Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

I stopped into The Storybook Shoppe the other day found loads of wonderful new books for Valentine's Day.  Miss Chris recommended Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, a story by Eileen Spinelli with pictures by Paul Yalowitz.  She was right - we love it.  It brought tears to my eyes.  It's a message of how important it is to touch people lives and how small actions make a big difference.

Mr. Hatch is a lonely man without friends, family, or much excitement in his life.  He follows the same routine every day, sitting in the corner by himself eating a cheese and mustard sandwich, reading the paper and going to bed early every night.  

One day, he unexpectedly receives a Valentine and his outlook on life changes! Things look up and he feels loved and happy.  Until he learns that the Valentine was sent in error....and alone in his living room, he says, "Nobody loved me after all."  My heart just about broke.  Tears came to my eyes and my 4 year old daughter, Molly, seemed to understand. 

You can watch this story, told by Hector Elizondo, bought to you by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.  I love how he tells the story and for those days that your kiddos need a little TV, try this 12 minute video. 

You can buy this story now, right here on the blog and save 10%.  We will ship it directly to your door!

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The Tortoise and The Hare

Every so often a book comes along that is so stunningly beautiful, rather than read it, you think you should just frame it and put it on your wall.   The Tortoise and The Hare by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney is one of those books.  Each page is a work of art.  Each page is a tremendous, treasured illustration.

This book, released in October 2013, is a companion book to The Lion and The Mouse and shows that even the slowest tortoise can defeat the fastest hare, and the proudest hare can learn a lesson from a tortoise.  It's a message about "slow and steady wins the race" wonderfully presented through timeless illustrations.

I went on search to learn more about this artist and award winning author, Jerry Pinkney.  He's so acclaimed, he has been awarded countless honors and his artwork exhibited in The Philadelphia Museum of Art and High Museum, in Atlanta, GA.  Both cities have declared a "Jerry Pinkey Day," for his contribution and work.   The office of Art in Embassies at the United States Department of State invited Pinkney to participate in an exhibition for the United States Embassy in Congo, Brazzaville which will on view for the duration of Ambassador Sullivan's tour of duty.   Accomplished and acclaimed seems like an understatement.

For children that love picture books, this one is for them.  It's NOT overly copy intensive, there aren't a lot of words (in fact, Molly was disappointed because it was a long book.  In her eyes, the more words the better - usually because that means she gets to extend her bedtime, but also because she truly enjoys a longer story.)  For those children who have wild imaginations, and can develop stories just based on pictures, I'd also recommend this to you!

Learn more about Jerry Pinkney here and buy The Tortoise and The Hare on our blog by clicking below.  Just check out with PayPal, it's the safe and easy way to pay.  You will have this shipped directly to your door within days. And, we are selling it for 10% OFF!

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You Know What I Love?

Do you remember what it felt like as a young child to play with your dolls?  I do. I laid my Cabbage Patch kids down for naps on dish towels (their beds!), sat them up as I taught them their ABC's on my easel, fed them, bathed them, and cared for them like they were real babies.  

You Know What I Love by author/illustrator/designer Lorena Siminovich, is a wondeful book recently recommended to us by The Storybook Shoppe. This book is about friendship, love, and having childhood fun with a doll.  It's a great book for girls who love and appreciate their dolls, just like I did, and just like my daughter is starting to. 

Photo: Dolls that inspired Lorena Siminovich's story! 

The story is written from a doll's perspective. It's a doll's charming tribute to her owner who takes her on special "missions" to the mailbox, takes her to exciting new places (a library!), plays in the deep blue sea (the bath!), singing songs while in traffic (toy cars all stacked up!) and more adventures together.

Playing with dolls as a young girl or boy shows an enormous amount of empathy, care for others, and demonstrates the beginnings of responsibility.  I love that this book encourages playing with dolls and honors that special bond that children form with them. 

The illustrations are flat and simple and perfect for young ages.  The words are not overly complicated and it's relatively short for those with quick attention spans.  We think that this book makes a perfect gift for Valentine's Day, coming up in a few weeks!

Buy this book for 10% OFF the list price, plus shipping and tax, and it will be sent right to your door. You don't have to leave your computer!  Click below on the "buy it now" button and check out with PayPal. 

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Over and Under The Snow

It's absolutely freezing here in Bluffton, South Carolina!  We are seeing record low temperatures here in the Lowcountry and we Southerners are just not used to such weather.  The kids seem to love it though. Although they cannot play outside for as long as they usually do, it is fun to bundle up with heavy coats, mittens and hats and feel the cold. 

The book Over and Under The Snow by Kate Messner, art by Christopher Silas Neal, was recommended to us by the staff at The Storybook Shoppe and is a perfect book for the winter weather, even though we don't have snow.  What's wonderful about a book is that we can pretend what it would be like to have snow, to ski, and what it must be like for all the animals that are hiding in the borrows to keep warm.  My 4-year-old, Molly, just adored this book. 

This beautifully illustrated winter wonderland story is about a girl and her father cross-country (and some down-hill!) skiing.  

Over the snow they travel on top frogs, bees, deer mice, voles, and more animals hibernating for winter.   What's in store for them this Spring? What are they doing to keep warm? All questions raised and great topics of conversation prompted page by page.  

Children's books are a great way to start conversations about various topics, and this book is no exception. In our house, we enjoy reading books that are "current" or reflective of what's happening around us (various seasons, holidays, events that are coming up) so this is perfect for winter.  And it's beautifully illustrated, I am cold just reading it.  Or maybe that's because it's 24 degrees here! 

You can buy this book, right here on the blog, at 10% OFF and not have to leave the comfort of your warm home.  We will ship it to your door within days.  Check out with Pay Pal, it's the safe and easy way to pay, below! 

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