Monthly Book Log {July-September 2019, Age 4 & 6}
Another season of reading in the books! I have such treasured memories from this summer of reading these novels and listening to the audiobooks on our various roadtrips and adventures in our trusty minivan (and as it happened, also in the driveway, motor running, air conditioner pumping, and indulging their requests to “pleeeease finish the chapter.”)
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Books
Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George. My boys surprised me by how much they enjoyed this chapter book. While a lovely book, I wasn’t sure it was going to hold their attention. I thought it was pretty slow moving, with a lot of emotional drama…. inferring how characters felt, why they felt that way, and what might be motivating their actions. But, they asked for “one more chapter” about 16 times. And then at its conclusion asked to go to the library and check out the next book in the series… and played “hotel” in their free play time all week. Lesson learned, don’t judge a book by its emotional complexity. I heard my first grader asking a friend if he had read it, “book talking” it by explaining how exciting the ending was, and that even though it was a little scary, it all works out okay. #melt #futurelibrarian
Mona the mouse stumbles upon the Heartwood Hotel after a storm that destroys her home. She is offered the position as (temporary) maid and despite struggling to fit in, she shows her compassion, bravery, and wit as she protects the hotel from danger. This reminds me a bit of the Sophie Mouse series as it centers on woodland creatures and is truly just a sweet story to curl up with.
Up the Faraway Tree and The Folk of the Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. Quite a few of Enid Blyton’s books have appeared on our book logs lately {see our last roundup here}… as many as we can get our hands on! I didn’t know these were so hard to come by, but our library has four and we devoured them quickly! I’m so glad we discovered this series– I now have the sweetest memories of snuggling on our patio loveseat reading these on muggy mornings in the Summer of ’19! It was a bittersweet day when we completed our final novel in mid August. These are zany and silly and my kids just giggled their way through the ridiculous adventures that the characters find themselves in!
Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary. This was a part audio/part read aloud for us… which was slightly tricky switching back and forth, truth be told! But, we loved the story. It is the sequel to The Mouse and The Motorcycle (see below!) and we’ll be looking for Ralph S. Mouse next!
Audiobooks
The Mouse and the Motorcycle. This was a delightful listen for both boys. At its conclusion, my 4yo said, “Is that the end, Mama? I want to listen to it again!” And, they both selected it for their next quiet time independent listen. Yay for Beverly Cleary.
The boys actually requested this book based on 
Little House on the Prairie. Our second listen through for this series, and intentionally planned for our road trip months. I know these will guarantee a quiet audience in the car in shore traffic!
The Trumpet of the Swan. Another second listen through. Our whole family (Daddy Bookworm included) just adore this story! Read by the author E.B. White, it is truly a treasure. And also much wittier than you might think.
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What have you been reading lately? Connect with me in the comments below or on my Instagram or Facebook accounts!
