Summer Reading (and the give-aways continue)

I can’t remember what I was asking Lily to do when I took these pictures, but her response was, “But mom… I’m planning out my puppet show.”  Now how can I interrupt that with insignificant things like chores?  Sooner or later she will figure out all my weaknesses.  She will know all the activities I can’t interrupt for chores.  Then she’ll spend the whole day reading books, writing puppet shows, getting her brother to giggle, writing letters to her aunts and grandmas and a chore will never be accomplished again.  (It doesn’t sound too bad, does it?)

Have I mentioned how happy I am that it’s summer.  Lily and I have been having so much fun together.  Thank you all again for your wonderful book suggestions.  Since then we have read and loved the first of the Dancing Shoes series, The BFG, Misty of Chincoteague,  Howl’s Moving Castle (a bit advanced for Lily, but I loved it), and The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew (my personal favorite)--Lily leapt out of her chair and cheered at the oh-so-happy ending.  With summer here we have more delicious reading time and outdoor reading weather. 

Now, on to my "birth month" give-aways.  First let me say WOW!  You guys are just overflowing with great ideas.  Now I need to buy some new Converse sneakers for Lily, just to put a brad in the shoelace hole.  I chose a winner at random, and the winner of the Heather Bailey brad set is....Hana.  Congarats, Hana.  I hope you find all sorts of mischief for the little guys.

This leads me to a little detour:

I had a sneak peak at Heather's store (OPENING MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!)  And let me just say, holy cow!!!  If you guys think those little brads I made out of Heather's fabric are cute, you should see all the scrap book supplies with her designs on it.  It will all be in her online store on Monday and the prices are irresistible.  We'll have to have another brain storm session about all the things to do with Heather's charming little die cuts, or paper trims.  Oooooh I can hardly wait.

OK, back to give-aways.... 

This week's is a little give-away for everyone. To help your books return home safely, I designed this

                FREE BOOK TAG DOWNLOAD.

Simply download them (click here or use the link on the side bar), print them, cut them out, and mount them on the inside covers of your books.  A little rubber cement or a glue stick should do the trick.  Or you can print them on full page labels.  Lily has already laid claim to several books this way.  Enjoy!  and do keep the book recommendations coming.

Comments

[Emily]

Oh I'm so glad that you and your daughter enjoyed the first of the Dancing Shoes series and Five Little Peppers and How They Grew.. I still love re-reading these books even now!

[Chelsea]

I just happened upon your blog from Heather Bailey's and I have to say I love it!

You art is beautiful and I can't wait to see your new line of fabric.

Best of Luck,

Chelsea

[Mary]

My husband and I went to Chincoteaque and actually saw ponies! I LOVED that book. My girls and I did real-alouds with the Indian in the Cupboard books - even Dad was listening.

[Beth Menna]

Your book plate is just lovely. I try to teach my kids that each book is special and should be loved and treasured forever- I still own a selection of books I read when I was a child and they are now some of my most treasured possessions.......but to have them with a beautiful name plate like yours....wow!
Matilda is 4 1/2 now and is just loving Pippi Longstocking (as is my hubby, I often hear him laughing out loud as he reads) and also The Wishing Chair and The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.

[Amanda in GA]

I guess I found you after you asked about books but I loved "The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" My grandmother got it for me when I had the measles. I still have my copy that she gave me over 33 years ago.

Thanks for the Book plates they are really lovely.

[Kirsty]

I can't wait until my little boy is old enough to understand what I'm reading to him, I will start with The children of willow farm and The children of cherrytree farm both Enid Blyton. I'm going to go and find 5 little peppers to read now. Thanks Xo

[Claire]

hi! Came across your blog through other people that have linked to you and I LOVE it! What cute ideas you have. I spent a few hours yesterday trying to decide what I can allow myself to spend money on in Heather Bailey's store. It is pretty fantastic! I totally want to make those baby stacking rings for a friend!

Anyway, happy crafting!
Claire

[Laura Gunn]

Thanks Claire! I know, doesn't Heather's store make you want to have everything. She's amazing.

[Stacy (Goodman) Rivas]

Book recommendations - anything by Roald Dahl, the Emily Windsnap series (light and fun, about a mermaid looking for friends), and The Mysterious Benedict Society and its sequel (I'm reading them now and can't wait to put them in my classroom library).

[bekah]

If you haven't read the Fancy Nancy books - they are fantastic! Also, for simple chapter books try Frannie K. Stein. I found your site through Heather Bailey's. I just love her new store! I put in an order today!

[nathalie]

what a lovely blog!! i'm having fun reading it all! wonderful tutorials too :)

[Leslie]

I know this post is a little old, but I can't help but comment on a post about books! I didn't know that Howl's Moving Castle was a book first, and usually I know these things, haha. It's a great movie too by Miyazaki, my favorite animation director. Check out his other stuff, including my childhood favorite My Neighbor Totoro. Some of my favorites when I was younger were Ella Enchanted (much better than the cheesy movie version), A Wrinkle in Time, Bridge to Terabithia (didn't see the movie, but I loved the book), The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. A lot of those are a little bit older, but you should really check them out because they are amazing! They're really the reason that I'm still such an avid reader today.

You have a beautiful blog. Keep it up!