Holiday Reading

This blog was started as an opportunity to share books that my family enjoys with others. I want to be able to share books that interest a large variety of people, and as the holidays are upon us, I find I might need a little help in this. 

My family is Christian. We celebrate Christmas and do what we can to teach not just the Santa/Gifts/Decorations side of the holiday, but also the Jesus/religious parts to our son and others in our family. I am fully aware and accept that not all people follow our beliefs, and I respect that. However, I do not know much about or own children's books about the other holidays people follow this time of year. (I used to when I was teaching, but I have sense given many of those books away to other teachers, and find myself at a loss now as to what to share with those of other faiths.) 

I would ask for your help now. If you are one who celebrates in a manner other than Christmas during the Holiday Season, please pass along some of your traditions! If you know of any good children's books that are geared towards your religion or faith, please leave a comment letting me know. I am very interested in sharing those with the readers of this blog in addition to sharing the books from my own library! 

Thank you so much for your help. I look forward to seeing what comes my way!

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Due to the Holiday season being upon us, I plan on sharing books related to the season for the next several weeks. After all, it is my favorite time of year. I have more than enough books to share with others that will cover this wonderful Holiday season! I'm really very excited. It is highly likely that there will be more than one book shared a week this month. (That is if I have time. It is also a busy time of year!)

Today I want to share a book that I discovered just last year; God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren. (Author of God Gave Us You, and other books in the God Gave Us series.) Last Christmas was a rough one for us. It was my son's first and, like many American families, we were dealing with a deployment that meant our family would be worlds apart for the holiday season. I don't mind admitting that I was having a hard time getting into the Holiday spirit, no matter the reason for the season.

God Gave Us You by Lisa T. Bergren

Years ago I was told that I might never be able to have children. I remember the horror I felt, and the pain. I remember telling my then fiance that I would understand if he didn't want to marry me. (He turned me down on that offer, and is now my husband, God bless the man!) I remember the heartache I felt thinking I might never get to have a child when all I had wanted for years was to be a Mommy. 

I remember well the night, back in July of 2008 and well over 2 years after our original family plan was supposed to have begun, when my husband and I threw our hands in the air and gave it to God. What would be would be in his time, not ours. 

We got pregnant that month. (In fact, we strongly suspect it was that night.) While I know that God gives every child to every parent, it is partially my own history that makes me feel such a strong connection with God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren. God gave me my most amazing miracle, and I am so blessed by that!

Spotlight Author: Eric Carle

Though he was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle did most of his growing up in Germany, where he moved with his parents at the age of six. While there he was educated at Akademie der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart, a prestigious art school.

He returned to America in 1952 where he found a job as a graphic designer for The New York Times. One particular advertisement designed by Mr. Carle caught the eye of author/educator, Bill Martin Jr., and he contacted him to see if he would be interested in illustrating one of his books. What was born of this collaboration was the great classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See?, and the real beginning of Eric Carle's career! (Together Mr. Carle and Mr. Martin also produced Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?)

Spotlight Author: Jane Yolen

Born on February, 11, 1939 in New York City, Jane Yolen is the author of over 300 books, including children’s books, fantasy, science fiction, picture books, novels...if you can name it, she's probably written it. Some of her most popular children's work includes Own Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs series. (A favorite in our home!) She sold her first book, Pirates in Petticoats, on her 22nd birthday and hasn't stopped since!

She is also the winner of a multitude of awards including the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, two Christopher Medals, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards, the Golden Kite Award, the Jewish Book Award, the World Fantasy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Association of Jewish Libraries Award among many others.

Whooo's Who Friday

If you are looking for some great new blogs and some great new readers, check there is no better place than a Friday Blog Hop! 

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

While I know I am a little late because of some personal issues that have been happening outside of Bloggerworld, I very much wanted to do this book in honor of the start of the school year! I have been in love with The Kissing Hand ever since I first learned of it while taking a children's literature class in college, and I think it is a book that every parent and teacher should know about!

What Do You See/Hear? Book

 One of the things I love about the What Do You See/Hear? books by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (the series includes Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?) is how easy it is to come up with projects and ideas to extend each book into your every day life or classroom!

What Do You See/Hear? Walk

One of the things I love about the What Do You See/Hear? books by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (the series includes Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?) is how many ways you can extend the books into every day teachable moments! One of the easiest ways to do this is by going on a What Do You See/Hear? walk with your child! 

Kissing Hand Art

If you're looking for a great way to commemorate your child's first day of school or for a great project to do with your classroom, might I suggest reading The Kissing Hand and then making your own kissing hand project! Every parent loves remembering the little hands that their children once had, and this art project can do that forever and also bring back memories of that first day of school! 

The Kissing Hand Cookies

After reading The Kissing Hand with your child(ren) or classroom, you might want to take the opportunity to extend the theme with some yummy Kissing Hand Cookies! What child doesn't love cooking in the kitchen with Mommy and Daddy? (Cooking time in the kitchen is a great opportunity to work on math, colors, and shapes  with your little one too!) The best part? When you're done you have a super yummy snack!

Scarce

I know that I have been scarce the last week. I am very sorry for that. There is a lot going on outside of cyber-space right now. I am hoping to be back to my regular, blogging self in the next few days. Until then just know that I miss it, and could use some good vibes/prayers/wishes.

Friday Blog Hop

Welcome to Mama Bear's Book Nook. I am glad that you stopped by to take a look around. No matter if you decide to follow or not, please leave a comment letting me know you were here! I love having new visitors. Leave me your link so I can visit your blog as well!

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen

I was stumped as to what book to share this week. My usual posting day, Wednesday, passed me by yesterday without my realizing that I'd missed a Nook day. Today I still couldn't decide what to share, so I asked the expert...my one year old. Not surprisingly, he went to his favorites, his How Do Dinosaurs books, and brought me this one, which was the first one he ever received. He was given it as a first birthday gift from his Grandma Hootie, Grandpa, Uncle Storm and Aunt Harmony...and thus a monster...er...dinosaur was born.

Friday Blog Hop

Another Friday, another chance to make new friends! Thank you for visiting my blog! Feel free to follow if you'd like, but even if you don't follow, please leave a message. I love knowing who is visiting my blog! Be sure to leave me the link to your blog so I can check it out in return! 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr./Eric Carle

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the first in a series of books that Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle teamed up to do together, and has been a classic with children, parents, teachers, and grandparents for over 40 years! (They also produced Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear is an amazing piece of children's literature, filled not only with the beautiful and eye catching illustrations of Eric Carle, but multiple teachable moments found on each and every page!

Friday Blog Hop

Hello and welcome! If you are visiting from a Friday blog hop, please feel free to look around!! You don't have to follow, but please leave a comment letting me know you were here! If you like what you see,  please feel free to follow, and I will follow in return if you leave me a link to your blog! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

My Blog Is Carbon Neutral

Since becoming a parent I admit that I give more thought to the impact I am having on the world than I used to . After all, what was done to the planet previously is what I deal with today, and what I do to the planet in my life is what my son will deal with in the future. We try to bike or walk when we can, we have changed to cloth diapers, we recycle...it never occurred to me that my blog might be leaving a carbon footprint behind.

How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends? by Jane Yolen

I can't count, even using all my fingers and toes (and probably my son's too), how many times I have read this book...today! My little man keeps walking up, book in hand, big smile on his face and insisting "Book! Again!" How is a mother to say no to that?

Besides, I don't mind reading any of the How Do Dinosaur books, no matter how many times they are requested. I have his favorite, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, memorized, and the dinosaurs even have their own voices. (Which my son happily tries to imitate!) I love how these books inspire good manners and positive behavior, so I'll read them as often as they are requested...even if it is dozens of times in a day, or back to back.

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen

I can't seem to get away from the How Do Dinosaurs books by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague...and I'm glad! Not only are they a favorite of my son's, (I can now actually recite How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? without even opening the book!) but I am not ashamed to say that I absolutely love the series! In my opinion, they are right up there with Dr. Seuss as the best books ever!

As my little man seems to be fighting a stomach bug the last couple of days, it seemed only appropriate that I use this blog to talk about How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?