Mo Willems - Book of the week SPECIAL EDITION

Did you hear? Children's author MO WILLEMS is coming to the Powell's at Cedar Hills Crossing on Sunday, September 9 at 2 pm. Details here. I got a tip from the staff there: arrive at least an hour early to get a ticket for the book signing as well as a seat.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy. We love his books around here. I've selected a favorite from each of my kids to highlight.

Book: We Are in a Book by Mo Willems.

Target audience: Probably age 3 and up

Topic: Reading

Basic summary: Gerald and Piggie realize that they are actually characters in a book! So funny.

Honestly, this one is my favorite too. It's amazingly simple but oh-so-clever. Gerald and Piggie (the main characters in Willems' Elephant and Piggie series) discover that they are being read. In a book. By a reader. Who is you. Both my kids giggle at what follows and my son had huge belly laughs at a joke about halfway through the book. I don't want to give it away.

If you haven't already, it is a must read for any household with small kids. Now that my son is an emerging reader, this is one he reads on his own too.

Like this one? Another great book in the series is There is a Bird on your Head.

Book: Cat the Cat Who is That by Mo Willems.

Target audience: Probably age 2 and up

Topic: Friendship

Basic summary: With very simple language, Cat visits her friends and even makes a new one.

There is something so sweet about Cat. For my daughter, who still primarily enjoys books with very few words per page, this series is a great find. We love the message about accepting differences and making new friends.

Want another suggestion? There aren't as many in this series, but we also loved Let's Say Hi to Friends who Fly.