Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Rating: 5 stars

When I tell people I have a children's book blog, they ask me: "Why don't you write a book of your own?"

Here's why:  When we talked about this book at lunch, and thought of what other kitchen utensils would make good characters for books, we came up: a microwave.  I tried to get the kids past it, but they were stuck on microwave.  It'd be a mad one, according to Ben.  And the door could be its mouth, added Lorelei.  And it could be mean to all the other kitchen appliances until it needed help, and then it'd become friendly.  Well, we at least we have characters, a conflict and resolution worked out...  But a best-seller?  Um, probably not.


But you're in luck.  We didn't write this book.  Amy Krouse Rosenthal did, and this book is GREAT!  And has an Asian twist, which always makes me happy.  

Chopsticks have been best friends for forever; they do everything together.  "They are practically joined at the hip."  But suddenly...one of them breaks a leg!  He is quickly whisked away (by a whisk!  I love it!) and repaired, but needs to stay off that one leg for a while.  He encourages his partner to go out and do things for himself.

What a scary thing...but, after a few deep chopstick-breaths, off trots the friend for some solo adventures.  He plays with playdoh, serves as a pole to vault, and participates in Pick Up Sticks.

When his buddy is better, they now have more things to enjoy...together.  They realize they can now stand on their own, or stick together.

Guess what they play on the piano to celebrate?  You guessed it...Chopsticks.

Lorelei, reading Chopsticks to Ben.

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Rating: 5 stars

Many days I think about writing a children's book.  And then I read one like Spoon, and I'm floored by the author's talent.  Rosenthal's ability to find a story to tell is so impressive!  And the wit she uses on each and every page (and Magoon's equally quirky-funny pictures) humbles me back into blog-dom.  Nope, no children's book for me today.  I'll just continue to read 'em and write about 'em.  Sniff, sniff...

Another great one by Rosenthal!  We can't get enough of her books right now.

Young Spoon is frustrated.  Everyone around him seems to have it better than he does.  Knife gets to cut and spread, Fork gets to leap into cakes and twirl spaghetti around her tines, Chopsticks have each other and are so exotic.  Sigh.

This is Spoon's family.

But just as Spoon is looking at everyone else with envy, they are looking at him the same way.  Knife wishes he could loudly bang against a pot, Fork wishes he could measure stuff, and Chopsticks wish they could be useful alone.

At bedtime, Spoon's mom helps him realize how lucky he is, how unique he is, and he feels a lot better.  Still he can't sleep.  So what do his parents do?  Invite him into their bed and they all three...well, you know...spoon.

So cute!