The Lion and the Little Red Bird Story & Pictures by: Elisa Kleven

In honor of my oldest daughter Isabela's birthday this month I share with you the Lion and the Little Red Bird. I remember pushing Isabela in her stroller from our home to our library one hot summer day.  I can vividly picture Isabela at 7 months old holding onto this book tightly against her chest the whole stroll home. (The book almost half her size)  I should have seen it then that her love of books was real even at this young age.  Isabela turns five on the last day of this month and as I have seen these first five years fly past I really can't wait to see what this amazing girl will do with all the years of her life!

This story is a beautiful tale of an odd friendship forged between a lion and a little red bird.  The bird wonders why the Lion's tale changes every night after he enters his cave.  She tries to ask him but the lion can not understand her but enjoys her chirping.  The lion has busy days filled with chasing butterflies, splashing in the water, and picking red berries.  His days our filled with color and his tale changes each night.  One night a storm comes and the lion runs out to bring the Little Red Bird into his cave to protect her.  She then sees why his tale changes colors.  He paints beautiful scenes every night on the walls with his tale.   

 "The bird sang while the lion painted.  She sang a song without any questions, full of color and joy.  The lion had never heard anything so unusual and so pretty.  Just listening made him happy." 

 This book has beautiful illustrations and a great message.  Teach your children about colors and animals with this book and teach them one of the most important lessons of life; friendships without prejudices.  A lesson worth learning.

Happy Birthday Month Reading!

Red Sings from Treetops a year in colors By: Joyce Sidman Illustrated by: Pamela Zagarenski

A 2010 Caldecott Honor Book

Imagine trying to explain the wonders of the seasons to young and inspired eyes.  How can you do it justice?  How can you explain something so magical and beautiful?  I know a way.  A beautiful and awe inspiring way.  A book that takes you on a poetic journey to experience the different seasons with color and through brilliant imagery.  Red Sings from Treetops a year in colors provides parents with a colorful tool to discuss seasons and bring our children on the journey with us.  I love the illustrations in this book.  The woman and dog with their crowns followed by the cardinal on each page are fun and whimsical.

My children love color. They will often recite their favorite colors to anyone who is listening "I like pink and purple best.  Oh, and silver and gold.  Well I guess my favorite color would be rainbow".  Like all children color is so important to them.  Not only artistically but they see the world so brightly and lit up!  Living in a part of the US where we are lucky to have a taste of each season my girls have grown to love each one of them.  And as of recently winter is their favorite.  As an adult long removed from childhood it reminded me of a time where snow was such a delight and wonder.  Children have a wonderful way of reminding us of what is fun and how magical our world really is!


SPRING: "In spring, Yellow and Purple hold hands.  They beam at each other with bright velvet faces. First flowers, first friends."  Describing Pansies.









SUMMER: "In SUMMER, White clinks drinks. Yellow melts everything it touches...smells like butter, tastes like salt."  Imagine lemonade, and corn on the cob.






FALL: "Brown gleams in my hand:  a tiny round house, dolloped with roof."  The author describing an acorn.









WINTER: "Pink prickles: warms fingers against cold cheeks." Imagine going out without your mittens.

Do something to spark your children's love of learning.  Read them this amazing book and provide them with a wonderful learning experience in a beautiful way!

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes Story By: Eric Litwin Art By: James Dean

Looking for a fun book to read?  Check out Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes.  Pete the cat has some new white shoes that happen to keep stepping in different things to turn them into different colors.  But does "Pete cry? Goodness, no! He kept walking along and singing his song."  It's a book that will get the kids attention immediately and once you play the song for them they will be laughing,singing along and learning their colors! 

Pete the cat was imagined years ago by the illustrator James Dean. With his recent collaboration with Eric Litwin who wrote the words a great book was born.  The song sounds like a smooth jazz tune that is fun and silly!

You can find the song for free at www.harpercollinschildrens.com/petethecat
The publishers also offer some Pete the Cat activities for more fun!


Parents need a couple of free minutes to yourself? Turn on this video of the book performed by the author. Included are all the pages of the book for viewing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U

It is a catchy tune and quite a cute tale!  If your children enjoy this story there are other Pete the Cat books to check out.  Including a Christmas story just in time for the holidays!

The Little Blue Box of Bright and Early Board Books by Dr. Seuss By Seuss, Dr. (Google Affiliate Ad)