The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown (aka Golden MacDonald), illustrated by Leonard Weisgard

This book is a well-known classic that follows the little island throughout the seasons, sharing the visit of a little kitten and the “secret” that it learns.

A Boat for Peppe by Leo Politi

Peppe, a Sicilian boy, lives on the coast of California where his father is a fisherman.  Peppe has a friend, Geramia, for whom he gathers shells.  Prior to the festival for the feast of St. Rosalia, Geramia gives Peppe a gift which he has been wanting.  We enjoyed reading how this coastal town celebrated the feast of Finnian’s godmother’s name saint.

The Cat in the Hat  by Dr. Seuss

I am assuming that everyone has heard of this book, and the antics of the cat, and thing one and thing two.

I was surprised that Elizabeth listened to the whole story.

Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Shasha

Mark Shasha tells the story of when he was seven and spent the summer with his grandmother, helping her at her little restaurant, Mar-Gra, returning a glowing moonjelly to the sea and seeing the beauty of all the moonjellies in the sea at night.

Homeplace by Anne Shelby

This is a beautiful story of a family, its ancestors, and the house in which they live over the years.  I thoroughly enjoyed how the author described how a great-great-great-great-grandparent, a great-great-great-grandparent, a great-great-grandparent, a great-grandparent, a grandparent, her daughter, and her granddaughter grew.  I also appreciated the little glimpses of family life years ago.  Patrick (and my other children) liked listening to the story and requested it again.

Please note, I also read picture books to my three youngest before bed, but I am not keeping track of those titles.