Alpha Oops! H is for Halloween by Althea Kontis, illustrated by Bob Kolar
Rating: 3.5 stars
So we're finally getting into the Halloween groove, and it's really only because Lorelei is in preschool and all her friends are into it. Last year I was impressed we even got a costume, and we even went trick-or-treating in the local way (which involved a little strip-mall-like place because the houses around here require a hike and a half to get through one neighborhood). This year Lorelei's spook-o-meter is a little higher, so she's not at all frightened by pictures like those in this book, of monsters and goblins, werewolves and vampires.
The book is a follow up to Alpha Oops! The Day Z Went First, which we checked out at the same time. Like that book, it's a classic "A is for..." book with a twist: the letters are all jumbled up in fairly random order. The only plot is they all have to find a Halloween-themed item that starts with their letter. One in particular, B, shows up again and again, and is uncertain of his choice, but then ends up as the last letter as B for BOO! And he scares all the letters off stage. It's a cute ending.
It's a little confusing, and definitely better for kids who are completely comfortable with their ABCs in order, and therefore see the humor in getting them all mixed up. It's only sorta fun to read out loud, because the only text apart from the "A is for..." lines is the dialogue between the letters. And Lorelei and Ben don't find that too easy to follow. Still, it's Halloween-y and it's Halloween week, so we've been reading it every day!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Rating: 4 stars
I am all for simplicity, but sometimes there are too few words in books for my personal taste. This one definitely falls in that category, but it's too clever to dislike and it holds a special place in my heart because Lorelei read it all by herself. Well, she can't read yet, but she's great at realizing which words are which once she has a general idea of what the words are. Wait, is that what reading is? I mean, I can officially read Thai but a) only at an embarrassingly slow pace, b) only words I know already, and c) a whopping sentence at a time. So maybe Lorelei can read...well, we'll just keep an eye on that and let her keep reading/listening as much as she wants...
There are just four words in this book (well, a fifth appears at the end), but they are rearranged as many times as possible in cute little ways, and have illustrations that support the new arrangement. The bear is cuddly and adorable and seems to dance around with the fruit on his head or rump or hand. At the end he gobbles them all up and, funnily, what remains of the fruit are just cores and peels.
I don't know how many times you could read this--it might get old after a dozen times--but we appreciated it for the two weeks we had it from the library. And because it was a great confidence booster for Lorelei, there's a good chance we'll check it out again.
Rating: 4 stars
I am all for simplicity, but sometimes there are too few words in books for my personal taste. This one definitely falls in that category, but it's too clever to dislike and it holds a special place in my heart because Lorelei read it all by herself. Well, she can't read yet, but she's great at realizing which words are which once she has a general idea of what the words are. Wait, is that what reading is? I mean, I can officially read Thai but a) only at an embarrassingly slow pace, b) only words I know already, and c) a whopping sentence at a time. So maybe Lorelei can read...well, we'll just keep an eye on that and let her keep reading/listening as much as she wants...
There are just four words in this book (well, a fifth appears at the end), but they are rearranged as many times as possible in cute little ways, and have illustrations that support the new arrangement. The bear is cuddly and adorable and seems to dance around with the fruit on his head or rump or hand. At the end he gobbles them all up and, funnily, what remains of the fruit are just cores and peels.
I don't know how many times you could read this--it might get old after a dozen times--but we appreciated it for the two weeks we had it from the library. And because it was a great confidence booster for Lorelei, there's a good chance we'll check it out again.
Higher! Higher! by Leslie Patricelli
Higher! Higher! by Leslie Patricelli
Rating: 4.5 stars
There isn't a whole lot to this book, but I think that--plus some wonderfully clear and bright illustrations--is what make Ben and Lorelei request it again and again and again. Our kids are both swing-lovers (they got it in their DNA from beloved Grammy, I think); just this morning Ben was giggling himself silly at the playground when I was pushing him, and then stopping him suddenly, then starting him up again in full swing. Whiplash? Oooh...hadn't thought of that. As Lorelei would say, "Next time, I'll be more careful."
Anyway, this book is adorable. A little girl and her father walk to the playground and she requests, "Higher! Higher!" ("Add a please, please!" I want to add.) Despite the lack of a "please," he pushes her higher, and she soars as high as a giraffe, then as high as a rooftop, then as high as the Himalayas, past an airplane, into space. Then she meets a martian, who is on a swing, shouting "Higher! Higher!" just like she is...from Mars! How fun! They greet each other, share a high five, say good-bye, and she wordlessly floats back to real-swinging-range, back to the playground.
A very cute book. I can't imagine any kid not loving it! If it had a please or two, I'd have given it a 5. I'm feeling stingy with my stars today.
Rating: 4.5 stars
There isn't a whole lot to this book, but I think that--plus some wonderfully clear and bright illustrations--is what make Ben and Lorelei request it again and again and again. Our kids are both swing-lovers (they got it in their DNA from beloved Grammy, I think); just this morning Ben was giggling himself silly at the playground when I was pushing him, and then stopping him suddenly, then starting him up again in full swing. Whiplash? Oooh...hadn't thought of that. As Lorelei would say, "Next time, I'll be more careful."
Anyway, this book is adorable. A little girl and her father walk to the playground and she requests, "Higher! Higher!" ("Add a please, please!" I want to add.) Despite the lack of a "please," he pushes her higher, and she soars as high as a giraffe, then as high as a rooftop, then as high as the Himalayas, past an airplane, into space. Then she meets a martian, who is on a swing, shouting "Higher! Higher!" just like she is...from Mars! How fun! They greet each other, share a high five, say good-bye, and she wordlessly floats back to real-swinging-range, back to the playground.
A very cute book. I can't imagine any kid not loving it! If it had a please or two, I'd have given it a 5. I'm feeling stingy with my stars today.
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
Rating: 5 stars
If ever there was a book for my mother, this is it. My mom grew up telling us to "be charitable" (my best friend still tells me that in her best mom-voice because she heard it almost as much as me); here is a book that has the same message without that parental you-know-better-than-that tone of voice!
This book is wonderfully simple: Hen does something kind for Pig, who replies "How kind!" and then Pig wants to do something kind for someone else, and he decides to give Rabbit a carrot. Rabbit replies "How kind!" and then Rabbit wants to do something kind for someone else, and he... It's just a chain reaction to kindness that ends up with Pig returning the egg (now turned chick) back to Hen. See? What goes around comes around, especially kindness. (My mother would so agree.)
Lorelei has begun to have some, um, loquacious moments when her mouth doesn't seem to stop moving. She likes to repeat the same thing over and over again, something that requires more patience than a deep breath or a full night's sleep can provide. But when she repeats "How kind!" or "I want to do something kind!" I really don't mind at all.
Just a few things that I wonder about, though: How does Cow milk herself to give milk to Cat? And did Mary Murphy decide that the first kind gesture would be giving away one of Hen's unhatched children? I find that a little funny, but I think it's a detail that few, if any, 3- or 4-year olds would actually pick up.
Rating: 5 stars
If ever there was a book for my mother, this is it. My mom grew up telling us to "be charitable" (my best friend still tells me that in her best mom-voice because she heard it almost as much as me); here is a book that has the same message without that parental you-know-better-than-that tone of voice!
This book is wonderfully simple: Hen does something kind for Pig, who replies "How kind!" and then Pig wants to do something kind for someone else, and he decides to give Rabbit a carrot. Rabbit replies "How kind!" and then Rabbit wants to do something kind for someone else, and he... It's just a chain reaction to kindness that ends up with Pig returning the egg (now turned chick) back to Hen. See? What goes around comes around, especially kindness. (My mother would so agree.)
Lorelei has begun to have some, um, loquacious moments when her mouth doesn't seem to stop moving. She likes to repeat the same thing over and over again, something that requires more patience than a deep breath or a full night's sleep can provide. But when she repeats "How kind!" or "I want to do something kind!" I really don't mind at all.
Just a few things that I wonder about, though: How does Cow milk herself to give milk to Cat? And did Mary Murphy decide that the first kind gesture would be giving away one of Hen's unhatched children? I find that a little funny, but I think it's a detail that few, if any, 3- or 4-year olds would actually pick up.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
L M N O Peas by Keith Baker
L M N O Peas by Keith Baker
Rating: 5 stars
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but how about by its jacket flap? Here's a snippet from Keith Baker's bio, found on the back flap:
That excerpt is an example of the cleverness that can be found in the pages of the book. What a funny genius Keith Baker is! It is clear that he had fun with this book, and our family has had a great time with it, too. I'm not sure why we passed it up so many different times at the bookstore and the library; we really should have checked it out earlier. (It was published earlier this year.)
Many alphabet books tell too much a story, and you lose the actual letters and words that go with them. Other books don't tell any story at all, so kids whose interest in "just" the alphabet will be, most likely, less than enthused to read them. But this is a perfect balance: Baker introduces us to the peas, and tells them of all the vocations they can be. Some of my favorite new vocabulary words for Lorelei include: investigator, officer, parachutist ('cause the GRAND-Dad is...ok, was...one!), unique, voter, volunteer.
The story is great. The pictures are SUPERB! They are just fun--the peas are doing all sorts of things, illustrating the words. As a bonus, there's a little ladybug on each page that the kids love to find, especially the first time we read through it. (In fact, I had to wipe down the pages because we were eating pasta while we looked, so some marinara sauce from Ben's always-sticky fingers got on the pages when he excitedly pointed to the ladybug...but I cleaned them. Promise!)
This is a fantastic book--one that is tempting to buy...let's see if I can sit on my hands and resist the temptation.
Rating: 5 stars
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but how about by its jacket flap? Here's a snippet from Keith Baker's bio, found on the back flap:
"Keith Baker has ten letters in his name, all of which can be found in the alphabet. If he could be any vegetable, he would be a pea--green, round, quick, smart, easy to draw, and always surrounded by friends... He's sometimes grumpea, sometimes sleepea, but usually happea, and he hopes that someday there will be peas everywhere on Earth."
 |
| "We're dancers--and drivers round town." |
Many alphabet books tell too much a story, and you lose the actual letters and words that go with them. Other books don't tell any story at all, so kids whose interest in "just" the alphabet will be, most likely, less than enthused to read them. But this is a perfect balance: Baker introduces us to the peas, and tells them of all the vocations they can be. Some of my favorite new vocabulary words for Lorelei include: investigator, officer, parachutist ('cause the GRAND-Dad is...ok, was...one!), unique, voter, volunteer.
The story is great. The pictures are SUPERB! They are just fun--the peas are doing all sorts of things, illustrating the words. As a bonus, there's a little ladybug on each page that the kids love to find, especially the first time we read through it. (In fact, I had to wipe down the pages because we were eating pasta while we looked, so some marinara sauce from Ben's always-sticky fingers got on the pages when he excitedly pointed to the ladybug...but I cleaned them. Promise!)
This is a fantastic book--one that is tempting to buy...let's see if I can sit on my hands and resist the temptation.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Beach Ball by Peter Sis
Beach Ball by Peter Sis
Rating: 4.5 stars
We went to the library last week to get some books for our fall beach trip and happened upon this one. Since we liked Fire Truck by Peter Sis, I went to see if there were any other books by him that we might like. How perfect to find this one! What wasn't perfect was not realizing how great a car book it really was...until we got down to the beach. Lorelei could have easily studied this book for an hour in the car, which would have given me only four other hours to fill with something else.
The book is a look-and-find, but not of the usual variety. The story line which hardly exists at all is just that a little girl's beach ball gets swept up by the wind and she chases it across the beach, through all of the pages of the book. On each page is a different theme of things you need to find. On one page are shapes, so you can see how many triangles you can find or just how many different shapes exist. On another page are numbers, and you count all the different things--that was Lorelei's favorite page. On another is a too-easy maze and on the trickiest page is the alphabet. The reader is challenged to find something that starts with each letter of the alphabet. It's tricky and fun. It definitely kept my interest for awhile!
This is an old-ish book, printed in 1990, and it definitely could be more than what it is--the book could be bigger and hold more, the illustrations could be more charming and/or funnier, the setting could be different in each book. I can hardly imagine the awesome result if another illustrator got his or her hands on the idea and ran with it! I really wish Robert Nuebecker or Rotraut Susanne Berner would do something like this...
Rating: 4.5 stars
We went to the library last week to get some books for our fall beach trip and happened upon this one. Since we liked Fire Truck by Peter Sis, I went to see if there were any other books by him that we might like. How perfect to find this one! What wasn't perfect was not realizing how great a car book it really was...until we got down to the beach. Lorelei could have easily studied this book for an hour in the car, which would have given me only four other hours to fill with something else.
The book is a look-and-find, but not of the usual variety. The story line which hardly exists at all is just that a little girl's beach ball gets swept up by the wind and she chases it across the beach, through all of the pages of the book. On each page is a different theme of things you need to find. On one page are shapes, so you can see how many triangles you can find or just how many different shapes exist. On another page are numbers, and you count all the different things--that was Lorelei's favorite page. On another is a too-easy maze and on the trickiest page is the alphabet. The reader is challenged to find something that starts with each letter of the alphabet. It's tricky and fun. It definitely kept my interest for awhile!
This is an old-ish book, printed in 1990, and it definitely could be more than what it is--the book could be bigger and hold more, the illustrations could be more charming and/or funnier, the setting could be different in each book. I can hardly imagine the awesome result if another illustrator got his or her hands on the idea and ran with it! I really wish Robert Nuebecker or Rotraut Susanne Berner would do something like this...
Berenstain Bears Vacation by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Berenstain Bears Vacation by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Rating: 5 stars
We LOVE these books. We check them out about every other time we go to the library, especially if I didn't pre-order a bunch of good books for Lorelei. They are such great go-to books, and she'll happily read them a few times a day. Because the words are limited and they rhyme, Ben sits through them just as happily. The whole collection is just great--though, as I've said before, poor Papa Bear looks like a bumbling fool, though a lovable one.
But I really wanted to write about this book because of the picture below. Now that Lorelei has started preschool, she now has "story time" with her animals and dolls and brother. (Ben is such a good sport!) She perches herself on one of the cubes in our playroom and holds the book up just like her teacher and/or the librarian at her school. I can't get over how cute she looks, but am more amazed at the emulation that's going on. Obviously she likes what she sees at school, or else she wouldn't be doing stuff like this at home! Lucky her. Lucky us!
Rating: 5 stars
We LOVE these books. We check them out about every other time we go to the library, especially if I didn't pre-order a bunch of good books for Lorelei. They are such great go-to books, and she'll happily read them a few times a day. Because the words are limited and they rhyme, Ben sits through them just as happily. The whole collection is just great--though, as I've said before, poor Papa Bear looks like a bumbling fool, though a lovable one.
 |
| Story time by Lorelei. |
But I really wanted to write about this book because of the picture below. Now that Lorelei has started preschool, she now has "story time" with her animals and dolls and brother. (Ben is such a good sport!) She perches herself on one of the cubes in our playroom and holds the book up just like her teacher and/or the librarian at her school. I can't get over how cute she looks, but am more amazed at the emulation that's going on. Obviously she likes what she sees at school, or else she wouldn't be doing stuff like this at home! Lucky her. Lucky us!
The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, illustrated by Christine Davenier
Rating: 4 stars
Shocking! A princess book! But, you know, I'm trying to relax a little about the whole princess thing. I don't love it (or maybe I just wish there were more princess books about princesses who get dirty, hike up mountains, care less about their attire) but I realize that it is the first interest--of many!--that my daughter will have that I will not wholeheartedly share. But, because she's my daughter and it's really not that unhealthy, I should and do support it. I just hope that princes isn't replaced by goth in a few years...
The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, illustrated by Christine Davenier
Rating: 4 stars
Shocking! A princess book! But, you know, I'm trying to relax a little about the whole princess thing. I don't love it (or maybe I just wish there were more princess books about princesses who get dirty, hike up mountains, care less about their attire) but I realize that it is the first interest--of many!--that my daughter will have that I will not wholeheartedly share. But, because she's my daughter and it's really not that unhealthy, I should and do support it. I just hope that princes isn't replaced by goth in a few years...
 |
| Our own very fairy princess. |
My sister's twin girls have this book and love it, so we checked it out from the library. It's definitely one of the better princess books. Geraldine tells us right away that's she's a fairy princess because she FEELS it inside, a "sparkly feeling of just KNOWING in my heart." Cute! She puts fairy dust on her pancakes, has a wardrobe of pink and pink-ish dresses, dances ballet, and wears wings whenever possible. Throughout the book and with a little princess twist to each, "Gerry" teaches little axioms, such as: Fairy princesses have very refined taste. Fairy princesses are very practical. Fairy princesses are very supportive.
The supportive bit is my favorite part. Gerry's best friend Delilah doesn't believe in the fairy princess stuff, but Gerry points out that she can "be whatever you want to be. You just have to let your SPARKLE out!" Gerry points out that Delilah sparkles while playing the trombone, and Gerry is still friends with her despite the fact that Delilah wears a lot of blue.
I don't like how the whole princess thing is so obnoxiously predictable. You like princesses, dancing ballet, wearing pink, things that sparkle, and stuff like that. But...princesses can do great things too, right? I hope so...because guess what Lorelei wants to be for Halloween...?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems
Rating: 5 wonderful stars
Let me just assume you've read the first two of these wonderful books (if you've not, just know that little Trixie has a beloved bunny she's lost but recovered before) and tell you about the third book. Trixie goes to visit her Oma and Opa in Sweden, taking a taxi, airplane, and train to get there. She is drinking a glass of chocolate milk in their garden when she suddenly realizes something: She left Knuffle Bunny on the plane! She's pretty sad, but when her father finds out her bunny is on its way to China, she tries to grin and bear it--she's "older now," though she doesn't really want to be. But then she has a dream of Knuffle Bunny traveling to all these different places, making all these different children happy. And she wakes up happy, ok with the fact that she no longer has her beloved bunny.
The trip ends and they head home. They get on the plane, right in front of a screaming baby, and Trixie notices something: Knuffle Bunny is in the seat pocket in front of her! She is ecstatic. And then she turns to the baby behind her and asks her parents, "Would your baby like my Knuffle Bunny?" All the parents are shocked, and Trixie is sure of her decision. (Even my husband said, "Awwww" when I explained the book to him.) She gives her bunny to the child, who is now gloriously happy and, even better, gloriously quiet. And Trixie gets a letter in the mail to say thanks.
What a wonderful book about being kind and thoughtful! This book was released just last week, and before our trip to the beach I scooted out to the bookstore to buy it for Lorelei. My mom, a middle school teacher, and I were just talking about the horrible cyberbullying/suicide at Rutgers University... (And here I am trying to make a segueway from a great children's book to a horrible situation. But bear with me.) I was almost in tears asking her: What can I do? How can I prevent this in my own community, with my own kids? What lessons are important for me to teach our kids?
I got to thinking, and I think there are two things: First, to teach my children--today, tomorrow, and every single day until I die--how to stop and think of other people. They need to be thoughtful, and not just the card-on-your-birthday thoughtful. To be compassionate and caring, even though they'll not replace Mother Teresa. Second, to teach my children how to be strong and confident when they face the inevitable criticism their peers will throw their way. They need to know that not everyone will adore them like their parents certainly do, and they need to have a larger perspective than the one child/group/day that is really, really bad.
This book is a tiny step in that. How wonderful to see one of Lorelei's favorite little characters, Trixie, give her most favorite stuffed animal to a stranger when she realizes Knuffle Bunny will comfort the crying baby more than it would comfort herself. This is a book for your shelf, not to check out at the library (though that is certainly better than passing up this gem).
To end on a light note, I mentioned to Lorelei how, one day, she'll decide she's old enough to stop sleeping with all of her guys (as of this post, she has about eight that get tucked in beside her at night). Normally smiley Lorelei immediately frowned, with tears forming in her eyes. I back pedaled like there was no tomorrow: "Not tonight! When you're ready! Maybe when you're in college!"
Rating: 5 wonderful stars
Let me just assume you've read the first two of these wonderful books (if you've not, just know that little Trixie has a beloved bunny she's lost but recovered before) and tell you about the third book. Trixie goes to visit her Oma and Opa in Sweden, taking a taxi, airplane, and train to get there. She is drinking a glass of chocolate milk in their garden when she suddenly realizes something: She left Knuffle Bunny on the plane! She's pretty sad, but when her father finds out her bunny is on its way to China, she tries to grin and bear it--she's "older now," though she doesn't really want to be. But then she has a dream of Knuffle Bunny traveling to all these different places, making all these different children happy. And she wakes up happy, ok with the fact that she no longer has her beloved bunny.
The trip ends and they head home. They get on the plane, right in front of a screaming baby, and Trixie notices something: Knuffle Bunny is in the seat pocket in front of her! She is ecstatic. And then she turns to the baby behind her and asks her parents, "Would your baby like my Knuffle Bunny?" All the parents are shocked, and Trixie is sure of her decision. (Even my husband said, "Awwww" when I explained the book to him.) She gives her bunny to the child, who is now gloriously happy and, even better, gloriously quiet. And Trixie gets a letter in the mail to say thanks.
What a wonderful book about being kind and thoughtful! This book was released just last week, and before our trip to the beach I scooted out to the bookstore to buy it for Lorelei. My mom, a middle school teacher, and I were just talking about the horrible cyberbullying/suicide at Rutgers University... (And here I am trying to make a segueway from a great children's book to a horrible situation. But bear with me.) I was almost in tears asking her: What can I do? How can I prevent this in my own community, with my own kids? What lessons are important for me to teach our kids?
I got to thinking, and I think there are two things: First, to teach my children--today, tomorrow, and every single day until I die--how to stop and think of other people. They need to be thoughtful, and not just the card-on-your-birthday thoughtful. To be compassionate and caring, even though they'll not replace Mother Teresa. Second, to teach my children how to be strong and confident when they face the inevitable criticism their peers will throw their way. They need to know that not everyone will adore them like their parents certainly do, and they need to have a larger perspective than the one child/group/day that is really, really bad.
This book is a tiny step in that. How wonderful to see one of Lorelei's favorite little characters, Trixie, give her most favorite stuffed animal to a stranger when she realizes Knuffle Bunny will comfort the crying baby more than it would comfort herself. This is a book for your shelf, not to check out at the library (though that is certainly better than passing up this gem).
To end on a light note, I mentioned to Lorelei how, one day, she'll decide she's old enough to stop sleeping with all of her guys (as of this post, she has about eight that get tucked in beside her at night). Normally smiley Lorelei immediately frowned, with tears forming in her eyes. I back pedaled like there was no tomorrow: "Not tonight! When you're ready! Maybe when you're in college!"
Friday, October 1, 2010
Fire Engine Man by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
Fire Engine Man by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
Rating: 5 stars
We are loving these Zimmerman and Clemesha books. The husband-wife team has three sons, so all of their books (that we've read so far) are SO perfect for little boys, including our little boy.
Fire Engine Man, and their other book that's on our shelf Digger Man
, are great simple books with the tried and true boy subjects of firetrucks and diggers. You can't go wrong with these images on the pages of a children's book! The stories are both told through the voice of a young boy, maybe 5 or 6 years old, and tell how he's going to be a "Fire Engine Man." He's going to drive his own big fire engine, hook up his hose, and help the other firefighters fight the fire.
But what makes this book (and Digger Man, too) special is the fact that the little boy has a younger brother, maybe 12 or 18 months, whom he actively adores. He drives by his family in his big fire engine, so his brother can see him, and then invites his little brother to the fire station to visit, "because it would be safe." There's a great picture of the big brother driving the fire truck, and the little brother in the passenger seat, in a car seat, with a bottle. Lorelei and Ben and I always wonder if a real fire truck could have a carseat in it...I'm guessing not, but it's fun to pretend it's possible. The end of the book shows the two brothers playing happily together, with the big brother declaring, "When my brother gets bigger, he can help."
How wonderful to see a positive sibling book! I can't get the ones where one sibling is trying to sell off the other one out of my hands fast enough. I don't want to give Lorelei any ideas... Really, though, I don't think it's too much to expect that my kids are going to love each other. Most days, at least.
This book, and Digger Man too, are GREAT books for boys who have a new little brother in their life.
Rating: 5 stars
We are loving these Zimmerman and Clemesha books. The husband-wife team has three sons, so all of their books (that we've read so far) are SO perfect for little boys, including our little boy.
Fire Engine Man, and their other book that's on our shelf Digger Man
, are great simple books with the tried and true boy subjects of firetrucks and diggers. You can't go wrong with these images on the pages of a children's book! The stories are both told through the voice of a young boy, maybe 5 or 6 years old, and tell how he's going to be a "Fire Engine Man." He's going to drive his own big fire engine, hook up his hose, and help the other firefighters fight the fire. But what makes this book (and Digger Man, too) special is the fact that the little boy has a younger brother, maybe 12 or 18 months, whom he actively adores. He drives by his family in his big fire engine, so his brother can see him, and then invites his little brother to the fire station to visit, "because it would be safe." There's a great picture of the big brother driving the fire truck, and the little brother in the passenger seat, in a car seat, with a bottle. Lorelei and Ben and I always wonder if a real fire truck could have a carseat in it...I'm guessing not, but it's fun to pretend it's possible. The end of the book shows the two brothers playing happily together, with the big brother declaring, "When my brother gets bigger, he can help."
How wonderful to see a positive sibling book! I can't get the ones where one sibling is trying to sell off the other one out of my hands fast enough. I don't want to give Lorelei any ideas... Really, though, I don't think it's too much to expect that my kids are going to love each other. Most days, at least.
This book, and Digger Man too, are GREAT books for boys who have a new little brother in their life.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dig! by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
Dig! by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal
Rating: 5 stars
I don't need to say who loves this book. Yup, that's right, our construction-worker-wanna-be, Ben. And we found this book while Ben and I were at the library last week. Ben was spending some quality time jumping into the bean bag chairs, which are located right next to the very end of the alphabet of children's book authors. But what a great discovery we made with Andrea Zimmerman, and her husband David Clemesha! They have three sons, so their books are pretty wonderful for boys.
This book is so great. It has all the different Ben components that, together, make it perfect for him, at 22-ish months:
Rating: 5 stars
I don't need to say who loves this book. Yup, that's right, our construction-worker-wanna-be, Ben. And we found this book while Ben and I were at the library last week. Ben was spending some quality time jumping into the bean bag chairs, which are located right next to the very end of the alphabet of children's book authors. But what a great discovery we made with Andrea Zimmerman, and her husband David Clemesha! They have three sons, so their books are pretty wonderful for boys.
This book is so great. It has all the different Ben components that, together, make it perfect for him, at 22-ish months:
- It has a backhoe on every single page! Oh happy day!
- He has a cute dog, Lightning, who also likes to dig.
- The main character, Mr. Rally, wears a construction hat just like Ben wears!
- Mr. Rally does five different jobs, and at the end of each job, the text asks, "Is the digging done?" And Ben gets to shake his head as violently as possible and say, "NOOO!" Except for the last one, when he gets to say, "Yesh!" in that very-Ben way.
- The last job Mr. Rally does is at the zoo, which we just went to yesterday. That made the evening's reading of this book all the more exciting.
Pigsty by Mark Teague
Pigsty by Mark Teague
Rating: 4 stars
Lorelei and Ben are good helpers when it's clean up time, but I can't wait to just say, "Ok, go clean up your room!" My job will be to simply inspect it. (I'm sure no nagging will be involved.) This book is a funny look at a boy who refuses to clean his room. It literally turns into a pigsty!
When his mother just throws up her hands and says Wendell can choose the level of cleanliness in his own room, he is ecstatic. Even though one pig has already moved in. Then another joins in, and Wendell still thinks it's great--they play monopoly and other games together. But then two more join the mix, and suddenly he finds his basketball flat after it was used as a stool and his comic books with hoof prints all over them. He decides for himself that enough is enough, organizes a swine cleaning crew, and cleans up. The pigs, of course, move out because it's too clean, and only return for the occasional game night.
We like Mark Teague's words and love his artwork--his pictures seem big and in-your-face in a great way. There are clever little things hidden in some pages, like one of the last pages where the pick-up truck that takes the pigs home has a license plate that reads: EIEIO. I liked that, when I pointed out and explained it to Lorelei, she got the joke. I'm pretty sure she got the joke (either way, I appreciate that she giggled a bit...just the right thing to do when Mommy makes a joke or points out a joke!) I like the play-on-words lesson in this book--Lorelei understood that, literally, a pigsty is a place where pigs live. And figuratively, it's a really messy, dirty place. I don't know how amused I'll be when the day comes that she calls my car a pigsty, because it most certainly is most days of the month!
Rating: 4 stars
Lorelei and Ben are good helpers when it's clean up time, but I can't wait to just say, "Ok, go clean up your room!" My job will be to simply inspect it. (I'm sure no nagging will be involved.) This book is a funny look at a boy who refuses to clean his room. It literally turns into a pigsty!
When his mother just throws up her hands and says Wendell can choose the level of cleanliness in his own room, he is ecstatic. Even though one pig has already moved in. Then another joins in, and Wendell still thinks it's great--they play monopoly and other games together. But then two more join the mix, and suddenly he finds his basketball flat after it was used as a stool and his comic books with hoof prints all over them. He decides for himself that enough is enough, organizes a swine cleaning crew, and cleans up. The pigs, of course, move out because it's too clean, and only return for the occasional game night.
We like Mark Teague's words and love his artwork--his pictures seem big and in-your-face in a great way. There are clever little things hidden in some pages, like one of the last pages where the pick-up truck that takes the pigs home has a license plate that reads: EIEIO. I liked that, when I pointed out and explained it to Lorelei, she got the joke. I'm pretty sure she got the joke (either way, I appreciate that she giggled a bit...just the right thing to do when Mommy makes a joke or points out a joke!) I like the play-on-words lesson in this book--Lorelei understood that, literally, a pigsty is a place where pigs live. And figuratively, it's a really messy, dirty place. I don't know how amused I'll be when the day comes that she calls my car a pigsty, because it most certainly is most days of the month!
Sally's Snow Adventure by Stephen Huneck
Sally's Snow Adventure by Stephen Huneck
Rating: 5 stars
I'm not really counting down the days till winter, but I'm trying to keep that un-excitement a secret from Lorelei and Ben. Part of the problem of our last winter--apart from several storms with many feet of snow each, the fact that Ben was barely walking on solid ground, let alone ice and snow, and losing power on a 9 degree night--was my attitude. I'm trying to improve it a bit before the snow starts following.
This book does help! A little. (I know, I know, it's still barely fleece-wearing temperature outside now in mid-September, but...I'm trying to be optimistic.) Sally and her family (whom we never see) go on to a dog-friendly lodge in the snow-covered mountains. Sally meets lots of new canine friends, including two rescue dogs who tell her to stay on the trails so she doesn't get lost. One afternoon she tries all the fun winter sports: skiing, sledding, and saucering. By dinnertime she's at the top of the mountain and wants to take a shortcut home. She gets lost but then gets rescued--a great little, early lesson for Lorelei and Ben about the importance of staying on established trails. The lesson helps in a large, woodsy poison-ivy-filled backyard with one marked trail.
Fall is barely here, but that means winter is just around the corner. Lorelei seems excited to try the sports Sally does in the book, which is a nice change from last year when she lasted about five minutes in the snow. I'll be grateful if it means this winter is better than last!
Rating: 5 stars
I'm not really counting down the days till winter, but I'm trying to keep that un-excitement a secret from Lorelei and Ben. Part of the problem of our last winter--apart from several storms with many feet of snow each, the fact that Ben was barely walking on solid ground, let alone ice and snow, and losing power on a 9 degree night--was my attitude. I'm trying to improve it a bit before the snow starts following.
This book does help! A little. (I know, I know, it's still barely fleece-wearing temperature outside now in mid-September, but...I'm trying to be optimistic.) Sally and her family (whom we never see) go on to a dog-friendly lodge in the snow-covered mountains. Sally meets lots of new canine friends, including two rescue dogs who tell her to stay on the trails so she doesn't get lost. One afternoon she tries all the fun winter sports: skiing, sledding, and saucering. By dinnertime she's at the top of the mountain and wants to take a shortcut home. She gets lost but then gets rescued--a great little, early lesson for Lorelei and Ben about the importance of staying on established trails. The lesson helps in a large, woodsy poison-ivy-filled backyard with one marked trail.
Fall is barely here, but that means winter is just around the corner. Lorelei seems excited to try the sports Sally does in the book, which is a nice change from last year when she lasted about five minutes in the snow. I'll be grateful if it means this winter is better than last!
Monday, September 27, 2010
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
Rating: 5 S-T-A-R-S
This is one of the sweetest books I've ever read. And it's about one of my favorite subjects of all time: reading!
Grammy visited this weekend, and she joined us on our fairly regular Girls Outing. Instead of going to the library we went to the bookstore--she offered to buy us a few new books. I had spotted this one a week prior while Ben and I were hanging out at the train table at a different book store, and I totally fell in love with it. I knew both Lorelei and Ben would love it, and, even better, appreciate it more when they learned to read. So I chose this for Lorelei, and she chose a Richard Scary book. (Thanks, Grammy!)
Rocket the dog happens across a little bird, who declares Rocket her new student. Rocket just wants to take a nap. But the wise little bird starts reading a story...first Rocket is just annoyed by the unwanted sound, but then he becomes caught up in the story. The wise and crafty bird stops reading at a really good part, but the bird is already gone when Rocket looks up to find out what happens next. The next day Rocket is there, bright and early, to learn to read. They begin with the ending, of the story.
The little bird then teaches him all the letters "of the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet." I love that Tad Hills wrote that! I love thinking that Lorelei will look at awe at the alphabet, a little like some look at the Mona Lisa or Mount Everest. It IS wondrous! It IS mighty! It IS gorgeous! I try to contain myself when I read the book out loud to them.
When fall turns to winter, the bird flies south and leaves Rocket to study on his own. Which he does. He practices writing the letters by marching big "A" and "B" and "C" paths in the snow. He practices spelling all the things around him: D-I-G (in the snow), W-I-N-D (in his face), C-O-L-D (during winter), M-E-L-T (as Spring finally comes).
He waits, tail wagging, for the bird to arrive, and, thanks to a good teacher and his own doggedness, he learns to read. It just makes me so hopeful that Lorelei and Ben will always have wise and crafty teachers who are able to uncover in our children their own Rocket curiosity and doggedness.
This is SUCH a great book. I haven't read a single one of the Duck & Goose books that Tad Hills has written, but now I want to after reading this book. I love that when he did his book tour for this book, he brought the real Rocket, his shaggy dog. I'm definitely a new fan of his! If you're not yet a fan, read what he wrote on his "about me" section on his website:
"I especially enjoy the responses I get from children when I ask if they have any questions or comments. 'Where do you get your ideas? What's the difference between a book and a story? My birthday is June 12th. How do you make the cover shiny? My Dad has socks like yours. Do you have an agent? Do you write the story first or draw the pictures? How do you make a book?' But what I love most is when a lower school kid smiles and says proudly, 'I'm writing a book.' "
Ok, this post is long enough. But really--go get this book.
Rating: 5 S-T-A-R-S
This is one of the sweetest books I've ever read. And it's about one of my favorite subjects of all time: reading!
Grammy visited this weekend, and she joined us on our fairly regular Girls Outing. Instead of going to the library we went to the bookstore--she offered to buy us a few new books. I had spotted this one a week prior while Ben and I were hanging out at the train table at a different book store, and I totally fell in love with it. I knew both Lorelei and Ben would love it, and, even better, appreciate it more when they learned to read. So I chose this for Lorelei, and she chose a Richard Scary book. (Thanks, Grammy!)
Rocket the dog happens across a little bird, who declares Rocket her new student. Rocket just wants to take a nap. But the wise little bird starts reading a story...first Rocket is just annoyed by the unwanted sound, but then he becomes caught up in the story. The wise and crafty bird stops reading at a really good part, but the bird is already gone when Rocket looks up to find out what happens next. The next day Rocket is there, bright and early, to learn to read. They begin with the ending, of the story.
 |
| Rocket spells out winter things. |
When fall turns to winter, the bird flies south and leaves Rocket to study on his own. Which he does. He practices writing the letters by marching big "A" and "B" and "C" paths in the snow. He practices spelling all the things around him: D-I-G (in the snow), W-I-N-D (in his face), C-O-L-D (during winter), M-E-L-T (as Spring finally comes).
He waits, tail wagging, for the bird to arrive, and, thanks to a good teacher and his own doggedness, he learns to read. It just makes me so hopeful that Lorelei and Ben will always have wise and crafty teachers who are able to uncover in our children their own Rocket curiosity and doggedness.
This is SUCH a great book. I haven't read a single one of the Duck & Goose books that Tad Hills has written, but now I want to after reading this book. I love that when he did his book tour for this book, he brought the real Rocket, his shaggy dog. I'm definitely a new fan of his! If you're not yet a fan, read what he wrote on his "about me" section on his website:
"I especially enjoy the responses I get from children when I ask if they have any questions or comments. 'Where do you get your ideas? What's the difference between a book and a story? My birthday is June 12th. How do you make the cover shiny? My Dad has socks like yours. Do you have an agent? Do you write the story first or draw the pictures? How do you make a book?' But what I love most is when a lower school kid smiles and says proudly, 'I'm writing a book.' "
Ok, this post is long enough. But really--go get this book.
Thunder-Boomer by Shutta Crum
Thunder-Boomer by Shutta Crum, illustrated by Carol Thompson
Rating: 3.5 stars
A few days ago an early fall storm passed over our house. It was a classic: skies got dark in the early afternoon, thunder clapping like crazy, lightning zig-zagging across the sky. The kids and I decided to go out on our covered porch and watch the storm happen. We played around for about 15 minutes of the opening of the storm; Lorelei jumped and cheered every time it thundered, and Ben looked around him curiously, with a little alarm. After it started pouring, we tried to drink some of the rain on our tongues from the top step and held out our hands to catch the raindrops. We were channeling my husband, at work, who likes to do this exact thing when he's home during a storm.
Contrast that to three months ago, when Lorelei was shuddering in fear at thunder, and I'm pretty impressed at the growth. Or knowledge? Or maturity? I'm not sure what, but three months ago, during the summer storms that come through our area, she was not so bold in the face of Mother Nature. After one storm that worsened right during dinner, I had to drag her to the tiny spot on our first floor where she couldn't see out the windows. She settled down to eat, but only after a few minutes of truly fearful crying.
We started reading books about storms, including this most recent one. Thunder-Boomer isn't my favorite storm book (I don't have one yet) and it doesn't even show the kids being particularly bold and excited by the storm. In fact, they all run for cover as soon as the storm hits; the family huddles together and worries, especially when the rain turns to hail. But, as Lorelei learned over the summer, the storm didn't last long, and the world was fresh and bright and misty afterward. In the book, they find a tiny kitten that barely made it through the storm. He's a gift from the storm, they say, and of course they name him "Thunder-Boomer."
I'm glad that Lorelei didn't want a cat after the last storm--she was content just to watch the rain fall and the trees of our woods swirl and whirl above. Storms are pretty awesome things, and I love that Lorelei and Ben aren't afraid of getting a fairly close-up view of that. I'm also glad that Lorelei is definitely learning from books--it's such a great habit, and I'm thrilled to help her start
Rating: 3.5 stars
A few days ago an early fall storm passed over our house. It was a classic: skies got dark in the early afternoon, thunder clapping like crazy, lightning zig-zagging across the sky. The kids and I decided to go out on our covered porch and watch the storm happen. We played around for about 15 minutes of the opening of the storm; Lorelei jumped and cheered every time it thundered, and Ben looked around him curiously, with a little alarm. After it started pouring, we tried to drink some of the rain on our tongues from the top step and held out our hands to catch the raindrops. We were channeling my husband, at work, who likes to do this exact thing when he's home during a storm.
Contrast that to three months ago, when Lorelei was shuddering in fear at thunder, and I'm pretty impressed at the growth. Or knowledge? Or maturity? I'm not sure what, but three months ago, during the summer storms that come through our area, she was not so bold in the face of Mother Nature. After one storm that worsened right during dinner, I had to drag her to the tiny spot on our first floor where she couldn't see out the windows. She settled down to eat, but only after a few minutes of truly fearful crying.
We started reading books about storms, including this most recent one. Thunder-Boomer isn't my favorite storm book (I don't have one yet) and it doesn't even show the kids being particularly bold and excited by the storm. In fact, they all run for cover as soon as the storm hits; the family huddles together and worries, especially when the rain turns to hail. But, as Lorelei learned over the summer, the storm didn't last long, and the world was fresh and bright and misty afterward. In the book, they find a tiny kitten that barely made it through the storm. He's a gift from the storm, they say, and of course they name him "Thunder-Boomer."
I'm glad that Lorelei didn't want a cat after the last storm--she was content just to watch the rain fall and the trees of our woods swirl and whirl above. Storms are pretty awesome things, and I love that Lorelei and Ben aren't afraid of getting a fairly close-up view of that. I'm also glad that Lorelei is definitely learning from books--it's such a great habit, and I'm thrilled to help her start
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My Mother is So Smart! by Tomie DePaola
My Mother is So Smart! by Tomie DePaola
Rating: 3 stars
This is the best book ever! All kids should read it and believe it! Because we moms ARE the smartest!
Actually, though we adore Tomie DePaola in this house, this is not one of my favorite books of his. It is a very cute ode to his own mother (it's written in the first person; like so many of his books, the little boy in the picture is like a little Tomie), and I trust it will sell pretty well because a) it's a Tomie DePaola book and b) there are lots of moms who need gifts at least three times a year.
DePaola points out why his mother is so smart, starting at the time he was a baby: "She always knew when to change my diaper" and "she always knew I was hungry before I cried." And then when he was older: "My mother is so smart that when it's cold out, she gives us breakfast that makes us warm" and "she can dance the polka."
No doubt this is a cute book, but I just wonder if I'd like it more if DePaola used "wonderful" instead of "smart?" Smart makes me think of business meetings and math problems, creative ideas and genius solutions. But maybe I'm the one who needs to redefine smart. That would definitely help me during the days when I think "This is it?" Not that I don't love being a stay-at-home mom, but...like everyone out there, sometimes I wonder what it'd be like if I had a different job. But then I glance over at Lorelei and Ben and realize any other job just isn't worth it. There's time for Other. Right now I have Them.
If I do my job right, maybe they'll buy this book for me in 20 or 30 years!
Rating: 3 stars
This is the best book ever! All kids should read it and believe it! Because we moms ARE the smartest!
Actually, though we adore Tomie DePaola in this house, this is not one of my favorite books of his. It is a very cute ode to his own mother (it's written in the first person; like so many of his books, the little boy in the picture is like a little Tomie), and I trust it will sell pretty well because a) it's a Tomie DePaola book and b) there are lots of moms who need gifts at least three times a year.
DePaola points out why his mother is so smart, starting at the time he was a baby: "She always knew when to change my diaper" and "she always knew I was hungry before I cried." And then when he was older: "My mother is so smart that when it's cold out, she gives us breakfast that makes us warm" and "she can dance the polka." If I do my job right, maybe they'll buy this book for me in 20 or 30 years!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Secret Shortcut by Mark Teague
The Secret Shortcut by Mark Teague
Rating: 4.5 stars
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...kids walked to school. Remember that?
A few months ago I read an article in the New York Times which explained that in several school districts a child is not allowed to walk to school if they live a certain distance from school. And in those same districts and many others, parents who do let their children walk to school are harangued by other parents for such dangerous negligence.
Ok, I admit we don't exactly live in a neighborhood where Lorelei and Ben can ever walk to school. But if we did live in more of a city, you better believe I'd buy them bikes and send them on their merry way!
Oh--the book! It's a fun one, even if you plan on driving your child to school every day of their schooling (hopefully not college). Two 8-ish-year old boys just can't get to school on time. First it's the space creatures making them late, then it's the pirates (arrrgh...hate it when they get in my way), and finally a plague of frogs. Their teacher is fed up with their excuses, and they know she means business, so they find "the secretest shortcut" and vow to get to school on time. Of course, this secretest shortcut somehow leads them past sleeping alligators and other jungle creatures. They begin to wonder if they'll be late again when they fall in a mud puddle, hear the school bell ring, and make a run for it. They make it on time--with stiff, muddy hair and all. The illustrations are vibrant and funny--Mark Teague is great for some captivating illustrations.
This is a great parent-free adventure of two little boys. Definitely a classic type of tale and one that I wish could happen in real life a little bit more--maybe we can't let our children walk to school, but at least we can lengthen the leash a bit and let them have some parent-free time to create, alone or with their friends, their own tales of their own.
Rating: 4.5 stars
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...kids walked to school. Remember that?
A few months ago I read an article in the New York Times which explained that in several school districts a child is not allowed to walk to school if they live a certain distance from school. And in those same districts and many others, parents who do let their children walk to school are harangued by other parents for such dangerous negligence.
Ok, I admit we don't exactly live in a neighborhood where Lorelei and Ben can ever walk to school. But if we did live in more of a city, you better believe I'd buy them bikes and send them on their merry way!
Oh--the book! It's a fun one, even if you plan on driving your child to school every day of their schooling (hopefully not college). Two 8-ish-year old boys just can't get to school on time. First it's the space creatures making them late, then it's the pirates (arrrgh...hate it when they get in my way), and finally a plague of frogs. Their teacher is fed up with their excuses, and they know she means business, so they find "the secretest shortcut" and vow to get to school on time. Of course, this secretest shortcut somehow leads them past sleeping alligators and other jungle creatures. They begin to wonder if they'll be late again when they fall in a mud puddle, hear the school bell ring, and make a run for it. They make it on time--with stiff, muddy hair and all. The illustrations are vibrant and funny--Mark Teague is great for some captivating illustrations.
This is a great parent-free adventure of two little boys. Definitely a classic type of tale and one that I wish could happen in real life a little bit more--maybe we can't let our children walk to school, but at least we can lengthen the leash a bit and let them have some parent-free time to create, alone or with their friends, their own tales of their own.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Get to Work, Trucks! by Don Carter
Get to Work, Trucks! by Don Carter
Rating: 5 hard-working stars
Today is Lorelei's fourth day of school. And she's home sick. I'm not completely surprised because she looked extra tired yesterday and, as a first-time-school-goer, she's going to catch everything this year that her classmates have. Woo hoo! I'm going to stock up at Kleenex and Tylenol and chicken soup now...
I was planning on taking Ben to the park and library, which are placed wonderfully close to each other in our town. But with a sick Lorelei, could I still go? What a dilemma: spreading germs vs. staying in the house all day...getting some fresh air vs. staying in the house all day...getting new books for a quiet afternoon vs. staying in the house all day. I guess you know what we chose. (In my defense I washed their hands with soap and water before going into the library! We only stayed 5 minutes!)
Lorelei was pretty cheery after a missed breakfast, and she insisted that the park was a good idea. We stayed about 20 minutes and did our civic duty by taking along a towel and drying all the slides and tunnels from last night's rain. We went to the library to return our old books and pick up those on hold for us, plus a few more that I knew Lorelei would look at again and again, and then headed home. The moment we got home Lorelei said she wanted to go upstairs, so I took her now-de-germed sheets out of the dryer, made her bed and tucked her in. Ben didn't even want to go upstairs with us--a bag full of new library books is heaven for him, so he stayed downstairs pulling each book out and, one by one, "reading" them.
Second, after the trucks get into a line and proceed in caravan to the work site, they all stop for a turtle that is trying to cross the road. That strikes a chord for us, as we live in a fairly rural area where turtle crossings occur. When my husband or I stop to help the turtle along, we always put the turtle's now-hidden head up to the kids' windows so they can see. I'm sure the turtle is not thrilled at this ("Just put me down on the other side of the road, you fool!" he's probably muttering) but Lorelei and Ben like it.
A great little book for Ben, whose vehicle-related interests already have broadened my mind.
Rating: 5 hard-working stars
Today is Lorelei's fourth day of school. And she's home sick. I'm not completely surprised because she looked extra tired yesterday and, as a first-time-school-goer, she's going to catch everything this year that her classmates have. Woo hoo! I'm going to stock up at Kleenex and Tylenol and chicken soup now...
I was planning on taking Ben to the park and library, which are placed wonderfully close to each other in our town. But with a sick Lorelei, could I still go? What a dilemma: spreading germs vs. staying in the house all day...getting some fresh air vs. staying in the house all day...getting new books for a quiet afternoon vs. staying in the house all day. I guess you know what we chose. (In my defense I washed their hands with soap and water before going into the library! We only stayed 5 minutes!)
Lorelei was pretty cheery after a missed breakfast, and she insisted that the park was a good idea. We stayed about 20 minutes and did our civic duty by taking along a towel and drying all the slides and tunnels from last night's rain. We went to the library to return our old books and pick up those on hold for us, plus a few more that I knew Lorelei would look at again and again, and then headed home. The moment we got home Lorelei said she wanted to go upstairs, so I took her now-de-germed sheets out of the dryer, made her bed and tucked her in. Ben didn't even want to go upstairs with us--a bag full of new library books is heaven for him, so he stayed downstairs pulling each book out and, one by one, "reading" them.
 |
| Ben takes out all the new library books. |
Three paragraphs in, and I'll get to this book: we've had it in our possession for about 3 hours and I've already read it 4 times. I think that's a good sign. It's really not a whole lot more than your basic truck book, with two twists that I like:
First, Don Carter uses foam board, dry wall, and acrylics to make his illustrations, so they look really different and bulky and strong, something that is just perfect for a little boy's book. (The background also looks like frosting, so many I'm just hankering for some cake right now.)
Second, after the trucks get into a line and proceed in caravan to the work site, they all stop for a turtle that is trying to cross the road. That strikes a chord for us, as we live in a fairly rural area where turtle crossings occur. When my husband or I stop to help the turtle along, we always put the turtle's now-hidden head up to the kids' windows so they can see. I'm sure the turtle is not thrilled at this ("Just put me down on the other side of the road, you fool!" he's probably muttering) but Lorelei and Ben like it.
A great little book for Ben, whose vehicle-related interests already have broadened my mind.
Fire Truck by Peter Sis
Fire Truck by Peter Sis
Rating: 4 stars
Since it's basically Ben Week this week as Lorelei started preschool and he finally has the undivided attention of his mother, I made it a point to order books mostly for him--books that were age-appropriate and topic-appropriate. The end result: holy smokes I'm going to read a lot about trucks this week!
Now this is a strange little book. Ben loves fire trucks and firefighters and hopefully all things related to fire except fire itself, so when I saw this on a recommended reading list somewhere, I ordered it right up. When we picked it up today, Ben was just as eager and curious as me to read it. So we dug right in.
The text is simple--a little boy loves fire trucks; "fire truck" are the first words out of his mouth in the morning, and the last words out of his mouth at night. The pictures are simple black and white except for the very red fire trucks--both Ben and I give that two thumb's up, so that's four thumb's up from our family. But then the boy becomes a fire truck. I found that a bit odd, but I guess there are little boys out there who probably aren't satisfied to just ride a fire truck. That's so last week. BEING a fire truck is way cooler. Well, this book is for them.
As the little boy-truck--a fire truck with a chest and head sticking out the back end--drives around, he seems to be having a great time. There's a great double pull out page that shows the number and an image, getting the little reader to find 3 hoses, 4 blinking lights, etc. I know Lorelei will love that page when she sees it. The boy-truck rolls around saving toys and stuffed animals until he smells something good for breakfast: pancakes! So he parks his truck, morphs into a little boy again, and eats some of those pancakes for breakfast.
This is a good book for a fire truck/firefighter collection, mostly because it's different than most of the books out there on the subject. If Ben decides to be a fire truck for Halloween, I'll be sure to come back to this post and add a picture...that would be interesting! As long as he doesn't insist on requiring a Dalmatian for the ensemble. We've already got two high-strung dogs. I can't handle a third!
Rating: 4 stars
Since it's basically Ben Week this week as Lorelei started preschool and he finally has the undivided attention of his mother, I made it a point to order books mostly for him--books that were age-appropriate and topic-appropriate. The end result: holy smokes I'm going to read a lot about trucks this week!
Now this is a strange little book. Ben loves fire trucks and firefighters and hopefully all things related to fire except fire itself, so when I saw this on a recommended reading list somewhere, I ordered it right up. When we picked it up today, Ben was just as eager and curious as me to read it. So we dug right in.
As the little boy-truck--a fire truck with a chest and head sticking out the back end--drives around, he seems to be having a great time. There's a great double pull out page that shows the number and an image, getting the little reader to find 3 hoses, 4 blinking lights, etc. I know Lorelei will love that page when she sees it. The boy-truck rolls around saving toys and stuffed animals until he smells something good for breakfast: pancakes! So he parks his truck, morphs into a little boy again, and eats some of those pancakes for breakfast.
This is a good book for a fire truck/firefighter collection, mostly because it's different than most of the books out there on the subject. If Ben decides to be a fire truck for Halloween, I'll be sure to come back to this post and add a picture...that would be interesting! As long as he doesn't insist on requiring a Dalmatian for the ensemble. We've already got two high-strung dogs. I can't handle a third!
My Abuelita by Tony Johnston
My Abuelita by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Rating: 2.5 stars
Confession: I don't really like clowns. Or dolls. So this book definitely freaks me out.
And now, the illustrations. I had to find out the background on these strange things, and I found this neat You Tube clip of Yuyi Morales describing how she made it. The video is a wonderful illustration of how illustrations come to be--how painstakingly time consuming and detailed, and how much talent and time are both involved.
Lorelei likes this book because there is Spanish sprinkled in with the text. And she thinks she can speak Spanish, just like my cousin did when he was a preschooler (he's now in high school--oh my!). She'll say some jibberish and then, kindly, translate it for me. It makes me laugh everytime.
For me, a strange book, but...it might be someone else's favorite.
Rating: 2.5 stars
Confession: I don't really like clowns. Or dolls. So this book definitely freaks me out.
I'll try and explain the story first, which is pretty good, though not stellar. This little boy lives with his abuelita, who is an odd character to put it mildly. Colorful is probably more polite. But he, of course, loves her and thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread. The book is mostly the little boy just describing her routine in the morning, as she gets ready for work. And that's the big mystery Johnston really wants us to wonder about, because he mentions it on almost every single page, making me think to myself in my most inappropriately sarcastic voice: OK! WE GET IT! WE'RE CURIOUS ABOUT HER WORK! In the end, we find out she is a storyteller, and the little boy wants to grow up to be one, too.
And now, the illustrations. I had to find out the background on these strange things, and I found this neat You Tube clip of Yuyi Morales describing how she made it. The video is a wonderful illustration of how illustrations come to be--how painstakingly time consuming and detailed, and how much talent and time are both involved. It's pretty neat (and I'm not even a fan of the end result), but if you don't have 3 minutes and 42 seconds to watch it, here's the short version: She made the abuelita, the little boy, and the cat, then gathered together all the other stuff you see on the pages and took photographs of them, over a three year period. For me, the illustrations in the book are a bit creepy, voo-doo-like and just not my thing. That said, they are very different and it's great to show kids different styles so they can find one or more that they like. That's what art is all about, right?
Lorelei likes this book because there is Spanish sprinkled in with the text. And she thinks she can speak Spanish, just like my cousin did when he was a preschooler (he's now in high school--oh my!). She'll say some jibberish and then, kindly, translate it for me. It makes me laugh everytime.
For me, a strange book, but...it might be someone else's favorite.
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