the pet project: cute and cuddly vicious verses

A typical request—a girl asks her parents for a pet but as they are scientists, she doesn’t receive a typical, straightforward answer.  Thus, she sets out on a careful and methodical search for the perfect pet.  “What is the best pet for me?  Once my query was revealed, I prepped to study in the field.  I tucked a notebook under my arm.  Desired destination: farm.”  Her fields of study take her to the farm, zoo, and then to the woods behind her home.  Her final destination is Pets “R” Us—but what exactly does she end up with?  Clever and entertaining rhyming verses by Lisa Wheeler and illustrations by Zachariah Ohora in The Pet Project: Cute and Cuddly Vicious Verses.

the little prince

“Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.”

Catching up on reading The Little Prince for @thereadingninja’s #readitbeforeyouseeit challenge!  Anyone planning to see the film version of The Little Prince in theaters?

the pancake king

Henry Edgewood lives an ordinary life until he discovers a hidden talent—making pancakes.  Buckwheat, blueberry, cornmeal, onion and even blini.  After that, Henry’s life will never be the same.  A cautionary tale, with a side of apple butter and maple syrup.

The Pancake King was written by Phyllis LaFarge, illustrated by Seymour Chwast, and was originally published in 1971 and recently re-released by Princeton Architectural Press.

when green becomes tomatoes

Ending the first week of spring with the winsome When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano and Julie Morstad—poetry for different days of the seasons, starting and ending with March 20th, the vernal equinox (also the first day of spring).  This beautiful collection of poetry allows children to see and feel the nuances of each passing season.

fantastic cities and the 50 states

Leaving out some Saturday morning surprises for Avery and Nate tomorrow: Fantastic Cities and The 50 States.  I think they’re going to be pretty excited.