In keeping with the introductions on our site, we’d like you to meet Littlebug. Keep in mind, she doesn’t talk much, but has a heck of a personality. Here she is:

Sweet Littlebug Says:

“As was said, I’m a girl of few words now, but soon that will all change…and then watch out world! In just two short months I will finally be a year old! No more of this baby stuff, although I do like to use that to my advantage when it comes to mom and getting what I want. Just about one month ago I started to really crawl and that about did it for my poor mom, she’s chasing me everywhere I go now just to make sure I don’t get into something I shouldn’t.

There’s no doubt you can tell when I like or dislike something and you will always know where you stand when you are with me. I’m easily swayed and sometimes all it takes is the right toy or food and I’m a happy girl. My mom is far and above the one who knows me best and can always manage to get me calmed down whatever the situation. Usually it comes with a song, because I’m absolutely mesmerized by any music my mom sings or plays for me.

Things I like most…Well, I’ll put this simply, if I can put it in my mouth and chew, it’s the best thing ever. My big brother , the Turkeybird himself, is my absolute favorite person in the world (besides my dad of course) and everything he does is just amazing.  My favorite foods are bananas, teething biscuits, veggie puffs and pretty much anything I can have that everyone else is eating. I love bright colors, my little bunny/dog (mom can’t decide what it is, but my auntie gave it to my big brother and I inherited it), anything with a tag and the burp clothes my mom sewed for me. I love to learn and know one day I will love reading just as much as everyone in my family.”

Mom’s Two Cents:

“This Littlebug is very special, as are most little girls to their moms. She has quickly become the life of the party. Anytime anyone in the family is feeling down you can count on her to bring a smile to your face and a giggle to the room. We are so grateful she’s a member of the family and can’t wait to see where she goes!”

Littlebug’s favorite books currently:

Due to the fact that the site is so new we thought we’d take a little time out over the next few days to introduce the reviewers on board. As you know there’s The1stdaughter, The Turkeybird and Littlebug. We thought it would give you, our great readers a chance to understand why a certain book interests and stays with us long after some have fallen by the wayside. So, without further ado we give you The Turkeybird (or just Turkey for short, as his mom often refers to him)!

The Turkeybird Speaks:

“Well, I’ll start out with the basics. In March I will finally be 3 years old and officially way bigger than my little sister Bug. I’m a native Virginian that has been transplanted into the sandy beach state of California (and no girls, I don’t like long walks on the beach, besides my mom would kill me if I started dating anytime soon). Everything but my nose likes it here, which has been getting some crazy bloody noses recently, but that’s a story for another day. I love having my Grandma’s and Papa’s so close now and being able to play with my cousins sometimes is fun too.

My days usually consist of reading and learning out of my activity books with my mom, but sometimes she wants to read so it can only last so long. When that happens I spend my down-time doing typical boy things. I love my train set, legos, tools, and of course anything with wheels (cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, etc.). I’m also an avid baker and I love making anything with chocolate when my dad (the Baker) will help me. Besides chocolate I love cheese, yogurt and crackers. My favorite TV shows and movies (yep my mom lets me watch TV, occasionally) are Little Einsteins, Olivia, The Incredibles and Cars. Other than that, I’m a normal boy who loves running, the outdoors and just being crazy.”

Mom’s Two Cents:

“Everything about The Turkeybird is a hundred miles a minute and it’s been that way since he was born. Even when he occasionally gets sick he still gets up and goes! When he was very little he didn’t like to sleep too much and has always been a “thinker”. Up until his sister came along he never really talked too much except to read, that was one of the only exceptions. The Turkeybird began reading around 16 to 18 months old and I mean READ. He could pick up a book you’d read a couple of times at most and recite it cover to cover.

Later we came to understand that he’s mildly Hyperlexic, but has grown out of most of the socialization problems typical Hyperlexic children have. Basically, what it means is that at a very young age he could read and comprehend words on a page. By the time his sister arrived at 23 months old he could recite his ABC’s and count to 10. I’m not saying this to brag, but to help you understand where he’s coming from when he or I say he’s ‘grown out’ of a certain book. It’s actually made things a little complicated, because finding the right balance of entertainment and education has been difficult at times. But I think a lot of parents have these difficulties and that’s why I share it with you.

I hope this helps in understanding a little more about The Turkeybird. His love of reading is truly something that began from the time he could barely sit up on his own and I know it will continue throughout his life.”

The Turkeybird’s favorite books currently:

Merry Christmas, Mouse! By Laura Numeroff Illustrated by Felicia Bond

Originally Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2007
24 Pages
Ages: 1 to 4 years

Publishers Summary: Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he decorates his Christmas tree in a holiday counting adventure.

The Turkeybird Speaks:

“Soldiers! Rockets! 5…6…7. Counting and the Mouse from some of my favorites like The Best Mouse Cookie makes this so much fun. I’m really just more impressed that Mouse thought to make sure to put Rockets on his Christmas tree. Great minds think alike. Although, I think I would have also added some tractors as well.”

Mom’s Two Cents:

“I love this series of books, not just the Mouse but all of the animals. When I was young my own mother actually went to one of the first book signings I can remember and it was for the original If You Give A Mouse A Cookie book. Out of all the books though, this is not my favorite. It seemed a little basic, but if your little one is just learning to count this could make it very fun. The Turkeybird really does get into all of the fun items Mouse adds to the tree. I’m not so sure that this would be a great book for a four year old, as I expect the Turkeybird to grow out of this after this Christmas season. All in all a fun book for little counters to have some fun learning to incorporate numbers into everyday activities.”

This book was purchased for our home library.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.

This weekend the Book Blog Social Club is hosting the “Thankfully Reading Weekend” and we are taking this opportunity to participate. I truly am so thankful for the chance we have to read and the blessing it is to be able to teach others (especially my own children) the joy that books can bring to your life.

During our Thanksgiving festivities we had the chance to talk about some of our favorite books with relatives including our recently reviewed I’ve Seen Santa by David Bedford. One of the books that was the topic of conversation throughout many of the conversations was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It’s a favorite and there was no way to get around sharing it with everyone.

For now though, it’s off to finish reading Hummingbirds by Joshua Gaylord for The1stdaughter and Merry Christmas Mouse! by Laura Numeroff for The Turkeybird.

I am happy to announce the official beginning of There’s A Book! The Turkeybird, Littlebug and I are so excited to share our thoughts about our love for a variety of books. My purpose in starting this site is first to share my love of books with all of you out there and secondly to help parents find great books for their children. In sharing the likes and dislikes of myself and my two kiddos I hope to provide direction in what can be an overwhelming task for any parent or reader. There are so many great books out there, but they may not be the best books for you or your own kiddos. Hopefully through our trial and error we can provide enough information to help you along your very own transformation into a world of imagination and wonder.

Along the way you will find all sorts of funny faces to help guide you. Here are a few examples of The Turkeybird and Littlebug letting their “true feelings” shine through:

So, please take a seat and enjoy what’s to come. I’m so glad you found us! Explore, look around, and make sure to come back on a regular basis to see what’s new. Each week you can expect to see at least one review from each of us and with any luck we will have some extras that will ignite your own love of reading and knowledge. Again, thanks for stopping by! Make sure to say hi and let us know what you think.

Much Love, the1stdaughter