Posts Tagged ‘Review’
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
“A Bad Case Of Stripes” by David Shannon is a fun and whimsical story about individuality and accepting yourself. Of course it is beautifully illustrated in David Shannon’s signature style (although much more refined than in his “David” books) which adds to the appeal, but the most enchanting thing about this book for me is the message: be true to yourself. While the subtleties of the story line may be above your child’s head until the age of four or five, the colorful and dynamic illustration designs can keep the attention of children as young as two or three. This is a classic book that will grow with your child, I glowingly recommend it.
Tags: book, child, David Shannon, illustrations, kid, Review, toddler, Write A Review Wednesday
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
“Ruby In Her Own Time” by Jonathan Emmett and Rebecca Harry was a disappointment to me when I first read it. The storyline is based on an over used underdog plot that follows the troubles faced by the smallest duckling out of five who hatch at the same time. I couldn’t help feeling like if you replaced the name “Ruby” with “Rudy” and replaced the ducks with a football team, you could come away with the outline for a sappy Hollywood movie script. Also, the illustration style, which is done in pastels, is filled with bright colors and cartoonish characters that were not immediately appealing to me. But, my son LOVED it. So I dutifully read and re-read it every night for several weeks.
During this time, a funny thing happened. I found myself enjoying the rhythm of the writing, and developing an appreciation for the illustration style. Also, as I puzzled over my son’s ardent admiration of the book, I realized another touching point. My son was born extremely premature and has had to play catch up with other kids his age all of his life. I saw that it was entirely possible that he saw a bit of his own struggle reflected in the little ducklings story as she learns to eat, swim and fly. After that perspective hit me, it became very difficult to read the book without bursting into tears.
All blubbering aside, however, as I continued to read this book to my son over the course of a few months I noticed the clever visual design of the text, the subtle and supportive roll that the parent ducks portray and even came to appreciate the sweet and sentimental underdog plot. Although I never would have thought that I would like this book, I now find myself in the position of heartily and enthusiastically recommending it. Give it a chance and you’ll find that you too will grow to love it…
…in your own time.
Happy parenting!
Tags: babies, baby, baby's, book, read, reading, Review, story, toddler, Write A Review Wednesday
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
“Feathers For Lunch” is written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert, though your first guess for illustrator might be Eric Carl (the illustrator of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”) judging from the appearance of the style.
As an early childhood specialist, I am always first drawn to childrens books by the artwork. This book is no exception. Bright colors, clear images and a well designed layout make this book very visually appealing.
The story is appropriately simple, but the content is deceptively complex and educational. In the story, a beloved house-cat escapes to the back yard and goes bird hunting. *SPOILER ALERT* He doesn’t catch any birds, only a mouth-full of feathers.
The story is undeniably very straightforward, but the educational content is what makes this book one of my favorites. Each of the 12 birds are portrayed accurately, with the real name next to it and perched in the trees or shrubs that they frequent in the real world. However my favorite part is that the bird-call is also written on each page, prompting you and your little honey-cake to try your hand at chirping, warbling and tweeting along with each of the beautiful birds.
It may just be that I have a personal appreciation for birds, but I love seeing my son express an interest in all of the different sounds that they can make. If you enjoy the outdoors, and want to instill a bit of the aviary bug in your kids this is a great book to help you do so. My only complaint is that I have not seen it in board-book form, so it is best for older kids who are less inclined to destroy regular paper-page books.
Happy reading!
Tags: birds, book, cat, colorful, feathers, hunting, kids, Review, Wednesday, Write
Posted in Uncategorized, parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
When I was a young reader, I remember coming across my uncle’s collection of “Mr. Men” and “Little Miss” books by Roger Hargreaves. I enjoyed them so much, that as a teenager, in anticipation of the day I would start my own family, I bought a copy of “Mr. Happy”.
This same old wrinkled, beat up, worn out copy is now one of my son’s favorite books. Every yellow happy face he sees has been dubbed a “Mr. Happy”, and he knows the story word for word.
Now, one of the wonderful things about Roger Hargreaves writing style is his creative and abundant use of language. In this book when someone laughs, they don’t just let out a laugh, or even a loud laugh, they let out a great big huge giant large enormous laugh! They giggle, chuckle and laugh until their eyes water. And my son now also knows all of these great and beautifully descriptive words.
The book is a little light on storyline, the plot is odd, and not fully resolved at the end, but the writing is so engaging, and the illustration style is so accessible that you probably won’t really mind so much. I know I never did, and my son certainly doesn’t. Though it has been decades since I have read Roger Hargreaves other books, and so I cannot speak for them, “Mr. Happy” is a wonderful book with a sweet, though clunky, plot line. I heartily recommend it!
Tags: babies, baby, baby's, book, Hargreaves, infant, little, Mr. Happy, newborn, one, Review, Roger, toddler, Wednesday, Write
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
“Not A Box” By Antoinette Portis is a simple but very graphically captivating portrayal of the magical combination of a cardboard box and imagination. I not only love the simplistic illustration style, but the ideas for ways to play imaginitively with my toddler are fantastic as well.
It is a quick read, and it inspires sudden requests for various active games, so I don’t recommend it as a bedtime book. However, as a rainy day book, or a “Mommmmyyyy… I’m borrred!” book, it is perfect.
Tags: babies, baby, book, infant, read, Review, toddler, Wednesday, Write
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
“My Little Yellow Taxi” By Stephen T. Johnson is a wonderful interactive board book that is perfect for your little car-lover. This amazing book walks you and your child through the process of getting a taxi ready for work. It includes steps like filling the gas tank, checking the oil and, my son’s favorite, checking the air in all four tires.
The tabs and removable pieces are heavy duty, but they will rip if your little one is too rough with them. Over all, it is one of the best toddler books I have read with my son. It is his very favorite book right now, which means we read it a LOT. It is a bit on the pricey end, but on amazon you can buy used copies at a huge discount. Just be sure they are not damaged before purchasing.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Yellow-Taxi-Stephen-Johnson/dp/B0011T0EWI
Happy Driving!
Tags: baby, board, book, interactive, little, my, Review, Stephen T. Johnson, taxi, toddler, yellow
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
I realized the other day that it would be just about as easy to write a review on Wednesdays as it is to find good pictures to post. So I’m going to try this “Write a Review Wednesday” thing that Carrie Anne is always promoting.
So, the book I will share today is called “Yum Yum Dim Sum” By Amy Wilson Sanger.
This delightful book will take you and your little foodie for a beautiful visual and auditory ride as you experience a delicious Dim Sum meal from start to finish. Creative illustrations and clever rhymes are things you’ll find in this short but wonderful culturally friendly board book.
To read the book online see it here: http://ow.ly/hmjP (copy and paste the address into you browser bar if the link isn’t working)
Tags: asian, board, book, culture, dim sum, Review, Write
Posted in parenting, new parents, baby tips, babies | 1 Comment »
