maxwell the monkey barber

Maxwell is in the business of taming wild hair (and fur) and there's no mangled mess he can't coif.  However, when Elephant comes in with an unusual and woeful request, the monkey barber goes back to the proverbial drawing board, dons his thinking cap and pulls an all-nighter.  That's devotion!  The solution he comes up with is nothing short of genius.

Cale Atkinson's jovial and spirited style is a treat, and is sure to turn around even the darkest of gray mornings.  Maxwell the Monkey Barber was published by Owl Kids.

cloud breakfast bowls

Breakfast really is “the best part of waking up.” 😉  Head over to Honest To Nod to read my breakfast post and check out this adorable new cloud pouf while you’re there.  The Land of Nod is giving away one of these cloud poufs to a lucky reader.  The details on how to enter the giveaway on are on @averyandaugustine on Instagram.

the knight and the dragon

It's hard to tell who was more reluctant to duel in this unconventionally funny medieval tale—the knight or the dragon.  And its equally unusual ending involves a traveling library lady.  The simple narrative in The Knight and the Dragon lends itself well to teaching story retelling to children.  One of our goals is to read Tomie dePaola’s seemingly endless treasury of works and even thought we have many of his books, I know we’ve only scratched the surface.  What’s everyone’s favorite book by him?

the princess in black

The latest installment of The Princess in Black, a series my daughter’s been loving.  "Oh my gosh.  This one is so good!"  (Avery, before starting to read it for the second time.)

max and marla

"Just look at them! They are fearless. Prepared for the unexpected." A story of perseverance and Olympic spirit.  Max and Marla is by Alexandra Boiger.