When You Were Small by Sarah O’Leary with illustrations by Julie Morstad

Every night when Henry goes to bed he asks his father to tell him about when he was small. So his father does, ‘when you were small we used to give you baths in the teapot’.....

Each page has a different comical situation with a tiny Henry, riding in a pocket and having his hair brushed with a toothbrush and other accommodations to his being ‘little’. What parent has not been asked to tell stories about what we were like during that magical time when we were little? Each page has a sweet picture of a tiny Henry who looks just like he does now only miniature while the rest of the world is big.

I read this book aloud to children in a daycare ranging in age from 1-5 and everyone laughed at every page and loved every minute of it and not just the children! Besides the charm of the pictures and the playful situations this book reminds us of that universal connection between parent/caregiver and child. This is a lovely book to share and on the last page Henry asks his Dad if it’s ‘all true?’

The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini

Eragon, the first book in this fantasy series was published in 2003.  There are four books in all and the idea for the first one started when Christopher Paolini was just 14. After several starts and with much help from others, he wrote one of the most engaging fantasy series I have ever read.

Eragon and his dragon, Sapphira, are the pivot in all of the books but he has created other characters that you either love or despise. The Inheritance Series is not just for young fantasy readers but for anyone who is drawn to a story about mystery, danger, inspiration, redemption and love.

Trim Healthy Mama: No More Fads by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett

Are you tired of the word DIET? Have you exhausted all the promises and rules the diet headlines are selling? Then the book Trim Healthy Mama: No More Fads by authors Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett may have answers for you.

It’s for women of all ages and all stages. It’s motivational and inspirational. Just two ingredients are needed to get started: an open mind and a willingness to shed bad habits. In easy to understand terms, you will gain knowledge about your body type from a physical and psychological standpoint, you will find recipes and meal planning ideas, and lots of great tidbits of information to keep you motivated.

The reviewer thought it was informative and encouraging, with a healthy side of humour.  

Nope! by Drew Sheneman

How hard can it be for a baby bird to learn how to fly for the first time? Pretty hard when he looks over the side of the nest and imagines all sorts of dangerous things lurking below just waiting for him to make his first jump! A entertaining story about how momma bird knows she has to help him take his first leap no matter what.

A laugh-out-loud story with only one word....NOPE...that many parents can relate to about children trying new things. Nope by Drew Sheneman will entertain parents and children alike.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Peter and his pet fox Pax have been best friends ever since Pax was rescued as a kit. When Peter`s dad joins the army, Peter is forced to set Pax free in the wild and is sent hundreds of miles away from home to live at his grandfather`s house. With a war approaching, Peter sets out alone on an adventure to find his beloved fox.

The chapters alternate between Peter and Pax`s points of view, which makes the story more engaging and although this book is marketed towards children ages 10-14, the writing style and themes of war and friendship make this a great read for teens or adults as well.

It`s simple enough for kids to understand and enjoy yet also thought-provoking and heartwarming for older readers. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals or has had a special pet in their life. Includes beautiful illustrations by Jon Klassen.

Night School by Lee Child

Jack Reacher has been pulled from active duty and sent to ‘night school’.  Along with two others, they think they have been demoted for some reason and have to be retrained. In reality, they are being reassigned to a covert operation under the director order of the President to find out what is being sold on the black market for one hundred million dollars and to whom.

With no idea who they are chasing or what it is they are looking for, this is one of Jack Reacher’s toughest assignments. The only thing they can count on is no one will know who pulls the trigger in the end. Night School by Lee Child is another great Jack Reacher story.