you were the first

I gave Avery this book for her recent birthday because she was our first baby.  If you have children, you know that all of them are special to you.  But your first child is unique and incomparable to the others because they were your very first; they made you a parent.  You went through so many meaningful first milestones and indescribable ups and downs that first year; those first few years.  You transformed into a different person.  Life changed forever (for the good, of course) and was never, never the same.  You Were the First was written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin.  The illustrations were inspired by Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York.

ramona the pest

One of Avery's favorite birthday gifts this year is the Ramona collection by Beverly Cleary.  So far, she can't get enough of it!   Listening to her read Ramona the Pest aloud totally brings me back to when I first read Ramona as a kid.  It's amazing how books can do that.  So elated to share one of my childhood favorites with her.

the night gardener

A mysterious individual changes the glum town of Grimloch and an orphan boy’s life forever when he sculpts a series of enormous and breathtaking topiaries out of the town’s trees late at night.  A truly magical story about kindness, artistry and inspiration.  The Night Gardener is Canadian illustrators Terry Fan and Eric Fan’s first children’s book.  Let it not be their last!