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My middle son requested a “Pigeon Party” for his 6 year old celebration this year. #competingforfavoritechild.

We used Paperless Post to send the invitations and found supplies (gumball tubes, gumballs, wind-up ducklings, gummy hot dogs, and crates to keep it all in at Amazon).

If you aren’t yet familiar with Mo Willems and the Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus book series, correct that oversight immediately. His Elephant and Piggie books are equally charming, funny essential reading.

And since I’m a big believer that good books make good readers, I wanted to share some of our other favorite children’s picture books. And I expect you to share your favorites in the comments. ?

1. The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak: As promised there are no pictures. But it turns out that BJ Novak, writer of The Office, is just as good at making kids laugh as he is adults.

2. Charlotte The Scientist Finds a Cure by Camille Andros: The author of Charlotte The Scientist is Squished and The Girl And The Dress, just released her newest title. Can we raise both hands in favor of encouraging kindness, bravery, and STEM skills in girls?

3. When Charley met Emma by Amy Webb
Different isn’t bad, sad, or strange–different is just different, and different is ok. I think this title is a must read for all libraries. Acting kindly around people different than ourselves isn’t always intuitive and this book gives such a simple, beautiful formula.

4. The Day the Crayons Quit, The Day the Crayons Came Home byDrew Daywalt: it’s impossible to pick a favorite from this hilarious series.

5. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin: Osky’s last birthday party featured the original title and the sequel. Be sure to read anything written by this amazing author and illustrator team.

6. Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman: this story of a wolf being adopted by a family of bunnies addressed real issues in a hilarious and earnest way that our blended biological/adopted family could relate to.

7. Hug Machine by Scott Campbell: This sweet and simple narrative is a favorite of our cuddly toddler. Following our first reading, he began showing us his “affection” buttons – hug button, kiss button, love button. Beautiful illustrations and a few great one liners.

8. Lady Pancake Sir French Toast by Josh Funk: This action-packed rhyme follows the adventures of two breakfast characters in search of the last drop of maple syrup. Fun to read with playful, fun illustrations.

9. Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty

Verbal and visual poetry, the words and pictures work so beautifully together. Best of all, it’s a series inspiring engineering, science, and soon politics.

10. Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
This title resonated with our family of budding perfectionists ;). I love how each “mistake” took the art in a new and exciting direction. It’s a life lesson in turning “blunders into wonders.”

Ok, you have our top 10. What is constantly getting picked off your book shelves?

Introducing Fitz Winters Bagley, the fourth edition to the Bagley Empire. He was born on 7-7-2015 at about 7 minutes to 7 pm, weighing in at 6 lbs 7 ounces. And I think you all know his lucky number now.

When you upgrade to 4 kids, there’s no raise or title change. While strangers coo and compliment a single babe or even a pair of thumb suckers in a grocery cart, a quartet of babies leads onlookers to change aisles. The only real reward to parenting this many kids, this close together, is knowing you are the the founder of an eternal organization. And more good news, I am significantly more adept at swaddling, buckling, bribing, and soothing my fourth time around then I was as a virgin parent.

And kissing soft baby cheeks never gets tired. I could stare and watch him blink all. day. long. And sometimes I do.