Reading…

The Storm Whale, by Benji Davies

I wanted to feature two books geared more towards Emil’s and Oliver’s ages. The first, The Storm Whale, is a sweet and simple but beautifully illustrated book about a little boy who finds a beached baby whale after a storm. His empathy for the creature is touching, and his father’s reaction is equally heartfelt. It’s a good lesson on helping and also on saying good-bye when you love something/someone that doesn’t belong to you.

Plus, the illustrations are just beautiful. I kind of want to move into that cottage by the sea.

My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not), by Peter Brown

This one is Emil’s favorite book right now. It is about a transformation of sorts, or at least a change of perspective. As one little (mischievous) boy gets into trouble at school, he views his teacher as a green-faced, stomping, roaring monster. But when he encounters her in the real world, that all starts to change…

It intrigues Emil how the teacher, once green-faced with gruesome features, slowly shifts into a pleasant human being as he gets to know her as just that. It is perfect — just what a three-year-old should be intrigued by.