These are a few of our favorite books!

Back in the day when I could actually call myself a blogger (meaning when I used to post multiple times a week, not months like now) I was good about sharing lists of our girls' favorite books. As I was just reading the same book to M that we have been reading to her every night since I purchased it two weeks ago (The Snatchabook), I realized that I am long overdue in sharing the wonderful titles that we have been reading to the girls lately...so here goes!!

M's faves (age 4 years and 9 months):

The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty - I love a book with sweet little animal characters and a wonderful rhyming story. This one will tug on your heartstrings if you are a parent who loves to read to your kids at night.

Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts - I was immediately drawn to this book due to the brilliant illustrations. M loves all things fashion (as does her Mama) so I didn't even read this before I brought it home for her because I knew as soon as I looked at the inside cover she would love it...and it did not disappoint!

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers - It is pretty rare to come across a book that is just as enjoyable for the parent as it is as a kid, but The Day the Crayons Quit is that book and more. It is funny, it is smart, it is silly and it is a joy to read over and over and over and over....get it, now!

I Had a Favorite Dress  by Boni Ashburn and Julia Denos - Another fashion book that I was drawn to immediately due to the illustrations and which ended up having an adorable story along with it. It won't teach your children any life lessons, or make your feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it is cute, and M loves it.

Crafty Chloe and Crafty Chloe: Dress-Up Mess-Up by Kelly DiPucchio and Heather Ross - These are books after my own heart. You had me at "crafty" in the title! Both of these stories about the creative Chloe are sweet and unique. They are great for the girl or boy that might not be the best at traditional things, but who is a thriving artist at heart.

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna - The latest in the Pout-Pout Fish series (one of our all time favorites) tells the story of our protagonist's first day at school. Just like all of Diesen's books this one teaches your child a valuable lesson: just because you don't know something doesn't mean you can't learn it, and school is the perfect place for that.

Val's fave at age 2:

Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems - Obsessed is an understatement. I have read these two books to Val every night for the past 6 months, and I can honestly say I don't mind reading them over and over! Her favorite thing to do is to spot the hidden pigeons (ok, they aren't that hidden, she just loves to say "I found da pigeon!") throughout the books and to do the "Kuh-nuffle/Nuffle!" scene along with me. These are just perfect for any 2 year old with a short attention span as they aren't too long, the drawings are great and the story is adorable.

A Sister More Like Me by Barbara Jean Hicks and Brittney Lee - My girls are not as into Frozen as most girls their age. They like it, and have the dolls, but we have only watched the movie a handful of times. Now, the music, we know that backwards, forewords, inside and out and have made our own music videos. Val is much more into the characters than M, so she loves reading this incredibly beautifully illustrated book that delves deeper into the childhood of Anna and Elsa. It is really neat to learn some back story about the characters and get a peek into what it was like growing up for them in Arendelle

Sesame Street Night, Night Elmo by Sesame Street - It's Elmo. It has flaps to lift. Mama does her best Elmo voice when she reads it (which isn't half bad if I do say so myself).

Tons of Trucks by Sue Fleiss and Betsy Snyder - For all the books about Princesses and fashion that I buy the girls I like to round out their library with "boy themed" books as well. This lift the flap book about trucks is one of Val's all-time favorites.