WTBA is a collection of and conversation about powerful books that strengthen, elevate, inspire and help to grow powerful, resilient kids. We're a book oriented guide for parents, grandparents, educators, aunts, uncles and anyone involved in nurturing children and caring for friends.
ages 2 to 8 years
This is a rollicking book—so much fun to read and so much fun to look at. The story is an adapted Danish folktale and the fabulous illustrations reflect that. It’s the story of Goodie, a plump and obviously happy woman, who is making sausages to store up for her family—she makes hundreds of them and has to hang them from every nook and cranny. Inevitably, funny happens!
Age guide: 2 to 6
Clearly another Charlie and Lola book! This is one based on text from the TV program - and although purists would draw the line at those books actually written initially by Lauren Child, this is still a fun book - fun to read, fun to look at and laugh about.
Lola decides that loosing a tooth is not so bad if the tooth fairy will bring you cash that you can exchange for a farm animal. It's typical Charlie and Lola faire - cute and charming - a sweet glance into the life of a funny little girl. It's a lovely book for children who are just a little older than Lola to read - if you have already lost your first tooth you can look back on those ever so slightly anxious days and giggle about Lola's reaction - knowing that all will be well.
Read MoreLike most of Margaret Wild's books, this one is overflowing with subtle messages, in this case about conquering fear and overcoming inbuilt prejudice, told in a gentle, peaceful, homey sort of way.
ages baby to 8 years
Read MoreI don’t normally like books that overtly teach. I prefer the teaching part to settle gently in the recesses of small minds ready for them to catch and adapt as life throws circumstances to them that don’t quite match the books they’ve read. Mile-High Apple Pie is an exception - there's the obvious, plus much more.
ages 4 to 12 years
Read MoreSam and Charlie are twins; one is 'naughty' and the other is 'nice'. Which is cause for some considerable consternation in the family. It turns out to be a problem for Santa too!
ages 2 to 12 years - a really fun book for Christmas!
This is a nativity story that invites us into Joseph’s thoughts on that first magical night. We hear Joseph’s doubts about his own abilities and his wonder at the child who is before him. And he wonders how he can ever live up to the task.
ages 4 to grownup
Age guide: 2 to 6. The Alfie books by Shirley Hughes are a bit like an antidote to perfect-minimalist Mommy blogs. Not that I don’t love reading a good Mommy blog! But in the Alfie books there’s a very real family – they’re not especially rich. The house is not styled, it’s functional and beautiful as a result – there’s plenty of clutter (of both the physical and social kinds) and plenty of pushing aside clutter to make room for the next activity.
In this one, there’s a Harvest Fair coming to a local school and Alfie determines to enter one of the competitions.
Read MoreA conversation about books + kids. A website resource and book reviews for educators, parents, grandparents. The main focus is emotional resilience.
