And the Library Keeps Growing...

So on Friday I mentioned that my husband bought me a stack of new books at a super-fun book shop in Brevard, NC. Want to know what I scored? You're in luck 'cause that's what we're talking about today.

First up, two Alexander books by Judith Viorst. Most people are probably familiar with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in which Alexander talks all about his rotten day and how he should probably just move to Australia. Especially since it recently inspired a major motion picture put out by Disney. (Which I wasn't particularly a fan of, but let's not get into that right now.) But did you know there are several other books about Alexander? In Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday, Alexander recounts the mysterious way the dollar his grandparents gave him on Sunday disappears throughout the week. Judith Viorst is hilarious, and I can't get through any of the Alexander books without giggling at some point. I highly recommend adding them to your library. 

Next up is A Kiss Means I Love You by Kathryn Madeline Allen. I had never heard of this book before, but it practically jumped off the shelf and into my hands. I fell in love with it instantly as I turned page after page of beautiful photos of children who all look different from each other and fun, rhyming words that depict how children express their thoughts and feelings. It reminds me of Little Humans by Brandon Stanton which I am also a huge fan of. Definitely a keeper.

I've had my eye out for a good hardback edition of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams for a long time, and I finally found it. It's a classic, and if you haven't had the pleasure of reading it, please go find a copy right now. It's a precious story about how toys can become Real with the transforming power of nursery magic. (Don't worry, it's not mystical or voodoo-y.) I can never read this story without getting a little choked up. I love it dearly.

Finally, we have Morning Song: Poems for New Parents edited by Susan Todd and Carol Purington. With sources ranging from the Bible, Sappho, and traditional songs to Dickinson, Yeats, Frost, and contemporary poets, this lovely collection celebrates the joy and wonder a new child brings to a family. It has thirteen different sections starting with "Beginnings" and ending with "To Arrive Where We Started". I'm a sucker for a good collection of poetry to begin with, and this sweet book captivated me. This would be a perfect gift for any new or expectant parents. 

So there you have it. Does my husband spoil me or what? Have you heard of or read any of these books?