOVE with this book.

I was right. He couldn't get his little hands on it fast enough, and has since asked everybody to read it to him multiple times. Not only is it a fun story about Arlo, a dog who realizes he needs glasses, but it's also educational (it explains exactly what happens at the doctor's office). Plus, it's a pop up book! And, when Arlo goes to the doctor's to pick out new glasses? There are different pairs of glasses in the book that your child can physically take out and try on Arlo themselves.

TOO CUTE!!!

Okay. So to go along with the release of this new book, Workman Publishing is hosting a contest on Pinterest, where you can pin photos of your favorite pet wearing glasses. You have until July 31st to pin your photos, and the winners will receive an autographed copy of the book. Be sure to follow {this link} for all the details!! Still need an invite to Pinterest? Leave me a comment and I'd be happy to send you one (you'll love it, I promise!!).

And, if you're dying to get your hands on a copy of the book right now, click {here}. This would make an adorable gift for any child!!

**Workman Publishing did provide me a free book to keep in exchange for this review. However, all thoughts and expressions are mine and mine alone. We honestly love this book!!**

Reading Corner

My boys love books. I love that they love books! They have always had a corner in their room that is full of large, over stuffed pillows, and when I saw the idea to use spice racks from Ikea as book shelves, I knew it would be perfect!!

So, yes. These spice racks were $3.99 each (I was lucky enough to snag the last 2 that my Ikea store had, which is great since it was an hour drive for the sole purpose of getting them!). So for a total of $8, we have perfect, child friendly book shelves in their new reading area. I'm sure many of you have seen this all over blog-land; I've seen it in quite a few different places.
When I find the time, I plan on painting them so they match the rest of the room.
Excuse the horrible lighting! We have their window covered to block sunlight and heat. It works great, but makes for horrible photos.
The entire little reading corner. I have high hopes that it will be used often! I have another wonderfully inexpensive Ikea find that I will be adding to their room decor next week, so stay tuned!

Linking up here, here and here!

Book Nook

I love books. Especially children's books. Over the years, I have collected several hundred picture books and can't wait for the day when they can all move inside the house into a beautiful bookcase and out of their boxes in the garage.

I figured it might be fun to recommend a different children's book now and then. I'll try to steer towards those that aren't as popular (The Very Hungry Caterpillar is an absolutely wonderful book! However. everybody is familiar with it).

My first pick? The Seven Silly Eaters

I first found this book while reading to a Kindergarten class for a college assignment. I borrowed it from one of my professors and it was a huge hit with the kids. The siblings in the story are working together to make a cake, but they all insist on putting in their individual favorite ingredients. Everybody has to learn to appreciate each other's likes and dislikes, compromise and work together in order to make this cake.

The author, Mary Ann Hoberman, has shared a recipe for the cake the Peters' children end up making. I am dying to try it; I think it would be so fun to read this story with my kids and then get up to make the actual cake. You can find the cake recipe here. If you manage to try it before I can, let me know how it is!!