Archive for the ‘books’ Category

Kathy Buckworth’s Shut Up and Eat Book Party

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

Last night I attended Kathy Buckworth’s (@KathyBuckworth) book launch for her latest book Shut Up and Eat: Tales Chicken, Children and Chardonnay (review on EverythingMom), and all I got was one picture:

kathy-booklaunch

I vowed after attending Eric Ehm’s (@yummymummyclub) book launch that I would take more pictures, that I would capture the moment, one of those rare nights that I’m out just for me, no kids, no family gathering. But nooooo, I disappoint yet again.

Perhaps I’m too shy, thinking how awkward it would be to take pictures of people I don’t know (and know). Maybe I’m too busy talking and meeting-up with everyone. Those two points probably play some part but the more likely reason is I just forgot, forgot I had the camera, forgot I wanted to take pictures. Hopefully some of the other lovely ladies in attendance grabbed a few great shots.

Overall the evening was a lot of fun. The room was packed. When I arrived people were crammed into the kitchen space and flowing out the doors. My only glimpse of Kathy was her legs in the angled cooking mirrors at the front of the room (at least I think they were Kathy’s legs, I’m not sure). There were (tiny) glasses of wine and snacks. Eventually everyone braved the windy, lightening flashing, thunder rumbling weather outside to walk to a local pub for more drinks and food (if you were lucky enough to get it from our not so quick waitress).

It was loud. It was fun. I’m glad I went. I could get use to this party scene. Who’s book is launching next?

Chinese Lanterns for Chinese New Year

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Don’t ask my why, but we celebrate Chinese New Year in our house. I don’t remember when it started actually. My seven-year-old daughter is the one with the fascination. Chinese New Year happens to coincide with Valentines Day as well as Family Day (long weekend), so I guess we’ll be busy. We have a large dragon we hang up in the house and usually eat traditional Chinese food (did you see ScatteredMom’s menu plan this week for a nice International flavour).

To keep in the spirit we just finished reviewing Barefoot Books Lin Yi’s Lantern. At the back of the book was directions on how to make a lantern. So while my oldest was at school, the younger two worked on making their own lanterns to decorate the house.

First they decorated the outside of their lanterns

First they decorated the outside of their lanterns

After folding the paper in half...

After folding the paper in half...

... they cut strips

... they cut strips

Rolled and glued and handles added, the lanterns are finished.

Rolled and glued and handles added, the lanterns are finished.

The kids loved their finished lanterns. They’ll make great decorations for Chinese New Year if they survive being paraded around the house.

You can also see my review of Lin Yi’s Lantern as part of my Write a Review Wednesday post on my main blog.

Write a Review Wednesday: Meeow and the Little Chairs

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Welcome to a weekly post in support of fantastic writers and illustrators of children’s stories and the wonderful books they produce.

Children have amazing imaginations. It’s not an uncommon tale to hear about a toy being discarded for the box it came in. Meeow is a black cat who, like children, loves to use imagination to create things from a box or a simple set of chairs.

meeowbk2

Meeow and the little chairs (age 2-4) is a wonderful new picture book illustrated and written by Sebastien Braun (published by Sterling Children’s Books).

The story is simple, like a parent describing events in a children’s book. The type is large and uncluttered making it easy for children to focus. The illustrations are simple but full of personality and warmth, even with the use of primary colours. And the primary colours are used in the dialog too: Woof carries a blue chair instead of just a chair. The visual reinforces this.

In Meeow and the Little Chairs, Meeow is playing with his friends Baa, Moo, Quack and Woof. The friends start to move their colourful chairs in line. As new elements are added, a green flag, a yellow whistle, the kids reading are encouraged to try and guess what the friends are building. It’s not until the very last page that the final creation is revealed. Your kids may or may not have guessed, but they will have fun trying to figure it out with the turn of each page; my kids did. And the very last page illustrates what the friends imagine their creation actually is; that it has changed from chairs into a real vehicle.

Meeow and his friends

Meeow and his friends

I love that Meeow, in both Meeow and the Little Chairs and Meeow and the Big Box, behaves just as children do and encourages them to use their imagination. My kids love to use their pillows and chairs and blankets to create all sorts of things, maybe even a train.

You can read my review on Meeow and the Big Box on my main blog Another day. Another thought…or two. If you’re looking for other book suggestions, read some of the past Write a Review Wednesday posts.

I have to thank Derry at Sterling Publishing for my review copy of Meeow and the Little Chairs.

Review: Tag Junior (for age 2 to 4)

Monday, September 14th, 2009

My youngest daughter (2 yrs) and I had the opportunity to review the new Tag Junior from Leapfrog. Similar to the original Tag, it’s an interactive tool used to develop independent learning around the love of books. My daughter and I loved it, for different reasons of course. My daughter loved the interactivity and I loved the ability to learn what books and elements excited her learning. Another great learning tool released by Leapfrog.

But don’t take my word for it. Jump over to my blog Another day. Another thought…or two and see my daughter interactive with her Tag Junior (plus you can also read my full review).

Write a Review Wednesday: I am too absolutely small for School

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Welcome to a weekly post in support of fantastic writers and illustrators of children’s stories and the wonderful books they produce.

Starting school can be both thrilling and scary for kids, especially a child’s very first day. Siblings Charlie and Lola and in Lauren Child’s book I am too absolutely small for School, does an amazing job of addressing the fears children may have. It’s children talking to children.

You can read my full review of I am too absolutely small for School or check-out my other Write a Review Wednesday posts on my main blog.

What  ‘back to school’ books do your kids enjoy?


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