Gaston

Miss Bonnie at The Storybook Shoppe introduced us to the most wonderful tale, Gaston, by Kelly Dipucchio and Christian Robinson. A poodle and bulldog puppy both learn what it means to be part of a family -- no matter what you look like or how you act.  The O'Regan's fell in love with the beautiful illustrations, the simple message and the charming tale about finding your place. 

You see, Gaston was a bit different than his family.  His sisters and brothers ate politely and quietly yapped. But not Gaston. He had trouble doing what he was told. He had trouble because he was different! 

One day at the park, Gaston and his family had a chance meeting with another dog family. Like Gaston's family, they had a dog that didn't quite fit either.  Antoinette was a poodle and a bit out of place, too.  Should they switch?

It may look right.  It may seem like the right thing to do. But did it feel right? They switched families and gave it a shot. 

In this adorable tale, children learn that family is all about whom you grow up with.  It's not about what you look like or even how you act.  It occurred to me that this might be a wonderful book for adopted children! Of course, there's a charming ending to the book, too. Gaston and Antoinette fall in love and have puppies of their own. We just love that they "taught them to be whatever they wanted to be." 

This book is truly a fabulous addition to any home library - each page is a piece of artwork. My 5 year-old daughter, Molly, loved the characters and wanted to read it again and again.  You can buy it here on our blog -- without even leaving your home! As a thank you for supporting The Storybook Shoppe (our local independently owned children's bookstore) we will take 10% OFF the list price.  Just check out below! 

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Regularly $16.99

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Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

I discovered Mo Willems shortly after my daughter, Molly, was born just over 5 years ago. We were generously gifted a stack of "children's classics" from a family friend and included inside was Mo Willems' Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus.  It's a favorite of many children at The Storybook Shoppe and all over the country. The Storybook Shoppe even carries a stuffed animal pigeon -- he's that popular! 

Like my daughter, Molly, and son, Connor, all children seem to gravitate towards the simplicity and quick wit of this picture book. And who can resist a sassy pigeon yelling: "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!"?  Molly and Connor both love screaming it.

I found a great, interactive reading of this book online. Nothing beats sitting and reading an actual book with your children but this will give you a good idea of the overall flavor and tone of this book!

The pigeon is really determined to drive that bus, isn't he? It's a great conversation opener as the pigeon goes through a wide range of emotions and techniques to get his way in this book.  Pleading, begging, bribing, asking nicely, yelling, and more to get his way -- how he ultimately gets his way will surprise readers!

Mo Willems is an incredibly accomplished children's writer and his stories are loved and laughed at by children. His website here has a really fun and interactive computer game for children. Visit now! Below you can check out using PayPal and have this classic shipped right to your door. As a thank you for supporting our independent bookstore, take 10% OFF!

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Regularly $15.99

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Little Lola

No doubt by now if you have school-aged children, they've headed off to the classroom to start a new school year.  Early September is such an exciting time! Children are enthusiastic about heading back and there's such promise in the air.  At The Storybook Shoppe, we think there is nothing more joyful than children who are passionate about learning and reading especially.  Here are my little ones, Molly (age 5) and Connor (age 2), who are at May River Montessori, just down the street from the Shoppe! We took these cute first day photos. Did you take some first day photos? We'd love to see them! 

This book, Little Lola by Julie Saab and David Gothard, was recommended to us by The Storybook Shoppe and is perfect for little ones (especially ages 4-6) who have just gone back to school.  It may spark some further enthusiasm as Little Lola, a cat, just adores school and has all sorts of adventures there! She loves riding on the school bus, story time, learning to read, arithmetic, the playground, playing with other children, and most of all - she loves share time!  We loved the mischievous adventure at share time when she introduces a mouse.... and you will too. It's quite funny! 

At a young age, it's rare to hear children who don't like going to school. On occasion, we will hear of some children who just "don't want to go" from time to time. This could mean a lot of things such as they aren't challenged enough, they find the work too difficult, they aren't getting enough sleep, there are changes going on at home. Though communication with parent and teacher is the best solution,  The Storybook Shoppe has a variety of books that help ease tensions and make attending school even more exciting. Reading to your children can help reduce anxiety and make it even more "fun."  We invite you to come in and see our wide selection of back to school books. (We are closed for some sprucing right now but we will reopen 9/22, please come see us then!) 

While you wait for us to reopen, you can buy Little Lola by Julie Saab right here on our blog, just by clicking below.  We will ship it directly to your door! As a thank you for supporting our store, we will give 10% OFF.  Happy reading and happy back to school time! 

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Regularly $16.99

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Pay just $15.21 and $5.00 shipping and tax 

Jumping Jack

Jumping Jack by Germano Zullo and Albertine was recommended to my family at The Storybook Shoppe on two separate occasions.  Upon the first recommendation and first glace, I passed it up -- neither my daughter nor my son are particularly into horses.  Good thing for Miss Bonnie's persistence because this is one that's not to be missed. That's one thing I love about The Storybook Shoppe. The staff never steers us wrong.  

Jumping Jack is a witty tale about a champion show horse who suddenly has lost his ability to win.  What will fix him? A trip to the veterinarian, a trip to the psychologist, 2 weeks vacation on the beach? The solution is one that young readers will have to carefully observe -- and be sure to use their eyes! (Hint, hint!) 

My family tends to enjoy witty, sassy tales with hidden humor and underlying messages. When the veterinarian clears the horse citing nothing but "flatulence" and "allergy to cat hair," I had some explaining to do, but Molly was roaring on the floor with laughter.  And when he makes a trip to the psychologist because "it isn't easy being a celebrity," I laughed out loud! I particularly loved the site of this huge horse laying on the psychologists couch.  The illustrations are quite clever, too. 

Molly loved discovering how the horse is miraculously cured and how he becomes a show champion once again. It's fun to discover and enjoyable that the horse we've been rooting for all along, becomes his winning self again! 

We think you and your children will love this one! Add it to your library or give it as a gift.  Check out using the PayPal button below, we will ship it directly to your door.  And as a thank you for supporting our local book shop, we are offering it for 10% OFF. 

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Regular Price $17.99

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Pay just $16.11 and $5.00 shipping and tax 

One Cool Friend

Miss Bonnie at The Storybook Shoppe recently introduced our family to a real treat in children's literature. One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeco with pictures by David Small is a hilarious and quick-witted adventure of a boy who takes a penguin home from the aquarium. My 5 year old daughter, Molly, thought the quirky and eccentric father was a fun character (he is!) and we adored the illustrations, truly worthy of a Caldecott Honor. 

What fun would it be to have your own exotic pet? A penguin would be fun for a little one, wouldn't it? Ice skating, bathing, hanging out in the freezer... Molly seemed to think this all sounded like a funny idea. Read it to your children and ask -- what animal would you like to bring home from the zoo or aquarium? Let their imaginations go! 

We loved how this book stretched the imagination.  The author has taken the concept of taking a penguin from the aquarium all the way through -- from how the boy got there one day, how the boy arranged to sneak him out, how he fed the penguin, entertained it and kept it comfortable.  It has a hilarious ending that further solidifies that quirky Dad! 

The staff at The Storybook Shoppe highly recommends this one for our young readers with imaginations. It's perfect for boys or girls and makes a wonderful addition to any home library.  You can buy it now, right here on our blog, for 10% OFF! 

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Pay $16.11 plus tax & shipping 

If An Armadillo Went To A Restaurant

If an armadillo went to a restaurant, what would she order? Would it be spaghetti and meatballs or a plate of ants and worms with beetles, too? In this book, If An Armadillo Went To A Restaurant by Ellen Fischer and Lauren Wood, children get to find out what an armadillo might eat -- and what plenty of other animals might eat, too! 

This adorable book came highly recommended to our family this afternoon by both Miss Wendy and Miss Bonnie at The Storybook Shoppe.  We took the book home and dove right in.  We learned what a sea turtle, rattlesnake, butterfly, giraffe, wallaby, hedgehog, giraffe and a few others eat. It's a clever book, really! As children learn about the animals, where they live and what they eat, it's also funny, a bit sassy, and entertaining. It's perfectly illustrated to keep things fun, dynamic and interesting for children to follow along. 

The O'Regan children especially enjoyed the last page with a menu and this message: "What would you order?" As I read off the items (chocolate chip pancakes, PB&J Sandwich, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and other kid friendly foods), my daughter, Molly, and son, Connor, rattled off which they would choose. (I was only a bit disappointed that less cliche and more varied foods weren't included. Certainly there are plenty of children who go beyond this menu! Chicken vindaloo? Indian curry? Pad Thai? It could happen!)  But the menu idea was a fun and interactive end to the book! 

Do you know a child interested in animals? Move beyond the farm and barnyard animals and introduce them to a wallaby, octopus, and others in this adorable book.  You can buy it now, right here on our blog for 10% OFF. Just check out below using Paypal and it will be shipped straight to your door within days. Thank you for supporting The Storybook Shoppe, Bluffton, South Carolina's independent children's bookstore. 

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Originally priced at $14.95 

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Lindbergh - A Tale of a Flying Mouse

I often go into The Storybook Shoppe several times a week. Sometimes I go to take photos for our Facebook page, sometimes I go to shop for a birthday party gift, other times I go to take Molly and Connor after school or daycare to shop.  Last week was one that I had the pleasure of visiting three times in a week. On each occasion, three different staff members all recommended Lindberg, The Tale of the Flying Mouse. 

With not one glowing recommendations but THREE, I had to get this one home. Only one problem. Molly took one look at the cover and said she didn't want to read it. To my horror, I was unable to do my assignment! (And talk about judging a book by it's cover!) So I sat down by myself and read this book that Molly proclaimed "scary" and "dark." 

What's the problem? I thought. Cute book about a mouse running from cats that learns to fly. And such beautiful illustrations! 

When a  new, mechanical mousetrap is invented, all the mice flee to America, the land of the free. But how will they flee with large cats guarding the ships? This mouse must learn to fly. He must be the courageous and daring mouse who defies all odds and triumphs the dangers of the cats, owls, other mice, and of course, the plane!  What a great message about being courageous and perseverance. 

When I returned the following week, Miss Bonnie asked what I thought of Lindbergh, The Tale of The Flying Mouse. I told her that my 5 year old daughter, Molly, thought it looked to scary and it was dark. At that time, she let me in on the lesser known fact of this book. It's a World War II analogy, one that parallels Nazi Germany. 

Hiding from cats, escaping torture devices like mouse traps, sneakily planning an escape to a distant land, this mouse does everything a Jewish person running from Nazi's had to do.  I had the chills. How could I have missed it? How did Molly subconsciously get creeped out by it? I read it again and again. Each time, I picked up something new.  And yet, if you didn't know this fact -- you would just have guessed it was about aviation and a mouse's determination to build the best flying machine ever!  This is one of my favorite things about children's literature. There are just so many layers. 

The Storybook Shoppe and our staff recommends this book for students just learning about World War II and Nazi Germany, perhaps in 3rd or 4th grade, or little ones that are interested in aviation.  It's appropriate and interesting for a wide range of ages and makes a fabulous addition to your library! 

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Regularly $19.99

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