Building Our House/Building Our Home
In July, we will have lived in our house for two years. I believe in the power of place, and there is no place other…
I JUST CAN’T WAIT: Brand New Stead/Fogliano and Fancy Nancy
Have I mentioned that I am a HUGE fan of Philip and Erin Stead? And of Julie Fogliano? Why yes I have, here: https://picturebookhouse.com/2013/03/05/and-then-its-spring-on-yet-another-snowy-day-in-wi/ https://picturebookhouse.com/2013/02/23/mommy-i-want-to-go-in-the-amos-mcgee-book/ Which…
Wisconsin Women Write for Children; We Read Their Books
Last night, instead of reading picture books to my kids, I settled into a seat in the second floor ballroom at The Women’s Club of Wisconsin…
Little Blue Truck
“Horn went ‘Beep!’ Engine purred. Friendliest sounds You ever heard.” …begins Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008) AND…
A Small Child’s Poem about Grandpa/Bubba Bear
If you know my Dad, Bubba isn’t exactly the nickname you’d expect, but he has worn it graciously (and dare I say, with pride?) since my…
In Grandma’s (or make that, Mimi’s) Arms
We could not have gotten from Point A (my daughter’s birth just over three years ago) to Point B (today), without one very special lady—my Mom,…
Kitten’s First Full Moon, and My Son’s First Look at the Sky
At the risk of Picture Book House becoming Ode to Kevin Henkes House, tonight I am writing about one more of his books that we can’t…
My Garden (With an Update on Mr. McGregor’s)
The Peter Rabbit birthday party was a success. During the scavenger hunt, only one kid panicked when I ran around the yard waving a rake yelling,…
Why Trixie, Why? My Emotional First Reading of Knuffle Bunny Free
As I wrote in a pervious post, we are having a Peter Rabbit Birthday party. The little guests will hop on over this Sunday. Also as…
The PBH Bedtime Canon
Who knew that getting a kid to sleep would be so exhausting… Is she too hot? Too cold? Hungry? Thirsty? Not tired? Overtired? Should we turn…
A(nother) Good Day, by Kevin Henkes
A Good Day by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, 2007) begins like this: “It was a bad day….” Here at the Picture Book House, it wasn’t exactly…
Waiting Out the Storm, With My Daughter
As I’ve written before, like Grandfather like Granddaughter, but apparently not when it comes to thunderstorms. We woke up to one this morning, and my daughter…
A Good Day of Good Books
The nights when I sink into sleep thinking, “Ah, this was a good day,” are usually nights that cap days filled with good books. This morning…
Lucky Ducklings? Lucky US
I’m always telling my daughter she’s a lucky duck. “You’re a lucky duck! You get to go to the park!” “You lucky duck, you. You got…
FEE FI FO FUM! Another Generation Smitten with the Snortsnoot
I grew up in a book house. Years ago, my Dad’s family owned Brainard Books in Crystal Lake and Elgin, IL. My Mom, an English teacher,…
Prepare for a Peter Rabbit Birthday Party
I gave my daughter a choice: “Would you like a Fancy Nancy birthday party or a Peter Rabbit birthday party?” “Peter Rabbit!” she yelled. As it…
Who Lives Here, Lives Here, Now
Yet another snowy day here in Wisconsin. My inner snowman already went North for the summer, so I just couldn’t suit up the kids for March sledding. But…
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes Makes a Move
It was an emotional day. My baby went in to get a haircut and came out a little boy… and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little…
Picture Book House 