Not a Box

There is a great children's book, Not a Box. If you have never heard of it. Check it out.
I am curious...even at 9 months old. What is Ezra imagining this box is?

In My Meadow

As springtime is on the way, I feel compelled to read "spring" books to Ezra. One of our favorites is, In My Meadow, by Sara Gillingham (author) and Lorena Siminovich (illustrator).

Our favorite part of this book is the finger puppet that shows through on each page. What a great way to get your little ones excited about books. The story takes you through the bunny's meadow and leads you to the bunny's burrow where he snuggles up to take a nap surrounded by those who love him most, his family.  This board book is sturdy enough for little fingers to explore and loaded with bright cheery pictures to captivate young audiences.

There are other books in this series including: In My Den, In My Tree, In My Pond and In My Flower.

Favorite Children's Books?

I am wondering...


1.  What were your favorite books as a child?
2.  And what are your favorite books to read to the children in your life now?

Not A Box...Another one for your bookshelf

Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis is a fascinating children's book. 

This book encourages creative thinking and imaginative play. It quite literally challenges children and parents to "think outside the box."

Throughout this book, the narrator continues to ask the bunny why he is sitting in the box or looking at the box...or like the picture above "Are you still standing around in that box?"

Then in response to the narrator, the bunny answers time and time again, that it is "not a box." The pictures in the book show what object or objects the bunny is imagining the box to be each time.

In the picture above, the bunny says, "It's NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT a box!" But, rather he is pretending that the box is four very different modes of transportation that he is travelling in through his day dreams and enjoying tremendously.

God has given us and our children such tremendous imaginations. Chances are that when our little ones see a plain old brown box that in fact their minds are already picturing many other adventurous things. But, simple books like, Not a Box, may help us as parents to remember to be playful and encourage the God given creativity that our children already possess. 

Book Review - I Love You Through and Through

I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak is a favorite read in our house.

 This children's book has adorable pictures and a precious story that depicts the love parents have for their children.

It is simple, sweet with such lines as "I love your inside...and outside."

or "your giggles... and cries"

But the ultimate message to our little ones is that we love them "through and through" regardless of their appearance, their health, their mood, their attitude, their mistakes ... or you fill in the blank.

As Ezra's mom, I have learned so much about God's unconditional love for us. Though I love Ezra when he is happy or sad, clean or dirty, I am not perfect and I can still get annoyed when we are all ready to leave the house and then suddenly I need to clean baby puke out of my hair or when we have the occasional day with no naps. It can be rough, but I still love that little peanut.

 Now, my love for Ezra is far from unconditional, I am human and can be just as horrible as anyone else. But I am learning each day through my growing love for my little one how much greater the Father's love is for me. For His love is without measure. God in fact is the only one who can love "through and through" all the time. 

I love this story. It is excellent bridge to share with your little ones the great love you have for them, but that God, their heavenly father, is able to and does love them far more than you can even imagine.