6 Things Sunday. Children's Books.

If you follow my blog at all, you'll know that I actually started a Summer Reading Program with my youngsters. Our local library offers this program and it's just awesome.  For our age group, we read 30 stories (per child) and after we've done so, we can get a prize.

As if we really needed incentive to read.  This is a book loving household.

However, this program was the inspiration for this weeks 6 Things Sunday.

6 Books You NEED to Read Your Child. (Because they're wonderful.)

1. Corduroy by Don Freeman
Growing up, this was a favorite story of mine.  A little teddy sits in a department store, waiting for someone to love him enough to bring him home, and finds out his overalls are missing a button. Of course, he sets out to find his button and in the long run learns a very valuable lesson. And the children who are reading do too!  It's what's on the inside that counts!

2. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Ferdinand is a little bull who's a bit different from all the rest.  While his peers are all eager to be picked for the bull fights in Madrid, Ferdinand is content to sit "Just quietly" and smell the flowers.  Many people believe this is a story about non violence in a violent world (I'm guessing due to the bull fighting) but most will agree the true lesson of this story is about self acceptance.

3. Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss
Of course Dr. Seuss would make an appearance on this list!  There are so many Dr. Seuss titles to choose from but this is my personal favorite. With his usual entertaining style of writing, Dr. Seuss teaches appreciation for what you have.

“It's a troublesome world. All the people who're in it 

are troubled with troubles almost every minute. 

You ought to be thankful, a whole heaping lot,

for the places and people you're lucky you're not.”

4. The Frog and Toad Collection by Arnold Lobel 
Frog and Toad stories are the best.  Each is just a few pages long with such lovely meanings behind them.  Most of them are about true friendship.  This adorable duo shows what real friendship is all about, whether it be through being helpful or doing nice things for one another.  And the illustrations are just magnificent.  My personal favorite shows Toad in his swimsuit.

Toad is so cute.

5. Unlovable by Dan Yaccarino
Okay, I'll admit it.  Even the cover of this book makes me squeal with delight.  Have you ever seen a more adorable looking dog?  My youngest sister introduced me to this story and it just delights me.  The main character, a pug named Alfred, believes he is unlovable and is very lonely.  After a new dog moves next door, he is taught a BIG lesson about being himself.  And that he's not unlovable after all.

6. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
This story is about a little mouse with a BIG name.  She finds herself in the unfortunate position of being a bit of a misfit in school due to her name and is dealing with the negative emotions that come with it.  However, in the end, this sweet little mouse learns to appreciate her uniqueness.

There you have it!  6 children's stories I'm hung up on.  If you haven't had the pleasure of reading some of these, please, do yourself (and your kiddos) a favor and head to your library to check them out.

Yay for double digits!  It's day 10 of the Summer Blog Challenge!

Cost aside, what famous piece of art would you like to own?

Yikes. That's a tough one.  Believe it or not, I'm more impressed with the "unknown" artists I stumble upon.  Right now I'm obsessed with Osnat Fine Art on Etsy.

Have you ever seen anything so magnificent?  Someone feel free to buy this for me.

Now I'm going to go lust after the rest of this artist's work.  Until next time, Happy Sunday!