About a month ago, I ordered The Reading Lesson: Teach Your Child to Read in 20 Easy Lessons from Amazon. My 4 year old is really into his books (he’s a total book nerd like I used to be!). I decided to test the waters of learning how to read to see if he was interested.
I like the Reading Lesson because they focus on a couple of consonants and a vowel for each lesson, and they include fun short stories in each lesson that keeps the kids interested. We do anywhere from one page to several pages on any given day.
As soon as James tells me he’s tired or shows me he’s done we stop and pick up the next day. He has been having a lot of fun with this book and has started to sound out words when we are out and about.
I tend to splurge on books for the kids, and I don’t feel the least bit bad about it! We do have some holiday favorites and some new ones that we have tried out for the season.
I really like the Burton the Scarecrow – Friendship Tales from the Farm Series by V.A. Boeholt. We got to try out the first book in this series, and both James and Collin loved it! Each book has a nice little section at the back that serves as a resource guide for parents and educators. It includes a glossary, reader/listener tips, activity ideas, and suggestions for additional online resources and the illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!
A few years ago, we received A Very Marley Christmas by John Grogan, which is another adorable holiday story (especially if you love Marley!). The story is cute and James asks us to reader it over and over again, even when it’s not Christmas!
I have always loved Jan Brett’s books (and so do the boys!). We have v4, and it’s a perennial favorite. It’s a whimsical story about returning home where you belong, and the illustrations are GORGEOUS as usual!
I still have a copy of the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore from the year I was born—thanks Aunt Diana (one of my loyal readers!) and Uncle Barney! It has beautiful Tasha Tudor illustrations. We read it every Christmas Eve.
Another book we got to review that was very cute was Last Night I Had a Laughmare by J.E. Laufer. We have always struggled with bedtime (as does everyone around the holidays!), so any book that makes it more fun and pleasurable is a win-win in my book! This book is silly and rhymes a la Dr. Seuss. Your kids will love the silliness—and hopefully go to bed! 
What are YOUR favorite holiday books?
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