BOO(ks): Spooky Season Must-reads

There is just about nothing I love more than going ALL OUT for holiday festivities...so you know that when Spooky Season arrives, I have...as the kids say... zero chill. It's been basically a month of non-stop pumpkin scented everything around here, and I make no apologies. I'm here for all the crafts (and festivals, and treats, and matching jammies)...but especially: the books. I've been sharing our weekly/daily/hourly library hauls on Instagram, but thought it would be helpful to do a bit of a permanent "round up" of the books we just can't get enough of this time of year.

Our Top Picks:
The shelf staples (in no particular order)

• Spooky Pookie: Pookie is just the cutest. But Pookie in COSTUMES is even better.
• Seaver the Weaver: A story about a spider learning to do things his own way. Love his creativity!
  
• Gustavo the Shy Ghost: Lovely story about a ghost finding friends. Beautiful work by a Mexican author/illustrator. We tried the Wonderbook version of this one- the "soundtrack" made it extra special.
• Room on the Broom: A true classic (from the creators of The Gruffalo, so you know it's good.)
• Ghost in the House: What kid doesn't like a lift-the-flap book? This one has a surprise to guess on each page.
• The Monster's Monster: The characters here are irresistible, and the main guy has such a sweet spirit.
• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: Even my littlest ones have this memorized. Do you remember this one from elementary school read aloud? I'll never tire of it.
  
• Pick a Pumpkin: Beautifully illustrated story about Fall. 
  

 

Honorable Mentions:  
If you have a liiiiiiitle bit more space on your shelf...or 5 more minutes until bedtime (for REAL this time) these are great additions.

• Bonaparte Falls Apart: Sweet guy just wants to fit in. And stay together.
• I just ate my friend: Simplest story ever, but makes us all laugh. The end is adorable.
• There's a Witch in your Book: Interactive tale that our three-year-old is obsessed with. Plus- it has a spell to clean your room, so I'm a fan. (There is a whole series of these!)
• Go Away Big Green Monster: Fun concept where kids get to "build" a monster by turning the pages. (and then get to make him disappear!)
  
• We're Going on a Goon Hunt: Ok, so this parody isn't going to win any awards, but it's based on a classic, which was beloved for a reason. This is a fun Halloween-themed version, with a cute little twist. Kids love the familiar mixed with the new. 
  
• Junie B., First Grader: Boo...and I Mean It!: This girl is my all time fav so of course I adore the Halloween version.
  
• Trick or Treat Crankenstein: The MOST realistic tale of the monster we all turn into sometimes. (the original version is great too: Crankenstein) 
• The Night Before Halloween: We have EVERY holiday edition of this- seriously, even election day- but this is one of the best for sure.
  
• Creepy Pair of Underwear: The title alone is worth checking this out. Goofy story about...well....some truly creepy underwear. (We read Creepy Carrots too, and got a kick out of seeing the little references the author included to his other books)

 

And if that's still not enough (what even IS enough!?!) Here is the FULL list of what we're reading (and loving) this season:

Original Favorites
Unique stories...mostly new to me, maybe to you too!

• Monster Trouble: Points for diversity. Love that the monsters can be defeated with kisses!
• Bone Soup: Anything with a bit of an "ick" factor is a hit with my kids. This one has an actual recipe at the end...but contains far too many vegetables for my children to want to attempt it!
  Posey the Monster Slayer: Love the strong main character...she ignores bedtime to fight monsters...much to her parents' chagrin. They get increasingly upset, using her FULL name as they yell for her to get back in bed. We all got a kick out of that....relatable.
  
• The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt: Ok- I cheated. I have this on hold from the library, but haven't gotten to read it yet. But SURELY I'll love it, right?! The title alone!
• Jerry Seinfeld Halloween: If you remember his bit about Halloween- "Get Candy Get Candy Get Candy!" you'll love this illustrated version.
• The Spider and the Fly: Not going to lie- the subject of this one was a bit dark. It has a decent lesson...but still creeped me out a little. The illustrations are beautifully intricate and dramatic though!
• The Okay Witch: The first graphic novel my ten year old has tried...I can't personally vouch for it, but she begs me to stay up late reading it, so that feels like a good sign. 
  
• It's a Pumpkin: Animals solving a silly little mystery...what IS that thing?
  
• Stumpkin: Poor little guy just wants to be picked!
• Sir Simon: Super Scarer: Cute buddy comedy between a ghost and the friend who finds him.
• The Little Ghost Who Lost her Boo: Simple story about a ghost looking for her "boo". Good for little kids- especially if they love animal sounds.
• Ghosts: A loooong one. But fun concept about all the different types of "typical household ghosts" (and yes, my kids especially liked that there was one in the bathroom!)
  
• Los Gatos Black on Halloween: Fun to learn some Spanish vocab.
  
• How to Make Friends with a Ghost: Sweet story about making friends for life (and beyond). 

Classics
You get it.

• There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat: You either like these books, or you're desperately tired of them. (And by that I mean: you are either my kids, or me.)
  
• Spookley the Square Pumpkin: Hot take- this book is ADORABLE, and the movie is GARBAGE. Change my mind. 

  

Simple Stories
Not investment pieces but still fun, quick reads that kids will get a kick out of.

• It's Raining Bats and Frogs: Wordplay for the win.
  
• At the Old Haunted House: A counting book that even my older kids still like.
  
•  Wee Witches Halloween: This one has been in our rotation for years. 
• The Best Halloween Hunt Ever: Fun seek & find book that kids can "read" on their own.
  
• T. Rex Trick or Treats: If you have a dino-lover this is a winner. T.Rex just wants to be scary...spoiler alert- he totally is!
  
• Spider Sandwiches: Again- the gross-out factor makes this a big winner in our house. Fun little board book about some combos that might make you lose your lunch.
  

Non-Technically Halloween
(But still fun and spooky)

• I Love my Fangs!: A very proud vampire!
  
• The Leaf Thief: Cute Fall tale.
  
• Skulls: It's like the "Everybody Poops" for cranial anatomy.
  
• Yellow Time: Honestly- the kids think this one is boring, but I find it beautiful.
• Vampenguin: A vampire family visits the zoo...what could go wrong?
• Leo: A Ghost Story: Sweet story of friendship.

Fav Series
If your kids (or you!) have a fav author/series/charactore then these Halloween editions are sure to be a hit!

• A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster: I have an eight-year old girl, so this series is an obvious win. The goat...I mean...unicorn IS pretty cute though.
  
• The Bad Seed Presents: The Good the Bad and The Spooky: This one felt a little long to me, but forgivable, because this is such a fun and unique series.
  
• Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo! (we also have Find a Pumpkin): These stories are a little dry at times, but are nice classic kid reads.
  
• Click Clack Boo!: Cows getting into trouble again!
  
• Pig the Monster: Little vulger (I mean...for a 5 year old) with some naughty prank-behavior, but a pug in costume is pretty cute.
  
• Little Blue Truck's Halloween: If you have a toddler or preschooler then you've read the classic version 8,000 times. Might as well spice it up a bit!
  
• Fright Club: We found Fangsgiving and got hooked on this author! Fun and quirky stories.
  
• Vampirina Ballerina: I'm not familiar with the Disney channel series etc. but this original story is beautifully depicted (feels vintage!)
  
•  How to Scare a Ghost: We have the other versions in this series (How to babysit a grandpa/grandma etc.) so this one was a fun edition. My six-year-old was a little skeptical of these tips, but loved reading about it!

So, there's a virtual hayride full of my opinions. But what about you? Any other favs in your pile? What winners did I miss? And is anyone else up to their earwigs in spooky stories and LOVING IT?

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Little Days: Book it

Like most parents, I had dreams of what Piper would be like before she was born. I couldn’t picture what she’d look like necessarily, but I had things in mind that I hope she would love to do. Near the top of the list: reading.

I mean, my friends threw me a book shower, and Piper’s room was designed around a book wall. You could say I’m pretty into the idea....

I loved, loved reading as a child, and it is a huge wish (goal?) for me to foster that enthusiasm in Piper. From the time she was teeny tiny (much too teeny tiny to understand...or maybe even notice), we’ve been reading to her. I’d lay her on my lap and point to pictures while I narrated. And she would mostly tolerate it...and occasionally border on enjoying it. 

 

But as she left the infant stage, and became an increasingly curious (and wiggly) child, it’s been harder and harder to get her to sit still with a book. For months she wanted no part of reading....unless “reading” means flipping through pages as fast as possible, not listening at all, and basically using books as props to throw, or stand on. If that’s what you mean, then she was super into reading.

But I kept trying. My best successes came if I allowed her to have a book of her own to tear through (sometimes almost literally), while I read a different book to her (but mostly to myself).

BUT THEN....In the last month....something happened, and she all of a sudden is enamored by books. Don’t get me wrong, she still flips pre-tty quickly, but in between all that frantic page turning, she actually notices the pictures. And knows there are words. And recognizes the animals. And points to her favorites.

She is now obsessed with sitting on our lap. So every play session now involves her picking out a book (or a few if she can carry them) and toddling over to where we’re sitting. She then does a half turn, and slowly backs up until her legs hit mine, and plops her little rump down. If you’re sitting in a way that doesn’t create a formal “lap”, she is undeterred. She will climb and shift, back-up and plop as many times as necessary to get you to make her a little perch. It’s pretty much the cutest thing ever.

She has a rotating library of favorites, preferring mostly board books (because she doesn’t get in trouble for bending the pages), and anything with animals. She doesn’t have a ton of patience for long winded stories, preferring instead to just point at things she recognizes, and attempt to say their names or making their sounds. She’s a headstrong little thing (wherever would she get such a trait?) so we’re forced to follow her lead a bit when it comes to what to read, and the pace at which to read it. But as long as she wants to snuggle in my lap, book in hand....I’m a happy mama. 

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linking up with TheScribblePad for Little Days

What to Read When You're Expecting

Brace yourselves...we've got another Bowden-bun in the oven, which translates to another 6 months of pregnancy overload and unsolicited advice on all things baby. Ok, hopefully not, but I'm a sharer by nature, so if I know something (or think I know something) I want to tell you all about it. I can't help it! So humor the wanna-be-expert in me, and allow me to drop some knowledge for a minute.

Last time I shared my baby registry tips, but since we're much earlier in the game this time, I wanted to share what was on my bookshelf pre-baby. If you find yourself "in the family way" hopefully I can save you some browsing, by highlighting a couple of winners.

The Ultimate Pregnancy Guide for Expectant Mothers: A Daily Guide to Ensure a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
Dustin bought this one for me, and I loved it. (He actually secretly got it before we got pregnant, and had it wrapped and waiting for the day we got a positive test. And if that's not the most romantic thing you've ever heard of, then you just might live in The Notebook.)  It's very simple, but very informative. It seemed to nail exactly what I was going through...even down to the day (It was creepily accurate sometimes...Can you see me, book?!) This is a good alternative to the traditional "What to Expect When Expecting" (which I have a copy of, but never really got into.) Plus, I like that this version doesn't inundate you with every tiny thing that could ever, ever, ever happen to you, and scare the bejebus out of you with rare worst case scenarios (I mean, what's not to like about that?)

The Working Gal's Guide to Babyville: Your Must-Have Manual for Life with Baby 
I got this from the library in the midst of one of my (many) pregnancy panics- this one entitled- I Have No Idea How to Work and Raise a Baby, What the Crappity Crap am I going to Do, Don't they Make a Handbook for This Sort of Thing? (Volumes 1-5). So, yeah. I was a little desperate for some working-mom specific info and guidance...and was pretty disappointed by what's out there (mostly, what's not out there- i.e. "a handbook for this sort of thing"). But I found this, and read through the majority of it through the course of a one day business trip (oh, the irony.) Overall? Eh. There were a couple helpful things in here, but it was also a little cheesy at times. As desperate as I was for situation specific guidance, it was a little too customized at times. Like pens for women. Turns out sometimes a mom is just a mom, whether she works or not, and not all advice needs to vary based on how your family earns a living. Overall? If you're wigging out about how to juggle everything- Bail on the book, and call a friend who's been there. And if you don't have a friend that's been there? Email me. (I promise not to refer to you as "gal".)

The Mommy Docs' Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth
I pretty much got this instead of taking a birthing class. Because I'm responsible like that. Why commit to a formal learning environment and expose yourself to one on one instruction when you can just skim a few pages written by a bunch of super photogenic lady docs? (For real...did they choose the writing team based on who would look good on a cover?) I realized pretty late in the game (like...35 weeks?) that I had read a ton about being pregnant, but was juuuuuuust this side of ignorant when it came to the whole "getting the baby out" part. My plan was to not really have a plan, but I didn't want to sound like a backwoods teenager, when we got to the hospital, so a last minute cram session seemed like a necessary step. I pretty much skipped the pregnancy part of the book, so I can't vouch for that, but the sections on the birth process were pretty helpful. It is very thorough though (think textbook, but not as boring) so if you get this one, don't feel like you have to read everything. If I read too much about pregnancy, or birth I would start to freak myself out a little and panic at all the possibilities and details, so I tried to keep it somewhat high level, and just get a working knowledge of the whole thing. But if you're one of those "have to know everything types" this book will definitely get the job done.

The Happiest Baby on the Block
In a similar vein, I should confess that not only did I sort of neglect to read up on the whole birth thing...It also didn't fully occur to me that I should probably research a bit about the whole baby thing. Like...what to do once the bizarro little creature is out and about, and everyone expects you to protect, feed, clothe, and generally raise it. It's not because I'm dumb (ok, not that dumb). I just got caught up in the magic of pregnancy, and wasn't too thrilled to immerse myself in the harsh realities of parenting until I actually had to. And while I do think the adage of "ignorance is bliss" can be accurate (and comforting) to woman in the last stages of pregnancy, I also realize that a bit of background knowledge on children, might just be a good thing if you're about to have one. Unfortunately I honestly don't remember much about this this book because I skimmed it pretty fast as a formality towards the end of my pregnancy. But...I think it was good? Man, this is turning into the best advice column ever. You better not be skimming.

New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding Alright, you're either into this, or you're not, and my advice is if you get this....skim it. It's got great info, but it also has the cheesiest, most annoying stories you ever heard. (and drawings. OH the drawings!) Plus- at least the first two chapters, (and really a quarter of the book in total) is blatant "why nursing is the best thing since sliced bread- but actually forget bread- breast milk is the best thing since ANYTHING" type propaganda, which is annoying, but also pretty unnecessary. I figure anyone reading the book already want to nurse. There's no need to jump on the high horse of preachiness to convert the converted. But that being said, nursing can be a challenge for a variety of reasons, and this book is super valuable in helping prepare you for what to expect. For me personally though, I think too much in advance reading would have just freaked me out about how hard it might be, so it was better used as a reference after the fact if I had questions or problems. (Or if I was desperate for a pencil rendering of a 70's era mother tandem feeding twins. It's pretty good for that too.)

On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep
Ok- warning: some people get OBSESSED with this. Meaning, they use babywise as a verb- as in "oh yeah, we babywise. obvi.". Like they've cracked the code and found the only acceptable strategy to parenting an infant. To which I say: No. But! There are some good ideas in here, so long as you don't throw your brain out and become a babywise zealot. (And opposite warning: there are some people that think this book is the devil. Like any of the schedules are rigid, baby-prison scare-tactics. To which I also say: No.) I'm a middle of the road babywiser (as with a lot of things), so just picked and chose the things I thought seemed worth following, and ignored the parts that stressed me out or didn't fit with our life. I found the example schedules SUPER helpful, but then again some of the advice was a bit too "prefect world" and left me feeling like a failure that I wasn't able to get my baby on an exact schedule from minute one.

The Guy's Guide to Surviving Pregnancy Childbirth and The First Year of Fatherhood
Last one: This is the one and only baby related book Dustin ever read (now you see why him buying me a book is extra thoughtful. It's so not his wheelhouse). He found it pretty funny and mildly helpful, but it's by no means a textbook like informative guide. The main benefit to this book is that it at least made me feel like he was involved in the process. There's only so much a dad-to-be can do, so reading something, anything, goes a long way to show they're invested in the whole thing. (That and footrubs. Those go a long way to show everything.)


OH- and last minute bonus pick (because my book cover collage looked better with eight pictures...And because this might be the book I actually read the most of...)
Beyond Ava and Aiden: The Enlightened Guide To Naming Your Baby
Ok, nevermind the obnoxious title (would you have read this post if I branded it "The enlightened guide for reading books about baby junk"? I hope not.) This is actually a pretty fantastic book...if you're a stressed out pseudo-hipster who agonizes excessively about naming your child (hello, Courtney Bowden!) Naming the baby was in my top three list of pregnancy tasks (along with designing a nursery, and eating grilled cheese sandwiches), and I took the study of names VERY seriously. (see also: why I didn't bother with birthing strategies and parenting philosophies. I was busy preparing to bestow a moniker on my princess). Online research is king in this area (as are spreadsheet rankings, old school arguments and threats...at least in the Bowden household) but if you just can't get over the idea of thumbing through a real live volume of name inspiration (which, no lie, was one of my favorite pastimes as a kid!) then this is your book.

That's the long and short (and the very, very long) of it. All you experienced mamas out there...did you have any must reads?

{31 Things} Day 3: Read

I'm a book worm…always have been. I think my mom is to thank for instilling a love of reading in me as a kid. We went to library constantly when I was little, especially on those long summer days that just begged for a good book. I still remember the bags they'd give you to tote your books home; I would stuff mine with as many volumes as I could fit, and the drawstrings would dig into my little hands as I lugged my treasures home.

I loved all types of reading- SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) period at school, curled up in the coat closet with my current volume of The Berenstein Bears; Teddy Ruxpin Storytime, cuddled up against my furry friend, following along with his adventures in Boggley Woods; Read Aloud, listening to my teacher telling tales of Narnia while I picked at the rubber label on the back of my Keds; Road trip reading, tearing through a Judy Bloom novel or two, glancing at the scenery whizzing by; Library Day, huddle up on beanbag chairs with my elementary school friends flipping through back issues of Cat Fancy magazine…But my favorite was probably at night, staying up way past my bedtime with a flashlight under the covers. I made a habit of falling asleep with a book in my hand as I challenged myself to get through just one more chapter for whichever Sweet Valley Twins editions I was currently obsessed with.

As I grew up, I maintained my appetite for reading, transitioning my focus mostly to required titles for school, or blowing through endless piles of magazines in my free time (In high school my closet was split about 50/50 between clothes, and Vogue). And though as an adult, it’s a bit tougher to fit in as much reading as I used to (that pesky job cuts into my page turning time) I do still love to read. Magazines are still a top choice- my desk houses a rotating tower of editions, stacked high enough to pose a danger to passers-by. I’m also in two bookclubs, which is proving to be too much at times- I only actually finish about half the books- but I like the encouragement to check out new books, and enjoy discussing them with friends. And Dustin will attest that I still like to read in bed…though he doesn’t love dealing with the glow of my book light.

There are a few aspects of my childhood that I desperately hope to recreate in Piper’s life, and one of them is definitely a fondness of reading. We designed her nursery around books, hopeful that the right environment will foster her literary love. We are already exposing her to the written word, flipping through board books, and aiming to read a story together every night. I can’t wait until we can snuggle up in her bed and listen to her sweet little voice narrate my old library loves back to me. What a happy ending...