5 a Day Books: James Marshall

I'm linking up to Imagination Tree's 5 a Day Book Challenge.  This week, Noodlebug and I are reading the books of James Marshall.  Marshall was another favorite of mine from childhood.  James Marshall did the illustrations for one of my favorite childhood series by Harry Allard---the Miss Nelson books starting with MISS NELSON IS MISSING!  I'm saving those for when Noodle is in elementary school. For now, we are enjoying Marshall's GEORGE AND MARTHA series.

I believe there are seven books in the series and our library had five on hand:

GEORGE AND MARTHA
GEORGE AND MARTHA ENCORE
GEORGE AND MARTHA RISE AND SHINE
GEORGE AND MARTHA ONE FINE DAY
GEORGE AND MARTHA ROUND AND ROUND

These are short books about two hippo friends.  Adults will enjoy the humor and there are a few teaching points as well. Noodlebug didn't quite understand why Martha would be mad that George was spying on her in the bathtub.  (She subsequently picked up the bathtub and threw it on George's head) It did make a good lesson in privacy.  We also are very vigilant as a family about putting on sunscreen every day.  Noodlebug often fights me on this.  In one story, Martha refuses to put on sunscreen and ends up in bed with a very bad sunburn. What a great moment for me to reinforce the importance of sunscreen!  So far, we are both enjoying these books very much. We'll have to look for the remaining two when we got back to the library.

5 a Day Books: Steven Kellogg

Today, I am linking up with Imagination Tree's 5 a Day Books scheme.  Each week, you decide on a five books to read with your child every single day that week.  When I am organized, I actually have a theme.  I loved author Steven  Kellogg as a child and I tested the waters with Noodlebug with his book THE MYSTERIOUS TADPOLE a week ago.  Noodlebug loved it so much that we filled his library bag with Steven Kellogg books for this week.

So far, Noodlebug's favorite is PINKERTON, BEHAVE!  He is fascinated by the bad guy robber in the book.  I am always captivated by the detail in Kellogg's illustrations.  So wonderful!!!

I encourage you to check out the Imagination Tree blog.  Anna is a former early education teacher and lists wonderful preschool activities every single day. I always find so much inspiration on her blog!!!