1. Gather your materials. I used Benjamin Moore chalkboard paint, a roller, paint tray, painters tape, an old picture frame, an old sheet, 4 nails and a hammer.
2. Start by deciding where you want the chalkboard. Have your child show you how high they can reach so that it’s all usable space. I’m no good with measuring tape so I just eyeballed it and thumb tacked it to the wall to decide. You may want to measure where on the wall you put it.
3. Tape off the area to paint.
4. Apply your first coat. Wait 4 hours or more and add a 2nd. Let dry.
5. Take off the tape.
6. Place your frame on the wall so the painted area is centered, and secure it to the wall. I nailed mine but depending on your walls you’ll want to use the appropriate fashion. I particularly liked using a frame because it creates a ledge for the chalk as well.
7. Add chalk and child!

“In The Town All Year Round” by Rotraut Susanne Berner was sent in by Lynn @ Chronicle of and Infant Bibliophile . She said “If I had to pick one book to be stranded somewhere with him with for hours, it would be that one. It’s big and extremely detailed. The littlest readers can just stare at all of the images, slightly older can have fun finding items as you call them out (”where’s the bus?,” etc.), a little older than that can start to follow some of the story lines that weave their way through the book .”

“Goldilocks and The Three Bears” by Jan Brett was sent in by Marietta @ The Bookworms’s Booklist. She said “I picked this book as my top favorite (among many favorites) because I have many sweet memories of laying in bed reading this book to my boys when they were so young. Those are precious times and I cherish those memories.”

“The Going To Bed Book” by Sandra Boynton was sent in by Cindy @ Aunt Cindyland she said “I love the pictures of ALL of the animals in the bath together, then as they brush their teeth standing on top of each other. The best is when they all go up on the deck of their boat to exercise as the very last thing they do before bed. It’s a book full of silliness!”

“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown was sent in by Melanie @ Life in Progress she said “It is the first book my 2-year-old requested by name. It’s a comforting, familiar book in our house now. And it’s especially sweet when the kids put their fingers to their lips and join in with the old lady whispering, “hush.”

“The Important Book” by Margaret Wise Brown was sent in by Jennifer @ ZRecommends .I love this book as well, it’s another simple but brilliant must have by this author!

“The Secret World Of Og” by Pierre Burton is one of my favorites but it was Carrie Anne @ Another day , another thought …or two that sent it in. “I still have my original copy that my parents bought me when I was, I think 12. I know read it to my kids, though my 4 year old is a little freaked out by the thought of a hand reaching up through the floor.” She said. When she emailed me I immediately emailed her back because I was so excited to see this book on my list. It is an amazing book and I have such fond memories of it as well.

“We Are All Alike… We Are All Different” by Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergarten was sent in by Annalee @ Out On A Whim and I am so glad she did. This is a great book that got a lot of use in my classrooms. Here is what she said ” It is a beautiful simple story of how everyone of us are alike in some ways and different in other ways. I love the illustrations and the reminder of this lesson on each page. I also love the great extension activities you can do after reading it. My favorite is to pair kids together (could easily adjust it to pairing siblings together or a parent and child), draw two circles on a paper and hand them mirrors to look at themselves and draw a picture of their own face in the first circle, then look at their partner and draw a picture of their face in the other circle. Afterwards, I ask each child a way they are like their partner and a way they are different (encouraging them to look deeper than just physical traits) and write these sentences on the paper.”

“I Will Never Eat A Tomato” by Lauren Child was sent in by Amy @ Let’s Explore She said ” My girls love to make up their own silly names for foods after reading this book.”

“Beezus and Ramona” by Beverly Cleary was sent in by Jeremiah @Punnybop and immediately I got excited about when my son will be old enough to read this. I loved Beverly Cleary as a child and hope I get to share her wonderful books with my son too.

“Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman was sent in by Jennifer @ Twinhappy but I liked something else she wrote in her email to me, how her girls like to write and illustrate their own. I like that too!

“How to Heal a Broken Wing” by Bob Graham was sent in by Susan @ The Book Chook This is what she said about the book” ..the reason it’s my current favourite is because it is the perfect marriage of illustrations with text. It is a gentle, heart-warming story, and one that kids will remember“

“A Bargin For Frances”by Lillian Hoban was sent in by Jeremiah @ Punnybop I have always liked this story, about how to deal with a friend who isn’t being very friendly!

“Danny And The Dinosaur” by Syd Hoff was sent in my @Be A Good Dad what he said about the book was short but very sweet ” I love listening to my kids read it and it is such a cool way to show an impossible thing in a normal world.”

“Positively Mother Goose” by Diana Loomans was sent in by Sam @ babyReady.ca it’s filled with centuries old nursery rhymes reworked to spin a positive message instead of the traditional negative one. I can’t count how many times I have wondered how we ever thought that the rhymes in traditional versions were okay to share with young kids! This takes care of that.

“The Alphabet from A-Y with bonus letter Z” by Steve Martin was sent in by Rebecca @ A little bit of Momsence she says her son ” wants this book every night before bed – awesome to teach letters and very interesting words. ” This is another book I have never seen, and have added it to my list!

“You’re All My Favorites” by Sam McBratney was suggested by Nancy @ My Parenting Source This book is about how parents can love their different children equally is so valuable. Nancy wrote “Siblings need to often be reminded that we love them all the same.” I agree!

“I Love You Stinky Face” by Lisa McCourt was sent in by April,and I couldn’t agree more with what she said about it ” This book is so much fun. It was a great way to bond with my children. It explains that a mother’s love is pure and unconditional. I will love my kids no matter what! “

“Hug Time “ by Patrick McDonell was sent in by Heather @ All The Way To Pluto And Back she said it’s ” The sweetest little children’s book in the wide world”. I think it looks adorable and can’t wait to read it!

“Open the Barn Door” by Chris Santoro was sent in by Rebecca @ A little bit of Momsence and I love what she said in her email ” We had to buy my daughter her own copy because my son’s was very well loved!! ” That is a true recommendation !

“In The Night Kitchen” by Maurice Sendak was sent in my Jennifer @ ZRecommends This classic was my favorite Sendak book growing up and the illustrations always made me giggle!

“No, David!” by David Shannon is beloved at our house but Sandra @ Celebrate Every Day said “Our favorite books are the David books by David Shannon. We love the child-like illustrations, the simplicity of the stories, and of course, that my son’s name is David!”

“Tummy Girl” by Rosanne Thong was sent in by by Amanda @ Funny Days with Mommy and Maddie. She found this book at the library but loved it so much she bought a copy for her daughter. Here is what she said about it ” I love the rhyming scheme of the story and the little girl is just adorable and reminds me of myself when I was younger.”