Hide & Seek by Il Sung Na

Hide & Seek by Il Sung Na

Rating: 4 stars

I really relish the moments when my older kids come sit with me and Kiefer and read with us.  Often they show him parts of a book that he has not seen before.  Sometimes they show me parts of a book that I have not seen before.

Kiefer is almost 2 1/2, and he's just getting into look-and-finds, a category of books with which Ben was obsessed.  Whereas look-and-finds that I've seen dozens of times before are pretty tedious,  a new one brings a fresh challenge.  There can be something really fun about it.

That's how it was with Hide & Seek.  I first read the book to Kiefer and we both liked it: A simple tale where some animal friends play hide and seek.  Elephant counts while his friends all run and hide.  The illustrations are bright and whimsical, the animals are each playful and unique.  Elephant finds them all, except chameleon.  Chameleon finds them.

It wasn't until Ben came to sit with us that I realized that the sly, clever Chameleon is hiding in each page.  Il Sung Na colors his skin in a bunch of fun, interesting ways, allowing him to camouflage himself perfectly.  So, on another read of the book, Ben and Kiefer and I also hunted for Chameleon.  The three of us had a great time silently looking, pointing quietly at the little lizard when we found him in an encouraging oh-good-job-Kiefer way, rather than a competitive I-found-it-first-ha! way.

It was just one of those sweet moments on the sofa with both my boys and one good book.

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Rating: 4 stars

In college, when their clothing actually covered most of you and the music in their stores didn't deafen innocent passers by, I worked at Abercrombie & Fitch.  It was to get extra money for practical things, but I took advantage of the employee discount.  Especially at Christmas time.  I bought my mom and sister and best friend sweaters, but, as the good rule-follower that I am, I worried that my boss would realize that I was abusing the discount and buying stuff for others, not just me.

So I wore the sweaters a bit before giving them to my family and friend.  Just a few times!  Promise!

Some make lots of noise when they sleep.

So it is with books.  We read them a few times before finally wrapping them up.  I don't think that we've ever gotten marinara or chocolate on a gift book, but...I can't be totally sure.  Earlier this week Kiefer and I chose Mr. Tiger Goes Wild for a party we'll be going to today; we bought A Book of Sleep for the birthday boy's newborn sister.

And, because my trio and I read it a few times (and because I wrap things at the very last minute), I can tell you what a great book it is.

This is a simple book (we have the sturdy board book version)--perfect for littler listeners--about how different animals sleep, told in the presence of the nocturnal owl.  With funky-in-a-great-way illustrations and nice, clean text, Il Sung Na lures kids in and calms them down for the night.  Here, listen to the App of Sleep--a more interactive version of the book, completely worth watching/listening to (but I don't recommend pressing play and leaving the room, letting your baby watch it and listen to it by herself.  Unless you've got a dozen kids.  Then, maybe, it's okay):

We hope this book lulls Baby Willa to sleep in the nights ahead.  We sure have liked it this week, before we've given it away.