The Yes (by Sarah Bee)

2/5 = OK

Little Fox says, "At the beginning, [the illustration is] all smeared and stuff..."

Momma: Do you know what this book was about?

Fox: No.

Momma: I think it's about all the Nos in your head...the stuff you say to yourself when you're about to try something new because new things can be scary.  All of the little Nos tried to stop the big Yes from going places and trying things. Do you remember something new you did that was scary?

Fox: Swimming.

Momma: What were the No things you heard in your head?  The things that told you not to try?

Fox: It was too deep...I would drown...I was too nervous to jump.

Momma: Did you eventually jump?

Fox: Yes.

Momma: Exactly.  There are all these Nos that try to stop you but all you need is one big Yes. Anything else that you were afraid to try?  How about play dates?  What sorts of Nos did you hear?

Fox:  That I couldn't do it...it was too hard.

Momma: Did you eventually do it?

Fox: Yes.

Momma: And do you like it now?

Fox: Yes!  If [The Yes] said no, he wouldn't have been on any adventures.

Momma: That's right!  I think this is a great book for older kids.  It would be a good book to give someone for graduation because it's about forging ahead despite the Nos and finding your own way.

Leaf Trouble (by Jonathan Emmett)

2/5 = OK

Momma: What do you like about the Fall leaves?

Fox: The colors...[I like] that I can play with them.

Momma: When I picked you up from school today, what were you doing in the leaves?

Fox: Kicking them!

Momma: Why?

Fox: Because I like to!

Momma: I love the leaves, too.  I like the colors.  I like when they fall.  I like putting them in piles and kicking them and jumping into the piles and I like how they crunch when we walk on them!

Fox: Next Fall, can we catch all the leaves?  Please???

Momma: How would we do that?

Fox: With our hands!

Momma: Well, the leaves don't fall all at the same time.  Like they said in the book. the leaves fall a little bit at a time.  But we can wait for a windy day this week and try to catch as many leaves as the wind knocks down.  How does that sound?

Fox: Good!

A Piece of Cake (by Leuyen Pham)

3/4 = Liked It

Little Fox says, "I liked this book because I liked the ending."

Momma: Mouse was so kind.  Mouse made Little Bird a birthday cake but he gave it all away before Little Bird ever got to see it!
Fox: Yeah.  But then he made an even better one with bird.  One with even more stuff.
Momma: That's right.  Where did he get all the ingredients for the second cake?
Fox: They traded with all the other animals.
Momma: Mouse was so kind and Little Bird was so clever.  They are very good friends.
Fox: And they made the best cake ever!
Momma: Would you mind if a friend made you a cake for your birthday and then gave it all away so there was none left for you?
Fox: No!
Momma: How about if a friend made you a cake but it was big enough to be shared with all your other friends?  Would you like to share with your friends?
Fox:  If it was big enough and I would get some, too?  Yes.  I would share!

The Midnight Library (by Kazuno Kohara)

4/5 = Really Liked It

Little Fox says, "I liked the owls that were the assistants.  I like the tortoise. I like A LOT of stuff about it."

Fox: Was the owls your favorite?
Momma: I liked the owls but the little librarian was my favorite.  She was very helpful.
Fox: I meant which animal is your favorite?
Momma: I liked the tortoise because he didn't want to leave until he was done reading.
Fox: My favorite was the wolf...or the fox.  I pick two: the wolf and the fox.
Momma: How is the Midnight Library different than the libraries we go to?
Fox: Because it was only open at night.
Momma: What else is different?  Do animals go to our libraries?
Fox: No.  Animals were the only ones allowed in the Midnight Library.

Simon's Book (by Henrik Drescher)

2/5 = OK

Little Fox said, "It was OK.  I thought it would be awesome."

Momma: What happened in the book?
Fox: They thought the monster was mean.
Momma: Was he?
Fox: No.
Momma: It is funny that his drawing came to life.  Have your drawings ever come to life?
Fox: No.  I wouldn't want them to!
Momma: If you could draw something that you KNEW would come to life, what would you draw?
Fox: A person...a nice person.
Momma: I would draw a castle for us to live in.  And a nice dragon that would let me ride on his back.  And a big hot tub to swim in.  And cake to eat!
Fox: I'd staple paper together...paper as big as our house...and I'd draw a cake that a whole bunch of people could eat.  I'd draw gigantic pictures of EVERY food.  If we didn't have a house to live in, I'd draw a giant house, too.

Flat Stanley Show-and-Tell Flat Stanley! (by Jeff Brown)

3/5 = Liked It

Little Fox says, "I liked it."

Momma: What would you take to show and tell?
Fox: I don't know...
Momma: A toy, a book...the cat?!
Fox: I'd take the kitty.  Or if we had a new kitten, I'd take a kitten.
Momma: What did Arthur take to show and tell?
Fox: Flat Stanley.  His brother.
Momma: Why did Arthur take Flat Stanley to show and tell?  It wasn't because he was flat...What special thing could Flat Stanley do?
Fox:...wiggle his ears!

How Full Is Your Bucket For Kids (by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer)

3/5 = Liked It

Momma: What did you do today that filled your bucket?
AJ: I don't know...My bucket was kind of empty because I didn't get to play with Priscilla.
Momma: Is there something else that might help fill your bucket?  Doesn't playing with your cousin fill your bucket?
AJ: Little bit.
Momma: How about you, Fox?  Does playing with AJ help fill your bucket?
Fox: Yes.  I have a lot of things.
Momma: Well, did either of you do anything that filled someone else's bucket today?
Fox: Oh, listening!  I listened to [my gym teacher] today.  Listening fills buckets.
Momma: That's right!  You know what you did that filled my bucket today?  You gave me hugs and kisses.  I'm sure AJ gave his momma and daddy hugs and kisses and I bet that helped fill their buckets today!  Do hugs and kisses fill your bucket?
AJ/Fox: Yes.
Momma: Maybe we can think of a way to fill Daddy's bucket when he gets home.  Do you have any ideas of what you can do to fill his bucket?  What does he like?  What would make him happy?
Fox: We can walk on the trail.
Momma: Yes!  I bet he would love that.  How about you, AJ?  What will you do to fill your daddy's bucket today?  How about giving him hugs and kisses?
AJ: Yes.  I do that all the time.
Momma: You know what else fills my bucket?  I love when Fox cuddles with me and reads to me.
Fox: Do you want me to read to you later?
Momma: Yes!  I would love that.  But we could wait until Daddy gets home because I know that will help fill his bucket, too.