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I recently had the opportunity to review the book “Hot on the Range” by R.D. Jentsch and illustrated by David C. Bryant.  It is a wonderful story of a horse name Chester and his quest to find a cool spot on a hot summer day!  His quest is not an easy one, yet he perseveres and in the end it pays off.  Through out his journey Chester runs into his friends who are getting cool in their own way.  Willie the Palomino likes to go under a Shade bush, but Chester really wants to play AND be cool.  So he continues his search for his own way to be cool.  His friend Nan the goat suggests lying down in the nice cool barn, and then decides to go do that himself. Chester’s friend Sunny (also a horse) is on her way for a cool drink.  Chester decides that sounds great and goes off to follow her.  There is a line at the water trough, so Chester continues his quest for a drink and to cool down.  In the end he gets the best cooldown he could ask for from his master, who soaks him down and gives him some love.

This is a nicely written with exposure to some more challenging vocabulary,which I think is great.  It exposes kids to some words they might not hear every day like “sauntered and Pleasant”.  It is well written with very nice pictures.  If your kids like horses they will LOVE this book.

I read it to my kids and nephew and they were definitely captivated by the pictures and the story.  For me, that is the best test of a book!!  They loved naming the animals they saw and  wondering where Chester would go next!

If you would like to purchase Hot on the Range you can get it from Amazon.  For more information about R.D. Jensch you can visit her website hotontherange.com.  Thank you to R.D. Jensch for giving us all the chance to enjoy this book!

photo credit: Manchester Library

I love children’s books!!  Today I am sharing some of my favorites.  I find reading books such a bonding experience for my children and I.  Books create so many wonderful memories!! There are certain books I see and they remind me of being a child!

My Top 10 Favorite Children’s Books:

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – A great Rhyming story that kids love.   I used to read this over and over to my son when he was about one year old.  He would fall asleep that way every night.  The kids I watch at my day care love this story too.  One of the kids naps and they all sit and help me “read” it.  Since they have it memorized.  They get such a kick out of knowing all the words!!
2. Owl Babies by Martin Wadell – A sweet story about three little owls that worry their mama won’t come back.  But, She does.  Wonderful way to reinforce to kids that mama might not be there but, she will be back soon!
3. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss – Classic Rhyming book!  I loved this as a child and still do!!  It’s silly and fun and helps kids learn about rhyming words!!
4. How do Dinosaurs say Goodnight by Jane Yolen – A fun story about the trials of going to bed, Dinosaur style!!  It illustrates all the things kids might do at bed time (like procrastinate!) and shows how a dinosaur goes to bed.  Great Pictures with names of the different dinosaurs in them.  If your child loves dinousaurs they will love this!
5. What’s wrong little pookie? by Sandra Bolton – Great book about a little pig who is sad and the mother’s quest to discover what’s wrong!! I use the line for my daughter who is 3 all the time now and it always make’s her smile when she is hurt! (if at least for a moment!!)
6. The Mitten by Jan Brett -Story of a little boy who wanted White Mittens and the journey one of those Mittens takes.  I love the illustrations in this book.
7. Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle & Bill Martin Jr. – Another classic.  I know this one by heart to and so do my children!  Fun Rhymes, great pictures and kids love that they can help “read” it!!  Once they have heard it a few times they get how it works.  My daughter (who is 3) frequently “reads” this to her dolls!!
8. How do I love you? by PK Halinan – This is probably one of my favorites to read to my kids, because it is telling them how much I love them!!  It just feels good to read this book and let my kids know once again how much they are loved.
9. Dear Zoo by Rod Cambell – This is a fun lift and flap books.  My kids take turns on each page looking at what animal is sent to the boy in the story!
10. If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff – A great story of cause and effect!! What happens when you give a mouse a cookie? He’ll need some milk & if you give him milk he’ll need…..and on it goes.  Great Illustrations!!

I probably could have done my top 50 but that would have been a little much!! Share your favorites in the comments!! What are your favorite children’s books?