Top books of 2012

Once again, here are the books that had us entertained in 2012. Previous lists here and here.

Joseph enjoyed hearing "The Three Bears" over and over. And if we weren't reading "The Three Bears," then mommy was re-telling the tale with much ad-libbing. One day Joseph suggested the three bears should really lock the door the next time they leave the house. I had some discussion with friends on Facebook as to what IS the moral of story? Is it lock your doors? Don't fall asleep while robbing a house? Buy better furniture?

"Nobunny's Perfect" by Anna Dewdney (of Llama, Llama fame) got checked out again and again from the library. Thanks to MayMay we got our own copy for Christmas. Joseph also loved "Big Mean Mike" from the library. I randomly picked it up off the new arrivals shelf only to come home and see that bunnies play a big part in the story. Yep, we're still surrounded by bunnies.

And dinosaurs. Joseph likes the "How do Dinosaurs ..." series by Jane Yolen. But his favorite dinosaur book is an old, scruffy one he found at the thrift store, copyright 1971. It's for much older readers so I thought it would be forgotten after we got home. Nope, he pulls it off the shelf again and again. I admit to passing most of the reading of the book off on daddy.

Will dove into the Magic Tree House books. And hasn't meet an Eyewitness book not worth flipping the pages. It was really amazing how boom, one random day his reading skills just took off. Like a switch. Now he's reading chapter books and acing the tests on them at school. We still read to him nightly, after he reads to us. "Ma Lien and the Magic Brush" (1968, Parents' Magazine Press) became a favorite thrift store-find. Again, I tend to pick up any PMP book I see and nine times out of 10, it's a keeper.

Much to mommy's happiness, I found the reincarnation of Douglas Adams, and his name is Jasper Fforde. I'm late to the party because the first book in the "Thursday Next" series was published in 2001. After I devoured all that was available, I picked up the next book by Fforde sitting on the library shelf, "Shades of Grey." The writing is fantastic, the plot complex and I was soooooo mad to come to the last page to see sequels mentioned but not yet written. Not to be confused with that other "50 Shades of Grey" which I will admit to reading. There are at least six Fforde books I haven't read yet so that should keep me busy in 2013. And I'll probably re-read all the Thursday Next books too. When I really love a book, I tend to read it too fast (and way into the night) so a second reading is always good.

Was there something you really enjoyed reading to others or by yourself in 2012? Got a long list for 2013 already? Please share.

Friday finds

I must have been in the mood for a little fall color .

I went into the thrift store looking for old necklaces to repurpose into new ones. No luck, but I did leave with some very useful items for the kitchen. Tupperware pitchers are awesome so had to have it ($1.48). Vintage Pyrex is awesome so had to have it ($2.98). That thing on the bottom? It's a Tupperware sandwich keeper. We got two as a wedding present and they were one of the best presents we got! Really handy when it comes to packing lunches so had to have it ($1.48). 

Ready to roll the street.

Joseph got a new ride too. A knock-off Cozy Coupe SUV that needs a good washing but he doesn't care — he's one happy boy! And he didn't have to have it (he didn't fuss or whine or beg) so this momma thought he had to have it ($5.98). 

Fabulous Friday — Book jackpot

My Mother's Day was quite nice. I was woken up quite early by my two lovely boys, one of whom was very excited to share the present he made at school (a beautiful votive decorated with flowers). We took a nice hike a Ruffner Mountain. Joseph immediately fell asleep on the ride home so I suggested a short detour to a couple of thrift stores I had never visited. Chris was ready to go home but, since it was Mother's Day, he pointed the van in the right direction. Good call because I found a lot of great books!

Six Richard Scarry books! We heart Scarry! I'm loving "The Early Bird" from 1968. The early bird gets the worm ... and invites him home for dinner and a sleepover. Very cute!

I pretty much pick up any book published by Parents' Magazine Press. While I wonder if bringing home older nature books might have information that is no longer scientifically valid, these illustrations from the 70s are so worth a little misinformation. "Wonders of Nature," 1974.

Edward Gorey! Score!

(also from Parents' Magazine Press, 1971)

Maurice Sendak! Score!

The drawings are not "busy" but packed with so much detail. The book dates to 1955 but Sendak recolored the illustrations in 1997. I love the dedication in the front ... "for fun." Yes, Sendak certainly gave us all a lot of fun!

What fun treasures have you found lately?

Thrifty goodness

Lately, I've had some luck at the local thrift store ...

I hadn't heard of this book before but with the names Margaret Wise Brown + Leonard Weisgard, I took it home without looking at it first. (That I managed to look at anything was amazing because Joseph was asleep in my arms!) I'm glad I did. What a gem for $1.

Still holding Joseph, I spied some real treasure. Apparently, these preschool books were included free when you bought your Encyclopedia Britannica. Dated 1966. The set originally numbered 13, but only seven of the books found their way to the thrift. Yes, I feel the urge to track down the other six. I bet I won't find them for 59 cents like the ones pictured above!

From "Understanding Numbers"

What is it about circa 1960s illustrations that make my heart happy?! 

I want to jump into this picture! 

And the fabric that I used as the background? A new skirt I'm looking forward to wearing in the spring after a winter of gray and black.

What treasures have you found at the thrift store lately?