Story Hour

There are many reasons I love children's books. They take me back to a time where going to the library was so exciting(You mean we can just TAKE these books home?). When people read to me-my parents, my teachers, any one. I remember loving being read to. It was so relaxing and I can still see myself braiding my friends hair as we sat and listening to our teacher read us a story.

I've been working at Chapters for a little over a month now and my love for children's books has been renewed. I work mostly in the Children's Department(the department almost every other employee hates) and I am loving it. It's the most colorful part of the store, I can hear children of all ages exclaiming over books and, perhaps my favorite part, I get to talk to kids about the books I love. Over the past weeks, I have discovered some fantastic books that I am coming to love and some that I have loved for a while now.

I thought it'd be nice to share some of my favorites and maybe hear from you as to what your favorite childhood books are, either for you or, if you have them, your own kids.

1. Lost and Found-Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers is a favorite author of mine and this is the first book of his that I fell in love with. It's a lovely story of friendship and the illustrations are as beautiful as they are charming. Jeffers is the author of The Way Back Home, How To Catch a Star, The Incredible Book Eating Boy and most recently The Great Paper Caper.

2. The OK Book-Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This is the first book of two from Rosenthal that made my list. This book encourages kids that it's okay not to be the best at everything. The little stick boy shares about all the things that he tries that he's just "ok" at(sharing, drawing, somersaults, etc.) and how he knows that one day he'll be great at something! Now that I write it out it kind of sounds like the kid has low self esteem, but I assure you, it's not like that. It's quickly becoming a favorite!

3. Arnie The Doughnut-Laurie Keller

This is one of those books that both kids and adults find funny. Arnie has lived at the bakery with the belief that when people buy a doughnut they are, essentially, adopting that doughnut. So, understandably, he is thrilled when a gentleman purchases him and takes him home. He is horrified when he finds out the man's true intentions! This book made me laugh more than twice!

4. Little Oink-Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Little Oink is the third in a collection of three books that I love! Little Pea and Little Hoot are its predecessors. All three focus on a little animal (or veggie) that are not typical. Little Pea has to eat his candy so he can get spinach for dessert, Little Hoot's parents have to convince him to stay up really late when all he wants to do is go to bed at a reasonable hour and Little Oink just wants to tidy up. They are the cutest little books that come in hardcover and in a pack of board books!

A Sporting Good Time

When I come upon a group of people talking about sports I have a quick conversation with myself. It usually goes a little something like "...*sigh*...okay, well I have nothing to contribute to this conversation so I'll just be on my way." or sometimes "Can they not talk about anything else?" but even still there's something very appealing about it to me. A group of people, who may not have much else in common, come together around this team of people, around a sport that they love and support it whole heartedly!

I usually enjoy sports the most when I'm with at least one other person who really loves that sport. One Sunday afternoon I watched Phil Mickelson win the Masters with my brother in-law who loves golf! It was such a great afternoon and it's days like that that make me want to really get into a sport.

Now I've tried to commit to following a sport enough to actually have a conversation with someone. I thought "Ya know, I'd like to have an opinion on whether I think that player or team has a chance of going all the way....maybe I should educate myself!" But inevitably something gets in the way. Usually, that something is time. Following a sport takes such a time commitment and I'm just not sure I want it that bad.