The Belly Book by Joe Harris (Beginner Books, 2008)

Cindy: While many readers are making their New Year's resolutions and thinking about how much they overate during the holidays, we thought it was the perfect time to share this delightful beginner reader book. There are a few thin bellies in the book, but most are useful as shelves or shelter because of their large size. One belly is so grand it doesn't even fit on the double page spread. And, the text cautions, "...bellies aren't great / when you can't read your weight." The book ends with wise counsel to attempt to eat more healthily...but first I have to finish the incredible chocolate gifts sent by friends! I resolve to do better...tomorrow.
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Lynn: “High belly, low belly…stinker belly, Tinkerbelly.” Harris’ funny book about the many kinds and uses of bellies will have beginning readers laughing out loud. Well-chosen vocabulary and bouncy rhymes team up with colorful funny pictures to make this a book kids will want to read over and over. There is a message at the end about what we should be putting in our bellies but it is easy to swallow. I have only one complaint – Harris forgot the most important use of a belly – to hold up a book!

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic, 1990)

Cindy: This post should have been up yesterday, but if I hadn't cleaned the kitchen instead we'd never have been able to get to the counters to stuff our own turkey this morning. Our plan was to each share a favorite Thanksgiving picture book, but Lynn was traveling over the river and through the woods to Lafayette, IN to bring her parents home for Thanksgiving, so I am flying solo this year. We'll plan ahead next year. Yeah, right.

'Twas the day before Thanksgiving
And all through the trees,
The fall leaves were spinning
Aloft in the breeze.

Eight school children take a field trip with their peace sign earring-wearing teacher to a turkey farm where Farmer Mack Nuggett calls his turkeys by name: "Now Ollie, now Stanley, now Larry and Moe, on Wally, on Beaver, on Shemp and Groucho!" The kids befriend the turkeys and come up with a plan to spare them from their Thanksgiving fate. Signature Pilkey humor, great comic illustrations that pay tribute to some famous paintings, and a message of peace. Great holiday fare. If you're not familiar with this 1990 Scholastic/Orchard publication, add it to next year's holiday traditions!

Now, football is also a part of many families' Thanksgiving weekend traditions, so I have another reading recommendation for those fans. It's The Sports Kid Blog written by my cousin, Jack, a 6th grader. Even if you are not a Miami Dolphin or football fanatic like he is, check out his great writing style and voice. We just recently discovered each other's blogs and I was very impressed with his and have added it to my reader feed. He asked how I read so many books. I said, "I don't clean my house, can't you tell?" He looked around and completely deadpan said, "Yes." Consider this a fitting coda to this post's opening statement!

Happy Thanksgiving from Bookends!

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies

Lynn: A librarian leaves a window open and the word spreads fast - it's Bat Night at the library! Older bats, who obviously know their Dewey, fly right to their favorite shelves. Young bats play with the photocopier and make shadows on the wall with the overhead until the real fun begins. It's story time and a series of delightful images follow with bat-versions of our classic tales like Make Way for Ducklings and Winnie the Pooh that keep bats and readers alike spellbound until the sun begins to rise. Beautiful illustrations draw the readers into the joyous visit and the charmingly drawn bats may convince all of us to leave a window open now and then. A visual treat!
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Cindy: This delightful book was a birthday gift from a friend (thanks, Deb!) and it just might be my personal favorite of the year. I collect books about books and libraries (making me a real nerd to my teen daughters) and this one is so much fun. I've enjoyed watching Lynn's twin grandsons eat up books and if they grew wings, they would be in the middle of all the bat fun. Happy Halloween from Bookends! I just ordered Bats at the Beach for my treat!