Monthly Book Log {October-December 2019}

Our book log for the last 3 months looks anemic compared to all of the reading that I’ve felt that we’ve done with my (newly) 5yo and 6yo. The boys have spent much of their reading time with nonfiction books and their Daddy– namely warriors, battles, and military history. I’m not entirely sure where that all started but certainly encouraged by a trip to a Revolutionary War site and viewing the Nutcracker battle scene a dozen times. Our more peaceful reads are below:

Books mentioned should be available at your library, or at the affiliate links provided. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Books

Zoey and Sassafras: Grumpets and Pests by Asia Citro. Book 8 in this series, and my 4 year old is having a hard time grasping why we can’t read any more Zoey books that we haven’t already read! We just adore this series that melds magical creatures with science topics! In this latest installment, Zoey learns about gardening basics, including native & invasive species, pests & natural methods of dealing with them- while solving the problem of the magical Grumplets who steal her forest friends’ joy by literally eating it. It’s hard to explain, but it WORKS!

The Adventures of Geraldine Woolkins by Karin Kaufman. Geraldine is “the smallest of ground things” who dreams of having big adventures. As a “young mouse,” Fall is brand new to Geraldine, and as it turns out, is full of excitement. From October through December, Geraldine wrestles with ideas about worry, bravery, gratitude, and faith. She questions Very Very Big Hands (aka God)—can he hear her, does he care, and why did he make her so small anyway? There are a lot of philosophical/spiritual depths to mine in this story, but overall we just enjoyed each episode and the exciting challenges Geraldine faced. There was just enough tension and suspense for my sensitive first grader while entertaining his harder-to-impress brother.

The Hinky Pink by Megan McDonald. Seamstress Anabel is given the opportunity of her dreams to design a gown for the princess for a ball. With only one week to complete her work, she’s given a royal tower full of luxurious fabrics and sewing supplies and sequestered in order to make them into the perfect dress for the picky princess.  Each night, however, she is pinched by some unknown creature, hopelessly disturbing her slumber.  What is at work here? A Hinky Pink! My Kinder Bookworm loved the mystery and the excitement of this charming fairy tale. Full color illustrations on every page. 50 pages. This is a short read (one sitting for us), and it’s on my list of First Favorite Chapter Books. 

Audiobooks

The Cricket in Times Square. Such a sweet story. At its conclusion, my 6 year old asked if we could please listen to the next book, “Cricket in Connecticut Countryside” he presumed it was called. Sorry, buddy.

Ralph S. Mouse. We’ve now completed the Ralph series! Such old fashioned fun stories. Beverly Cleary is a legend for a reason. We read/listened to the others in the series and at the conclusion of each, my boys begged to start the next one RIGHT AWAY. You can get the whole collection through Audible for under $10 as of my writing (and you do not need a membership to do so).

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. Ah, the Vanderbeekers. The family you want to move in with, or at least visit quite frequently. The characters are so vivid, the family so real and endearing. In this, the first of the series, the family’s lease is not being renewed on their home in their brownstone in NYC. The kids band together to try to convince their curmudgeonly (misunderstood) landlord that he should let them stay. This all takes place in the 11 days leading up to Christmas. We’re listening to this on audio right now and have idled in the driveway/parking lot/etc more than once to finish out chapters!

Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package. A relisten, but it’s been so long we had forgotten! We love Kate DiCamillo, especially her Mercy Watson series (a perennial favorite “first chapter book” recommendation! See my list here.) Eugenia Lincoln is a well known character from that series, and in this spin-off series she returns with a longer plot (substantially longer, far fewer pictures). We’ve read through all of the spin-off series, and this one tied for our favorite alongside of Leory Ninker Saddles Up, which we own on audiobook and have listened to MANY times (we did NOT care for Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon). When a mysterious package arrives, Eugenia is intent on returning it but it seems destined for her. The package contents? An accordion!

What have you been reading lately? Connect with me in the comments below or on my Facebook or Instagram accounts!