May May

I love May.  I know it's the craziest time of year for anyone with children in school/activities, but I love the month so full to bursting.  Buds are opening all over our yard, just yesterday the waft of fresh lilacs from our side garden was deliciously overwhelming.  My veggie garden is STILL not 100% planted, but as usual the promise of fresh veggies soon and the what ifs of trying some new things is tantilizing.

This Spring feels oddly settled for how truly unsettled and new most things are this season.  Ainsley finishing up a mere two months in her new school.  Felix dong spring soccer for the first time, (me somehow assistant coaching?)  Louise at her new dance studio for the first year, production number and all.  It's hard to believe that just last spring Felix was graduating preschool, I was dance recital hopping with the girls to pick a new studio for this year,  and I was more worried than I'd ever been for summer going well with my three at home.

Turns out it was the easiest summer yet.  My children all big enough to be out around the house without me right at their side, days easily filled with beaches and backyard pools and park visits.  I've planned exponentially less this summer, and feel more confident than ever in the great time we're going to have.

Yesterday I spent some time researching and requesting my first round of summer themed books from the library.  Almost nothing gets me more excited for a new season or holiday than that.  I've spent so much time researching and reading children books I'm always astounded that that work is never complete.  There are always new amazing things being written and many old books and authors and series that I somehow haven't stumbled across yet.

Looking back my passion for children's literature started with a course in college and then later a book I stumbled across at a recommendation from my first teacher colleague.  I will never forget the class discussions on Despereaux, Esperanza Rising, and The Borrowers.  Children's books can do amazing things, not just entertain but introduce and deal with big hard topics in a developmentally appropriate way for kids. I can't believe my own girls are nearly old enough to be reading some of those books soon.
P.S. I can't wait for them to be ready for Number the Stars.  Another all time favorite of mine.

With children at different ages and with different personalities and preferences it's always a challenge to find books that I think they will all like to have read to them.  In the summer one of my favorite things is sitting on a blanket in the shade, after lunch, reading to my children while they play close by.

My goal this summer is to read a chapter book a week with them.  Some longer ones may take longer than that and some shorter we may breeze through in one or two sittings.  It's a goal I feel excited about.  12 books.  Here we go.

The Rescuers and Bed Nob and Broomsticks - I love reading classics and especially ones who's stories I think I know but are really very different (and often much better) than the films.

Tua and the Elephant - how could I not get this one for my elephant loving Louise.  The story sounds so wonderful too.

Moomin Summer Madness - I have yet to read a moomin book with or without my children.  This seemed like the perfect thing.

Little Bo (and series) - Mandy was one of my absolute top 10 novels that I loved as a child.  Ainsley's too.  To find a whole new-to-me series co-authored by our beloved Julie Andrews felt like a summer gift wrapped with the prettiest bow.

Traction Man (also a series) -  I stumbled across this series when looking for summer themed books.  A book later in the series takes place at a beach.  It looks light and funny and just the thing Felix, and really all three, will love in between the longer novels.

Cilla Lee Jenkins (series) - I can't wait to meet this character.  A newer series that looks amazing.

 Raymie Nightingale - I can't possibly go the summer without a Kate DiCamillo read.  Last summer it was Because of Winn Dixie on audio book and the Mercy Watson series was one of all of my kiddos first chapter book series'. She's just written a new book with a character she introduces here so I thought this was the right place to start.  Maybe I'll get two Kate's this summer?! (and if you haven't read the miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane I can't recommend it enough. It's one of the few books Ainsey's ever snatched out of my hand to finish reading on her own because I wasn't going fast enough for her)

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins (series) I think my kids will love these books.  I'm laughing just looking at the cover.

The Miniature World of Marvin and James- Another sweet looking series perfect to break up our longer books or even to read in one sitting at a beach or park. Very excited to have found these.

Bonus Summer book finding pro-tip: type "goes to the beach" or simply "beach" into the title search on your library's website.  SO many options from favorite characters and authors.  I have a whole bunch slotted to come right as summer starts.

Wishing you all a Marvelous May and wonderful start to summer.