Books, books, books and an upcoming giveaway!!

I've got it BAD, real B-A-D...a LOVE of books that is!!! Since I was little, I've always had my nose buried in books. Any free time I had, I was reading, going to the library, asking to go to a bookstore; I just needed my hands on books. Some of my favorite memories growing up were listening to books on 45s or snuggling in bed with my mom and listening to her read books to me. I am excited to share my love of books and reading with my students and my own two kids. When a student says they don't have a favorite book or that he doesn't like to read, I gladly accept the challenge of making that kid a lover of books too!

As an adult, I am still hooked on books. I LOVE my nook (I have 3!) which fits easily into my purse so I can take my reading with me. I can easily read 4 - 7 books each week depending on how much time I have. It's such a great feeling to tune everything else out and sink into a book. I am always getting involved with the story, thinking about the characters (a little too much sometimes...haha!), creating pictures in my mind of what I think the characters, places, surroundings look like...my imagination is always going when I'm reading a book.

Children's books are my weakness (well, one of them!). I'm always on the lookout for new books for the classroom. Whenever I'm reading blogs, I take note of blogger recommendations and am always pleased when I find a new discovery to bring back to the classroom. So, I thought I'd share some of my recent purchases. I'm sure you've seen some of these or even own them. Click on the pictures for more info.

Here goes:

So, YES I jumped on the Elf on the Shelf bandwagon! Last year I was kicking myself when I missed out on having our elf for home. I was determined to find my elf well ahead of time so I could share the fun with my family. I was so excited to get one this year, I got one for school too! I can't wait to start a new tradition at home with my own kids and do something fun with my students in December. I've done lots of shopping on TpT for Elf units to use in the classroom from some very creative teachers!! Pinterest has many ideas for your elf too. 

My students always enjoy Bad Kitty, so I couldn't pass up A Bad Kitty Christmas. Along with the usual naughtiness of Bad Kitty, it has a meaningful Christmas message to share with your students.

David is another student favorite. We like to see what trouble David gets into this time. I like reading David Shannon's author bio inside the back cover of his books. The kids like knowing that his David stories are based on him. We also like trying to find his white Westland terrier that he hinds in all his picture books.

All the Snowmen books are fun to read and have such colorful illustrations. Who knew that snowmen, or should I say snowpeople, are so busy at night?!

This next one is not a holiday story but it is so funny! My son wanted me to read this to him again and again. Such a cute story! I think I'm in the mood for a taco...

Onto another topic...

I'm having a BIG giveaway starting TOMORROW!!! Come back and check it out. You. Won't. Want. To. Miss. It.