I was reading a really cool back to school tradition of one Mom who sneaks a new book under her kids pillows before bedtime the night before the first day of school and how important it is to invest that time into reading with her kids. Last night I totally ignored the clock and that “list” of things I needed to get done once the kids were in bed and read lots of books with the kids, instead of the usual 2 or 3 books only. Emma sits in front of Luke’s book shelves and pulls them all down, going through each and every one of them while Julian and I sit and take turns reading with Luke. It’s the single most important learning time we can have with him and I know how much he adores that time with us. One of our favorite things to do is head to the bookstore and it’s so much fun to watch how Luke go through all the books. There’s no doubt he could spend hours at a bookstore! Our new favorite place is Blue Manatee – they have a really fun café there and he grabbed some cool books and cuddled up on the couch with them until I had to pull him out kicking and screaming! Where’s your favorite book store?
We have come across some really cute books lately and wanted to share them with you! They would all make great gifts and are all family friendly :)
50 Rules for Sons
This is a really cool book. The author wrote this for his son upon graduation from high school. In the first half of the book, the 50 rules are listed quickly, independent of any explanation which would be GREAT for the teenage boy who doesn’t really want to read a book you gave to him! At the end, Tim gives the back story to each rule, explaining his personal life experience that makes the rule so relevant. Taken from a lifetime of both failure and success, Tim’s words are powerful tools to help sons of all ages and backgrounds grow and mature into their best. My favorite rule or at least the one that made me laugh out loud: Rule #24: If you want to get a tatoo, go to your closet and pick out your favorite shirt. Wear it every day and every night for two years. If you aren’t tired of it after two years, go get your tatoo! LOVE!!!
Sam & Coodles
I LOVE this book! It is great for new big brothers or big sister and kids who are transitioning rooms because of baby!! The book is about Sam and his best friend Coodles who love rocking on their porch swing, watching big kids at the skateboard park, and hanging out in their room. But young Sam is devastated to learn that he and Coodles, his stuffed armadillo, must move down the hall and give up his bedroom to the new baby. However, once he sees his amazing big boy room, he realizes that a baby sister might be okay after all. And Mommy and Daddy clearly love him as much as ever. He learns about change and has some fun along the way :)
My Cincinnati, My Story
This is such a great book about the beautiful city we live in and adore – Cincinnati! What better way to tell the story of Cincinnati than through a child’s eyes, right? Exactly. This book has been illustrated using an area wide contest for local youth to share their talent with the help of Louise Borden to write the book and Blue Manatee Press to help publish the book. Even better – 100% of the proceeds go to Every Child Succeeds, a local nonprofit whose mission is to offer high risk families in Greater Cincinnati and their families support to ensure an optimal start for their children. Every Child Succeeds will use the proceeds it receives from the sale of the books to purchase books for its nearly 2,000 enrolled families and support literacy programs for children 0-3 years of age. 
Bully Bean
I love all of the picture books we have gotten in the Lima Bear Series. Each book delivers messages for children to help them handle everyday situations with siblings and friends, including tolerance, honesty, and courage. Basic characters, each with their own distinct personality, appear and reappear throughout the series, allowing children to get to know them and anticipate how they are likely to act in different situations. I love how they have extended learning activities at the end of each book! This book talks about someone who is being a bully and I love when we can talk about character qualities from a book because it is much more natural. The kids are loving reading the book with you and learning a great lesson all at the same time! Now when Cody gets a little rambunctious with Grayson I bring up Bully Bean and ask him what Bully Bean learned at the end of the story (you will have to read it to find out!), but it makes him think and usually changes the behavior! Can’t beat that!!
Have fun exploring these books with your kids and family! We are always looking for great books so leave us a comment telling us some of you and your kids favs!!
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Give your children the gift of reading by using our guide from the American Library Association to select books that match both their abilities and interests. Jump-start your kids’ imaginations through reading. You’ll change their lives!