The Big Tidy-Up

by Norah Smaridge
pictures by Les Gray

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For spunky, spiky-haired Jennifer cleaning her room is just not a priority. She finds it convenient to throw her hat on the ivy plant and store pie under her pillow for a bed-time snack. When her mom declares her room a "Keep Out" zone, Jen delights in her mess and passes her time there quite happily...that is until she realizes she is tired of living in chaos and clutter! Jennifer decides the only way out is to do a BIG tidy-up.

My kids have asked me to read this one over and over again in the two weeks we've had it from the Library. They enjoy the colorful pictures and methodical rhymes. Unfortunately it hasn't sparked a "big tidy-up" of their own...yet!

Courage

by Bernard Waber

****

Courage takes many forms, and Bernard Waber does a great job depicting these through words and pictures. My favorite of his explanations include: "Courage is tasting the vegetable before making the face" and "Courage is explaining the rip in your brand-new pants." My kids really enjoyed his many definitions of courage...and even added on a few of their own!

A Friend Like Ed

by Karen Wagner
pictures by Janet Pedersen

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This is a cute story about a mouse named Mildred and her quirky best friend Ed. Ed collects buttons and pencil stubs, invents things like a string bean picker, and recites poetry about everything (all things which embarrass Mildred.) Mildred decides that she needs a more "normal" friend who won't embarrass her, but in the end finds that Ed is the best friend for her.
Ed is a good reminder that being yourself is the best way to be!