Peeny Butter Fudge

Peeny Butter Fudge
by Toni Morrison & Slade Morrison
illustrated by Joe Cepeda

While mom heads out, Nana is left with the children and a schedule and instructions to follow. However, this fun-loving grandmother doesn't quite adhere to the instructions, but her and the kids sure have a great time. Just before the mother returns, Nana and the kids make a batch of peeny butter fudge, a secret family recipe. Mother returns and sees the huge mess that Nana and the kids made. However, before she can begin to reprimand, she catches a whiff of the delicious peeny butter fudge and remembers making it herself as a child. Want to make peeny butter fudge? There is a recipe in the back of the book!

My kids LOVED this book. They thought Nana was so much fun! We even followed the recipe and made our own batch of peeny butter fudge.

Black is Brown is Tan

Black is Brown is Tan
by Arnold Adoff
illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

This book is about a bi-racial family. It is written in a poetic style and it highlights the families various activities. It also highlights some of the differences between the mom and dad. However, despite the differences, the emphasis is, "this is the way it is for us   this is the way we are."

My daughter really liked this book. While I appreciate the message, I, however, did not care for the poetic style.

Down the Road

Down the Road 

by Alice Schertle
illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Walking down the long road to town all by herself for the very first time, Hetty is thrilled that her parents have decided that she is old enough to go to town to get fresh eggs for their morning breakfast. Hetty makes it to town and gets the eggs. She is very careful not to break them. However, as she reaches up to pick apples for her and her parents, her basket tips...and tips a bit more until all the eggs fall out. Feeling sad, she doesn't want to return home to tell her parents about the eggs. So, she climbs the apple tree to think it over. Her dad comes looking for her. Next, her mother comes looking for her and her dad and finds them both in the apple tree. Pretty soon all three of them are in the apple tree admiring the view. They head home and rather than fresh eggs for breakfast, they enjoy a delicious apple pie.

Baby Blessings

Baby Blessings: A Prayer for the Day You Are Born

by Deloris Jordan
Illustrated by James E. Ramsome

I love this book! In fact, I think it is a wonderful gift idea for a newborn or a mom/dad-to-be! This is a beautiful prayer for the day that a child is born.

"Today you are born. You will always be loved with a love that knows no bounds. You will touch the world in your own special way..."

It is a celebration of the abundance of blessings that come with the birth of a child! It is a reminder that mom and dad will always stand by you, love you, support you, and encourage you to "believe and trust in God and His promises of blessings."

Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!

Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!

by Kyle Mewburn
illustrated by Ali Teo & John O'Reilly

My kids LOVED this book!!! It is about a boy named Andy who does not look forward to seeing his Auntie Elsie. In fact, he runs from her, but she always catches him and gives him big sloppy kisses on both cheeks. With each kiss, kiss, Andy says to himself, yuck, yuck! Andy continues to despise the kisses from his Auntie until one day she breaks her leg and is not able to visit him. Beginning to miss, his Auntie and her kisses, Andy is thrilled when Auntie Elsie stops by, crutches and all! Rather than running from her, Andy runs to her and gives her a kiss, kiss on each cheek!

Kitchen Dance

Kitchen Dance

by Maurie J. Manning

A son and daughter wake to the sounds of their mother and father dancing to the tunes of clanging dishes. After noticing the kids peeking in on them, the mother and father sweep the children off their feet and the entire family finishes cleaning up the kitchen by doing the kitchen dance! Very cute story!

Full, Full, Full of Love

Full, Full, Full of Love

by Trish Cooke

illustrated by Paul Howard

Each Sunday Jay Jay goes to his Grannie's house for dinner. While waiting for dinner to be served, Jay Jay notices that Grannie's cupboard is always full, full of colorful dishes. Her fish tank is always full, full of all kinds of fish and her candy tin is full, full to the brim. Once all of their family and friends arrive, dinner is served and there is plenty for everyone! Everyone was full, full of Grannie's dinner! When it was time to go, Jay Jay and Grannie hugged and kissed each other and Jay Jay is reminded that Sunday dinner at Grannie's house is always full of love!

Squashed in the Middle

Squashed in the Middle

by Elizabeth Winthrop
Illustrated by Pat Cummings

Being a middle child is not always easy, especially for Daisy. With a younger brother and older sister, Daisy feels like no one listens to her. After an eventful sleepover with her friend, Daisy figures out a way to make everyone listen! The next morning she told her family all about her sleepover and for the first time, everyone listened to her!

Christmas for 10

Christmas for 10

by Cathryn Falwell

Count from one to ten twice with this family as they celebrate many of the traditions associated with Christmas! This is a very cute counting book to read around the Christmas holiday!

Feast for 10

Feast for 10

by Cathryn Falwell

Count from one to ten twice as this family works together to prepare "a feast for 10" people. Although the book does not specify as such, I do think this is a great counting book to read and relate to the preparation of a Thanksgiving dinner.