One of my favorite things about reading to my kids is when we ...
598669
I received a complimentary copy of this book for our review. One of my favorite things about reading to my kids is when we talk about they read.  I always ask them imagine if they were there, what did they see.  When we started reading Harriet's Big Adventure, I knew this would be a great book to read together.

The wording is a bit lengthy for a child's book, however, that is fine with me as I like reading to my youngest .  Once I'm finished, she will then tell me the story based on what she saw and heard.
2821899
My kids love this book and I love reading it to them.  The illustrations are whimsical and fun.  The rhyming is great.  My kids chant along.  :)  I highly recommend!
1417168
This may be one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books. It was such a fun read and I loved reading it to my kids. Ive always loved that Dr. Seuss books rhyme and they always have a bit of silliness to it that appeals to kids. Another point in Dr. Seuss favor is that the books teach a lesson. The lesson here is that its fun to read and you know that hit home for me. Everything about a Seuss book is excellent. The illustrations are whimsical, the story is silly, yet concise. And, I don't know about you, but I always love a book that rhymes.

Thoughts from the 10yo: This book was hilarious. I love that it rhymes and I loved all the silly animals. My favorite part has crocodiles wearing pants, that cracked me up. I could definitely see myself reading this again.

Thoughts from the 4yo: I want to read it again and again!
2010536
I love seeing my kids excited about learning. These books are such a treat for learning time.
2929500
I got this to read with my daughter, thinking that she might tolerate it. She loves it. She is actually pestering me to read it with her every night (I am so delighted). We read it together and discuss the stories. I think that is why she is connecting to it so much, the delightful stories.

Also, I think it is easy for parents to tell kids that they are not doing it right but harder to give positive examples/ideas of HOW to do it right. I like the book because it clearly defines things for us both. I am doing the same exercises, right along with my daughter and we are enjoying reading the book.

She is little young for some parts of the book so we are skipping over those a bit but overall, I would recommend this to most parents. And read it together. You'll get so much more out of it.

I read his dad's book and find this one easier to absorb. I think because the tone of the book is like a friendly older brother talking to you about life experiences it makes it easier to absorb the concepts.
841985
The little boy in this book reminds me very much of my 4-year-old (one of my 3 boys), and I love reading it to him.  Perhaps he enjoys listening because I like reading it so much, or perhaps he would love it anyway.  I treasure reading this story to him.  He has something to say about every page.  The whimsical feel of the book gets his imagination going.  He is as sweet as the book and I love to be reminded of that.
3683788
This review was written by my ten-year-old daughter who is just getting into reading. Books like these are encouraging her to read more, and I couldn't be more thrilled about that.

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I love detective stories and I love that the character's name is Blondie McGhee. That's a cool name and it drew me in right away. It didn't have a lot of hard words to pronounce and it was easy to read and understand.

My favorite part was when Blondie thought she was going to get grounded for going into the janitor's closet without permission during school. I also liked it when Owen jumped out and scared Blondie because I like to do that to my mom but she doesn't like it. I think it's funny.

This book is perfect for kids my age who don't like to read long chapter books. I would like to read other books like this one.
375922
My 5 y.o. son LOVES this book (he is in kindergarten).  I read one line, he reads the next line and then we read a line together.  First person's lines are written on the left printed in purple, second person's lines are on the right in red, the lines to read together are centered and printed in blue.  Each short story is a fun rhyming poem that covers two pages.  Also includes wonderful illustrations.  Because my son is just learning to read, he is struggling a little with all the contractions (let's, she's, I'll) but they are important to the rhythm of the words.  A short excerpt from "Hop and Skip",  "(1st reader) My mom says, "Walk/ Instead of run." (2nd reader) My dad does, too./ But that's no fun.  Both) If you just walk/ To where you go,/ Instead of run,/ You go too slow.  ..."  It is accompanied by great illustrations of a rabbit and child dressed as a rabbit tumbling down a hill with their books going helter skelter.

Illustrations include boys and girls of different races (cats, dogs and pigs too).  Titles include: The Snowman, The Snake, The Telephone and are appropriate for young children.  I love how this book encourages reading and seeks to make it fun.  If a child enjoys reading, then the whole world is available to him.  Here's a bit of my favorite story, The End: "(1st) We're at the end/ (2nd) The very end/ (both) The very/ Very/ Very/ End (1st) No more words/ (2nd) Or pictures. Look!/ (1st) No more stories/ (2nd) In this book. / (Both) But there are other/ Books to read./ (2nd) Hundreds/ (1st) Thousands/ (both) All we need, /Any time/ In any weather/ We can sit/ Right down together.  ..."
4761938
On our second reading with this book!  Anything that gets my kids to read is great!
3021004
I love that I get to share one of my favorite childhood stories with both my kids, as the flip actions engage both kiddos who are a couple years apart.
2924043
My kids love it when I read this book to them! They like to yell "stop thief!" Right along with the main character. So cute!
2371799
This is one of my favorite books to get children interested in partner reading and I love how it plays off the Mother Goose rhymes of old.
922025
My three kids could listen to these stories over and over again!
4433419
A great reading book with short stories for my teenage children. I love to cultivate a reading habit for my kids and this book with its two adventure stories and a bonus book of poems would definitely create a great inspiration for more of their reading. With so many electronic games available, my kids have been hard-pressed with their spare time to get down to much reading nowadays. I am glad to find a book that would at least motivate more reading rather than just electronic games. A great balance to their development in their growing years.
966427
I bought this book for my 10-year old daughter, but my policy is that I have to vet what they read first, so I read it before giving it to her. I must say that I really enjoyed this story. It's quite in line with my Christian values and what I want my kids to learn. I had such a ball reading it that my daughter kept asking me when she could get her own book! She no doubt wanted it more when she saw how much fun I was having reading it.
1094641
I love reading this book with my children. Not that I have to actually "read" it anymore. It's impossible not to memorize it after reading it twice. There are 2 kisses suggested in the book. My daughter loves anticipating the kisses, which I exaggerate. She even kisses her baby brother now at just the right parts. It's such a good book to read during snuggle time. It's short and sweet and rhymes but not in an annoying way. It's especially helpful when we're traveling to read this book before bed to make my home-sick daughter feel at ease. I recommend this to anyone with toddlers or young preschoolers.
3249340
Reading books to my children is my absolute favorite part of our day.  Every evening and most rainy days, my two youngest children and I cuddle up on the couch and together we read stories.  Our collection is ever growing and I am always delighted to find a book that I am genuinely excited to add to our shelf.  Their current ages are three and five so we spend a great deal of time enjoying picture books.  We received our copy of The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin as a birthday gift.  This quickly became our favorite picture book and here is why.

Illustrations:
Before even beginning the story, I fell in love with the whimsical illustrations.  The pictures are so unique, soft, precious and warm.  I found myself so captivated by the magical images on each page that I paused long after the words were read to absorb the beauty and detail. The children in the story are drawn with such care and each one is so individual and incredible.  Its  almost too wonderful to keep on the bookshelf and deserves to be framed and hung on the wall.

Originality:
As I said before, we spend a significant amount of time reading in our family and its always a treat to find something completely new and original to add to our collection.  Emily Winfield Martin has blessed us with just that.  The Wonderful Things You Will Be stands out in a category of its own by combining outstanding, one of a kind artistic beauty with an encouraging and heartwarming message.  There isn't another book on our shelf that compares.  Her style is truly her own and greets readers with an individual experience they will want to reread over and over again.

Message:
The message of the tale is in the voice of a parent to their child.  It starts with the parent wondering aloud about who their young child will grow up to be.  From the very beginning, it portrays a strong message that, as a parent, they are certain that their child is someone they want to know.  Other childrens books do a great job of reassuring love between a parent and child but this adds another beautiful element to that message. Not only does it affirm that the parent will love the child, whoever they grow up to be, but it puts a great deal of excitement on all of the possible ways they can become their very own person.  It encourages adventure, taking care of others, individuality, wholesome character traits and creativity.  It says to go be everything you were created to be and I will love you with wonder and admiration.  What a powerful and uplifting message to children of any age.  Heck, what a powerful message for adults!

Story Flow:
When reading aloud, it is always enjoyable to be able to read a story with a steady, easy to follow flow.  This story is laid out in a comfortable progression of rhyming phrases without being sing-songy.  Each page contains a small amount of script while the captivating illustrations tell the story right along with the the written word.  The language is vivid, fun and adds character and creativity to this wonderful story.

It Doesnt Get Old:  I like Dr. Suess and admire his work, however, I can only read the tongue twisting silliness so many times before my head starts spinning.  How refreshing to have a story that you and your children can enjoy over and over again.  My kids have their favorite stories to listen to that aren't always my favorites to read repeatedly.  Its a blessing to have this book as a family favorite.  Each time I turn the page the kids point to the children in the illustrations and pick which one they want to be.  Its an easy choice and enjoyable for all us.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be has become my go to baby shower gift.  The last mom-to-be I gifted it to admitted to crying the first time she read it.  Perhaps it was just the hormones, but I venture to say that she truly appreciated the beauty and sincerity of this wonderful book.  Your family library is not complete without this gem.  This is a story book I cherish and long to share with every other child I hold dear.