Blueberries for Sal

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Little Sal goes for berry picking with her mom. Winter is approaching so mother wants to can the blueberries. Little bear cub and mother bear are going for berry eating. They need to eat lots of berries before winter approaches. And then little Sal lands up with mother bear and little bear cub lands with Sal's mother. But finally they reunite with their own moms. A sweet story about blueberry picking.

Reviews-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberries_for_Sal
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/book.jsp?id=165

Jamberry

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A perfect book to read before or after some berry picking in the farm or in the supermarket or in the farmers market.

Rumble & ramble

in blackberry bramble

Billions of berries

for blackberry jamble

Lots and lots of rhymes for some sunny & funny preschoolers!!

Baya, Baya, Lull-by-a

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This book was a surprise. It is a lullaby but with a few Hindi words scattered throughout the poem. I just love the beautiful illustrations of an Indian woman with bandhani dupatta hammock for her baby. Gorgeous colors!! A story unfolds as the baya bird weaves her nest and saves the little baby.

Author - Megan McDonald.

Summary -

http://www.amazon.com/Baya-Lulla-Megan-McDonald/dp/068984932X#reader

Whose Mouse Are you?

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A little mouse is feeling so "un"loved. but he heroically wishes to rescue everyone in the family. The book has a surprise ending of a new arrival too. Frankly, when we browsed this book in the library, I didn't care much. But Gudiya just loved it and found it very humorous. The girl has her own personality and likings. This book remains one of her favorites!!

Scholastic Review -

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/book.jsp?id=1109

A house for Hermit Crab

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As a parent, I am a huge fan of Eric Carle. His illustrations are brilliant. Take any of his books and kids can learn so many things. e.g. this A house for hermit crab book - the story line is simple where Hermit crab is looking for a new house and gets new friends. It could teach kids about the changes associated to a move to a new city, new school and new friends. But it doesn't stop there. It also teaches about the months of the year. It also teaches about the life cycle of the hermit crab. It also introduces numerous ocean animals like lantern fish, snails, corals and many more. It's no wonder that Gudiya and I have enjoyed each and every Eric Carle book.

My Mother's Sari

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Author - Sandhya Rao


"One long stretch of cloth is what Mother always wears - elegant yet so graceful"
This book by Sandhya Rao introduces children about the magical sari that Indian women wear. I thought it was a nice introduction to Gudiya though she has never seen her mom wearing a sari. The book has a nice illustrations of saris including various motifs and gorgeous colors.

I love you as much

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This sweet book by Laura Krauss Melmed has all the animal mothers telling their babies how much they love them. and last, it's mom's turn to say - I love you, baby as much as a mother can love.

I generally replace the word "baby" by "gudiya" to give a personalized touch!

This is one of the books, I was reading since gudiya was a baby. As she is growing up, I also explain what each animal baby called like goat - kid goat, mouse - pinkie (yes, I googled!), sheep - lamb etc.

The illustrations by Henry Sorensen are as superb as the simple rhymes.