Reading

Do you like to read physical books or books on an e-reader / tablet?

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Do you like to read physical books or books on an e-reader / tablet?

I have to say I like both. I think they both have their benefits:

Physical Books

  • There is something about the smell of books (a breakdown of chemical compounds I believe) that encourages a moment to pause and imagine the journey you are about to embark
  • Using a bookmark! Just love a bookmark, especially one made by my kids
  • Being able to easily flip through the pages and refer back to a specific page or chapter
  • I think it’s also nice to physically see how big the book is and see how much you have read
  • It’s so awesome to share your books or donate them when you are finished

E-reader / Tablet

  • So lightweight and easy to take on your travels whether it’s on holiday or to a coffee shop
  • There are literally thousands of titles available at your fingertips at any time of day! Shopping in your pjs is not an issue
  • Provides a great way to discover new authors or try different genres

What do you think?

What are your thoughts? Let me know below 😉

Happy reading x

Image and text (C) Lisa Moralee McLardy 2019

“There is no place like space”

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Bright Blue Balloon

Today we are reading There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) Revised Edition by Trish Rabe

We have been enjoying learning about space and the planets lately. I still feels strange to leave Pluto out of the discussion of the nine I mean eight planets!

Bright Blue Balloon

This book from the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library is keeping us (mostly me) on track. Its filled with information, information and rhyme of course. Not to mention an adventure in space with fish, Nick, Sally and the Cat in the Hat himself.

It has been read and reread many times since we checked out of our local library.

We recommend reading this informative, fun book over and over.

My boys are big fans of the Cat and the Hat. Swipe to see Owen’s super size drawing of Cat in the Hat.

Bright Blue BalloonBright Blue BalloonBright Blue Balloon

Title: There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) Revised Edition

Author: Trish Rabe

Illustratior: Aristides Ruiz

Publisher: Random House

Year: 2009

Happy page turning x

This Halloween (and next Halloween)

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Meg and Mog by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski is one of our favourite Halloween books. It was given to the boys at a Halloween party last year and it has been enjoyed many times since.

Meg the witch is getting ready for the spell party. After putting on her black stockings, shoes, cloak and hat she makes an interesting breakfast using 3 eggs, bread, cocoa, a kipper, milk and jam.

“She put it all in her cauldron and stirred it up

There was plenty of breakfast for everyone”

Meg then flies up the chimney with Mog and joins her friends for the spell party. They each add something to the cauldron and chant the spell.

“Frog in a big

Bat in a hat

Snap crackle pop

And fancy that”

A flash and a bang later the spell is complete but it didn’t go according to plan. Meg will have to try again “next Hallowe’en”.

This fun Halloween story is complemented by bold and colourful illustrations.

We recommend reading Meg and Mog this Halloween (and next Halloween)!

Title: Meg and Mog

Author: Helen Nicoll

Illustrator: Jan Pienkowski

Publisher: Penguin

Happy page turning x

©️ Lisa Moralee McLardy 2018

Hold on to your balloon…

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It’s rather windy here today. Strangely warm though! Make sure you hold on tight to your balloon. Don’t let it float away…

This is an illustration from A Wonderful Thing to Win. Where the bright blue balloon does float away but is discovered in an unexpected place. Owen and Carson make a rocket in order to bring it home. They use materials found in the recycling box. An adventure follows as they soar up, up, up to retrieve their bright blue balloon.

“If the balloon floats up, up, up until they can’t see it anymore

They’ll soar up, up, up until they bring it home once more”

Happy page turning x

©️ Lisa Moralee McLardy

One of our favourite bedtime stories

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Nothing beats a good bedtime story. We love reading before bedtime and have a a few favourite titles that never seem to get old.

Goodnight Tractor by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Nick East is one of our favourites. The pages have been turned and turned. It was a 2nd birthday gift from one of our dear friends (Owen’s first friend in fact) and we have been reading it ever since. Owen (4.5 years old) and Carson (recently turned 2) throughly enjoy Goodnight Tractor. They love to get involved and say the words with us.

“the stars are out, it’s time for bed so say goodnight my sleepy head”

The story helps set the tone for bedtime as we follow a little boy on his night time routiene. Where he says goodnight to his toy farm, including the animals, combine and tractor of course.

“Goodnight donkey. Goodnight duck. Goodnight pig and goodnight sheep…”

The rhyming text is complimented by fantastic illustrations which both transport us into a night time farm setting.

We most definitely recommend reading Goodnight Tractor.

“Goodnight tractor, time to sleep”

Title: Goodnight Tractor

Author: Michelle Robinson

Illustrator: Nick East

Publisher: Puffin Books

Happy page turning x

©️Lisa Moralee McLardy

Braver, Smarter, Stronger…

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Say this aloud with me “you are braver than you believe, smarter than you seem and stronger than you think.” (A.A. Milne)

It’s true, you know. The wisdom of Winnie-the-Pooh (A. A Milne) cannot be denied. Unfortunately negativity is an easier default and too often self doubt creeps in and takes hold. When this happens a reminder is required and welcomed to let you know that you are in fact braver, smarter, stronger. My lovely husband sent this quote to me recently and it served as much needed reset button.

I have put this quote on what is to become ‘sticky note wall of wisdom’ (our fridge). This being the first of many reminders, pick-me-ups, uplifts of positivity.

If you have an awe-inspiring quote that serves as your own reset button please share below we would love to hear it 🙂

Happy page turning x

Snow day on the second day of spring

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A snow day on the second day of spring

An unusual celebration – what will the day bring?

World Book Day and snowy terrain

The perfect setting to tell a tale

Of a boy 3.4 feet tall, age 4

 

He set out on a journey this morn

To create a wonderland not of winter but spring

He started with snow butterflies decorated with twigs shaped in rings

He built a snowman – because he wanted to

With sunglasses and a peak cap

A smile made of petals and a banana nose – as Mum used all the carrots in the stew

 

The snowman pointed the way to a powdery landscape

A worthy spot to build a castle – which turned out to look more like an igloo

But it will do

Find a special spot to bury treasure

Then man the castle and protect the grounds

Be prepared for potential snowy battles

Care was taken to make a mound of snow balls

And a great big wall

A fortress fit for a king – age 4 and 3.4 feet tall

No battle was had in the end

So he practised his swing hitting snowballs with a baseball bat

 

A snow day on the second day of spring

An unusual celebration

What fun it sure did bring

Time to retreat to enjoy hot chocolate and a hot cross bun

Then snuggle up with a book or two

Telling tales of kings and castles, snowmen and heroes

 

Words and image Copyright Lisa Moralee McLardy

 

 

 

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

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Finally we have read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, I cant believe it took so long. I of course knew of the book and it had been on the reading list for ages, but it kept slipping through the net. It was worth the wait! Owen chose it from his nursery school library and I couldn’t wait to come home and find out all about the celebrated caterpillar.

The brightly illustrated story follows the life cycle of a caterpillar from a tiny egg to fluttering beauty. A few lessons including counting and days a of the week are woven into the story.  And a valuable lesson for us adults too – perhaps we all need a hearty green salad after some overindulgence 😉

We all highly recommend indulging in The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Read it sooner then we did!

Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
Publisher: Philomel Books

Happy page turning x