dream catcher of sorts

Jackson's been having some bad dreams at night. We put up this not-really-a-dream-catcher-but-pretty-close-thingy that Mimi brought down in a box of craft supplies from Great Aunt Jane (thank you!). He didn't mention bad dreams this morning so maybe it worked. 

I also put up more family pictures and drawings he loves (X-Wing watercolor by Dada), and set up his Empire State Building collection close-by. 

I would have bad dreams too if I slept in a room this messy.

HE FOUND A TICKET!

I've long wanted to read chapter books to Jackson - I can remember my Mom reading Watership Down to us, among others. We started with Stuart Little (my old copy), and right now we're happily halfway through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Last night, Jon got to the part where Charlie finds the Golden Ticket and Jackson came running to the top of the stairs ~ "MAMA! MAMA! CHARLIE FOUND A GOLDEN TICKET!!" Then when Grandpa Joe starts jumping on the bed, Jon said they were jumping up and down around the room with excitement.

Jackson asked me to read another chapter before school this morning.

He's hooked.

It makes me happy just thinking about the pleasure they're getting from a book that I loved so much too.


PS. This is how excited I was to read to you, Jackson. I blogged about it in 2008.

no, those are MITTENS!

I have to say I was always a bit skeptical when parents would say their infant/toddler had a favorite book. But Cade has developed some very strong feelings for Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon.

He reads it every night, and then sleeps with it every night. Cuddle up with your book, buddy! Nothing like a nice hard board book to sleep with. :)

P.S. Here's Jackson reading Goodnight Moon three years ago.

books books and more books

Mimi and Nonno hit the New Fairfield Public Library and brought us miles of books! Thank you, Mimi and Nonno, we still haven't made our way through them all!

books

Switched Jackson and Cade's rooms. Moved bookcase. Pile of books pre-transfer.


(I've always like the way books look stacked horizontally.)

The Art of Beatrix Potter, and Cade and his beloved Peter

Sunday I found The Art of Beatrix Potter on the street. I've always loved her illustrations. I'm  contemplating saving it for Cade, who now LOVES his Peter Rabbit (actually Jackson's, a gift from Aunt Lauraine when he was born), or selling it on ebay. 

(Yes, that's Jackson on the floor to the right of Cade. I think they are playing Hide and Seek). 

(new picture. added 5/6/11)

Bruno Munari

Yesterday we went home to Connecticut and I was able to stock up on some great new children's books from my favorite thrift stores. My favorite score, for 49 cents, is this ABC book by Bruno Munari, and Italian artist and graphic designer.    

I do like the inscription in the front, which says, "He who buys this book may make the dedication to the child who receives it."


Aren't the illustrations great? I can't wait to read it to Jackson and Cade.

I do not like them, Sam I am.

Jackson is going through a serious Dr. Seuss phase. I just realized we don't have a copy of Green Eggs and Ham. Must get.

He's also at the age where I can no longer skip huge sections of Fox on Socks, or even a few pages at a time anymore. Which, at the end of a long day, is really too bad.

Old House Bookshelf

I do like this bookcase. It would be good for all the books that currently live on the floor in their rooms. Too bad there is no room for it. Especially since Cade's side is officially the size of a closet.

It reminds me of Jackson's old daybed.

reading winnie-the-pooh

While Cade napped.

library time

The library closest to us is closed for renovation, which is too bad. I'd like to start taking Jackson and Cade more often. I think half of my childhood was spent in the New Fairfield Public Library.
I remember taking not just bags full, but boxes full, of books out.

I wish this library was our local library. I love the installation by the illustrator Maira Kalman. More here.

booking it

This weekend we scored at the Wayland library sale. I'm saving most of the books for Jackson's birthday (and beyond), but in the meantime he's enjoying Richard Scarry's Henny and the Egg in the Hole book most of all.

(Picture of Mimi and Nonno's bookcase in Connecticut. Jackson and Cade's bookcase is a bit more messy and colorful).

animal orchestra

I rarely buy new books for Jackson and Cade, but for some reason I couldn't resist this one. Maybe it's because I like to hear the way Jackson so earnestly says "am-imals." It makes me laugh every time.

batten down the hatches!

NPR described the coming snowstorm as "having historical proportions."

{picture from I am a Bunny, by Richard Scarry, Jackson's well-loved Christmas present from Kate}

books

Now that Cade enjoys books, I thought he might enjoy this artist's work too.

{saw it on Mint}

red balloon + blue striped jammies

We had fun recreating this page from Margaret Wise Brown's My World.

bird songs

One of Jackson's favorite books right now.

Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby

A sewing project I think I could handle.

{via Ohdeedoh}

feathering the nest

I like the looks of this book: Feathering the Nest: Tracy Hutson's Earth-Friendly Guide to Decorating Your Baby's Room, especially after seeing the picture of that big chalkboard wall.

{Seen on Cookie}

Charlotte Melchior's Picture Book

We have some really good children's books here but look at this one that Hans Christian Andersen made. On May 9th, 1874, he wrote:

"In the last [couple of] days I have made a Picture Book for little Charlotte Melchior, mostly pasted on coloured pictures and written verses next to each. The Book is being sent to her today."

I forget how I came across this website, but it's wonderful.