Big Books, Little Ears

Reading chapter books to toddlers, preschoolers, and beyond

Book Reviews

Ninja Meerkats – A Punny Read Aloud Series

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“From the outside, the Clan of the Scorpion’s secret base looked like one of a number of meerkat burrows in the Red Desert. But while some of the neighboring meerkats had welcomed wildlife documentary makers into their homes, the Clan had to be more careful about who they let in.”
– opening lines of Ninja Meerkats: The Clan of the Scorpion by Gareth P. Jones

My son LOVES American Ninja Warrior, the TV show with obstacle courses. (That is probably the most low key way to describe the show, because those athletes are amazing, but you know what I’m talking about.) My husband even built him a few obstacles in our back yard.

So, at the library, Ninja Meerkats, a series with the word ninja in the title, definitely caught my eye. I’m so glad it did! [Read more…] about Ninja Meerkats – A Punny Read Aloud Series

What Do People Do All Day?

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This is Busytown. My, what a nice town!
– opening line of Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry

Has this ever happened to you? You’re sitting in the car and you think to yourself, “You know what would be cool? If there was something that didn’t have a screen that would keep my kids’ busy for the whole trip to Grandma’s house.”

Or, maybe you’ve wondered, “What is it like to shower without someone shoving their little fingers under the door and calling, ‘MAMA!!! Mama, I see you!’ even before I’ve gotten my hair wet?”

Maybe you have caught yourself daydreaming about being free to eat a mug full of peanut butter M&Ms before the kids fall asleep.

If you have ever thought these things, you are not alone. I think things like this all of the time.

If you are looking for a good, screen free quiet activity that will keep your kids attention, have I got a book for you! In our home we love the book, Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day? [Read more…] about What Do People Do All Day?

Detective Gordon

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“Wretched thieves!” cried a small creature as it scurried through the snow. “Thieving wretches!”
– opening line of The First Case by Ulf Nilsson

An exciting read aloud series is great. My kids love books like Ninja Meerkats, Magic Tree House Series, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Let’s be honest, I love an exciting story line, too! When the action is fast and furious, we sit on the edge of our seats, wanting to hear the next chapter.

However, there is something wonderful about sharing a gentler read aloud series with your kids. [Read more…] about Detective Gordon

Mom has to Read, Too: What I Read in June

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Time to beef up that mom reading list for summer! If you don’t think you need a mom reading list, think again!

Full disclosure, during the winter, I think to myself, “Why do we live here, in this cold, forsaken, midwestern state? Why did people ever even settle here? Why did I fall in love with a man who lives here?”

Then, JUNE!! Oh, June in the midwest is glorious! Our woods are green, the sun shines every day and late into the evening, and the lake water is as warm as a bath.

This is the month when I think, “OOHH, this is why people settled here.”

June is a good month for finally reading outside, on a blanket in the sun.

Are you looking for a book to add to your mom reading list? Here are my reviews of the books I read in June. [Read more…] about Mom has to Read, Too: What I Read in June

How I Have Time to Read: Living Well Planner Review

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Sometimes moms who see my mom reading lists ask, “How do you have time to read?!?”

Part of me wants to take credit. I’d like to answer, “I’m so great at this whole ‘balance’ thing that I can parent effectively and read a classic novel at the same time.”

However, that is not at all true. Also, I would never say something like that because that’s weird and jerky.

The truthful answer to “How do you have time to read?!?” is, “I use my Living Well Planner, and it helps me find time to meet my goals.” [Read more…] about How I Have Time to Read: Living Well Planner Review