Love Where You Live (from the Love Where You Live Series)

Love Where You Live is the third installment in our Love Where You Live Series.  First we covered the topic Love Your Neighbors.  The second installment covered Loving Others Well.  In this third installment of the series, we are covering more about the series title, Love Where You Live.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Love Where We Live | January 19, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

If you live in the same region as me (north Georgia), 6 out of 10 people do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  That's the statistic my pastor gives us in the video above and I want to stress here that we live in the heart of the Bible Belt.  Growing up here in the deep south, I never would have believed that 6 out of 10 people would not have a relationship with the Lord.  If you ask, most people might say they are Christians, but it is heartbreaking to me that so many people don't what the difference between attending Sunday morning services and having a real growing relationship with Christ.  There is a big difference.

And I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. - Jeremiah 32:39

We need a singular focus, a singular mission to point people to Jesus.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."  And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. - Acts 1:8-10

Inspirational Downloads Available Here

It's almost February and that means Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  With children's authors like Laura Numeroff, N. DeAngelo, Felica Bond, Steven Kroll, Mercer Mayer, Mike and Jan Berenstain, Charles M Schulz, Eric Hill, Rick Warren, Julie Andrews and more, you're sure to find one, three, ten, or 40 books for your Valentine's Day library.  Yes, I said 40!  Here is a list of 40 Valentine's Day books for young readers from your favorite children's authors.  Your child will not only enjoy reading these clever and entertaining stories intertwined with love and a little mischief, but he or she will also learn lessons about friendship, love, integrity, and faith on which solid long lasting relationships are built.  If your child has a favorite Valentine's Day book that is not on the list, help build this library list by telling us about the book in the comments section at the end of this post.

40 Valentine's Day Books for Young Readers

 

Happy Valentine's Day Mouse

Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he celebrates Valentine’s Day with all the friends he loves.  This board book with sturdy pages is perfect for preschoolers, who will enjoy the simple introduction to the fun of Valentine's Day.
 

 The Day It Rained Hearts

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

A creative and sweet story, perfect for Valentine's Day, that helps open the hearts of young readers. The Day It Rained Hearts is from the beloved illustrator of If You Gave a Mouse a Cookie.  One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. She realizes that the hearts are perfect for making valentines. Each heart is special in its own way, and Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to: her animal friends.  A fun way to spark creativity and thoughtfulness! The perfect book to pair with Valentine's Day crafts.

Happy Valentine's Day, Courageous George!

Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George! by N. Di Angelo

George and his friends celebrate Valentine’s Day with decorating, baking, card making and some unexpected hilarity along the way! Just how much mischief can a curious little monkey get into when balloons, frosting, and glitter are involved? Fold-out flaps on each scene reveal lively surprises in this humorous celebration of friendship. Sparkly red foil shines on the cover and throughout the book.

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat

This Valentine's Day favorite read-aloud will prompt lots of giggles, as well as discussions on kindness and forgiveness. Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines...and signs the wrong name on both!
When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert's prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there's always time for a change of heart on Valentine's Day.

Llama Llama, I Love You

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.  In Llama Llama I Love You, little llama shows his friends and family how much he loves them with heart-shaped cards and lots of hugs. What could be sweeter than Llama Llama on Valentine's Day?

Duck and Hippo:  The Secret Valentine

Duck and Hippo:  The Secret Valentine by Jonathan London

Join Duck, Hippo, and their friends as they uncover their secret valentines!  It’s Valentine’s Day, and something curious is going on. As the birds tweet their love songs, Hippo and his friends Elephant, Pig, and Turtle each receive mysterious, unsigned Valentine’s Day cards. Hippo wonders if his is from Duck; Elephant and Turtle think theirs are from Pig; and Pig dreams that hers is from Turtle. The cards tell the friends to come to the park at four o’clock to meet their valentines—so they’ll find out soon enough! As the clock ticks away, the friends wonder—and dream—about their valentines and make special preparations. But when they arrive…SURPRISE!  This Valentine’s Day might not go exactly the way they expected, but one thing is certain: being friends with Duck and Hippo is always a special treat!

I Spy With My Little Eyes Valentine's Day

I Spy With My Little Eyes Valentine's Day by Little Learner's Publishing

If you are looking for an interactive I Spy book for kids ages 2-5 then this fun activity book is perfect for you. This one has the Valentine's Day theme and is full of love!

Can you spot everything?

Inside you will find bright and colorful pages that will catch a kids attention while learning. It was created with preschoolers in mind and will allow them to develop their observational skills!

• Perfectly Sized for little hands
• Fun and Colorful Pages
• 40 pages of fun!

With over 100 graphics in this Valentines Day activity book for toddlers you will be sure to keep your little learner engaged. Grab a copy and give as a gift for their Christmas baskets or stocking stuffers, as a birthday present or as a nice Valentines Day gift! It is lightweight and will be able to be carried easily!

Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine

Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine by Herman Parish

The New York Times bestselling picture book! It's Valentine's Day in young Amelia Bedelia's classroom. And you know Amelia Bedelia—she wears her heart on her sleeve. More than 35 million Amelia Bedelia books sold since 1963!  The second book in the nationally bestselling series about the childhood of America's favorite literal-minded housekeeper. School is always exciting for Amelia Bedelia, and getting her first Valentine's Day card may be the most exciting surprise of all. But what will she do when she forgets her valentines for her classmates on the bus? Luckily, Amelia Bedelia is resourceful, and she doesn't break any hearts.  A lovely pick for Valentine's Day—or any day—Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine will have readers making room in their hearts for this charmingly literal little girl.

The Biggest Valentine Ever

The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll

Clayton and Desmond are back in this companion to the bestselling book The Biggest Pumpkin Ever! A sheet of colorful foil stickers is bound into the book for extra valentine fun!  When Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines, Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together and give it to their teacher as a surprise. But things don't go as planned. First Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then Desmond puts on too many hearts. Soon the friends are arguing and they rip the card in half. "I'm going to make my own valentine!" they both say and go home in a huff.  But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever!  Kids can use the colorful foil stickers to make their own valentines!

 Let's Count: Valentine's Day Edition

Let's Count:  Valentine's Day Edition by Little Learners Publishing

Toddlers and Preschoolers can learn to count with this fun and interactive counting book! This is the Valentine's Day edition that teaches kids how to count in a unique and fun way. They will be asked to count how many hearts, or how many unicorns...all related to the Valentines holiday! Inside you will find bright and colorful pages that will catch the kids attention while learning. You will find a ton of cute and not so spooky graphics that are age appropriate for little ones as early as 2 to 5. They will be able to develop observational skills and will be able to open up their curiosity and make it all fun while they are applying numbers to the images that they see. With over 100 graphics in this counting book for kids, you will be sure to keep your little learner engaged. Grab a copy!  It is lightweight and will be able to be carried easily!

Happy Valentine's Day, Little Critter

Happy Valentine's Day, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer

Join Mercer Mayer’s classic and beloved character, Little Critter, for his class’s Valentine’s Day celebration!  This 8x8 storybook is complete with gatefold flaps for readers to pull back and discover all the fun Valentine’s Day surprises.  From decorating the classroom with hearts to eating cupcakes and making Valentine’s Day mailboxes, Little Critter is having the best day ever. He’s even making an extra-special card for an extra-special valentine!

How Many Do I Love You?

How Many Do I Love You:  A Valentine Counting Book by Cheri Love-Byrd

How many do I love you? I love you more than 5 lovely llamas love licking lollipops! I love you more than 6 sleepy seals love snoozing in the sunshine! This counting book is like a valentine to your little one. As you practice counting up to 10, discover more loving messages and entertaining animals.  This counting book is full of love!  Perfect Valentine's gift for your baby or toddler.  Thick pages and a padded cover for little hands to read over and over again.

 Click, Clack, Moo I Love You

Click, Clack, Moo I Love You by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

Little Duck and all of her friends on the farm celebrate Valentine’s Day by inviting a newcomer to join in the fun in this charming addition to the award-winning Click, Clack series from the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott winning team who brought you Click, Clack, Moo and Click, Clack, Surprise!  It’s Valentine’s Day and on the farm that means a Valentine’s party. Little Duck is wildly excited. She hangs balloons, streamers, sparkling lights, and hearts everywhere, and hand-makes a valentine for everyone. On top of a hill, a little fox hears the music from the party and follows Little Duck’s many decorations to the barn…but foxes are not at all welcome on farms. The chickens stop dancing. The sheep stop dancing. The pigs stop dancing. The mice hustle off to hide. Will Little Fox ruin the dance? Or, perhaps, she’s just what the party needs!

The Night Before Valentine's Day

The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing

All the kids are getting ready for the sweetest holiday of the year! Join in on all of the card-making fun, and then come along to school the next morning for a day of parties and games!

Peppa's Valentine's Day

Peppa's Valentine's Day by Courtney Carbone

Peppa Pig gets a pretty card in the mail from Zoe Zebra. It's a Valentine's Day card! Peppa learns about the meaning of Valentine's Day and decides to show all of her friends just how special they are to her.

Junie B. Jones and the Ushy Gushy Valentine

Junie B. Jones and the Ushy Gushy Valentime by Barbara Park

Barbara Park’s #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million copies sold!   Meet the World’s Funniest Kindergartner—Junie B. Jones! February 14—Valentime’s Day, as Junie B. calls it—is just around the corner. Junie B. can’t wait to see all the valentimes she’ll get. But she never expected a big, mushy card from a secret admirer! Who is this secret mystery guy, anyway? Junie B. is determined to find out.

Valentine's Chunky Lift-A-Flap Board Book

Valentine's Chunky Lift-A-Flap Board Book

Introduce your baby or toddler to classic Valentines traditions like giving cards and candies with this adorable lift-a-flap board book. Simple sentences reinforce future language structure, and grasping and lifting the sturdy flaps helps develop fine motor skills. A perfect Valentine's Day gift for your little one!

• Welcome to the world little one! Come explore Babies Love Valentines board book filled with surprises.
• Perfectly sized for little hands and fingers to open and close the flaps. 6 chunky and sturdy flaps are extra strong so your little one can open and close again and again.
• Surprise and delight baby with bright artwork and special treats under each flap.
• Collect all the books in the Babies Love series. From colors and animals, to first words and holidays, the Babies Love Chunky Lift-a-Flap series is a great introduction to reading with cheerful, contemporary and whimsical illustrations and sturdy, easy-to-lift flaps. 

 

Baby Touch and Feel I Love You

Baby Touch and Feel I Love You

Let baby feel the love with this USA Today bestseller that celebrates the love you and your little one share.  Babies can explore different textures and expand their senses as they discover this padded board book's tactile elements. They can touch soft bunnies, fuzzy teddy bears, sparkly hearts, and more, and feel all the love you have for them. Baby Touch and Feel: I Love You promotes sensory development and early language skills, and is the perfect size for small hands to hold.  With simple images that are clearly labeled, and an amazing range of novelty textures, Baby Touch and Feel books capture the attention of the very youngest children and create an experience they'll want to repeat again and again.

Series description: Baby Touch and Feel books are the perfect series for the very youngest readers. These small, padded books excite babies and toddlers with their foil and touch-and-feel covers. Each book in this affordable series contains twelve vibrant interior pages with bold, engaging images and large word labels, and each page has foil or glitter to behold or a texture to touch. These safe novelty textures immediately intrigue babies and are perfect for little fingers to feel. The Baby Touch and Feel series encourages sensory development, language skills, and early reading skills while teaching colors, shapes, patterns, opposites, and more.

The Berenstain Bears' Valentine Blessing

The Berenstain Bears' Valentine Blessing by Mike Berenstain

A new Berenstain Bears Living Lights book perfect for Valentine’s Day!  In The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings, young readers and Sister Bear find out that Brother Bear has a secret admirer! Sweetie Bear has sent him a valentine card, complete with pink hearts and flowers. What will tough, hockey-playing Brother do about this and his teasing sister? But Papa Bear steps in to save the day, telling the cubs a story about another set of young cubs and a secret admirer … Papa and Mama Bear! And he reminds the cubs that all love comes from God, who is love.

The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings:

• The bestselling and beloved Berenstain Bears brand
• Living Lights series
• Proven tradition of teaching children valuable life lessons in a fun and creative way
• Includes a sheet of colorful stickers featuring the whole Bear family

 

Happy Valentine's Day, Charlie Brown!

Happy Valentine's Day, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz

Join Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang as they celebrate Valentine’s Day in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read!  It’s Valentine’s Day and Charlie Brown is trying to find the courage to give the Little Red-Haired Girl a valentine! With a little encouragement from Lucy, he finally goes for it. Is this the year everything finally works out for Charlie Brown?

 

Where is Baby's Valentine?

Where is Baby's Valentine by Karen Katz

Baby made a valentine for Mommy. Where could it be?  Is it behind the lamp? No, those are pretty, sparkly flowers!  It's a shiny, glittering delight as you lift the sturdy flaps to help Baby find her very special valentine.

The Valentine Bears

The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting and Jan Brett

Mr. and Mrs. Bear have never celebrated St. Valentine's Day because they hibernate during the winter.

Ollie's Valentine

Ollie's Valentine by Olivier Dunrea

A new board book in Olivier Dunrea's Gossie & Friends series! Ollie is looking. Looking for a valentine. Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo all have valentines, but Ollie wonders who will be his. His search leads him to a special valentine of his very own—a surprise for Ollie and readers! With shiny foil hearts on the cover and every spread, Dunrea's charming artwork shines in this gift-worthy treat of a book.

Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger

Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger (The Fred Rogers Company)

A new generation of children love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, inspired by the classic series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood!

It’s a very special Love Day with all your friends from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood in this sweet board book with flaps!  It’s Love Day in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Daniel and his family find all kinds of ways to say “I love you” and show that they care. Daniel makes paper hearts for everyone he loves and Mom Tiger makes a heart-shaped pizza for everyone to share! This board book features red foil on the cover and flaps on each spread. Lift the flaps to see how Daniel and his family and friends show their love!

The Good Deeds Crew and the Secret Valentine

The Good Deeds Crew and the Secret Valentine by Kendra Parks

Come along with Grace Notes on their next gig—background music at a chic boutique—that nearly ends in a catastrophe. The Good Deed Crew is back in action after an accident in the icy weather. You won’t be able to stop turning pages as a mysterious secret admirer emerges, a melted chocolate spill nearly keeps them from completing their mission, and chocolate hearts lead to a surprising, beautiful love story. After all, it’s Valentine’s Day.A breath of fresh air in a world of self-focus, the Grace Notes series sets a new example of humility for kids today. While performing as Grace Notes, a successful traveling children's string quartet, the four young players encounter crazy fiascos and discover the needs of those around them. Under the secret name of The Good Deed Crew and with the help of Addy and Jenny's Grammy E, the kids go out of their way to fill those needs, serving and loving those in their hometown of Tigothee Falls, set in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The Berenstain Bears' Funny Valentine

The Berenstain Bears' Funny Valentine by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book from Stan and Jan Berenstain. It’s Valentine’s Day and Sister has a special card for a cub named Billy. But when Billy ends up having a special card for Sister, the tables are turned. Includes two Valentine’s Day cards and over 50 bonus stickers!

Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine

Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine by Marjorie Weinman Shamat

Beginning readers are introduced to the detective mystery genre in these chapter books. Kids can problem-solve with Nate, using logical thinking to solve mysteries!  Nate the Great hates mushy stuff. He spies a big red paper heart taped to Sludge’s doghouse. Who left Nate’s dog a secret valentine? Nate will solve the case, and then there will be no more mushy stuff. At least that’s what he thinks. . . .

Check out the Fun Activities section in the back of the book!

Franklin's Valentines

Franklin's Valentines by Paulette Bourgeois

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, it's Valentine's Day and Franklin can't wait to give his friends the cards he has made. But when he gets to school, he discovers that they're missing. Franklin is heartbroken and worried that now his friends won't want to give him any cards. Big hearts prevail and Franklin soon learns that he has very good friends --- and that he can be a good friend, too.

A Charlie Brown Valentine

A Charlie Brown Valentine by Charles M. Shulz, Adapted by Natalie Shaw

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this retelling of a beloved Valentine’s Day TV special!

Charlie Brown is excited about Valentine’s Day. It’s the perfect excuse to finally talk to the Little Red-Haired Girl! He’s ready to wear his heart on his sleeve…and so are Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Sally, and Linus. Will the Peanuts gang find love once and for all? With Snoopy’s help, anything is possible!

Valentine's Day Secret (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew)

Valentine's Day Secret bu Carolyn Keene

Bess and George are fighting - and Nancy's caught in the middle! It's Valentine's Day, but things are not all hearts and flowers for Nancy! While she and her best friends, Bess and George, are making their own stuffed animals at Farmer Fran's Barnyard Buddies, someone slips a mean valentine into Bess' animal's pocket. What's worse than a mean valentine? Bess thinks it came from George! Now the two are in their worst fight ever - and Nancy's caught in the middle! How can she sew Bess and George's friendship - not to mention the Clue Crew - back together?

Little Ant's Valentine

Little Ant's Valentine by S.M.R. Saia

Little Ant hates Valentine's Day. None of the girls in the anthill like him, so he has nothing to celebrate. Then he meets the pretty ant. She is as stuck-up and unfriendly as Little Ant himself can sometimes be - but who says you have to be perfect to deserve a valentine? This is an original story that illustrates Aesop's moral: Even the wildest can be tamed by love. The Little Ant books are reimaginings of Aesop’s classic fables, teaching timeless lessons like “appearances can be deceiving” and “one good turn deserves another.” Brought to life by Tina Perko’s vibrant and whimsical illustrations, the stories follow Little Ant as he navigates through the challenges and frustrations of growing up. In the tradition of the classic series the Berenstain Bears and Little Critter, Little Ant's adventures provide him with opportunities to build character and learn valuable lessons about friendship, kindness, empathy, teamwork, courage, and the importance of being true to yourself.

Visit http://littleantbooks.com to download free coloring sheets, activities, and lesson plans.

The Very Fairy Princess Valentines from the Heart

The Very Fairy Princess Valentines from the Heart by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Gerry makes beautiful cards for her friends at school, showcasing their special qualities. But when she forgets her folder at home, she needs to think of a new way to celebrate their inner sparkle! This celebration of friendship and creativity by the bestselling mother-daughter team is the perfect gift for any special Valentine.

PeekABoo I Love You (A Pop Up Book)

Peekaboo I Love You (A DK Book)

Find out who's sending Sheep presents in this cute baby book with flaps to lift and pop-ups to enjoy.

This read-aloud children's book encourages first learning by introducing little ones to colorful scenes and adorable cuddly characters.

With the help of parents and caregivers, toddlers will have fun turning the pages, lifting the flaps to play peekaboo, and guessing who's sending the surprises. This book is the perfect gift for Valentine's day, birthdays, and other special occasions, and is certain to make toddlers smile! Ideal for preschool play, this sturdy baby book will appeal to both parents and children and will keep little ones entertained time and time again!

Where is Love, Biscuit? (A Touch & Feel Book)

Where is Love, Biscuit?  by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Perfect for cuddling up and sharing with the littlest fans of puppies.  In this touch-and-feel board book with sturdy pages, Biscuit finds love in the simple everyday things—such as his blanket—just in time for Valentine’s Day.  Toddlers will enjoy exploring the wonderful places where love can be found in this delightful touch-and-feel story starring the beloved little yellow puppy.

Danny and the Dinosaur:  First Valentine's Day

Danny and the Dinosaur:  First Valentine's Day by Syd Hoff

It’s Dinosaur’s first Valentine's Day ever, and someone has left him a secret gift! Can Danny help his friend solve this Valentine’s Day mystery?  First introduced in 1958 with Danny and the Dinosaur, this popular pair is together again in a fun adventure sure to please young readers. Complete with a poster, punch-out Valentine’s Day cards, and a sheet of stickers, this is the perfect gift for your little loved ones—especially dinosaur fans!

I Love You, Spot

I Love You, Spot by Eric Hill

This adorable heart-shaped board book featuring everyone's favorite puppy is the perfect way to say, "I love you!"  It's Valentine's Day! Join Spot as he plans a special surprise to show his mom just how much he loves her. This heart-shaped board book is just right for little hands and big hearts.

Be Mine ABC

Be Mine ABC by Magic Eleven Publishing

Help your little one learn their ABCs this Valentine's day with the Be Mine ABCs: A Valentine's Themed coloring book for children and preschoolers! A cute and simple way to help your little one grow and learn letters and the Valentine holiday at the same time!

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose!

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rose! by Lucille Colandro

That lovely old lady has returned just in time for Valentine's Day. Now she's swallowing items to make a very special gift for her valentine!  With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this wacky version of the classic song will appeal to young readers as they follow the Old Lady on a wild Valentine's Day adventure.

Snowy Valentine

Snowy Valentine by David Petersen

Step out into a snowy Valentine’s Day with Jasper the bunny as he searches the forest valley for a special gift for his loved one.  In his picture-book debut, David Petersen, the Eisner Award–winning creator of Mouse Guard, tells a delightful tale that becomes the perfect way to say “I love you.”

Bring this sweet story home to your Valentine today.

 Words to Love By

Words to Love By by Rick Warren

With warmth and wisdom that speaks to the hearts of little ones, Words to Love By is an inspirational, heartfelt look at language and how children can use their words to encourage, forgive, express gratitude, heal, and love.

Words to Love By, written by #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, and illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, takes children on a joyful, grace-filled journey exploring the power of words. Through charming illustrations and engaging text, young readers will understand how their words can change their lives and the lives of those around them.

“Words may be small, but they can do BIG things.
Words can encourage.
They can bring out the best in people.
They can spread love and kindness …
and let us know we’re not alone.”

Words to Love By:

• Shares kid-sized versions of the wisdom Pastor Rick Warren has used in his life-changing books such as The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids
• Is written especially for children ages 4-8
• Has a beautiful cover adorned with spot gloss and sculpted embossing
• Is a wonderful read-aloud picture book for parents and kids and grandparents and grandchildren
• Is a perfect birthday, Christmas, Easter, First Communion, and Valentine’s Day gift.

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Elephants by Kate Davies (Read with Usborne, Level 2)

Yesterday, I shared with you an adorable penguin book in the Read with Usborne Level 1 series.  The Chilly Little Penguin is appropriate for new readers.  Today, I'm sharing with you an informative book about elephants.  Elephants by Kate Davies is in the Read with Usborne Level 2 series.  Level 2 is appropriate for developing readers.

Elephants 

Elephants is written by Kate Davis and illustrated by Rocio Martinez.  I found this book both appealing and informative.  Like The Chilly Little Penguin, this book is well illustrated.  The images are cute and appealing for young readers, but not over stimulating.  Elephants is not just a book about cute elephants.  It is an informative book.  I learned a few things about elephants that I didn't know.

The words are large and appropriate for developing readers.  Baby elephants are just too cute so the story captures the reader's attention right away.

Elephants are mammals.  They take care of their young.  The elephant in the story is feeding her baby.

Your young reader will learn that some elephants come from Africa and others come from Asia.  You can sneak in a little geography lesson here.

There are differences between African elephants and Asian elephants.  African elephants are bigger than Asian elephants and they have bigger ears and longer tusks.  Female Asian elephants don't even have tusks. You can sneak in a bigger/smaller concept lesson here.  :)

Did you know that elephants can swim?  I thought they just waded in water and enjoyed the mud, but those big ole' animals can swim!

Throughout the rest of the book, children learn that elephants in Africa don't usually swim because they don't get enough rain.  The water they do have dries up easily.  They travel together in herds.  Children learn that lions feed on elephants, but if the mother elephants sense the danger, they have ways to protect the baby elephants.  They'll learn that female elephants live in herds with their babies but male elephants live alone or with other males.  If male elephants want a female elephant to notice them, they will fight.  When the female elephant picks a male, they move away from the herd for a while and then soon a baby elephant grows inside the female.

I learned something else as I neared the end of the book.  When it's time for a baby elephant to be born, the mother elephant moves away from the herd and another female elephant goes with her to help with the delivery.  I had no idea.  I think I enjoyed this book as much as children will enjoy it.  I've always wanted to go on an African safari journey.  Now I want to go more than ever.

By the way, if you have always wanted to go on an African Safari trip, here's your chance.  Answers in Genesis has posted their 2020 Event Calendar.  You can go on an African Safari with them.  Learn more here. 

 

At the end of the book, your developing reader will learn more elephant facts.  Like me, moms and dads might learn new elephant facts too!  Children will learn how to use an index that is printed on page 47.

You'll love Usborne Quicklinks.  I took the liberty of going there and typing in "first reading elephants" as described on page 47.  Go here now and learn more!

The Chilly Little Penguin and Elephants are part of the Read with Usborne Reading Program.  Up next is Stories of Dogs by Russell Punter.  Stories of Dogs is in the level 3 group for confident readers.

Find more facts about elephants and plan fun elephant activities.  Follow my elephant board on Pinterest.

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