Many of my favorites are books and authors that I read with Ashley, Kayla, and Morgan when they were little. I continued reading some of them with Mira, and now the grandchildren and all those who will listen at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s. Some of them I even remember hearing when I was younger. My Nana was an avid reader and always had a book close-by.  Thanks to her, I love that I just might have picked up on the reading hobby from her.

Our Kindness Hub is filled with books and I don’t think I’ll ever have enough. I’ve always enjoyed discovering the magic behind the covers of children’s books.

Grammy Kim’s Top 9 Favorite Children’s Books and Authors

in no particular order… because I just can’t…

Anamalia by Graeme Base
The illustrations are captivating there are no need for words.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
This book gives a great example of how vast your imaginations can be.

Corduroy by Don Freeman
A demonstration of love and friendship.

Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman
Many opportunities to use different voices to answer the question posed by a lost little bird.

Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day
Mostly wordless with beautiful artwork depicting adventure between toddler and the family dog.

The Pokey Little Puppy by  Janette Sebring Lowrey
There is something to be learned about consequences of not listening.

Animal Sounds by Athena Dixon, E.J. Koh
Tried & true first book for my little girls now grown. Simple animal sounds.

Love you Forever by Robert Munsch
The love I have for my children can’t be beat. The amusement of some little challenges bring back memories of their childhood too.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A commonly gifted book for goodnight wishes to little ones after saying goodnight to objects within the room.

Authors: Eric Carle; Mercer Meyer; Felicia Numeroff; Sandra Boynton; Anna Dewdney

I love some of the new series and authors too – but these above are my vintage classic favorites. I’d love to learn of more if you care to share…

If you stroll through the halls of Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s and hear the faint sound of a lullaby or a upbeat toddler tune, you’ve likely found your way to our Raindrops room. This week, we are so excited to introduce you to one of our wonderful Lead Teachers, Ms. Chrissy!

The Raindrops classroom is a busy, joyful space designed for our little ones who are officially “on the move.” Whether they are master crawlers or brave toddlers taking those first wobbly steps, Ms. Chrissy creates an environment that feels like a musical hug.

A Nurturing Presence in Pewaukee

While Ms. Chrissy is a newer face at our Pewaukee daycare, she joined our team with years of meaningful experience in early childhood education. Her transition into our school family has been seamless, largely because of her naturally patient and nurturing soul.

It’s one thing to read about a teacher’s credentials, but it’s another to see it in action. My own son has formed such a sweet, genuine bond with her—seeing him light up when he sees “Miss Chrissy” is the best testimonial a parent (and an owner!) could ask for.

The Magic of “Goodnight Moon”

Every teacher has that one story that feels like home. For Ms. Chrissy, that book is the timeless classic “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown. Her reason for choosing it is something every parent can relate to: Nostalgia. Ms. Chrissy spent years reading this book to her own children when they were small, and those quiet, bedtime moments stayed with her.

I feel the exact same way! I spent many nights reading those same words to Madison. Even now, I could probably recite the “hush” and the “mush” from memory. At our school, we love these types of stories because they bridge the gap between the classroom and home. They remind us that reading isn’t just about literacy—it’s about the bond formed when a child is tucked in and feeling safe.

Visit the Raindrops Room

We are so lucky to have Ms. Chrissy’s expertise and bright spirit in our 1K program. She truly embodies our “Let Them Be Little” philosophy by leaning into the songs, the snuggles, and the slow, steady pace of toddlerhood.

If you’re looking for a Pewaukee early learning center where your child is cared for by educators who treat them like their own, we invite you to come meet Ms. Chrissy and the rest of our talented team!

At Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s in Pewaukee, we believe that the heart of our school is our incredible team of educators. Today, we are so excited to shine a spotlight on a teacher who has been bringing joy, dedication, and a whole lot of love to our center for nearly a year—Ms. Adelis!

Whether she’s leading a creative art project or sharing a laugh with the team, Ms. Adelis has a way of making every child feel seen and celebrated.

Learning at Their Own Pace: The Raindrops Way

One thing that makes our Pewaukee early learning center unique is that we don’t believe in “one size fits all” when it comes to age. Our classes are not grouped by calculated ages; instead, we focus on developmental milestones.

We know that every child grows, explores, and shines at their own pace. By grouping children based on their specific skills and emotional readiness, we create an environment where they can truly thrive. It’s all about finding that “perfect fit” for every little learner!

A Favorite Story with a Special Meaning

We asked Ms. Adelis to share her favorite children’s book, and she chose a classic: “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister. While many of us know this story, the reason Ms. Adelis loves it truly touched my heart:

“It’s the first book I was able to understand in English. It’s a great reminder that we are all special and unique in our own way but can share those gifts with those around us. We get to share who we are and our unique talents with these little ones every single day.”

How beautiful is that? Honestly, “The Rainbow Fish” hasn’t always been at the top of my personal must-read list—but hearing her perspective totally changed the way I see it. It reminded me that we all have “shiny scales” to share with our community.

Visit Our Family in Pewaukee

We are so grateful to have Ms. Adelis as a Lead Teacher on our team. Her journey and her passion for inclusive, milestone-based learning are exactly what make our school feel like home.

Are you looking for a daycare in Pewaukee that treats your child like family? We’d love to have you visit the Kindness Hub, meet teachers like Ms. Adelis, and see our “Let Them Be Little” philosophy in action!

I Read, You Read, we all Read Together!

At Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S you will find a lot of books and a lot of reading happening. We believe that everyone can learn from reading and it is important to have a variety of options and different types of books for the children to choose from. Each of our classrooms will have a reading area filled with books appropriate for the age ranges within. Teachers will read books and GRAMMY & POPPOP will even read!

At home, reading is fun too. Using animated voices, pointing to colors and items on pages, and letting the child turn pages can all be ways to engage. Children seeing parents read can be motivating for them to read too. If you have many family members, maybe even start a twenty-minute reading party before bedtime routines begin – it’s a great example for all of the children.

(Hint: It’s ok if the little ones aren’t able to stay focused the entire twenty minutes on a book… keep going and it will improve over time.)