I Love You The Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse illustrated by Mary Whyte

This book is a favorite of our bedtime readings through the years. One of my children was always asking which child I loved the best. This book gave me some great ideas about how answer her. A wise mother in this book teaches her children about the unique and special place they hold in her heart that is all their own. Plus, the setting is a cabin by a lake, a place that is reminiscent and special for me and my children. I hope your family loves this book as much as ours. The beautiful illustrations really make it an excellent choice!

(Click on the book to go to the author's website.)

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Tacky is not like his fellow penguins, Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect. His idiosyncracies seems to be a detriment to his companions pleasant living until one day when the hunters arrive. These other penguins discover that Tacky is just the bird "to have around." Read this book with a child and find out why!

I love this book because we all can relate, either by being an odd bird at times or living with some! Helen Lester knows just the right way to frame those qualities that seem difficult at first but, when seen from a better perspective, are actually blessings. It's a great reminder that we each are unique and can value every person, no matter how different!

My favorite part of reading this book is to make up a very bad-sounding tune to Tacky's song. My children often sing along, and the more off-key we are, the better!

"How many toes does a fish have?
And how many wings on a cow?
I wonder. Yup, I wonder."