This week is the first week of summer vacation. It has been absolutely glorious. We’ve worn pajamas half the day, driven almost nowhere, made cookies and even went out to eat once or twice! We finished Farmer Boy and have read lots of picture books from the library.
I also started (and finished) a new book by Erin and Philip Ulrich called, Begin. It’s the first in a new series about a bear named Growly (insert “awwww”!). Philip had this idea for a kids’ tv show about a bear who came out of the woods and helped a whole village of people. This idea turned into a CD and now a book series. Don’t you just love creative people?!
Growly is an almost-grown bear cub who sets off on a bear-y traditional 3 month solo adventure before returning home a full-grown bear. And Growly most definitely has an adventure–there is hang gliding, a monkey village, ziplines and thunderstorms! Plus, there is love and respect for parents, sacrificial actions for others and just a plain old good story!
I love reading stories of other worlds and this Bear world is so fun! I actually did start reading it to Lydia and she totally loved it—but I stopped because I wanted to finish it myself! Now that we’re done with Farmer Boy, this will be our new bedtime read.
source: oohamanda instagram
The illustrations in the book are by my friend, Annie from Be Small Studios who offered those beautiful Christmas prints on the Truth in the Tinsel blog last year. All of her work has a wistful, emotive feel to it. I’m so excited to be giving away a print of Growly and his bird friend today! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.
And oh! don’t forget to buy this Growly book! It’s a perfect read for filling up these summer days. Your kids (especially boys, I think) will enjoy the adventure of Growly. You buy the book at the Growly site. Of course, you can also snag it on Amazon for your Kindle and it’s even free if you’re an Amazon Prime member. (<–you remember how much I love that!)
source: be small studios
Kids and I like adventures in Oddessy books and Little House on Prarie.
Ahhh, summer and reading just go together don’t they? My favorite is hot afternoons sitting under a fan in a wet swimsuit with a book in hand! 🙂
We are continuing to work our way through the Chronicles of Narnia!
The Mouse Cookie series.
Farmer Boy is one of our favourites. But we are reading the Narnia series and going to try out the AIO this summer as well!
It’s so hard to pick just one, but Little Women.
I love dee Henderson books as my summer read.
For the kids, dr. Craig’s all about God series will be our summer reads this year!
I don’t know if I can pick just ONE favorite summer read, yikes! Narnia is my favorite read ever and can’t wait till my little guy is old enough for it!
Favorite summer read has to be Sparkly Green Earrings…though I’m currently working my way through Quitter & Start by Jon Acuff 🙂
We love adventure books around our house! Yay!
Amanda, thank you so much for your kind review! We’re glad you enjoyed the book! 🙂